Page 78 of Forbidden Whispers

Noah sat with one foot braced against the rung of the stool, the other on the platform, and Maggie sighed inwardly. He looked so incredibly handsome with his dark head bent over the instrument while he tuned it. Enjoy this moment while you can, Milena.

She glanced back at Jaime, who smiled softly and lifted her mug in a silent salute, clearly in tune with the thoughts running through Maggie’s mind. Maggie settled more comfortably in her seat, and rested her chin in her hands, ready to soak up every precious second of his performance.

“We’ve heard some great talent tonight, haven’t we?” he started out, and waited for the enthusiastic applause to die down. “I’m grateful that we have JAMZ to bring music education to the young people of Whispering Pines. JAMZ wasn’t around when I was a kid, but I was blessed to get an introduction to music from my Nana. She’s no longer with me, but I feel like I share a piece of her legacy every time I play. I’m feeling it, especially tonight...because I know she would encourage me in this.”

He cleared his throat and Maggie thought she saw his hands trembling.

“I wrote this song many, many years ago when I was eighteen years old. I’ve actually never performed it before. But I did practice it earlier today. So hopefully, I don’t mess it up too much.”

“You ROCK, Mr. R.!” came an encouraging call from the back.

“Thank you,” he smiled, and began strumming lightly on the guitar. “This song is called Dream Girl.”

The crowd quieted down under the spell of his music and Maggie was completely focused on Noah, the way the light struck the planes of his handsome face, and the feeling of warmth that washed over her as she watched his fingers dance over the strings. The melody was soft, slow, and sweet as it filled the night.

Then Noah lifted his eyes from the guitar, locked his gaze with hers, and began to sing.

All through our days at school

Dreams of you sparkle like a jewel.

The sunrise of your smile starts my day,

The warmth of your laughter like a sunbeam’s ray.

Golden curls frame an angel’s face,

You’re a slice of heaven in my embrace.

I’m in love with you and I don’t wanna wake up,

’cause you’re my dream girl, livin’ in my dream world.

I’m in love with you and I don’t wanna wake up,

’cause you’re my dream girl, livin’ in my dream world.

Dreams of you fill my head,

every time I go to bed.

Hand-in-hand within my dreams,

we stroll together by starlit streams.

Your touch, your look, ignite my heart,

And in my dreams we never part.

As Noah began to sing the chorus again, Maggie felt all the blood rush to her head. Was...was this song about her?

I close my eyes and you’re by my side.

I open them and my dreams collide,

With reality where we’re still just friends,

But my love is yours and it never ends.