Total pages in book: 57
Estimated words: 53862 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 269(@200wpm)___ 215(@250wpm)___ 180(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 53862 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 269(@200wpm)___ 215(@250wpm)___ 180(@300wpm)
Lyra deliberately chose songs that her audience would know and appreciate. The classics, with all their challenges and thrilling note progressions, were not in tune with the people gathering around her. Plus, as she played more popular songs, Lyra could take advantage of the more simplistic arrangements to pay attention to her surroundings.
Three women huddled close to the elevator. Two, she recognized. The other looked different from a distance—less striking, as if her beauty had been turned down a few notches. They pantomimed cheering, almost making her laugh, but she was in professional mode. Lyra did allow her lips to curve slightly, happy to have Celeste, Juniper, and Zara encouraging her.
In the middle of a rousing tune that had everyone’s toes tapping as she plucked, strummed, and drummed on the large instrument before her, Lyra saw him enter out of the corner of her eye. She did not look at Boyd directly or give any indication that she knew he was there but continued to entertain her listeners. The young boy had risen to his knees in excitement as the upbeat music wrapped around him.
Finishing that song, she transitioned into a slow ballad. To her delight, she watched as several couples swayed closer to move in unison, seemingly without conscious thought. A musician could only hope to influence his or her audience with their interpretation of a song. Lyra loved that she had that effect on people.
As the last lingering note dwindled into silence, she lifted her bow and smiled at the crowd. Now that she had them in the palm of her hand, it was time to introduce herself. “Welcome, everyone, to Danger Bluff. It is my honor to play for you this evening. My name is Lyra Bloom, and this gorgeous instrument is a cello if you are not acquainted with it.”
The overly loud clapping of one set of hands made everyone look toward a tall, blond man in his late thirties. His suit was impeccably pressed and styled, contrasting drastically with the casual resort attire worn by most guests at Danger Bluff. Lyra could see people wondering if they, too, should clap, and several copied his actions. She grabbed the water tumbler at her side and took a nonchalant sip as she waited for Boyd to make his move.
“Lyra, you are being too modest. Your audience should know that you have wowed kings and presidents on four continents and that you play with the world-celebrated Zhivers quartet.”
“You are very flattering, Boyd, but my time with the quartet recently came to an end.” Sweeping her gaze over the gathering, she asked, “Who knows this one?”
The draw of her bow across the strings cut off his answer as Lyra played an old-fashioned tune that she expected many would remember from their childhood. She watched Boyd from the corner of her eye when he stepped closer. Instantly, Phoenix moved into his path. His large bulk shifted athletically to stop Boyd’s approach.
“Sir, you’ll need to give Lyra some room. Please step back,” Phoenix said politely but in a tone that brooked no refusal.
Lyra saw Boyd look around at the glares pointed his way for interrupting. She knew he would not make a scene in public. Ignoring his pointed look her way, she continued to entertain the crowd. To her satisfaction, Boyd complied.
Seeing him now fuming on the edges of the crowd, she chose a song to comfort herself. It was sweet, pulling at the listeners’ emotions as the tune drew them into the melody and the opposing harmony. This time, the fairy tale felt incredibly real. Her heart rejoiced at the happy ending as tears gathered in her eyes.
When she lifted the bow from the strings, Lyra dabbed at the corners of her eyes, feeling silly. To her delight, she watched that movement repeat itself across the room. Many had felt the same strong connection to the notes. Lyra beamed. What a delight to play for this audience! She’d missed the intimate give and take between a musician and listeners without the bright lights and distance from the stage to the seats.
After a couple more songs, Sadie stepped forward. Noting Sadie’s signal, she knew her time was up for the evening.
“My thanks to all of you for joining me tonight. You have been an amazing audience.”
There was a fraction of a second hesitation, and then the lobby exploded with clapping. Lyra stood and took a bow, skillfully maneuvering the large instrument as she moved. As the crowd dispersed, she looked around to see if someone was bringing her case. With Boyd in the room, she was prepared to gather her cello in her arms to carry it away with her.
“Miss Bloom, Jeremiah wanted to thank you,” a young woman said. She held the boy who had sat in front of her by the collar to keep him from getting too close. Her husband stood by her side with a smile.