The Wedding March

He turned back, lines forming between his brows. “Nerves?”

“I need a few minutes,” she replied, warmed by his concern.

“Gotcha.”

She’d just turned to walk away, fighting her silly disappointment that Luke hadn’t been more chatty, when Denny, the teen she’d met at Kids’ Klub, rushed across the stage, followed by a girl his age.

“Hey, Mr. H. We sold all the tickets for tonight.”

Luke clapped Denny on the shoulder. “You’re sure?”

“Yep. Miss Branford,” he said and gestured at Cassie, “er, your sister, not you. Anyway, she’s been keeping track of sales and donations. So far we’re right on the mark.”

Sounded like her sister. Lauren was in her element projecting the outcome of sales.

Luke looked over Denny’s shoulder to meet Cassie’s gaze. “Seems your idea worked out.”

Her tummy quivered. “I’m glad.” Which she was, but she wasn’t patting anyone on the back until after the concert.

“Even with the short time span to publicize the concert, so far so good.” Denny’s grin lit up his face. “Thanks, Miss Branford.”

“Please, call me Cassie.”

“Really?” He pushed his glasses up his nose. “Cool.”

“Who’s your friend?” Cassie couldn’t help notice his besotted smile as he introduced the girl dressed in head-to-toe black.

“This is Erin.”

“Nice outfit, Erin,” she said as she stuck out her hand in greeting.

“Thanks. I saw you wearing something like this when you were on the MTV awards show.” The young girl’s teeth tugged at her lower lip. “Sorta stole your style.”

“I don’t mind at all. You look great.”

With her nearly white blond hair and porcelain complexion, Erin was in the early stages of stunning. Contrast the dark clothing and Cassie understood Denny’s reaction. The teen was clearly smitten with the goth girl.

“You did a great job rallying the troops.” Luke told Denny, rewarding the teen with a lopsided grin. A grin usually reserved for when he was around the kids. How sad was it that she could use one of those assuring smiles from him right now?

“It was easy. All the kids were excited to help out. Especially since they got free admission. And they got to meet Cassie Branford.” Denny’s smile couldn’t get any bigger. “I got ’em on hot dog duty now.”

Luke glanced at Cassie. “Denny came up with the idea to sell food for extra income, so I put him in charge. He’s nothing if not industrious.”

As were most of the kids Cassie had met before today. The young people were respectful of her time, some shy upon meeting her, others full of questions. It had been a while since she’d looked forward to working in an area other than her music. So far her muse was MIA and she still hadn’t written a song, but interacting with the kids gave her an excited outlook she hadn’t realized she’d been missing since starting in the business.

“Well, if Mr. Hastings agrees, I’ll be hanging around the Klub more often.”

“Really, Mr. H.?”

“Yes. Cassie wants to volunteer. Give music lessons.”

Erin’s face lit up. “You promise?”

“I do. But right now, I need to prepare before we go on. Excuse me.”

Cassie gingerly stepped over the cords and between the instruments and monitors. She marched down the steps and strode to the tent set up for the band. As she entered the empty space, her stress level lowered.

She grabbed a water bottle from the large ice-filled tub. The cool liquid soothed her throat as drops from the wet container splashed down on her dress. She brushed the moisture away, taking another swallow before placing the bottle on the makeup table.

Pacing now, she cleared her mind. The ritual eased her nerves. Jitters plagued her whenever she performed, right up until she released the first note of the first song and her passion kicked in. Nerves are good, her manager always told her. Keeps you humble.

Did Luke see her as a humble musician? Or a career-driven poser? She wasn’t sure, but in the time she had left in Cypress Pointe, she was determined to leave him with a positive impression. Why his opinion meant so much to her she didn’t fully ponder, just let it simmer below the surface. Funny, she tried not to care what most people thought, but Luke had joined the ranks of those she wanted to please.

She shook off the image of Luke. Continuing to pace, she included vocal exercises. She hummed the scale, her tone clear in the process. Long ago she’d learned to start out by humming so not to strain the vocal cords. Then she added the words of a song, again moving up and down the scale before taking another drink of water.

Minutes passed and she started to softly sing a random melody, eyes closed, final prep for the performance. She let go, her mind free, shaking her arms in the process, working out the kinks. Tonight had to be a success. She needed to show Luke that she was more than willing to work in exchange for his agreement to help her unlock the writer’s block. That her motives were not one-sided.

She took another pass across the room when the tent flap flipped open.

“Cassandra. I’ve been looking for you.”

She held back a groan as her father walked in.

“I’m busy right now, Dad.”

He glanced around the empty tent. “There’s nothing going on here.”

“I’m preparing.”

“It can wait,” he said, impeding on her space. “I have a request.”

She took a deep breath to control her annoyance.

“I want to play with you tonight,” he rushed on to say without waiting for her go-ahead. “It will be a good move for your career.”

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