Total pages in book: 181
Estimated words: 171979 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 860(@200wpm)___ 688(@250wpm)___ 573(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 171979 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 860(@200wpm)___ 688(@250wpm)___ 573(@300wpm)
“I’ll have to ask her if there is something I could do. I don’t have much time to volunteer, but I would be willing to help with anything else they may need.”
“Talk to her. I’m sure she would appreciate whatever you’re able to do.”
“I will.”
Kent started moving them toward the dining room. Everyone else was taking their seats, leaving the only two open seats near the end of the table where Gail was sitting. Kent held the chair next to Gail before taking the chair next to her, placing him next to Desmond.
Gail didn’t make any attempt at small talk, concentrating on the food being served.
As Sage ate the citrus salad she was given, she noticed the bitter look Gail gave her husband, who was sitting at the head of the table, talking to Desmond. Sage didn’t know why, but she felt sorry for Gail. She had made no effort to be polite to her, yet she had caught an anguished expression on her face more than once throughout the evening.
“The salmon salad is delicious,” Sage said, breaking the silence between them.
“I can’t take credit for the food. Garrett picked the caterers.”
Okay. Trying to talk to Gail was like pulling teeth.
Taking another bite of the salad, she noticed Gail was only picking at hers. Sage tried again.
“You have a lovely home,” Sage complimented. “The Bösendorfer piano is beautiful. Do you play?”
Surprise lit up Gail’s eyes. “I’m taking lessons. My son developed an interest in it last year. That’s why I bought him the piano. He grew tired at having to take the lessons, so I started taking them for him.”
“Do you enjoy them?”
“Very much so.”
“Don’t be disheartened that he grew bored. He may change his mind once he sees how good you’re becoming.”
“I’m terrible.”
“You’ll get better,” Sage encouraged her, lifting her glass of strawberry sangria. “The better you become, the more you’ll want to play.”
“Do you play?”
Letting the sangria slide down her throat before she answered, she nodded. “I used to. I don’t have the opportunity anymore.” Sage didn’t tell her that she had to sell the piano a year ago to pay for the lawyer representing Glory. “The one I had wasn’t as nice as yours.”
“You can play it if you’d like to.”
She nearly dropped her fork at the offer. “I couldn’t, but thank you.”
“I don’t see why not.” Gail’s voice dropped. “I would love to hear someone play it who actually knows how.”
She thought about refusing again, but temptation got the better of her. She hadn’t been able to play a piano so exquisite as a Bösendorfer since she’d had to leave Julliard.
“I would be honored. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” Gail’s expression lightened. “What type of music do you like to play?”
For the rest of dinner, they discussed their appreciation of the classics. Gail’s love of music mirrored her own so much so that Sage was sad when dinner ended, bringing their discussion to an end.
After dinner, they returned to the living room.
“Do you mind if I go save Desmond?” Kent whispered in her ear.
“Not at all. I’ll go talk to Haley.”
“We should be able to leave in twenty minutes.”
“Take your time. No hurry.”
He left before she could tell him that she had told Gail she would play for her.
When she checked her cell phone to make sure Glory hadn’t called, she was relieved she hadn’t. Taking a seat next to Haley, she refused an offer of another drink by a passing caterer.
“You seemed to be getting along with Gail during dinner,” Haley remarked once she sat down.
“I did. Kent told me you run a charity for homeless teens. I work two jobs, but if there is anything I can to do help, I would be willing to do what I can.”
Haley smiled. “You’re going to wish you hadn’t offered. We’re always in need of help with something.”
“I’ll give you my number and email. Just send me a list of things you need, and if I can help, I will.”
They exchanged numbers, and Haley told her not to expect an email until Monday.
“I promised him the weekends are just for family time.”
“You have children?”
“Yes,” Haley patted her stomach. “We also have another on the way. I found out last week.”
Sage was congratulating her when Gail’s voice rose above the chatter in the room. “Everyone, please find a place to sit. I managed to talk Sage into playing for us tonight.”
Heat rushed into her cheeks as everyone turned to stare at her.
Catching the surprised look on Haley’s face, she rose from the couch and made her way to the piano. She sat down on the bench, her hand lovingly smoothing the beautiful wood.
Listening to the noise in the room die down, she placed her fingers on the keys. She didn’t think it was her wisest move to play so soon after just getting the support bandage off yesterday, but there was no way she could resist playing the beautiful instrument.