Free Kassidy's Crescendo by Marianne Evans Page B

say? What should he say? An “Amen” almost passed his lips but stalled against a storm of disquiet.
    Kassidy didn’t appear to mind. Lifting gracefully, she stood and smiled into his eyes. Such transcendent joy in her gaze—such contentment . That was the key ingredient, Drew discovered. Contentment. Kassidy Cartwright could take or leave every circumstance of her life based on her love and trust in Christ.
    Amazing.
    “C’mon, handsome. I’m getting hungry. Let’s join the others for brunch.”
    He ignored the sassy invitation and squeezed her hand, using a tug to keep her in place. “KC. Thanks. Thanks for all of this. I really mean it.”
    “I’m glad you’re here, Drew. I really mean it.”
    He shared a grin with her and stood. She didn’t need the reassurance. She was relaxed and happy—thoroughly compelling.
    She tilted her head and studied him for a few seconds. “You know, you might feel like you need an introduction to God, but you don’t. And God doesn’t need an introduction to you. He’s known you forever. He’s loved you that long, too.”
    His shoulders bent. Resistance fled. He stared at her in wonder. “Where does that come from, KC? That absolute faith? That conviction? How did you find it?” The answer just might satisfy an escalating ache in his heart.
    “By finding God’s goodness at the end of every empty pathway that stretched in front of me. If you like, I’ll go into detail once we’re away from the crush and press of the tour.” She slid her hand against his forearm in a tender caress. “There’s too much distraction in the here and now, and this is important. I’ll tell you all about it when we get to Westerville. Promise.”
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

7
     
    Perhaps the evocative endnote of Mass is what stirred Kassidy’s senses. Maybe it was the way Drew barely relinquished a visual hold on her during rehearsals.
    Regardless, attending church with him became a turning point, a shockwave sent straight from God. During the sound check that afternoon, she moved through the orchestration of Amazing Grace and wondered about the spin, the dance, of taking Drew on a journey through the pages of her life once they visited her hometown next week.
    Since every venue varied, practice concluded with a few shifts in sound amplification and the usual bout of lighting adjustments. Through it all, Kassidy realized Drew constantly tracked her. Being the object of his undivided focus left her tantalized, yet riddled by questions. What intrigued him? Why had he joined them today? Was he motivated by a genuine quest for God or a worldly conquest over her?
    “Great job, ladies. Thank you.” Drew trotted on stage from the wings. Before dismissal, he looked toward audio techs at the rear of the theater and received a unanimous thumbs-up from the crew. “With that, we’re all set. Rest up, and we’ll see you back here tonight. It’s going to be a great show.”
    Drew sent Kassidy a lingering look, as though he wanted her to stay. Momentarily flummoxed, she wasn’t sure what to do. Meanwhile, the girls sashayed past. Maeve and Siobhan exchanged knowing looks. Aileen, meanwhile, sent Kassidy a suggestive brow waggle. “Guess we’ll see you in the green room, KC.”
    Kassidy would have sassed back, but the venue emptied, and she had eyes only for Drew—along with more questions than her heart could hold.
    He stepped forward, intensity singing between them. “I see the storm clouds brewing in your eyes.”
    So, he was a mind reader. The murmured opening prompted Kassidy to lower her lashes and scuff a toe lightly against the floorboards. Cupping her chin, Drew aligned her gaze to his.
    “Some days I wish I were better at playing poker.”
    Drew didn’t laugh at her weak tease. “I’m not playing games, KC. Not at all.”
    Perfect entrée. Could she find the guts to grab it?
    “I know that.”
    Drew arched a brow. The left corner of his mouth curved upward, drawing her focus,