Page 6 of A Baxter Family Christmas
Connor watched his sister go. Bailey clearly loved this, her world revolving around CKT. Her life here was so much better than the craziness of Hollywood and the constant insanity of the paparazzi. Everyone knew Bailey and Brandon and their love story. How Brandon Paul, one of Hollywood’s top actors, stepped away from a life of fame to run CKT with his wife.
They’d been doing this for a few years now, and the business was thriving. Once in a while someone did a news feature on their new lives here in Bloomington. But for the most part Bailey and Brandon’s days were beautifully normal.
They were doing what they loved.
Connor reached the long judges’ table and took the spot in the middle, one seat away from the girl. She looked at him and smiled. “Hi.”
“Hi.” He returned the smile, his heartbeat doubled. “I’m Connor.”
She faced him. Her eyes were the most brilliant blue. “I’m Maddie.” She looked at the clipboard in front of her and then back at him. “I’ve never done anything like this.”
“Yeah. Me, either.” Connor laughed. “I used to be the one singing onstage. Did theater for years.”
“Really?” She looked nervous at the idea. “I dance. But I’d be scared to death to sing. Especially up there.”
“It isn’t so bad.” He leaned back in his chair and took in the sight of her. She looked like an angel, her hair falling in waves around her face.Focus,he told himself. “So... how’d you wind up here?”
“I’m trying to get into Indiana University’s teaching program.” She wore black jeans and a black turtleneck. Cashmere, maybe. “This internship could make the difference.”
If Connor hadn’t known better, he would’ve assumed she’d spent most of her life starring on the stage. “How do you know Bailey?”
“I don’t.” The sound of a phone buzzing came from a nearby row of seats. “Sorry.” She hurried for her cell and took the call. Whoever it was, she clearly wanted her privacy. She turned her back to Connor and slowly walked toward the far wall of the building. Probably her boyfriend. Connor tried not to stare. Where had he seen her before?
The call didn’t last long. She breezed her way back to the table. “You were asking about Bailey. I mean, I know her because everyone knows about her and Brandon Paul.”
“True.” Connor grinned. “It’s just... I feel like we’ve met before. Did you go to Clear Creek High?”
“My cousins did.” She allowed a resigned laugh. “My parents weren’t comfortable with a big public school. My sister and I attend Greenbriar Academy across town.” A quiet beat filled the space between them. “Safe environment. Prep school. That sort of thing. A perfect choice for my overprotective parents.”
Her overprotective parents?Connor wanted to ask what she meant, but Bailey was headed their way from somewhere behind the stage.
“We found a new pianist.” His sister was happy but in a rush. “Doors open in ten minutes. Let’s run down the role of a judge. Ready?”
Her instructions brought him back to reality. “Definitely. Very ready.”
“Ready, too.” Maddie flashed him a smile. “Though I have no idea what’s coming.”
“Okay, here’s how it’ll go.” Bailey stood in front of the table as she explained the process. “The kids sign in at the back of the theater, where they each receive a number. Each child will have one minute to perform a song. The main thing is for us to be encouraging. This isn’tFifteen Minutes.”
Connor contained his grin. His sister looked like a kid again, her long brown hair gathered in a ponytail, flying behind her. Just the way she used to look when the two of them spent year after year in this very theater, performing on this CKT stage.
Bailey was explaining the importance of writing notes during each child’s song. “Your scoring sheets have categories. Was the song on key? Did the performer know the words? Did they make eye contact? Were they confident? That sort of thing.” She folded her arms. She was breathless from talking so fast. “You’ll score each singer on a scale of one to ten... ten being the best.”
“And this blank section at the bottom of the sheet?” Maddie held up hers so Bailey could see it.
“Yes, good question.” Bailey put her hands on her hips. “You can write anything in that spot. Try to be specific, so we can remember the performance later when we choose who will get a callback, and eventually who will get cast.”
“Got it.” Maddie stared at the sheet and then at Connor and finally at Bailey. “Do we say anything?”
“No. Don’t worry about that.” Bailey grabbed her clipboard from the judges’ table. “That’s my part. I’ll call up each performer, help them with whatever they need through the audition, and thank them when they’re done.”
It was all coming back to Connor. Bailey made it sound easy. Audition day was always such a big deal when they were the performers. He remembered something else. “Tell her about the funny ones.”
“True.” Bailey smiled at Maddie. “A few of the kids are always funny. Some on purpose. Others because, well... this just isn’t their thing.” She shrugged. “Like I said, our job is to be encouraging. Keep it positive and lighthearted.” She hesitated. “And try not to laugh.”
“Perfect.” Maddie leaned on her elbows. “Connor will keep me in line. He knows the ropes.”
“Absolutely.” Connor felt the chemistry between them. How had they grown up in the same town and missed each other all these years?
