Kassidy's Crescendo Read Online Free PDF Page B

against her ribs and chest. Her pulse rocketed. The setting was incredible.
    Maeve stared ahead, gasping. Siobhan released a short, expressive squeal of delight. Aileen’s ever-steady demeanor wavered—literally.
    A wide curving stairwell at center stage was framed from behind and at the sides by dreamy, wavering panels of white satin that fell from ceiling to floor. At present, they were red, blue, orange, and yellow, reflecting the play of overhead lights. Openings between the panels featured a tantalizing view of sunlit sea, steep, craggy cliffs and green, rolling land the likes of which could only be found in Ireland. Crowning the center of the stage, a softly illuminated Celtic cross of deep green hung above it all.
    Kassidy whipped her head around; she studied Drew, who seemed to have deliberately lagged behind so they could enjoy the grand reveal. The sly grin he wore was completely adorable, but Kassidy didn’t dwell on that for long. She couldn’t wrap her head around the way he had pulled together a masterpiece. “You…you did this. You created this fantasy, didn’t you?”
    He shrugged, but sparkles lit his eyes. “It’s what I do.”
    “It’s incredible, Drew. Perfection.” Maeve found her voice, but it trembled.
    Kassidy gazed at Drew in awe, wondering if her appreciation could possibly bathe him as thoroughly as pure joy now bathed her spirit. With beauty and class, he had crafted a stunning ode to their history—and their faith.
    “This is breathtaking. Thank you for creating such a beautiful place for us to perform.” Aileen’s voice was choked and husky, her blue eyes glittery.
    Kassidy was overcome as well and followed up on that reaction in a way that wasn’t entirely typical for her. She stepped straight into Drew’s arms and held him tight. “Thank you. I can’t possibly add to Ailee’s sentiments, but I feel them just as deeply.”
    Her words were whispered into his ear, meant for him alone. His arms came around her swift and sure, and a tender wash of unity bloomed through her chest, causing a jolt. Kassidy inhaled deep, delivering a succinct nod as she stepped away and addressed the group at large. “It’s going to be an honor to perform here.”
    Drew resumed his professional role as well. “If you follow me, I’ll show you to your dressing room so you can get familiar with the layout of costuming and makeup. I need to check in with the production team. We rehearse in just over an hour, once Liam is back in pocket, so relax for now and enjoy lunch. There should be a catered selection of sandwiches and snacks waiting for you in the green room.”
    They followed Drew’s lead, but Kassidy’s gaze continued to rove. She didn’t want to miss a single detail of this stunning venue. “I can’t wait to practice and see how it feels to perform on this stage.”
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

3
     
    An hour-long sound check neared conclusion. So far, final staging, sound and lighting tests had passed Drew’s stringent review. Dressed in comfortable clothing, Sisters had just finished one of the ensemble numbers that featured all four of them on stage, plus a twenty-member choir from a local Catholic church. He watched the stage clear of everyone but Kassidy. The stage lights slowly dimmed until only a single spotlight remained, framing her in a circle of brilliance.
    The opening strains of Michael W. Smith’s classic, “Rocketown,” filled the theater with the rhythmic pulse of a bass guitar and synthesizer. Kassidy closed her eyes, swaying in time to the beat. A wireless microphone was tucked into her ear, hidden by the fall of her hair. Drew couldn’t look away. As the music built, she executed a slow, smooth circle, eyes coming open as she began to sing the song of a life redeemed.
    Drew sat next to Liam in a seat located toward the midpoint of the Hastings Theater. The mystique of Kassidy’s performance flowed through his suddenly hungry spirit like curls of fog. His