Page 82 of Trouble Walked In

Worry laced with irritation fluttered through Lizzie’s chest. “Della…”

Della extended her hand to the father of the bride. “Mr. Simmons, I’m the one they’re shouting for outside. I’m Della Bellamy, and this is all my fault. You see, recently I had areally bad day, and I just needed my family. So I ran home to see my big sister without telling anybody where I was going.”

“Is that supposed to make us feel better about my baby’s wedding getting ruined?” Mr. Simmons ignored her outstretched hand. “Because it sure as hell doesn’t.”

Shanna took a hesitant step forward. “Della Bellamy? Is this for real?”

Della extended her hand to Shanna instead. “I’m so sorry about all of this.”

Shanna shook Della’s hand with enthusiasm. “Wow. I had no idea Lizzie was that Bellamy. This is just…wow. You’re my favorite singer. I know all your songs. I’ve been to two Bellamy Sisters concerts, and three of your solos. I even went to the one in Mexico. I can’t believe this! I just can’t believe that Della Bellamy is atmywedding.”

Della glanced at Lizzie. There was a question in her sister’s eyes that she couldn’t quite read. Then she seemed to make up her mind about something and turned back to the bride.

“Shanna, your wedding was ruined because I tried to run away from my life,” Della said. Some of the sparkle danced back into her eyes. “I was selfish, and I didn’t think it all through, and I’m sorry. I can’t change what went wrong today, but I’d like to make it up to you. Would you mind if I sing for your reception? I’ll sing whatever you want, for as long as you want.”

The bride’s mouth fell open, and the entire wedding party stared at Della. The parents all exchanged uncertain glances.

“Are you serious?” Shanna breathed. “That would besoamazing.”

“A Della Bellamy private concert? Hell yeah!” Scott took his turn shaking Della’s hand. “This is the most amazing day ever. We will never, ever forget this.”

The young people clustered around Della and called outsongs they wanted to hear. Della laughed and nodded, as excited and animated as they were. Just like that, the mood shifted from devastated to ecstatic.

Lizzie watched her little sister handle the crowd with baffled pride. Della wasn’t usually the problem solver of their family. She was the spotlight. The glitz and glamour. It wasn’t that her sister was selfish or self-centered, exactly. But Della was the baby of the family, and she’d spent her entire life being the center of attention. It was hard to see past all that.

Renic squeezed Lizzie’s shoulders. “Well, that should help them forget about this little mess. You said you have a microphone around here somewhere?”

By the timedinner was finished, the police had arrived and cleared away the crowd outside, and Jacob finally made it through the front door. He and Della set up a mini-stage near the lattice panel hiding the damaged wall. Jacob wore black jeans, a white shirt, and a black denim jacket. He looked like a pro sitting at the old upright piano. He and Della spoke in hushed tones about the songs they both knew until Jacob nodded with a sly grin.

“You pick it. I’ll play it. I can keep up with just about anything of yours.”

Della flashed him a brilliant smile. “Challenge accepted.”

She climbed up on the makeshift platform they’d created out of two long folding tables and flicked on the microphone. At some point during dinner, Della managed to transform from girl next door to pop star. The little black dress she wore sparkled in the candlelight. It was more sequins than fabric, and a little too big for her, but in it, she turned those two folding tables into a stage.

Della Bellamy was back.

She smiled at the audience. “First, I’d like to say congratulations to Shanna and Scott. I’m so excited for you, and so happy you let me sing for you today. It’s an honor to be a part of your lives, and a moment I’ll never forget. I hope you have many happy years together, and I hope you invite me back for the anniversary parties.”

The audience clapped and cheered and clinked their glasses.

“This first song is one my sisters and I came up with when we were just kids, pretending to be singers in our living room. Since your life together is just beginning, I thought it might be a good place to start.”

Della nodded at Jacob, and he started to play the intro to the first The Bellamy Sisters hit, “We’ll Go Places.”

She enchanted the audience from the first note.

Watching Della sing was always an experience, but tonight was more than just a concert. Della transported everyone in the room to a world of her own creation filled with music and magic.

It was a moment Lizzie knew none of those watching would ever forget.

Renic stepped up behind Lizzie and rubbed her shoulders. She hadn’t known he was there, but his touch stoked a happy, warm spot in her heart.

She smiled up at him. “She’s growing up.”

He watched Della with a satisfied look. “Yes, she is. I think she’s made her decision. She wouldn’t have come out of hiding if she didn’t intend to go back on tour.”

It was just an offhanded comment, but it hit like a sucker punch to the heart.

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