to the poor victims on Leona and Betsy’s list. Adele hated the thought of it, but it was what it was. She was now a conspirator in arranging what would be one of the most notorious events in Clear Creek history. All because Mother had demanded it, at their guests’ urging.
“Well, here goes.” She knocked on the O’Hares’ front door, northeast of the church.
“Adele,” Merritt said when she answered. “What are you doing here?” She saw Liam standing behind her and smiled. “Hi.”
He tipped his hat. “Merritt.”
Adele shifted her weight from one foot to the other as jealousy hit again. Oh, great, not now. She pushed the thought aside and smiled at Merritt. “We’ve come to ask you something.”
“Would you like to come in?” Merritt offered.
“We don’t have to,” Adele said. “Trust me, this won’t take long.”
“Adele’s mother, along with Mrs. Riley and Mrs. Quinn, have come up with an idea for a musicale,” Liam said.
Merritt paled. “Is that like a recital?”
“Not really,” Adele said sympathetically. “But it is a performance, a miniature concert. I’m not sure why they call it a musicale.”
“They’re small and informal,” Liam explained. “That’s what differentiates it from a concert.”
Merritt frowned at Adele. “And you’re here because …?”
“Because they want you to play.” Adele hoped Merritt didn’t hate her the rest of her life for this.
Her friend’s jaw dropped as her eyes grew wide. “You don’t know what you’re asking.”
“Believe me, I do. But my mother and her friends are demanding this.”
“You’re that bad, huh?” Liam said.
Merritt wrinkled her nose. “I could practice more often.”
“Why don’t you?”
“Because even I don’t like how I sound,” Merritt said with a laugh. Her laughter died when she turned to Adele. “Your mother’s serious about this?”
“Quite. And you’re not the only one we have to ask.”
“Can I say no?”
“You could,” Liam said. “But if everyone says no, then we lose a social function.”
“Why does it sound like you’re making it my fault?” Merritt asked.
“It’s no one’s fault if you don’t want to.” He sighed and shoved his hat off his forehead. “But I understand what Mrs. Cooke and her friends are trying to do. Let’s face it, even though we all grew up together, how well do we know each other? I’ve spent the last few days working with Adele and … well, I’ve enjoyed it.”
Adele’s heart skipped a beat. Why did he have to say that? She searched his eyes, saw the sincerity in them and her heart melted. “Really?”
He smiled. “Really. As strange as it seems.” Which, admittedly, it did.
Merritt spied the list Adele held in her hand. “What’s that?”
“The names of the rest of the victi – er, musicians.” Adele showed Merritt the list.
Merritt gave it a look. “Me, Ruby, Eleanora, Lucinda and Benedict. I didn’t know Benedict could play. And I know full well none of the others can.”
“So do I, no offense meant.” Adele sighed.
“And playing with Benedict …” Merritt shuddered. “No. No.”
Liam tried not to chuckle and failed miserably. “Look, I know this is a ridiculous request, but Mrs. Cooke’s guests are trying so hard to give our town some of the things they enjoy in theirs. The least we could do is humor them.”
“By embarrassing ourselves in public?” Merritt glared at Adele. “Wipe that smile off your face. If you played an instrument, then you’d be on that list with the rest of us.”
Adele took back the list and stuffed it in her reticule. “So you’ll play?”
“No. Certainly not with Benedict Comfort.”
“If you play,” Liam said. “I’m sure Ruby will.”
“Of course, she will,” Merritt snapped. “She’s my friend. She won’t let me make a fool of myself alone.”
Adele shrugged helplessly. “Can I help it if I don’t play an instrument?”
Merritt glared at her again. “When is this farce supposed to take place?”
Adele cringed. “A week from Saturday.”
“What? That only gives us a week and a half to practice!”
“That’s what I told Mrs. Riley and the others. But they said you could just play hymns from church, since you’d know them anyway.”
Merritt put her hand on her chest and took a calming breath. “Ridiculous. Unthinkable.”
“Land sakes, Merritt,” Liam said. “You look like you just had the wadding scared out of you.”
“I have! I don’t mind telling you that I think this is a bad idea.”
Liam chuckled. “Because your violin playing is that bad?”
Adele smacked him on the arm again. “Will you stop?”
He laughed, and she swore his eyes were twinkling. He was enjoying this. But then, he wouldn’t have to go on stage