Page 43 of That Thing You Brew
“They do, by a semitone. When the levers are down, you get the natural sound of the strings. When they’re up, it means the notes are sharp. Flat notes are a little trickier, but we’ll get into that later. Now, let’s meet the strings…”
CHAPTER13
Xavier
Lunch with my family couldn’t have gone any better. I was surprised to see that someone had moved the harp from Penny’s guest room to the breakfast nook, but it turned out to be more than okay. After Karina’s lesson, I gave Penny a tour of the house and grounds.
“It’s so beautiful here, even if it’s cold.” Clouds had rolled in. The sunny morning had given way to a gray afternoon. “That treehouse … how fun! I bet the girls love it.”
“They do, especially since I moved out of it.”
“You lived in there?” she asked.
“I did, for part of a summer, anyway. After my first season in Palmer City, I stayed for the youth camps at the Plex. Mom’s brother and sisters and their families plus her parents were visiting from Calgary. We usually visit them for part of the summer, so it was a big deal that they came here. But I just wanted to be alone. Anyway, I was sore that the Edge didn’t offer me a deal then.”
“They should have. Noel said Coach Conway was even surprised you didn’t get called up.”
Her cheeks turned pink, and she looked away. I took the opportunity to tease her. “You were asking about me back then?”
She pressed her lips together, fighting back a smile. “Maybe. I saw you at the Ren Faire one weekend that summer. You tried to get your teammates to sit and listen to me play, but they weren’t interested. You stayed, but you had a frowny face the whole time.”
“A frowny face, huh? That sounds about right.” I’d sulked most of the summer.
Daniella’s car was still parked outside, and she’d left it unlocked so I could retrieve Penny’s luggage. When she reached for her carry-on, I stopped her.
“I got it,” I insisted. “It wouldn’t be right to make my secret fiancée carry in her own luggage.”
“App-appreciated.” She closed her eyes. “Your s-secret f-fiancée … appreciates it,” she said. Penny opened her eyes but averted her gaze. “I need to practice tonight for B-Bailey’s interview. My n-nerves are getting the best of me.”
“Hey.” I let go of the suitcases and pulled her into my arms, cradling her to me. “Are you okay?”
I’d told her I loved her, and she didn’t say it back. I assumed she didn’t feel the same. But if that was so, why did she seem bothered now? If she didn’t feel the same, fine. I had plenty of time—a lifetime, I hoped—to show her how I loved her.
I stroked her hair and gently nudged her chin. “You’re going to do great.” I dipped my head so that our foreheads were touching. “Remember the three things.”
“B-believe in what I’m saying, re-rehearse ahead of t-time, and v-visualize. And if all else f-fails, f-fake it.”
“You’ve got this, Pen.” I pressed my lips to hers for encouragement. “And if you stutter, so what? You wouldn’t be the first to flub on live TV.”
She sighed. “True. But I d-don’t want to think about that. Will you kiss m-me to m-make me forget?”
I caught a movement in one of the second-floor windows. “Even if we’re being watched?”
Her eyes widened. “By who?”
“Edyta’s in her window. Doesn’t bother me.”
“N-nor me,” she replied.
I cupped her face in my hands and got to work kissing her nerves away.
* * *
It washard leaving Penny and my family. I had to be back at the arena by four o’clock and didn’t get back until after midnight. I had a room at a hotel downtown, but I didn’t need to be anywhere until ten o’clock tomorrow morning.
After parking Dad’s Escalade in the garage, I texted Penny.Are you still awake?
Likely not, but a guy could hope. I should have texted her earlier. She’d probably gone to bed early, all people’d out from my sisters.
