Page 42 of Save the Dance

“Me?” Tara’s blue eyes widened. “You’re sure you can’t find anyone else?”

“Positive.” Her hesitation took him by surprise. He was pretty sure he’d stated his case clearly. “I’d hate to disappoint them if we had to cancel. You know how much Heart’s Landing prides itself on delivering the perfect wedding for every bride.”

Tara stroked the soft skin under her chin, a motion he’d noticed her make whenever she felt stressed. “As long as there won’t be too many people there, I guess I could handle it.”

His weight shifted from one foot to the other. He wished he could offer her the reassurance she wanted, but the truth was, tonight’s wedding was a big one. “Well, we’ve handled much larger weddings at the Captain’s Cottage, but this one isn’t as small as some of the others you’ve attended this week,” he hedged.

Tara’s sharp understanding quickly put the pieces together. “Tell me this isn’t for the Smith wedding. Doesn’t that have, like, a huge guest list?”

“It’ll be fun. You’ll see. I’ll be there, right beside you, every step of the way. So will Evelyn. She might not be able to talk or sing, but she can still play the piano.”

“I don’t know. I …” Tara’s complexion paled.

Afraid she was about to turn him down, he rushed ahead. “Tell you what—let’s meet downstairs in an hour. I need the practice anyway, so why don’t you run through the songs with me? Meanwhile, Evelyn will continue looking for someone else to play the part.” If all else failed, he’d skip the love song, handle the vocals by himself, and refund his fee. The solution was far from ideal, but he’d make it work if he had to.

“I guess it wouldn’t hurt to practice.” She wrung her hands together.

“Great! Meet you in the conservatory in one hour. You’ll be awesome. You’ll see.” Shoving every ounce of confidence he had—and some he didn’t possess—into the statement, he turned smartly on one heel and left her standing in the doorway, afraid that if he pressed her any more, she’d turn him down flat.

Chapter Fourteen

Tara stood stock-still in the dressing room while the urge to run and hide swept over her in waves. How had she gotten herself into this mess? One minute, she’d agreed to run through the songs for tonight’s program with Jason while his cousin looked for someone to play Mary’s part. The next, she was moments away from going on stage wearing a dress straight out of the 1800s. Behind her, Evelyn tugged the gown’s corset strings so tight, Tara feared she’d faint dead away from lack of air. She started to object but stifled her complaints. Being unable to breathe had its advantages. No one could expect her to sing if she was passed out cold on the floor. As an added plus, it would save her the embarrassment of fainting dead away in front of the crowd gathered in the Green Room.

Unfortunately, Evelyn must have read her thoughts. Jason’s cousin pressed her forefinger and thumb together in the sign for okay. She loosened the strings enough for Tara to inhale, and tied them off.

“There.” Evelyn’s hoarse voice whispered over her shoulder. “You look stunning.”

Studying her image in the mirror, Tara had to agree. Thanks to Evelyn’s deft hand, stage makeup highlighted her cheeks, her eyes, and darkened her lips. Her hair had been swept into a fancy updo. A few curls cascaded to her shoulders, where they brushed the top of a dark blue ball gown designed to showcase an hourglass figure. She fanned her fingers above the sweetheart neckline. “Don’t you think it’s a bit too low?”

“Psh.” Evelyn not-so-gently tugged Tara’s hand to the side. “It’s perfect.”

Someone raised a toast in the ballroom next door. Classes clinked.

“It’s showtime,” Evelyn declared. “Ready?”

Tara’s heart thudded so hard she thought her chest might explode. She backpedaled a step. She would have retreated farther, but her feet tangled in the hem of her dress. She clutched a nearby door jamb and hung on for dear life. “I don’t think I ca—”

“It’s too late to back out now.” Evelyn’s voice firmed. “You can’t disappoint the bride and the groom. Or Jason. He’s counting on you.”

Tears stung the corners of Tara’s eyes. “I-I don’t want to go out there and make a fool of myself.”

“Oh, honey, you won’t.” Sympathy dripped from Evelyn’s every word. “Just don’t look at the audience. Watch Jason. He’ll be right beside you every minute.” The redhead backed away as another round of clinking glassware drifted from the other room. “That’s my cue,” she said, her voice as clear as a bell. Her eyes cut to one side, and she cleared her throat. “Remember,” she croaked, “Jason will sing one song, then you come in. Follow his lead.”

With an impish grin, Jason’s cousin dashed out the door before Tara had a chance to point out that Evelyn’s laryngitis seemed to come and go at will. She laughed shortly at the realization that she’d been played. From the room next door came a soft creaking. Evelyn had taken her seat on the piano bench. Tara stiffened when the scrape of silverware against china stilled. Conversation and laughter died. The opening bars of the first number filtered through the Green Room.

Her heart in her throat, Tara made her way to the spot where she was supposed to stand until Jason signaled her. She stared as he entered the ballroom from the opposite side. The hours they’d spent practicing hadn’t prepared her for seeing him dressed as Captain Thaddeus. Her breath caught as her gaze rose from a pair of pointed shoes. She inched past the white breeches and stockings that outlined the muscles of his calves and long legs. Gold braid sparkled from a sharply cut jacket that made his shoulders look wide enough to carry the weight of the world. She knew the moment he’d spotted her by the appreciation that flared in his dark eyes. He tipped the feathered hat he wore at a jaunty angle. With a rakish grin, he launched into the first of a series of sea shanties.

She couldn’t tear her gaze away from him. And when he beckoned her forward, her doubts and her fears fell away. Her focus unwavering, she closed the distance between them, joining him in the second song just as they’d practiced. She’d expected stage fright to rear its ugly head. Instead, with her eyes trained on Jason, her confidence grew with every line until, midway through the next number, she risked a glance at their audience. Hearty smiles and clapping hands gave her just the boost she needed. She shot Jason a grin as they finished out the rousing set with a flourish.

But the ballad, with its complicated runs and crooked beats, came next. Like smoke from a smoldering fire, fear sifted through her chest. It filled the nooks and crannies. It fogged her brain. When Evelyn played through the opening bars of the song, Tara opened her mouth. She shut it immediately. She couldn’t remember the words. Her lower lip quivered. Certain everyone was staring at her and that she was poised on the brink of ruining the bride and groom’s special day, she turned toward Jason.

And there he stood. Offering her his hand, letting her lean on him like he’d promised. Her feet ate up the distance between them. She reached for him. The touch of his fingers on hers steadied her. She barely had time to catch her breath when he launched into the ballad. As he sang, the room around her ceased to exist. The fear that had nearly paralyzed her simply vanished.

She leaned into the song, matching him note for note, bar for bar. Halfway through the story of a love so strong it could withstand every challenge thrown in its path, her voice thickened. Her heart echoed the words. She stared into Jason’s eyes and knew for once and for all that she loved him. She had from the moment they’d met.

As the song drew to its conclusion, Jason reached for her, and she stepped into his embrace. For a long moment, they clung together like two souls who’d been buffeted by the winds of chance and emerged on the other side of the storm, whole and in love. With his arm around her waist, he dipped her low, his hat shielding them from view. She knew he intended to kiss her. Without a doubt, she wanted him to. He leaned in, his lips nearly grazing hers.

Applause thundered through the room. Jason rolled his eyes. “To be continued,” he murmured and pulled her upright.

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