Page 69 of A Chance at Forever
Victoria had given the cast a pep talk five minutes before curtain when Troy ran up to her and cried, “Ms. Lockridge! It’s Kaylee! Her parents phoned to say she’s at home in bed with a high fever. What will we do? She’s the only one who knows all the music. Oh, man, we’re in trouble. This is all my fault. I never thought to make sure someone else could oversee the music.”
The distraught boy was on the verge of tears as the cast began to murmur their own panic. “It’s not your fault, Troy. There’s no need to get hysterical.”
“But, Ms. Lockridge, who’s going to do the music?”
“I am.”
“You?” His eyes bugged in his head. “We, uh, have never heard you play.”
Victoria smiled and patted his shoulder. “Well, I can. Now, listen everyone. You’ve got this.” Looking at Troy, she added, “I want you to welcome the audience instead of me. Make sure you announce what happened to Kaylee and that I’ll be substituting for her. Are you ready?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
A hush fell over the crowd as Victoria and Troy walked out on stage. Taking her place at the piano, she nodded her head at her bright, young student whose charming opening speech won the audience’s approval.
The moment Victoria hit the first chord she poured her soul into every note. When she sang Kaylee’s solo, she felt the audience’s eyes upon her, and as she finished, they erupted into applause. While she waited for her cue in the next scene, an incredible power, the kind that can only come from within, flowed through her.
As the last scene in the musical ended and the audience roared with applause, Victoria knew the production was an immediate success. She joined her cast and crew onstage, standing with them while they received an ovation. Troy presented her with a bouquet of red roses from everyone involved and a plaque commemorating their first performance. After they took their final bow, someone handed her another bouquet of roses—apricot roses.
Victoria could hardly breathe as she accepted hugs and congratulations from those around her and her friends, but her eyes searched the crowd for the one person she wanted most to see. When the auditorium cleared, she saw him. Standing in the back in a black suit, white shirt, and a red tie. Rusty.
She glided toward him. He crushed her against him, flowers and all. “I’m in awe, baby. Words can’t explain the magic I saw on that stage tonight. You playing the piano…my heart burst with pride.”
Victoria appreciated the words, but she wanted much more. “Kiss me.”
“As you wish.” His mouth descended on hers in a blaze of passion.
A heavy snow fell as they arrived home in separate cars. Rusty built a fire in Victoria’s great room while she prepared them something warm to drink. They wrapped their hands around mugs of hot cocoa and stood in front of the dancing flames.
Rusty’s voice sounded hoarse when he said, “We haven’t discussed our plans for Christmas. I’m flying out tomorrow.”
Victoria raised an eyebrow. “Tomorrow? It’s only the eighteenth. Oh, wait. My dad is sending a private plane for me and Bud on the twentieth. Since we’re both going in the same direction, you could fly with me. It would actually be better for your health.”
“I’m not going straight to my sister’s,” Rusty explained. “I have to see Alex first.”
“Okay. Well, then, I’d better give you your Christmas present tonight.” She reached beneath the tree and removed one of the biggest packages.
Rusty’s emerald eyes glowed with interest. “What’s this?”
“Open it, silly.”
He tore through the wrapping paper and lifted the lid from the box. Inside lay a patchwork quilt, the rich blues and greens complementing each other in a unique pattern. Rusty scrutinized the tiny, meticulous stitches. “You made this?”
“I did. Do you like it?”
“Like it? I love it. Tori, this is incredible. When I think of all the time and effort you put into making this, well, I’m touched.” He pulled her into his warm embrace and kissed his thanks. A moment later he reached into his pocket and handed Victoria a small square box. “Your turn.”
She opened it and gasped. An elegant emerald necklace glittered in the firelight. “Oh, Rusty. It’s breathtaking.”
“Will you wear it on Christmas Eve?”
“Yes.”
Their mouths met in a series of tender kisses. Victoria communicated her love for Rusty without words, and he reciprocated.
He lifted his head and gazed into her eyes. “It’s late, and I have an early flight tomorrow. Nine o’clock.”
“Rusty, will I see you in New York?” Not only did she want him to meet her father and brothers, but she wanted him there to help her face whatever awaited her.
