Seth (Casella Cousins #2) - Kathryn Shay Page 0,5
help students who couldn’t afford private lessons and also troubled kids in the schools.
Madison had a lot of potential and she was an excellent student. She could course correct immediately and had made major progress because of that. She sat down at the piano, went through her scales and other warm ups, then began to play a difficult concerto by Mozart. She made mistakes but this piece was tough. After forty-five minutes, Julianne said, “It’s time to stop, Maddie. You did a great job tonight. You probably won’t learn much after that workout, so we’ll approach it again next time with fresh ears.” She glanced at her watch. “Fifteen minutes till your dad gets here. Shall we work on your application?”
The girl nodded.
They sat at a table off to the side near the built-in shelves that covered one wall. When she pulled out the girl’s file, and saw the letterhead Julliard School of Music, she felt warmth rush through her. After college, she’d gotten a fellowship/grant to attend Julliard to get her Master’s Degree. She’d totally enjoyed her time there. But her little charge seemed less enthusiastic. Her green eyes held concern. “What’s wrong, Maddie?”
“I’m trying not to get my hopes up for a scholarship, and even if I get one, I’ll need some other money that Daddy can’t afford.”
“You’ll qualify for a student job, like I did. I worked in the staff daycare facility. I had music time with little kids which was so much fun.”
“I could do that! I want to. All right. I’m going to try to be optimistic.”
“That’s my girl.”
At 7:15 a knock sounded on the door. “It’s Daddy.” She rushed over.
“Don’t open the door. We have to check who it is.”
Indeed, Logan Rogers stood outside on the stoop. “Hello, Mr. Rogers.”
“Please,” he said with a smile. “I sound like that TV neighborhood guy. I told you last year to call me Logan.”
His face lit up when he caught sight of his daughter. “Hi, sweetheart. How was your lesson?”
“Great.”
He turned back to Julianne. “Thanks for being flexible. I couldn’t get away from a client to get here on time for the lesson.” Maddie had said he sold insurance.
“No worries. Would you like some tea?” Last year, occasionally, when he picked up Maddie, and Julianne had no more lessons, he stayed a bit.
He looked to his daughter. “Are you in a hurry to get home, Madison?”
“Nope. I can do homework here.” She patted the table where she was sitting.
While he saw that his daughter was settled, Julianne made tea in the back room. Soon, he came in and took a seat at the small table. When he sipped the chamomile drink, he said, “Hmm. Very soothing.”
“After a long day it soothes me, too.”
“Don’t you start at three when kids get out of school?”
“Some days. Other days I go into the schools to work with kids who have behavioral problems.”
“You’re a good person, Julianne.”
“Thank you.”
He picked up a book she’d left open on the table. “Are you reading this now?”
They both liked literature and shared their preferences. He was an excellent conversationalist. A good father. And, she thought today, very attractive with hazel eyes and dark hair. Hmm, she hadn’t noticed that last year.
* * *
Finn rang the bell at his aunt’s house and Seth opened the door. “Hey, buddy.”
“Hi, cuz. I’m sorry I didn’t get out here to see you again.” Finn had visited only once since his injury with Hayley, his sister and Seth’s best friend.
“No worries. Come on in.”
They walked to the kitchen that Finn remembered from his childhood. Homey. Warm. Loving. Smells of good food tinged the air. Growing up, his kitchens at home were cold and sterile and had been occupied by a paid cook.
“Want some coffee? We can take it outside to sit on the patio.”
“I’d love some.”
They sat under the umbrella table, and Finn stared out at the lawn with its myriad of flowers, oak trees and green grass. “I hate seeing summer end.”
“Yeah, I’m surprised you’re not at the marina today. You usually go out on the boat Fridays after work.”
“Not today. I wanted to see you again.”
“I’m honored to be chosen over an afternoon on the water.”
Finn punched him playfully in the arm. “Sure you are.”
“I am. You’re the only birthday mate I have.”
He and Seth were born on the same day, five years apart. When they were kids, they had double family birthdays. Though he was shy then, Finn had loved every minute of them. Sharing the date