Love Songs by Bernadette Marie Read Free Book Online Page B

going to feed me a salad. She’s trying to get Zach to watch what he’s eating.”
    Clara turned to Warner. “Mary Ellen is Zach’s assistant.”
    He nodded and took his first bit of his lunch.
    “So what are you two doing?” Ed asked.
    “Getting to know each other. I was filling Warner in on Mom and Dad’s marriages.’
    Ed laughed. “Well one thing you’ll never be lacking is a good Keller story. We are one very eclectic bunch.”
    “I think that’s awesome,” Warner said trying to choke down his bite. “My family story is short and sweet. I think it’s cool that you all have each other.”
    “She told you the Kellers are mostly adopted, right? So we represent, literally, the whole world at the dining room table.”
    “She didn’t mention that yet. I don’t think.”
    Clara sipped her soda. “My dad is adopted. He was born in Puerto Rico and became a Keller at the age of seven. My aunts, Regan and Arianna, are blood sisters, but were adopted when they were very little. Uncle Curtis is the only blood Keller to my grandparents but he married Simone who is French.” She giggled. “And when you meet my grandmother, whom you’ll love, she speaks with a German accent accentuated with Southern charm.”
    “And yet you’re all so close.”
    “I don’t suppose you can find a tighter knit family.”
    Warner already knew that—longed for it. Again that nagging reminder beat in his chest. He needed Clara’s voice. She was going to be his ticket. This little relationship they were building was a mistake, and he knew it. It would be best if he got what he needed and got out before Clara got hurt. He wouldn’t be able to live with himself if something happened to her because of him.
     

Chapter Five
     
    Warner watched Clara type a text message on her phone. Something was eating at her, but she’d yet to bring it up. One thing he’d learned in his life was to leave things alone. When she was ready to tell him she would. But he couldn’t help but feel that whatever was bothering her had to do with him.
    He eased his beat up pickup truck into the parking space in front of the theater and Clara finally looked up.
    “You don’t have your music and guitar with you do you?” she asked.
    Warner winced. “Wouldn’t be a real musician if I didn’t, right?”
    She nodded. “Do you have time to come in and work?”
    Warner twisted in his seat to look at her. “Work? On music?”
    She let out a sigh. “Listen, Randy got this gig for us. You and me.”
    “Us?”
    “Yeah. But it’s closing night at the theater.”
    “Oh.” He saw the dilemma now. His stupid thought on her being the voice to sell his music was backfiring because she had a life. Everyone had a life and usually it didn’t include him or his music.
    “He said Lionel Perry heard your song the other night and contacted Randy.”
    “Lionel Perry?” His voice rose in pitch. “Lionel Perry as in the same man who has discovered some of the biggest names in this town? That Lionel Perry?”
    “Yes.”
    Warner ran his hand over his hair. “Wow. He heard my song?”
    “You’re going to have to do this on your own, though.”
    That phrase didn’t settle with him—nor did it surprise him. “Right.” He let out a deep breath. “Can’t we reschedule?”
    She shook her head. “C’mon, isn’t this what you’ve always wanted? Someone to want to hear your music? Warner, you’re more than just the words on paper. You have some great talent.”
    “You’ve never heard me.”
    Her smile was back and lit in her eyes. “You Tube.”
    Warner bit down on his lip. “You’re not just saying that, are you?”
    “I’m not just saying that.” She reached her hand to his cheek. “You have to stop letting others get into your head.”
    He knew that, but it certainly was engrained in him “So you can’t make it, but you’re going to help prepare?”
    Clara dropped her hand to his and interlaced their fingers. “Yes, I’m going to help you.