"Wait. I gotta find the music."Sara watched as the girl rattled through sheets of paper, then, with a bob of her head, smoothed the scored sheets of parchment. She set her small fingers over the ivory keys. Sweet notes, melody and harmony, blended together to make the solemn, familiar refrain.Silent night, the piano strings toned, low and reverent. That was her daughter. Sara's chest swelled until it hurt with pride for the girl. A pride that could never be shown or spoken of, but it was real and abiding just the same."She's good." The words stuck in her throat.Gabe nodded, pride bright in his eyes. "There's a music teacher in town. A woman we hired to come teach at the school, but she ended up married. She's taught Mary since her first lesson."Music lessons, Sara marveled, unable to tear her gaze away from the small girl on the polished piano stool, fingers deliberate and practiced.Sleep in heavenly peace, the piano strings shivered, and the song ended. The final notes still lingered in the air even as Mary turned to accept her applause.She played until bedtime, when Gabe sent her off to the necessary room to wash her face and brush her teeth and to change into a pink flowered nightgown."Come tuck me in, Sara." Mary held her hand tight.Sara could not say no.
