Free Keeping Her Secret by Sarah Nicolas Page B

for the talent competition when campers started filtering in. Campers of any age could join the class. Pairs and trios of each age group joined over the next couple of minutes until about twenty kids filled the room. Colt was telling them all to come closer when a solo figure strolled through the door.
    Riya.
    Jesus, Courtney couldn’t catch a break.
    Colt burst into a smile. “Glad you could make it,” he said to her.
    Riya glanced at Courtney before looking at Colt. She twisted the fingers of both hands together. “I figured if I’m going to make a fool out of myself in front of everyone at the talent show, I should practice, like you said.”
    Colt had done this on purpose. He’d asked both of them to come without letting them know the other would be there. She glared at the side of his head, but either he didn’t notice or he didn’t care.
    Riya took a seat two tables back. When she tried to fold her arms together, she whacked her elbow on the edge of the table. Her face contorted with pain, and she rubbed at her funny bone.
    Courtney should’ve known better. Colt had encouraged Riya to sing in the talent show, offering to play for her. Of course he’d convince her to join the class. She considered storming out in protest until she spotted little Olivia sitting in the front row, staring at her. For some misguided reason, the little redhead looked up to her, and Courtney didn’t want to set a bad example.
    So she sat there as every person in the class sang one verse of a song of their choosing, so Colt could ascertain their progress. Lastly, he called Riya by name.
    “Riya’s joined us a little late,” Colt said. “She’s shy, so let’s give her a warm welcome.”
    She stood up, her gaze flicking to Courtney like a nervous tick.
    “I thought this was group singing?” Riya’s voice went really high at the end.
    “It’s only this once,” Colt promised. “Just so I can see where you’re at.”
    Riya leaned over to scratch her knee. “I don’t know what to sing,” she said.
    “Anything will do,” Colt said.
    Her eyes scanned the room as though she were looking for inspiration. One more peek at Courtney and she took a deep breath, closing her eyes as she drew oxygen into her lungs.
    “You are so beautiful, to me,” she began to sing.
    At first, her voice came out shaky and unsure, but Colt smiled and nodded, motioning for her to breathe from her belly.
    She stood straighter, raising her chest. Her gaze drifted until she stared out a side window. “You are so beautiful, to me.”
    Riya’s voice had always been lovely, but now there was something else, a soulful quality that hadn’t been there before. It crackled like an old record in just the right spots. Colt didn’t stop her when he’d heard what he needed to make his assessment, like he had for every other camper.
    By the third line, Courtney’d forgotten herself and stared, as transfixed as every other person in the room. Riya’s brown-to-pink ombré lips wrapped around each word like a penitent caress, sending shivers down the skin of Courtney’s back.
    She wasn’t sure when Riya had turned her head and met Courtney’s gaze. She wasn’t sure why she hadn’t turned away, either. But when Riya’s voice slid over the final line like caramel in a luxe chocolate commercial, Courtney noticed the heat warming her cheeks. Riya’s buttery voice combined with her tender mahogany eyes made Courtney grateful for the sturdy chair supporting her.
    Even though they hadn’t applauded for anyone else, the entire class clapped when Riya finished singing. Courtney didn’t applaud. She stared, blinking.
    “That was wonderful, Riya.” Colt turned his head to catch his sister’s attention. “What do you think, Courtney?”
    She swallowed, nodding. “Incredible.”
    Riya’s chest rose slowly as she pressed her lips together, a smile pulling at the corners. “Thank you.” She dropped to her seat.
    Before Colt continued with the class, Courtney