Page 65 of Share with Me

Brinley couldn’t read his face. “Love this place. I can’t imagine living anywhere else. Don’t get me wrong. I love Atlanta and all, but if I had to choose between the two, I’d leave the big city for this seaside town any day.”

“I’m the opposite. Once my obligations are done, I’m gone. Out of here.”

“You mean leaving St. Simon’s for good?”

Ivan nodded. “My sister and I were on tour for two years in our crossover orchestra.”

“Yun had mentioned it, though not in details.”

“Much about me you don’t know.”

“Likewise.”

Ivan held her hand. “I’d like to know you more.”

“If our paths cross again.” Brinley started to feel something akin to a loss, but she wasn’t sure. She tried to make light of it. “Maybe I’ll see you perform at Carnegie Hall?”

“I’ll make sure you have front-row seats.”

“Promise?”

“Promise. If I make it.” Ivan reached for her hand. “God has changed my plans at least once before. He might change them again.”

“God doesn’t let you get what you want?”

“I didn’t say that. If it’s bad for me or for my family, I don’t want it.” Ivan pointed toward the village. “See over there, behind that row of shops where your sister-in-law’s gallery is?”

“One street over?”

“Yes. Past those trees? See that three-story building?”

“Brick? Old warehouse?” Brinley asked.

“Yep! It has been on the market since June.” Ivan shook his head. “If I were to stay put here and not go back on tour with my sister, maybe someday I could rent space in that building for a music studio.”

“Have you been inside?”

“No. Can’t afford it.” Ivan looked resigned.

“But aren’t you a bit curious about how it looks inside?”

“What do you mean?”

“If the building is on the market, my agent can get us in.” Brinley reached for her iPhone. “When do you want to see it?”

“Uh, well… I don’t know. SISO is busy through New Year’s Day.”

“Okay.” Brinley pocketed her iPhone. “Let me know and we’ll go see your future music studio.”

Ivan laughed. “It’s just a dream, Brinley. It’s never going to happen. Plan A for me is to get back on the road.”

All Brinley thought was she wanted to give Ivan the world if she could. She wasn’t sure if it was because he looked like he was needy, or that she felt something for him she had not felt for anyone else.

“Regardless of my own plans, I want God’s best for my family, most of all.”

“Grandpa Brooks often said that God knows best.” Only Brinley wondered now whether it had always been Grandpa Brooks rather than God who had called the shots in the Brooks family.

Ivan held her hand. “You seem to know more about God than you let on.”

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