Page 20 of All You Need Is Love

A week ago, he’d been buried in work, digging through pages of ideas he’d scrawled to find the perfect one to pitch a cable company.

But tonight, Marshall dug through a pile of costumes that had been dumped in a side room off the auditorium of Piedras Blancas Church. Sequined skirts, a pale green blazer, a couple of clown noses, a variety of wigs, and other ragtag pieces of clothing adorned the floor. Several members of the Baker family buzzed in and out of the room while Marshall examined his choices.

How had he let Quinn talk him into performing at her family reunion’s talent show? Sure, he sang at karaoke bars all the time as a way to let off steam, but that didn’t mean he wanted to perform in front of people he actually knew. Or was getting to know, anyway.

Guess he’d found out just how far he was willing to go for this promotion—in addition to lying to an amazing woman and her family, of course.

Groaning, Marshall bent to pick up a hot-pink feather boa.

“Not sure that’s exactly your color, Sinatra.”

As he turned, Marshall found Shannon leaning against the doorway, a clipboard clutched to her chest and a wry grin affixed to her lips. With a black flowy skirt and dark blue lacy tank, her hair down and curled, she was gorgeous. But then, from what he’d seen, the woman always looked that way, even if she wore simple shorts and a T-shirt like she had at the olallieberry fields this morning.

Man, he’d been so close to spilling the truth then. It had taken all of his self-control to get up and leave her there, but he still didn’t know what she would do with the information if he told her.

Sure, if he didn’t get this promotion, he’d get the next one. But he deserved this one. Had worked endlessly for it. And yeah, maybe the validation wouldn’t be bad either. But it wasn’t about that—at least, he didn’t think so.

It was about work being a sure thing, the thing that wouldn’t fail him, the thing he could pour into and get a visible return on. This nebulous something he felt when he was with Shannon, on the other hand … who knew where that would lead?

He couldn’t risk all his hard work for a woman, no matter how sweet and kind and … alluring.

Ignoring the path of his thoughts, Marshall looped the feather boa around his neck and struck a pose—hands on his hips, nose in the air. “Not my color? You sure?”

“Hmm.” Shannon tapped her chin with a pen she’d pulled off the clipboard. “I take it back. It’s perfect.” Then she moved toward the costume pile and unearthed a top hat, which she set on his head. “But this might be more your style.”

He lowered the brim like a cowboy. “Thank you kindly, ma’am.” His eyes searched the costume pile until he found what he sought—a black curved hat with a large silver flower on one side. Marshall turned and plunked it on Shannon’s head. “There. Now you just need one of those flapper outfits from the twenties and you could be my co-star.”

He’d said it as a joke, but something about the idea held appeal. Even though it was a terrible idea.

Tempting. But terrible.

Shannon scrambled to remove the hat, smoothing her hair with the hand not clutching the clipboard. “Oh no. I don’t sing. I’m just the stage manager tonight.” Then she pivoted and exited the room.

Marshall checked his watch. The talent show should be starting any minute. About fifteen acts had volunteered—or been volunteered—and the rest of the family would sit in the audience of the church, where Shannon’s cousin Spencer Griffin was pastor.

“She says she doesn’t sing, but that’s a lie.”

Marshall jumped at the intrusion and swiveled to find Shannon’s cousin Ashley emerging from the room next door that was serving as the ladies’ dressing room.

Rustles and giggles floated from the other side of the door. Quinn had wandered back there about fifteen minutes ago to change into her floor-length gown. Apparently she was a trained vocalist.

Being a diva definitely seemed right up her alley.

But Shannon too? Talent must run in the family. “Is that right?”

The diamond on Ashley’s left hand caught a shine under the church’s fluorescent lighting. “I don’t know how much interaction you’ve had with my cousin yet, but she’s basically the most humble person you’ll ever meet.”

His fingers twisted around the boa, which still hung from his neck. The feathers tickled his palms. “I gathered that.”

“I’ve only heard her sing in the car, but that girl’s got skill.” Ashley tugged at the tips of her hair, cocking her head as she sighed. “I just wish our whole family could see the hidden star that Shannon is.”

Him too. “Maybe you could convince her to perform.”

Ashley toed the pile of clothing at her feet. “I wish I could. But she’d never have the confidence to go up there by herself. Especially with Quinn performing.” Her lips pursed. “Oops. Forget I said that.” She hurried from the room, the black tap shoes on her feet clattering as she went.

Marshall slipped the feather boa back into the pile, adjusted the top hat, and snagged a black, sequined blazer that was a size too big for him. As he eased it on, he couldn’t help but wonder … Shannon’s speaking voice soothed his soul. What would it sound like backed by music?

Breathy and light?

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