Page 35 of To Catch a Thief

Carolina touched her burning face. Was Abby upset? “Thank you?”

“No, I mean you’re really good. When you said you’d sung in Nashville, but came here for a bartending job, I assumed…” Abby flipped her strawberry blond ponytail over her shoulder and choked out a laugh. “That’s what happens when I assume.”

Carolina couldn’t laugh at the joke. Abby was frowning so hard her eyebrows almost touched.

Singing wasn’t something to be ashamed of or even something to hide. Carolina straightened her shoulders. If Abby didn’t like people being happy enough in their work to express themselves, that was on her. “Is something wrong?”

Abby shook her head. “Wrong? Why?”

“You look…” How could she describe the look on Abby’s face? “Intense? Angry?”

“Angry?” Her half sister laughed. “I’m thinking.”

“About?” Carolina sputtered.

Abby looked around the restaurant. “Do you play piano or an instrument when you sing?”

What an odd question. “I use an accompanist. Usually piano, but sometimes a small band.”

Abby’s fingers tapped the bar. “What about those—karaoke machines? Have you sung with those?”

“A few times.” Not that she liked them. Ella was adept at following Carolina’s lead when she drew out a note or drove a beat. “It’s not my favorite.”

“Sure, sure. I guess it would be like me cooking on an electric fry pan.” Abby pushed away from the bar and paced the room. “I’ve thought about adding a piano.”

Where? But Carolina wasn’t going to interrupt Abby.

“If I pull this table—” Abby pointed at one near the kitchen “—I can put in a baby grand.”

Carolina ducked under the bar’s pass-through and stood behind the table. There were only sight lines to half the restaurant. “If you’re going to add a piano, I’d put it in that corner.”

Carolina led Abby across the room to the corner booth.

“It’s one of my large tables.” Abby grimaced. “Why?”

Carolina chewed her lip. It wasn’t her responsibility to tell Abby how to run her restaurant. She was a part-time bartender.

“Don’t go shy on me,” Abby warned.

Carolina kicked off her shoes and stood at the back of the booth. She held up her hands. “A singer would have sight lines to all the diners, even to some on the second floor. And, if the doors are open, to the patio.”

Abby chewed her lip. “We could put speakers out there and upstairs.”

“You’d have to buy quality speakers,” Carolina mused. “There’s nothing worse that buzzing and screeching.”

Abby’s green gaze held hers. “I don’t suppose you’ve ever played piano and sung.”

Carolina climbed down and shook her head. “I play, but not that well.”

Abby snapped her fingers. “Too bad.”

Carolina laughed.

“We can work around it.” Abby slapped her hands on her thighs. “What do you think?”

“About…?”

“Singing in Southern Comforts? What we’ve been plotting for the last five minutes.”

Singing? Her heart sped up. “Isn’t that a little—impulsive?”

“I’ve thought about it before,” Abby said. “I just wasn’t sure where to find the talent. But she’s working under my nose. It would mean a raise. And more tips.”

More money. It was the answer to her mother’s bills.

Carolina’s breath stuck in her chest. Singing at Abby’s restaurant. What would Mamá think?

But Carolina loved singing and she was good. Lord knows, they needed the money. “I’m in.”

* * *

“LOOK UP. DOWN. Right. Left,” Dr. Shaw instructed.

Sage could recite the examination. Knew when to stand and perform the sobriety drill.

Unfortunately, based on his lack of coordination, if he tried to drive and a cop stopped him, he’d be suspected of driving under the influence.

“Read the bottom line.”

The letters swam, like he was under water. He squinted. Pain drilled into his head, making his eyes tear. “Um, E…no, D. O…or C?”

“Let’s try the line above.”

Sage still couldn’t distinguish the letters. He struggled, but nothing focused.

“Your vision’s getting better.” The doctor shut off the screen.

Sage snorted. Right. “Can I get eye drops? Glasses? Something to get back to work.”

The doctor shook his head. “It won’t help.”

“But it’s been almost five weeks.” He hated being useless.

---