Page 45 of That Thing You Brew
I felt Xavier’s presence behind me. His big heavy arms encircled the both of us. “There was never anyone else,” he whispered.
* * *
Friday came fast,and amid all the buzz and excitement over the events and rehearsals, there was time carved out for a family skate. I arrived with Xavier’s sisters and mom; his dad had a reunion thing to do, so he’d left earlier that morning. There were so many celebrities and athletes, current and retired, milling about, and it was hard not to get caught up in the excitement.
I’d transferred my emerald to the ring finger on my right hand, just in case someone recognized me. It would be easy to put the few pieces together, especially after tomorrow. Bailey was going to interview me before Xavier’s Breakaway Challenge. I told her I was nervous, so she promised to stick to the script.
She also told me that the production team would likely seek me out afterward, so if I didn’t want to speak with them, I should scurry back up to the Schwanns’ box.
I wouldscurrylike an Olympic runner, I assured her.
Having been focused on music my entire life, I hadn’t spent a lot of time on ice skates. Karina said it was only fair that since I was teaching her to play the harp, she could teach me how to skate.
We agreed to terms—I’d get to skate close to the wall at all times—and she would challenge me according to my ability level.
“That sounds pretty involved,” I said. “How do you determine my ability level?”
She shrugged. “I just know.”
“All right then.”
And so began my skating lessons. I was even skating backward a little bit by the end of the session.
Xavier had shared his time between me and his sisters, hoisting them into the air and spinning and all kinds of tricks, clowning around. It was great to see him having so much fun.
Up in the stands, several of his teammates had arrived with their families. I recognized the Trotters and Lauren Dexter. I blew a kiss to Gabby. She and Noel had flown up with Noel’s mom, Gemma, Coach Conway, and their new baby. I didn’t see Coach, though. Probably with some former players somewhere.
It was all wonderful and overwhelming at the same time. I didn’t want to leave, but I needed some quiet time to play before the events tonight.
When we returned to the house, I went straight to my harp. The day was overcast, and a blustery breeze created whitecaps on the water. I watched the Schwanns’ two boats rise and fall with the waves before turning to my instrument.
I loved my old thirty-four-string folk harp. Made from black walnut, it had been carved from a pew in Palmer City’s first church by an ancestor of mine. My grandfather found it when he and his siblings cleaned out the attic in their parents’ farmhouse after their mother died. It had been a decoration in my grandparents’ living room until I started strumming it as a preschooler.
I set the keys and started with a scale to warm up, and soon the pads of my fingers were moving on their own accord, dancing and plucking and performing soothing, calming melodies. I’d chosen a selection of ballads; the slow tempos always helped to tamp down my nerves and lower my heart rate. Something I loved about the harp was arranging music. A harpist couldn’t play the composer’s every note on orchestral pieces since there were fewer strings than notes. You could purchase other harpists’ arrangements, but I enjoyed composing my own.
I didn’t know how long I played. When twilight set in, I stopped so that I could leave the room before dinner. I gathered my tote bag and water tumbler and turned to leave.
I jumped, startled to see Xavier’s father leaning against the archway.
“My son has chosen well. And your playing is lovely. Thank you for teaching my daughter. Perhaps you can help me choose a harp to buy for her?”
“Of … course. Th-thank you?” Of all the things Xavier and I had rehearsed, a one-on-one conversation with his father wasn’t among them.
“Thank you, Penny, for all you are doing for him. He is lucky to have found you. It saddens me that it is only temporary to save Schwannenschloss. We like you very much.”
I took a deep breath. “T-temporary?” I repeated. My heart crashed at my feet. Had Xavier told him that?
He raised an eyebrow. “Is it not?”
I shook my head. “I hope not. I … c-care about your son very much. We b-both want to make it last.”
His brow furrowed. “J.R. said … never mind. So … you want to be part of our family permanently?”
I nodded. “V-very much so.”
His worried frown spread into a wide smile, and his whole face brightened. “Welcome to the family, then, Penny Palmer. It is our honor to gain such an outstanding new daughter-in-law.” He held his arms out.
The tension between us lifted, and I walked into his hug. Now that he knew how Xavier and I really felt, maybe I could convince him to come to our wedding.
