Page 160 of Share with Me

Chapter Forty-Nine

It tickedoff Brinley to no end that in spite of her pep talk, Tobias and Meg were still late in finishing up her new house on the beach. The rain that had lasted three or four days didn’t help though she thought that was an excuse for the conspiring pair to get away with it. Brinley thought she might threaten to yank the Pelican Road project from them, but reno people she could trust were hard to find.

She decided that after they were done with the house, she’d invite the two over for a debriefing dinner. Surely they could evaluate the situation and find ways to improve on timely delivery in the next project. After all, she owned Brooks Renovations now, all of it, and the last thing she needed was to fail Dad.

And possibly God.

No one was at home this Valentine’s Day at the Brooks family cottage. Mom and Dad were now traveling through Italy celebrating love. Zoe and Quincy were in Paris withtheirmorning sickness.

Dillon was at work in Atlanta. Dillon was always at work. Someday he’d burn out and crash.Wait and see.

She prayed she didn’t have to step in to cover for him in Brooks Investments. She had a full hands with her own company.

Lunch was a simple bowl of organic salad with slices of grilled beef on top. Brinley thought she could cook the beef herself if someone showed her. Maybe she should learn to cook. Or maybe she should call Skye, the personal chef. That’d be the easy route. Skye would probably love her new gourmet kitchen.

As soon as Toby installs my countertops.

Then I can move in.

Sigh.

Sitting on her favorite barstool at her parents’ kitchen island, Brinley studied the music sheet she had placed across the island. She was going to learn this piece today. She had played it a couple of times since she had bought it at a music store in Paris, but had lost interest in it after Ivan had dismissed her abruptly.

Well, Mr. McMillan, you don’t own Bach.

She adjourned to the foyer, mercifully cleared of Christmas pine trees. Instead, a soft wash of faux suede taupe treatment covered the walls surrounding the Steinway concert grand. Brinley propped up the piano lid before she sat down on the piano bench. She lifted the fallboard and spread the music sheet across the rack, put her iPhone next to it where she could see—so she couldn’t accidentally sit on it and crack the screen—and began to play.

Falteringly at first.

Then it all came back to her. Those years and years of piano lessons that Mom and Dad had paid for her. She had been the only one who had taken piano lessons through high school. Dillon had stopped at eighth grade, having been more interested in football and girls than piano auditions and recitals. As for their sister, Zoe, she had always been into woodwind instead.

After getting the bass clef notes down, Brinley sight-read the treble clef notes until she could play the entireAir on the G Stringfrom memory. That didn’t take too long because it was such a simple piece.

Over and over she played it, remembering that December evening at Zoe’s birthday party when Ivan had played it solo.

Our song.

What was happening with Ivan? Wasn’t he supposed to be a Christian example to her? Why had he fallen apart when the bottom dropped out? Did real Christians do that? What about trusting God?

Pray for Ivan.

Those were the same words she felt in her heart the day she accepted Jesus.

“How do I pray for him, Lord Jesus?” Brinley asked aloud. “What do I pray about?”

Her iPhone leaning on the music rack chirped, and Brinley jumped off the piano bench yay high.

She swiped the screen. “Yes, Malik?”

“The answer to your question, Miss Brinley, is yes. I do know a decent Honda dealer. He has some new models in this weekend. I told him to expect you.”

Brinley sat back down on the edge of the piano bench. “Thanks. Appreciate it. How late are they open?”

“Only until midnight. You don’t have a lot of time.”

“Funny, Malik.”

“Do you need a ride over there? I’m free this afternoon.”

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