Page 3 of Star Mates

CHAPTER ONE

Earlier, Planet Earth in the Sol System

Emmarie walked slowly up to the church, several sheets of music clutched in her folded arms. The night was clear, the stars twinkling, with a cool breeze that kept her walk brisk.

The church was old, had been built sometime in the late eighteen hundred, and hands down the most romantic spot for weddings in the small town of Claring, Missouri, population just under three thousand. It was big enough to keep Emmarie in business, singing for weddings, baptisms, dreaded funerals, and the occasional sweet sixteen party. Currently, she’d been contracted to sing at the upcoming Penley-Elbert wedding, scheduled the following day, and tonight was a last-minute rehearsal.

Not that she minded, not that she had anything planned past watching some DVD’s that she had rented earlier in the day and munching on popcorn. As the wind whipped through her t-shirt, she half wished she were in her apartment now, swaddled in her fluffy sheep pajamas and blankets in her bed as she watched Johnny Depp swashbuckle his way as a pirate. Of course, she had seen the movie a hundred times. But it was Johnny Depp...who could ever get tired of watching him?

But a living she had to earn, and singing was the only thing she excelled at, the only thing she ever really cared to do. Luckily, in Claring, anyone with any amount of talent had left, leaving the market for local singers wide open.

Of course, that didn’t mean she didn’t have hopes. Dreams. Aspirations. The one thing in life she didn’t want was alone, and it was hard to imagine she’d find anyone in Claring that would make her heart pound and her blood sing. Someone to give her companionship and intimacy, as well as friendship. She knew it was out there, that he was out there. Somewhere.

The church was bright and cleverly hid all the modern-day lighting fixtures, maintaining its air of historical authenticity. The bickering could be heard even before she opened the door. Instead of being the happy soon-to-be married couple, the two parties seemed intent on arguing their way through rehearsal. Emmarie paused for a moment to put on her sweatshirt and to take in the scene before making her way over to Sam, the piano player who sat raking a hand through his almost vanished hair. He shuffled papers as he tried to ignore the yelling people standing in front of the minister, and their parents who were intent on escalating things.

“Hey, Sam,” she whispered.

He grunted.

“What’s going on?”

He cast one dark look at the six people yelling at each other. “Her ‘rents have a certain idea how she should walk down the aisle. His ‘rents have taken the opportunity to disclose how they don’t feel comfortable with the reception seating arrangements. And the happy bride and groom has been shouting at them to shut up for ten minutes straight. God save me from almost newlyweds.”

Emmarie smiled. “Well, let’s start playing, maybe that will get through to them.”

Sam huffed and took her sheet music, choosing a soft love song. Emmarie eased into it despite the loud chaos around them. She closed her eyes, let the music wash over her to block out everything else, and then she opened her mouth.

Her voice cut through the bickering. The husky timber adding an intimate layer of depth to the lyrics. She didn’t just sing; she brought the piece alive with love, happiness, eternity and commitment. And when she finally ended, the church lay silent.

Emmarie opened her eyes to see the two sets of parents had settled down, while the engaged couple leaned their heads together. The minister took a deep breath and gave her a thankful smile, and from that point on the rehearsal continued without another interruption.

Emmarie winked at Sam then set up the chosen music in the order it would be sung tomorrow. They played when they needed to and very quickly it was over. The wedding party came over to thank her, and then they left for their scheduled dinner.

“Thank you,” the minister said to her as he walked through the small church and did last minute checks over the decorations, making sure each pew had the correct number of bibles and hymnals.

“Oh, I’m sure they’re just nervous,” she murmured.

The minister smiled. “Still, I think your singing reminded them that this is a celebration, not a disaster.”

“I’ve gotta get out of here,” Sam muttered as he closed the piano lid. “I’ll walk you to your car, Emmarie.”

“Sure,” she said to him, and then gave a good-bye smile to the minister. “See you tomorrow morning.”

The minister nodded.

The night was still cool, but the crispness made everything vibrate. Emmarie took a deep breath and glanced skyward. “Look at all the stars,” she said.

Sam grunted and burrowed deeper into his sweater. “I hope Margaret has some hot food waiting for me.”

“How is Margaret?”

Sam shrugged. “Fine. She’s looking forward to the school holiday break and taking a breather from all the kids.”

“Teaching third grade can be tough.”

“Mm,” he replied in a non-committal way.

Emmarie smiled. Margaret Burnowski had been her third-grade teacher and it was odd, sometimes, to think of her in a non-educational way. She had been singing to Sam’s piano playing for several years now and it was slow to adjust to different circumstances.

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