Queenie Baby: Pass the Eggnog Read Online Free PDF Page B

me over to a folding chair next to her. I pulled my guitar out of its case and headed her way.
    "Let's try some of the songs from White Christmas . I printed out the lyrics. We'll have our first practice tomorrow afternoon after you get back from your hike. It'll give me time to scout some costumes and props." Ashley rustled through a pile of papers in front of her.
    She handed me the sheet music for "White Christmas." I knew the song because I played it every Christmas for business holiday parties.
    I played the first few notes. I opened my mouth to sing. And a deep, smooth baritone beat me to the punch. I looked up in surprise. Kyle was singing. Beautifully. I switched to singing backup, and we got through the song like a couple of pros. Everyone clapped enthusiastically.
    "I should take you on the road with me. You're wonderful!"
    Kyle smiled at the praise. "I sang at church. My grandmother used to take me every week."
    "Looks like you're stuck being Bing Crosby to my Rosemary Clooney. You've just auditioned your way into the Christmas play."
    He looked around the room. Everyone nodded happily.
    Ashley said, "Do you have a suit? You really need to wear a suit for the play."
    Kyle looked like he wished he'd have kept his mouth shut. "I do," he stammered.
    "And you have to shave off your beard. Bing Crosby didn't have a beard," Ashley said.
    "My beard? It's still winter. I really don't—" he began.
    The lights flickered wildly and then went off. The only light came from the fireplace.
    "Oh, dear," I heard Victoria murmur.
    "No worries," said Jake. "The generator will kick in any minute. This happens a couple of times a week."
    We waited. Nothing happened.
    "I think you'd look lovely without a beard, dear," Mammaw said out of the blue. "And so does your granny."
    "Thank you, ma'am." Kyle rubbed his chin. "But the beard keeps my face—" The lights flickered on and then went out again.
    "What the heck?" Jake exclaimed. "Why isn't the generator kicking on?"
    "Maybe you can just think about it, dear," Mammaw insisted.
    Everyone looked at Kyle. Kyle looked at me. "What do you think?"
    I was noodling my way through the "Sisters" song, because I knew Ashley would be clamoring for it any minute.
    Â "I think you should do what you want to do. But," I paused, giving him a little grin, "I would like to see who's behind the beard."
    He grinned back. "Done! I'll shave it tomorrow."
    The lights came on, and everybody cheered. Was I the only one who thought the timing weird?
    After exhausting most of the songs from White Christmas , The Grands and The Parents retired to their rooms for the night.
    "Can you play something original?" Kyle asked when they'd gone.
    "Sure," I said, and played my song about the Chesapeake Bay. It was soft and melancholy. Each string I plucked seemed to echo and bounce about the room, giving the song an almost lamenting feel. Wow, I thought, this room had great reverb.
    "So beautiful," Victoria said. Everyone agreed.
    "I'm impressed," Kyle said, adding, "and I can't believe that one's not on the radio."
    I shrugged. There were lots of great songs that never made it to the radio. Such was the life of a musician.
    Ashley yawned and elbowed Dan, who had been snoring at the end of the couch.
    Victoria stretched and excused herself for bed.
    "Guess, I'd better get home," said Kyle. "Is nine too early for our hike?"
    "Nine's good for me. I'm really looking forward to it."
    "Me too," he said, as I walked him to the door. He paused. "I'm really glad I stopped by tonight, Diana."
    "Me too." I looked up into his twinkling blue eyes. The corners were crinkled by wrinkles from time spent in the elements. He was such a good-natured man, couldn't hurt to spend some time with him.
    He leaned down and kissed my cheek, his beard tickling my neck. A shiver ran down my body and slammed into all the good parts. Warning bells went off. Yikes! Mark had been gone way too long. I hurried him out the door and called for Max. Time