Aileen's Song by Marianne Evans Read Free Book Online Page A

approval for you to cut a demo that we’ll share with the executive board. I see it like this. You’ll record ‘Panis Angelicus.’ I can easily see that becoming your signature piece. The same holds true for Kassidy with ‘How Beautiful’ or maybe ‘Rocket Town.’ She’d light up the stage. Maeve is the story teller and has tremendous interpretive power. The way she could sing ‘Here I am to Worship’ would be a knock out. Beyond that, ‘Amazing Grace’ and ‘Friends’ could become the anthem songs for Sisters in Spirit.”
    Her back went straight. She shook her head fiercely. “But Siobhan…she doesn’t sing. No way would I ever leave her out of—”
    “Oh, how I love your loyalty, sweet lady.” Liam cut in promptly and took hold of her hand, hoping she could feel his affection. “I’d never leave her out. Siobhan is a huge component of my plan. She’s the performance trump card. She’s your unique hook and secret weapon. Recording music isn’t just about the music anymore. It’s about staging and presence. It’s about outreach. Siobhan provides all of that. We can produce videos for inclusion in a DVD. We can stream those videos to every social media and publicity outlet available. Siobhan will knock ‘em flat—she’s the type of graceful, fluid dancer every little girl dreams of becoming. To my mind, Sisters in Spirit is a two-pronged idea. Music and dance. Combining the two will fill concert halls. I realize the group may have been a lark for the four of you. I understand tonight’s performance was about having fun with your friends, but this can be so much more. You bring a level of class to the stage that people miss—and enjoy. Couldn’t you tell by the reaction you received?”
    Aileen sank against the back of her chair and stared into his eyes. He could tell she was trying to ingest the full-steam-ahead vibration and process everything he said. “Wow. You’ve given this a great deal of thought.”
    Time to come clean, he decided. Time to be open. Aileen had revealed herself. Now, it was his turn. She had confessed her insecurities and questions. He needed to return that openness and trust, but doing so wasn’t easy because he tended to guard his emotions.
    “Not to this degree. Not until tonight. Not until I watched you…all of you…perform.”
    Liam toyed with his napkin, realizing his verbal stumble. He loved all four girls, certainly, but what he experienced with Aileen was amazing, and worlds away from the realm of simple friendship. After a fortifying breath, he lifted his coffee cup, downing a swig before taking a jump.
    “I have a confession to make. For the past few months I’ve been toying with the idea of quitting the music industry.”
    “What?” Aileen lifted her scone, but didn’t follow through and take a bite. Her hand drifted slowly to the table top, the treat back to its paper plate.
    “I’ve been considering some big changes—like maybe going into the seminary and becoming a pastoral associate.”
    Aileen propped her elbow and rested her chin in the cup of her hand. She hung on his words. That left heat to rush through Liam’s body.
    “I want to do something of meaning and importance, and lately it seems every stride forward I make in the world of entertainment only leads to more steps back.”
    “Don’t quit!” Aileen was emphatic. “You can’t give up on your dream of music. It’s been your passion for as long as I’ve known you. Don’t doubt God’s plan or His purpose.”
    He arched a brow. “I could say the same thing to you.”
    She blushed.
    “Aileen, I don’t doubt God. I doubt me. I’m human, I’m fallible. I fear I’m missing or refusing all of his signs to move on and prosper elsewhere. I had grown tired of beating my fists against a brick wall. I’ve wondered if music wasn’t the path God intended.” He hunched forward, closing the space between them. “But then tonight happened. I could see God laying it all out in front