Playing the Maestro by Aubrie Dionne Read Free Book Online Page B

his job in the States.
    Boy did she look cute in those pajamas.
    Alda had been sweet at first, too. She’d drawn him in, wrapping him around her long-nailed finger until he didn’t even see her using his checks and credit cards.
    He’d fallen hard and landed penniless. He couldn’t let that happen again, just when his career—and his bank account—was taking off again.
    The girl at the cash register gave him a funny look, but he wasn’t about to leave until Melody had driven away. Better to distance himself and focus on what he’d come to the States to do: reinvent classical music and make it accessible so more kids held violins instead of video-game controllers. If he couldn’t do that, then the Easthampton Civic Symphony’s days were numbered no matter how many donors he found.
    Melody stuffed the turtle into her car and drove off with the same reckless burst of fuel she used the other night.
    Smiling despite himself, Wolf pushed through the double doors. He wouldn’t have to see her again until rehearsal, and then at least there’d be an entire orchestra between them.

Chapter Six
    Magic Wands
    “Mel-D!” Violet’s eyes lit up as Melody walked into her hospital room holding the giant stuffed turtle under her arm. “For me?”
    “Of course it’s for you!” Melody kissed Violet’s cheek and plopped the turtle in front of her on the bed.
    Mission accomplished . Seeing her niece sitting up and smiling eased her heart.
    “I’m gonna call her Mrs. Shell.”
    “Mrs. Shell, huh?” Melody tugged on the turtle’s bow, straightening it. “Any relation to Mr. Shell?”
    Violet nodded emphatically. “Uh-huh.”
    “Oh, thanks, Mel. All we hear about is Mr. Shell.” Laini laughed from the back of the room. She sat with Derek in chairs by the window, and when they rose, it was like rocks were tied to their shoulders.
    “Thanks for coming.” Derek gave her a weak smile. His usually clean-pressed business shirt was rumpled and stained. “It means a lot to Laini.” They’d been through hell and back, and Melody couldn’t imagine herself in their shoes.
    She leveled her gaze with her sister. “What did the doctors say?”
    Laini brought her over to the corner of the room where Violet couldn’t hear. “She has Children’s Interstitial Lung Disease. It’s a chronic condition that we’ll have to monitor over time.”
    Melody’s stomach plummeted. “I’m so sorry. But I know you can get through this. Violet is a strong girl.”
    Her older sister wiped her eyes, already framed in dark purple circles. “You’re right. It’s totally manageable. We have to keep an eye on it, that’s all.” She seemed as though she was still convincing herself instead of Melody. “Derek and I are more than relieved she’s going to be all right. Thanks for coming today and being here for us.” Laini squeezed her arm and her eyes had a moment of clarity. “Did you sleep at all after I called?”
    Melody considered covering up her Blue Planet marathon but decided against it. “No, but I learned the tusk of an African elephant weighs fifty to a hundred pounds.”
    “What about turtles?” Violet called out behind her. She hugged the stuffed animal, warming Melody’s heart. Yeah, it was worth it—even if the new conductor saw me in my pajamas, carrying an enormous stuffed tortoise in a toy store.
    “Sorry, no turtles on last night.” Melody sat on the end of Violet’s bed. “How are you feeling, honey?”
    “Excited.” Violet wiggled the giant turtle, making it dance on its stumpy legs.
    “Excited?” Melody glanced at Laini and Derek. They simultaneously shrugged.
    “Yeah. Cuz the funny piano man is coming today.”
    Melody didn’t think she heard her correctly. “The funny piano man?”
    Violet giggled. “The other kids say he acts like Mozart, wearing a wig and everything, and he lets you conduct the music with a real baton.”
    “Did they say what his name was?”
    “Mozart, sillyhead.”
    Derek