Page 23 of Starting Anew

True to his word, it wasn’t but ten minutes before he returned. “Thank you again, Lynn. You’ve been a lifesaver today.” He placed a hand on her arm. “You two should go get something to eat so you’re not waiting around here. I’ll find you as soon as I can.”

Lynn nodded. Mia was starting to get fussy, likely due to hunger. But Lynn wished she could stay there in the sanctuary with Nathan.

By the time she fed Mia, ate a little something herself, and then watched the new married couple cut the cake, she’d had just about enough of crowds. Besides, her young charge kept yawning and was beginning to look droopy.

Other than a glimpse or two, they hadn’t seen Nathan since they’d left the photo shoot.

Lynn patted Mia’s back as the girl laid her head on Lynn’s shoulder. “Come on, bug, let’s find a place for you to rest.”

She considered the nursery, but someone had mentioned that it was being manned so young children could be left there during the ceremony if needed. Instead, Lynn walked through the church and back to the sanctuary. The doors had been closed and lights lowered. Perfect.

She pushed the front of two cushioned chairs together creating a makeshift bed. The moment she laid Mia down, the girl released a gentle sigh and that was it. Earlier, Lynn had noticed a light blanket in the bag so she took that out and covered Mia before standing again and stretching her back.

It was so much quieter here. With the doors closed, she couldn’t hear anyone else, and the peace did wonders for a developing headache as well as releasing the tension in her neck. She looked around the room, admiring the pretty flowers and the way they filled the whole area with their gentle scent.

That’s when her gaze landed on the small piano in the corner of the room, and it may as well have been calling to her.

Lynn ran a hand over the smooth surface. Goosebumps peppered her arms as her fingers slid over the top, down the slope, and then rested on the keys.

There was a time when this was where she spent most of her free hours. Allowing her fingers to dance across the keys was her life. Would she still know how to play? Or would the chords escape her?

Even as she wondered, she could see them in her mind. Feel them beneath her fingers. She’d lived for playing the piano, and it wasn’t something she could forget. Goodness knows she’d tried.

Lynn glanced at Mia who was still sound asleep. As she slid onto the bench seat in front of the piano, she could easily see Mia so she’d know if the girl started to stir. Mia had proven she could sleep through almost anything at Little Lambs, so Lynn knew she was safe.

She took in a deep breath, held it, and tentatively put some pressure on the keys. The moment that chord filled her ears, she was gone. Whisked away to a time when her life was more carefree. A time when music was her only true concern. A time when music could fix everything.

A single tear rolled down her cheek. She brushed it away, sniffed once, and poured her heart onto the keys. She allowed the music to carry her away from her parents’ disappointment and her failed career. Away from the stalker who’d stolen her confidence and replaced it with fear.

And then there was Nathan.

She knew then that she was falling in love with him. But he didn’t even know who she was. Would he walk away from her when he found out the truth?

Unwilling to face that right now, she simply played, and felt a tiny bit of her heart heal in the process.

Chapter Nine

Seeing Chess and Brooke happy was the most amazing part of the whole wedding ceremony—barbecue sandwiches and mini burgers included. Nathan hated that he and Lynn took shifts eating and that he’d been unable to spend meaningful time with her. At the same time, it was a huge relief to know that Mia was well taken care of and happy so that he could concentrate on his brother.

Now that the happy couple was busy thanking their guests for coming, he was free to find Lynn and Mia. The trouble was, he hadn’t seen them except for a quick glance when the wedding cake was cut. Where had they gone to?

The first place he checked was the church’s nursery and then the kitchen. When he didn’t find them there, he went back to the sanctuary. The doors had been shut, but even before he opened them, the sound of piano music reached his ears. The narrow window in each door didn’t give him much of a view inside.

The stark contrast between his surroundings and the song took Nathan a moment to recognize the tune: “Walking in Memphis.” It reminded him of the version by Lonestar.

He quietly slipped into the sanctuary before closing the doors again.

Lynn wasn’t singing, but she didn’t need to. The way her fingers caressed the keys, expertly playing each note, had the words playing in his mind. He’d never learned to play an instrument, but he knew enough about music to acknowledge the complexity with which Lynn was playing.

Nathan scanned the room and spotted Mia sleeping peacefully across two chairs, and his heart turned over in his chest.

He approached and eased into a chair near Mia. Lynn’s chin raised and her eyes widened in surprise when she saw him. He immediately motioned for her to continue.

To her credit, she never faltered. With one more glance at him, her eyelids lowered as music flowed through her.

When the last notes ended, she opened her eyes again and focused on him. Even in the low lights of the sanctuary, there was no missing the blush in her cheeks or the peace in her eyes.

Nathan approached the piano and joined her on the long bench. “That was beautiful, Lynn. I’ve always loved that song.”

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