A Girl Like That by Frances Devine

Author:Frances Devine [Devine, Frances]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781602603554
Google: QoYwjus6besC
Goodreads: 6434903
Publisher: Heartsong Presents
Published: 2008-12-31T16:00:00+00:00

Twelve

Katie almost gasped when she came out onstage for her solo and saw Sam, first row, center seat, as though he hadn’t missed a single show. She felt her heart pounding, and from the way his eyes brightened, he’d noticed the effect his presence had on her, too. The grin he tried to hide sent her pulse racing. And her number tonight was a love ballad. How in the world was she going to get through it?

The first note was a little shaky, but Katie managed to relax her throat and sing without choking. However, no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t keep her eyes from drifting his way before she left the stage. Warmth washed over her at the expression in his brown eyes. So convincing. If he wasn’t in love with her, he should have been on the stage himself.

She hurried to change into the maid costume. Every time a noise sounded by the door, she started. She hurried into her costume and headed back to the stage wings, dragging Bridget with her. “Look and see if he’s still there.” The panic in her voice matched what she felt.

Bridget tiptoed out onstage and peeked through a crack in the curtain then drew back and walked softly across to Katie, who had twisted her handkerchief so tightly it left marks on her hands. “He’s there all right. And starin’ right at the stage as though he can see straight through the curtains.”

Katie leaned toward Bridget, and the girl grabbed her shoulders to steady her. “Here now, don’t you go a-faintin’.”

“I won’t.” Katie took a deep breath and steadied herself. She knew if she messed up during the performance, Mr. Harrigan wouldn’t trust her with a bigger part later. Not that she cared very much at the moment. She simply wanted to get through the show and back to the dressing room. Would he come? And if he did, should she see him?

Katie played her part, saying her one line without a mistake. But by the time the play was over, her curls were plastered to her forehead.

After the show, she hurried back to the dressing room, got into her street clothes, and removed her makeup, listening all the while for a knock at the door.

Thirty minutes later, everyone had cleared out except for Katie and Bridget, who refused to look her in the eye.

Katie stood. “Well, that’s that.”

“We could wait a little longer, if you’re wantin’ to.”

“No, if he was coming, he’d have been here long ago. Let’s go home.” Katie trudged down the hallway, beside Bridget, to the performers’ entrance. She pushed open the door and stopped in her tracks.

A tall form leaned against the building. Even in the darkness she recognized him.

Stepping through the door, she waited for Bridget to follow her. Her friend’s sharp intake of breath revealed that she’d seen him, too.

He removed his top hat and stepped in front of the girls. “Miss O’Shannon, Miss Thornton.”

“Good evening, Mr. Nelson,” Bridget stammered and curtsied.

Katie remained silent, her eyes lowered.

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