Page 51 of Passion’s Song

“The bastard got off easy,” Damien said. “I would have had him pissing blood for the rest of his life.”

“Damien the caveman.” Her lips curved in a sexy grin. “That’s something I never imagined would appeal to me, but I must admit it’s a little attractive.”

He laughed, but then sobered. “All kidding aside, April, I don’t want you to judge me too harshly for my past. Because that’s just what it is, it’s my past. I need you to see me for the man I’ve become. I’m hoping that when you look at me now, you see someone who’s worthy of you. I want to see where this new thing between us can lead.”

“You’re sure that’s what you want?”

He hunched his shoulders. “It feels right, doesn’t it? I mean, does it feel right to you, because it does to me.”

She nodded and smiled that smile that he’d come to love.

“It does,” she said. “It feels very right to me.”

Chapter 9

April sliced the air with the sharp baton as she flipped the virtual page of sheet music on her iPad. She concentrated on the violins. Their part in this concerto was, by far, the most difficult.

Her chest tightened with anticipation, and, okay, just a little bit of fear, as they got to a particularly tricky section.

“Easy, now,” April murmured under her breath as they reached the vibrato.

The sound of the music flowing from their instruments was the most beautiful—if slightly off—sound she’d ever heard. April brought in the rest of the instruments as she directed the group into the concerto’s soul-stirring conclusion.

“Yes,” she said with a pump of her fist when they finally ended. “That was amazing, you guys. Wonderful job.”

The beaming smiles on the faces of her young students brought April as much joy as hearing the music they’d played a few moments ago. She couldn’t imagine what it would have been like for her if she’d had someone in her corner who actually appreciated classical music when she was their age. Everyone had thought she was wasting her time.

Everyone except for Damien, that is. He was the one who had encouraged her to continue her studies.

She could still remember that day sitting in the guidance counselor’s office. Mrs. Levy had spent most of the morning trying to get her to fill out applications for several local universities whose premed programs had all been clamoring for her after April had scored a nearly perfect score on the ACT college admissions exam. She’d try to tell the woman several times that she’d already been accepted into the music program she’d had her heart set on attending, but the guidance counselor would not let it drop.

That is, until Damien barged into her office and asked Mrs. Levy if she had a hearing disability.

April had had no idea that he’d been right outside the door as he waited to go into the principal’s office. He’d overheard the guidance counselor’s badgering and had come to her rescue.

That day had been a turning point for her. Having Damien stick up for her and validate her choice to follow her love of music had given April the courage to stand up to her family. It was the day she’d made the choice to never allow anyone to discourage her from following her dreams, no matter how far-fetched they seemed.

She wanted to do the same for these kids. Especially Linsey.

April saw so much of herself in the young girl. It was as if the music called to her, the same way it had called to April when she was Linsey’s age. She concentrated harder than any of the other students, and she played as if the music was a part of her.

No, not every kid had the kind of talent that it would require to do this on a professional level, but there were a few who had taken a true liking to it. Kids like Linsey. April wanted to nurture that interest as best she could.

“April!” She looked up to find LaDonna coming into the room with a huge smile on her face. “I have the best news,” the director said. “I just received a call from the director of the Coming Home Project. They’re in charge of the big grand opening for the groundbreaking ceremony on the new streetcar line that’s going to start construction next month over on Rampart Street. They want your kids to play at the ceremony.”

The excited roar that went up among the students was loud enough to lift the roof off the building.

“A well-deserved honor,” LaDonna said. “Congratulations to all of you. You’d better get ready, because the spotlight is going to be on you.”

Once LaDonna left the classroom, April clapped her hands and addressed the class.

“She’s right,” April said. “If we’re going to accept this invitation—which we definitely will do—we’re going to have to be prepared. This means extra practices. Are you all up for that kind of commitment?”

A dozen enthusiastic head nods had April laughing.

“Wonderful,” she said. “Now, I know no one likes homework, especially during the summer, but this should be fun. I want you all to go on YouTube and find at least five different pieces that you would be interested in playing for the groundbreaking ceremony. Can you all handle that?”

A chorus of “yes” and “of course” and “we got this” rang throughout the classroom as the students started to pack up.