Page 132 of You Found Me
Della winced down at the stage. “The amp’s up too high.”
Ward pointed at the stagehands who had rushed over to adjust various knobs and dials. “They’ll get it fixed.”
“I hope before Mason gets up there.” She bit her lip.
“Are you nervous?” He hadn’t thought Della even knew the meaning of the word.
“Me? Nah.” Della grinned, confirming his suspicion. “But Lucy’sreallynervous. She wants Mason to kick musical ass.”
“Well,Lucydoesn’t have to worry, because she gave Mason a really expensive guitar for his birthday.”
She bumped his arm with her shoulder. “His brother gave that to him. That’s what he’ll remember. Lucy was just along for the ride.”
Before he could tell her that his brother wasn’t an idiot and definitely knew why Ward had suddenly produced a gift instead of money, he was interrupted by another loud screech, followed by a booming, ingratiating, larger-than-life voice.
“Welcome!” The crowd noise died down as Aunt Martha sailed onto the stage. She’d changed into a sparkling black dress that he thought he recognized from last year’s holiday play. “Welcome, everyone, to the Wires Crossing Annual Talent Show. We’re so happy you made it out to cheer on all of our talented artists. They’ve been working hard all year to entertain and delight. Ballots should have been handed to you on the way in, but if you didn’t get one, you can now use our very own Wires Crossing app to cast your vote. Voting opens after the last actand closes at ten, sharp, when the big dance starts, so don’t forget. Ms. Jill, you especially.”
Aunt Martha turned a pretend glare on an elderly woman in the front row.
“Don’t you worry, Martha,” Ms. Jill said with a little wave. "My grandson already set up the app for me. I’ll get it done on time this year.”
The people who could hear her laughed.
“Now remember, the winner will be announced just before the fireworks finale tomorrow night so be sure to get your butts back in those seats for that. Now then, your host for tonight is my cochair and new owner of the Parry Water House Inn, Jed Parry. Let’s give him a warm Wires Crossing welcome!”
Aunt Martha handed the microphone to Jed and waved as she stepped delicately off the stage.
“Let’s get the party started.” Jed, dressed in a suit that would have been at home in a circus, bounced up to the front of the stage with gameshow host flair. “First up is none other than Boltz quarterback, Mason Ward. Give it up!”
Della leaned forward, her grip on the rail tightening. “Deep breath, Mason. You got this.”
Her encouragement was just a whisper, but it nudged a smile onto Ward’s face. She and Mason clearly had been getting to know each other during all those nights at Sevens.
His entire family had embraced his “girlfriend” with enthusiasm. Guilt fought with a pinprick of pleasure at the idea.
When Mason started singing, Della slapped Ward’s arm with the back of her hand. “Listen to that. Doesn’t that deep tone just send tingles up your spine?”
“No.” Ward stared at the kid. When had his little brother turned into this confident, talented man? He’d been ten years old just a few weeks ago, it seemed like. “I don’t have a musical ear.”
“Sure you do. Everybody does. You just need to be taught what to listen for. Like…hear how he puts all his feelings into the words? You don’t have to be a musician to sense emotions.” She eyed him. “You’re notreallya robot, are you? I was just kidding about that.”
He turned a deadpan look on her. “If I was, would I know?”
She laughed.
His brother sauntered while he sang to the side of the stage and stopped in front of a brown-haired girl. It took a second for Ward to recognize her. That was definitely Emily. She’d grown quite a bit, but she’d been a fixture at all of their family functions since Mason was in the second grade.
So little brother had a thing for his best friend. Clearly, the feeling was mutual as Emily stared back at Mason with a dreamy smile on her face.
“Awww,” Della breathed. “That has to be the sweetest thing I’ve ever seen.”
“Looks like the guitar was a good call,” Ward said. “It doesn’t screech like the old one did.”
“Told you.” Della waved her hand like a conductor. “Lift…up, up, up.”
She pumped her fist as Mason nailed a high note. “Nice!”
Ward watched her with amusement. “How many times do you get to see a show from this side of the stage?”