Lauren poured herself a cup of coffee and leaned a hip against the counter, her narrowed eyes trained on Cassie. Uh-oh. Trouble. Her sister hadn’t become a successful financial advisor without being perceptive.
Cassie wiggled in her seat.
“So when are you going to tell me what’s going on?”
“If I have my way, never.”
Lauren sipped her coffee. Cassie could almost picture the wheels turning in her sister’s mind.
“So there is something going on. The wedding?”
“No, it’s not about the wedding.”
“Whatever it is, I’ll listen. I’m told it’s one of my best qualities.”
“As much as I’d love to, you can’t help with this problem.”
“Music?”
“Of course. What else drives me?”
“If you’re having trouble, talk to Dad.”
“Yeah, that’s not going to happen.” She held up her hand as Lauren opened her mouth to argue. Her father had shown her the wonderful world of music, and yes, she’d wanted to please him, but after too many years spent trying to earn her father’s love and never measuring up, she’d stopped trying. Excluding him from her life had helped her to focus as she tried to succeed in the business, finding passion in her talent, without his criticism. “Not because we don’t talk to each other. He can’t help me figure this out.”
A knowing gleam shone in her sister’s eyes. “But Luke Hastings can?”
Her breath caught. “Why would you ask me about him?”
“Because I heard you humming that song of his again.” She snapped her fingers. “You know, something about love.”
“‘Won’t You Love Me Always.’”
“Right. I can never keep all the titles straight. It’s like that one of yours, ‘Pretty Inside.’ I love the message of that song.”
Cassie smiled, remembering the story behind the lyrics. She’d gone to a fancy sorority party in college and while her friends were all dressed up in the latest fashion, she’d worn a casual outfit. Big no-no. She’d brushed off the sideway glances and snickers by pretending to be amused, hiding her hurt feelings. Later on, she’d used the experience to compose a song about beauty coming from inside, not the trendy clothes or shoes that a person wore. It had been one of her most popular singles.
“That was a great time for me. I was away from home for the first time. Mom and Bud were strong so we didn’t have to worry about her like we did when the three of us were making ends meet. It was like the clamoring inside my head finally calmed down and I could take the lyrics I’d been jotting down forever and put them to music.”
“Mom wasn’t happy when you dropped out your senior year.”
“What can I say? When the opportunity to perform full-time arose, I jumped at the chance. Actually made some money.”
“Until LA.”
“It wasn’t easy, but I was living my dream.” She laughed. “I was all about ramen noodle meals, sleeping on friends’ couches and pinching pennies to get by while I knocked on one record label door after another.”
“And now,” her sister asked, “you’re interested in Luke?”
She’d been humming Luke’s love song, a number infused with such deep longing that the singer didn’t know how he’d make it through another day without a commitment from the woman he loved. It was so much a part of her subconscious, taking her back to the painful breakup with Chris around the time of the single’s release. As long as she could remember, humming, singing and playing were natural responses for her, but that song? After hearing it, she’d taken out her journal and begun writing snippets about her feelings, which eventually became lyrics to her own songs.
“The guy is a legend. Look at his reputation. Multiple hits recorded by famous artists. Four Grammy awards. If I could just convince him I don’t want anything tangible from him, just a bit of his time...”
“From what I’ve heard, he doesn’t talk about his old career.”
“I remember reading something about a messy divorce, but I was busy with my career then so I didn’t pay attention.”
“Some people don’t like to dwell in the past. Luke is one of them.”
“It’s a shame. He really made his mark on the music world.”
“And now his mark is Kids’ Klub. When Luke came to town and started teaching, he saw a need for at-risk teens to put their energy into something constructive. He started with music, but soon the concept grew into sports teams and other creative stuff. It still focuses on troubled youth, but the teams and clubs and lessons caught on and developed into an awesome outlet for kids from any background. Not only do the teens in Cypress Pointe take advantage of the Klub, but surrounding towns, as well. And now, local businesses have joined in and will help train kids in their areas of interest. It’s quite a success.”
“I’m impressed.”
“They operated out of the basement of a small community center, but recently Luke moved to an empty warehouse just north of town. He’s hoping to buy the property but funds are tight. He runs the program from donations, including whatever he makes with his wedding band.”
Cassie pictured his face, his dark blond hair and those deep brown eyes. How he’d smiled during a raucous number his band performed at her dad’s reception, or the faraway look that came over him when he sang a love song.
“You certainly have your finger on the pulse of the town, especially this Kids’ Klub,” she said, shaking off the vision.
“I helped Luke draw up a business plan when he first came up with the concept. Guided him through the nonprofit maze, set up the organization books and so on. He recently called me for advice on buying the property and warehouse.”
Cassie tilted her head. “Last night you acted as thought you barely know him.”
Lauren shrugged. “I don’t know him, other than as a client. He doesn’t talk about himself or his life, only the Klub. So essentially he is kind of a stranger, at least about his personal life.”
“Hmm.”
“I recognize that look,” Lauren said. “You’re still determined to get him on board to help you with...whatever.”
Did she dare confess her darkest fear? Speak aloud the words that kept her awake at night, drenched in a cold sweat, worrying about her future?
Cassie paused, staring out the window. A cardinal landed on the birdfeeder in the backyard. Sitting atop the structure, tall and proud, the beautiful scarlet creature surveyed its surroundings, its stature speaking of control in the world. So unlike Cassie’s state of mind at this very moment.
She finally glanced at her sister, took a bracing breath before saying, “I’m having trouble coming up with new material. That’s why I’m so interested in Luke.”
“Since when?”
“Since Living in Paradise tanked. The label wants a repeat of my first album and I can’t put together words or melodies.”
“I remember when we were growing up you were always scribbling in your journal. No wonder you’re worried.”
“I’m hoping this is temporary, so please keep this between us. At least until I can sort this out.”
“I will.” Lauren finished her coffee and placed her mug on the counter. “I