Chapter 33

Chapter Thirty-Three

" D o I hear… strings?" Bailey asked as they neared the front doors of the school and the sound of the string quartet filtered out to them.

Of course Bailey had picked up on that. She always had been a musical prodigy.

Josie smiled and pushed open the doors. "Yes! And listen closer."

Bailey's eyes widened as Quinn said, "Is that?—"

"Bailey's hit song, Unrequited? Yes, it is! Xander found this string quartet that plays classical arrangements of all popular songs. Isn't it incredible?" And it fit their chosen theme of a Regency-era ball perfectly.

"Wow. That's amazing," Bailey breathed.

Quinn scowled. "Yes, it's amazing, but I still want to throttle Xander."

"Please don't," Josie begged. "At least not until after the gala. He's been enormously helpful to me. I need him able bodied at least until after the cake comes out, okay?"

Quinn grumbled something and moved to talk to their parents as their mother waved him over.

Bailey gazed at the musicians on the stage and then at Josie. "Thank you for that. I feel less… useless without my voice. You know I would have performed for this. For you."

"You are far from useless. You wrote these amazing songs. And you're here. You're a local celebrity whether you sing tonight or not."

As Josie said that she saw more local celebrities walking in. Namely Mudville's mayor Stone Morgan and Harper Lowry, who was the president of Mudville's Historical Society as well as a best-selling local author.

Bailey let out a sniff. "Thanks for saying that but given Xander got Bill Pullman and Kelsey Grammar to attend, I'm not sure we can even call me a celebrity."

"Pish-posh. So they acted on television and in a movie or two. You sold out Madison Square Garden," Josie reminded her.

"Olivia Rodrigo, Billie Eilish and Lana Del Rey sold out Madison Square Garden. They were just nice enough to let me tag along."

"One day I'm going to make you realize how great you actually are. But right now, I'm going to thank your manager for his help and then yell at him one more time for giving you nodes. Okay?" Josie asked.

Bailey laughed. "Okay. Better get there before Quinn does."

"Good idea," Josie agreed.

"Miss Baldwin. You look lovely," Xander said, looking Josie up and down.

"Thank you, Mr. Barrington. But don't get used to this. I don't intend to put on another dress until my wedding day." Her feet were already killing her.

"And is that upcoming? Your wedding day?" Xander asked.

A few weeks ago Josie would have laughed at that question and then said no. Definitely not. At least not in this decade. But now…who knew?

"I'll guess we'll see. I'll let you know when I do," she promised.

"You do that. Now, tell me. What do you think of the entertainment? Do I get credit for this touching homage to Bailey Knowles?" Xander asked.

"No, because the reason she's not singing herself is because you pushed her too hard. You can't do that, Xander. Your job is to rein her in, because no one will push Bailey harder than she'll push herself. Even if it means bodily injury."

"I know. I'm beginning to fully realize that. And you're not saying anything that Captain Sweatpants hasn't already drilled into me. Trust me."

"The question is, will you listen?" she asked.

"I wouldn't dare not listen. Not with your entire family protecting her. Your mom took the opportunity to reprimand me, as well."

Go, Mom.

"Good," Josie said. Then added, "But Xander, Bailey thinks of you as her family too, you know. You're important to her. She really doesn't have anyone else besides us."

Xander looked a bit choked up as he nodded. "I understand."

"Do you?" It was as much an accusation—a challenge—as a question.

"Yes. Believe it or not, I truly do. More than you can know. Sometimes family is who you find along the way. People who choose to be a part of your life. Not the people you're born to."

"Hmph. Maybe you're not all bad after all." Josie bumped her shoulder against his.

"Thanks, I think. And I'm so glad you think so, because I'd like to offer you a job."

"You what?" Her eyes widened.

"We'll talk. Not tonight though. Enjoy your evening, Josie. We'll discuss details next week. Tonight, just enjoy your triumph… And your date." Xander glanced over her shoulder then nodded to her and moved away toward—was that Derek Jeter from the Yankees?

She shook her head, thinking tomorrow she was going to have to go through the photographer's files and see who exactly had been here for this thing. With Xander in charge of the VIP invite list, it could be anyone.

Spinning on her kitten heels, Josie turned and saw Corey just inside the door, looking pretty damn good in a tuxedo. He caught sight of her and began walking over.

"You're late." She narrowed her eyes at him but didn't really mind. Tonight had already been too busy and too amazing for her to be annoyed.

"Yeah, sorry. My date took a while to get ready." Corey tipped his chin to where his mother stood talking to a couple of the committee members and looking absolutely gorgeous in a beaded sapphire-colored gown.

"Wow. Well, I have to say, it was worth it. She looks incredible."

"So do you."

She didn't miss how his gaze took in the vast amount of cleavage exposed by the low cut dress Bailey made her wear. It was a pretty color though. A shimmery ivory that looked almost like liquid when she moved.

She'd even let Bailey force make-up on her so when Corey leaned low and pressed a kiss to her lips the first thing she said when he pulled back was, "Did you mess up my lipstick?"

He laughed. "I don't think you've ever said that to me before. But no. It looks good to me."

"Phew. Good. I guess Bailey's super lip stuff is all it's cracked up to be after all." That worry alleviated, she asked, "So, what do you think?"

"I think I can't wait to get you home and see what's under that fancy dress of yours."

She rolled her eyes. "I mean of the venue."

"I think only a miracle worker, or you, could turn an abandoned old school into this."

"It really wasn't so bad. The first floor of the building was in good shape. The architectural details were all here. It was just hard to see them with all the garbage. Once the volunteers hauled all that to the dump, it was just a matter of decorations."

"Baby, when someone tells you that you pulled off a miracle, you don't tell them how easy it was. Just say thank you."

She drew in a breath. "Okay. And thank you."

"You're welcome. So now that this event is done and a huge success?—"

"Thank you," she said to prove she'd taken his lesson to heart.

He smiled and continued, "what are you going to do with all your spare time tomorrow?"

She'd tell him about Xander's strange mention of a job later. But that didn't really pertain to his question. What did she want to do tomorrow?

"I'd say I'd like to stay in bed with you all day long, but my house is a little crowded right now."

"I like how you think. But yes, your house is way over crowded for that. Can I offer an alternate suggestion?"

"Sure. Go for it."

"How about a trip to the animal shelter?" Corey's gaze stayed on her, watching for her reaction.

She frowned. "Um. Okay. Why?"

"I downloaded and filled out the adoption papers for Peanut Butter and Jelly. I thought my mom would like the company and I kind of have a soft spot for those two little ruffians myself. I hope you don't mind."

Josie laughed. "You softie. No, of course I don't mind. The little devils like you better than me anyway."

"As long as you like me, things are good."

"I more than like you, Corey Jacobs. I'm completely and utterly head over heels in love with you. And if you ever break my heart again, I swear I'll?—"

He crushed his mouth against hers, silencing her threat before pulling back and shaking his head. "Not gonna happen. Never again."

"Promise?"

"Promise." He nodded before closing in on her mouth for a deeper kiss. Pulling back, he said, "Still perfect. That is really good lipstick."

"I'll be sure to tell Bailey. Now I have to get up on stage."

"Oh? Performing, are you?" Corey joked.

"In a way." Josie smiled.

There was one final thing she had to do to fulfill a promise and make this night complete. When the quartet finished the piece it had been performing, another one of Bailey's hits, Josie took the microphone.

The room quieted. She felt every eye on her and in a packed room, that amounted to a lot. She fought the niggling of stage fright and forged ahead.

"On behalf of the Sidney Historical Society I thank you for coming tonight to help celebrate this historic event. By that I'm referring not just to the anniversary of the settlement of Sidney, but also to the enormously generous donation of the actual compass that helped Reverend William Johnston navigate here more than two hundred and fifty years ago. And of course, our founder's compass was so generously donated by Mrs. Martha Forester. Martha, could you please come to the stage?"

As they all waited for the older woman to slowly make her way, aided by the arm of her grandson, Josie scanned the room. She smiled when she saw Martha's daughter-in-law frown while whispering to her husband.

Then, as the younger Mrs. Forester broke off her animated conversation with her husband and turned toward the stage herself, Kirk sprang into action as planned, stepping in front of her and shooting Josie a thumbs up behind the daughter-in-law's back.

During the ensuing confrontation, Kirk was no doubt repeating the fib Josie had supplied him with—that the insurance company for the event had restricted the number of people allowed on the raised stage, for safety reasons, and they unfortunately had reached that limit.

Kirk was still waylaying the irate daughter-in-law when Josie introduced Martha.

The older woman, a showman at heart, took the mic and went on to tell the crowd the complete history of how the compass came to be in her husband's family and how much it had meant to them over the years.

Magnanimous in the end in spite of the little moral wobble that only a small handful of people knew about, Martha concluded by saying how happy it made her that it now belonged to all the people of Sidney.

As the applause died down, but not the redness in the daughter-in-law's face, Josie took the microphone again. "Martha, we have a surprise for you."

Josie gave the signal and the carpenter who'd designed and crafted the wood and glass display case for the compass rolled it forward.

"The founder's compass will be forever displayed inside this beautiful handcrafted display case within the Sidney Library for everyone to see, enjoy and learn from in perpetuity. You might not be able to read it from here, but that brass plaque reads, "Reverend William Johnston's compass was generously donated to the people of the town of Sidney, New York by Martha and Ronald Forester."

Martha's eyes teared up. "You put my late husband's name."

Josie reached out to touch the woman's arm. "Of course, I did. I think he would approve of your sharing it with future generations. Don't you?"

She nodded, wiping away a tear.

Josie had to blink away the mist in her own eyes before saying, "Now, let's get back to the party. And don't forget, the silent auction is open for bids." She turned toward the musicians. "Ladies, gentlemen, the floor is yours."

The string quartet began a rousing classical arrangement of Katy Perry's Firework . As the younger Mrs. Forester still looked ready to explode the song choice seemed more than appropriate.

Corey in his tux, looking every bit as dashing as Xander had, met Josie at the bottom of the steps, a smile on his lips as he took her into his arms.

Shaking his head, he said, "That was positively evil."

"Was it?" she asked innocently.

"Yes, but it was also absolutely, positively perfect. You are amazing."

"Amazingly evil?" she asked.

"Sometimes. It might be one of the things I love best about you."

"Thank goodness for that." She smiled. They might make this thing work after all.

They'd better, because she was absolutely positively irrevocably in love with Corey Jacobs. And this time, unlike the last time, he loved her back.

She intended to keep it that way. For the rest of their lives.