Page 45 of One More Song

“Okay, how about we sing it together.”

She nods, and Ash’s fingers start moving over the strings of his guitar.

His voice has my knees weakening and butterflies taking flight in my stomach when he starts to sing, “Beautiful girl, with a smile so bright. Your giggles alone could light up the darkest night.”

I may forget to breathe as the song continues and Cadence joins in.

Together they belt out, “We can dance, and we sing, we can do about anything. Because we know, oh, that love is a beautiful thing...”

When the song is over, Cadence gives a little curtsy and they’re both smiling at me with expectant looks. But tears have gathered in my eyes and my throat is clenched shut.

“Did you like it, Mommy?”

I nod, finding my voice. “I did, baby girl. So much.”

Ash’s eyes are on me, searching me, but I can’t look at him because I know I’ll just break down.

I love the man.

And I know Cadence does too.

But time is against us.

“I’m going to be a rock star, too,” she says, spinning around, and making herself dizzy.

Dusky comes into the room and chuckles, picking her up, then hanging her over his shoulder and tickling her. “I thought ye were going to be a ballerina, lass.”

She gives a full-on belly laugh. “I’m going to be both.”

He sets her down and takes her hand, holding it above her head as she does a pirouette and belts out a few words from the song Ash wrote.

“A rock-ballerina. I love it. Ye’d be popular over in Europe. They like weird shi—” Dusky stops and winces. “Weird stuff like that.”

Cadence looks up at him, clearly enraptured by the giant of the man. “Is that where you’re from? Why you speak so funny?”

Dusky’s head tilts back and he laughs. “I’m from Ireland. Ye know, the place with leprechauns and fairies.”

Her eyes widen. “For real?”

“That’s what the legends say.”

“Can we go there, Mommy?”

“It’s pretty far away,” I tell her. “Maybe one day.”

“It’s gorgeous in the summer. My mum’s garden is huge,” he tells her. “She grows pumpkins as big as Synn’s head.”

Cadence giggles at this, and Synn gives an exaggerated frown. “Why’s it me everyone thinks is full of himself. Have you guys looked around the room?”

Everyone laughs and Saint mentions that their agent Maryll was really happy with the latest songs they sent her.

“That’s fantastic,” I say, thankful that staying here is working well for them.

“Yeah,” Ash says. “Maybe if we send her a few more she can let us take a week off.”

“Already itching for a holiday?” Synn asks. “We’ve only been here for three weeks.”

Ash shrugs. “I’d love to take a trip to Saint Martin’s. I could use some sun.”

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