Page 153 of Master of My Heart

“We saw you when you were here before. The summer classes you came to when you met Chase. I didn’t realize you were the same person until I had lunch with Chase’s mom today.”

Her mouth dropped open in shock. “Really? You remember me?”

“You’re hard to forget,” Kathy said with a smile. “I’m really looking forward to this year. More than I have in a long time.”

“I hope I don’t disappoint anyone,” she said softly, the reality of her new life sinking in a bit more. Being a dancer in a big ballet company had been her dream since childhood. I can hardly believe it’s coming true. She’d given up on it after was taken, but now... Now, it seemed as if everything was perfect. Especially with Chase in her life.

*****

“Business?” Chase asked, frowning as he glanced at Kathy and Sabrina talking. Kathy was quite animated, and Sabrina seemed at ease. “You sure you weren’t spying?”

“I told you I wasn’t. You were supposed to see it last week, remember? We’ve had these tickets for a couple weeks.” Richard raised his eyebrows. “We had dinner with the mayor and his wife, then we all came here.” He nodded toward the box above his head. “You know he hasn’t been willing to come to a Gathering, so I had hoped to soften him up.”

The mayor had been in office less than a year and stubbornly refused Richard’s invitations to attend or have anything to do with the Brotherhood.

“I’m trying not to force him, but he’s a challenge. Kathy’s been pretty helpful tonight. She thinks his wife might be open to variety, as she likes to call it. And if she is, he’s certainly going to be.”

Chase glanced at Sabrina, but she wasn’t paying him any attention. He didn’t really want her overhearing their conversation. “Okay,” he said slowly.

“How did tonight go?”

“Good.” He grinned. “She didn’t run away.”

Richard laughed. “That’s always a good sign. She seems happier than I’ve seen her before.”

Chase nodded. “She really does. She’s determined to be brave.” His chest warmed at the thought of her courage. “I don’t think I deserve her.”

“I don’t deserve a woman like Kathy. Yet, somehow, I got her.” Richard shrugged. “Be thankful, don’t take her for granted, and you’ll be fine.”

Kathy put her hand on Richard’s arm. “It’s going to start soon.”

“You’re right. See you at intermission?” he asked. After Chase agreed, they made their way back down the aisle and to the narrow hallway that led to the box seats above.

Chase sat down and put his arm around Sabrina’s shoulders. A sharp rap from the stage made her jump.

“Sold! Your number, sir? Thank you.”

*****

Sabrina became lost in the magic of the stage. Every song enveloped her mind and the story consumed her. When the chandelier fell at the end of the first act, she covered her mouth to keep from crying out. As the curtain dropped, she stared at Chase in wonder.

“Oh, my goodness!” she exclaimed as he stood. “I can’t believe how powerful that is.”

He looked pleased as he helped her to her feet. “Bring your purse. We’ll go get a drink.”

Richard and Kathy were waiting in the lobby, along with a couple she’d not seen before. “Sabrina, I’d like to introduce you to Mayor Gary Huff and his wife, Francesca.”

The mayor was a short man with graying brown hair and dark brown eyes. His wife was taller with wavy brown hair and kind brown eyes. “Wonderful to meet you, Sabrina,” Gary said, shaking her hand and looking her up and down. Not in a creepy way, but almost. Francesca frowned at her husband, but smiled warmly at Sabrina.

Chase put his arm around Sabrina.

“Gary, you remember Chase, right?” Richard said.

“Of course. Of course!”

They shook hands, then Chase’s arm was immediately back around her shoulders, protecting her, letting Gary know to keep his hands off. Sabrina sighed happily. She liked the feeling of being protected.

Chase, Gary, and Richard went to get drinks, leaving the women to chat.

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