Free The Edge of the Shadows by Elizabeth George Page A

21.
    â€œTill they kicked me out for someone they figured was better,” the young man had said with a shrug. But Seth could tell that the shrug hid heartache, and if anyone on earth knew about heartache, Seth was that guy. So he kept asking Parker to jam with Triple Threat whenever he was in South Whidbey Commons while the trio was practicing. Admittedly, it was partly to cheer Parker up that Seth asked him to play his fiddle, but it was also partly because he was so damn good. Seth couldn’t believe that anyone with ears and a brain would ever kick Parker Natalia out of a group.
    Ultimately, Seth talked the members of Triple Threat into inviting Parker to join them during
all
their rehearsals, with an eye toward having him play with them during their appearance at Djangofest. It was high time to bring a fiddler into Triple Threat to broaden their musical offerings, he pointed out, which was critical if they were ever going to do more than just play as background music for local fund raisers. More important, though, Parker Natalia had the potential to provide what Seth referred to as the heartthrob factor for females in the audience. And growing their audience was just as critical as growing their music.
    The reason Seth decided to take Parker to meet his grandfather had to do with housing. One of the quirky things about Djangofest was that the local citizenry opened up their homes to house the performing musicians. The problem here was that Parker wasn’t one of the musicians scheduled to play. While his former band BC Django 21 was on the schedule and thus happily ensconced in someone’s house, he was not.
    Seth discovered that Parker was sleeping in his car in a hidden corner of the fairgrounds. With limited funds, he didn’t want to spend money on a motel room. What money he had with him had to last until he left Whidbey Island to return home, so he was making do with a sleeping bag in the back of his Ford Taurus and using the facilities—when they were open—at the fairgrounds.
    Seth had a better idea. It wasn’t a motel room, but it was definitely a step up from a Taurus. And a bathroom with a shower was available if Parker didn’t mind a bit of a hike. It would, of course, all depend on Ralph Darrow’s approval.
    When they got to Ralph’s property, Seth let Gus out of the VW and watched the Labrador lope in the direction of the house. He and Parker ambled along after the dog, and they found Seth’s grandfather at work in front of the woodshed, along with Becca King, Derric Mathieson, and a mound of fire wood. Three cords of it had just been delivered and needed to be stacked. Ralph was doing this. So were Becca and Derric. Gus was bounding around them, barking and waiting to be noticed.
    â€œGet that dog one of those bones before I clobber him,” was Ralph’s greeting to Seth.
    Becca hurried to the box on the porch. Gus followed, knowing exactly what was in the offing.
    Seth nodded hi to Derric and introduced Parker both to his grandfather and to the other boy. When Becca returned to the woodpile, he did the same for her. She said with a smile, “You’re the fiddler at South Whidbey Commons. I was there when you jammed with Seth. It was totally amazing.”
    Parker shot Becca a smile, and said, “Thanks,” as he shook hands with Ralph Darrow and Derric.
    He and Seth joined in with the wood stacking, and Seth’s grandfather stood back and let the younger people take on the job. He wiped his hands with one of his cowboy handkerchiefs and commented, “Tom Sawyer couldn’t’ve managed this better. How’re the rehearsals coming along, favorite male grandson?”
    â€œExcellent,” Seth replied. “Parker’s joining us.”
    â€œIs he indeed?” Ralph looked Parker over.
    Perhaps it was something in Ralph’s speculative tone that sounded less than convinced this was a good idea because Parker said