“Do what?”
“Play in your old band,” Mr. Hope said.
“Ah, well—”
“After all, you clearly know what you’re doing now.” Mr. Hope patted him on the shoulder. “I’ll put out the call soon.”
“He’s kind of a big deal, Mr. Hope. Not sure as he’d want to make that known here in town where he can get some quiet time away from his big city life,” Ethan said.
“No one is that big a deal, Ethan. Our Branna is a big deal also but has never forgotten her roots,” Mr. Hope said.
The man had always liked a good debate, Ryan remembered.
“She’s an author,” Ethan said. “Not a musical superstar.”
“No difference from where I’m standing.” Mr. Hope folded his arms, which suggested he was settling in for the long haul until he made them come round to his way of thinking.
“I will if Faith will,” he said.
“What?” Her shriek had him wincing.
“She’s got an amazing voice.” Now he’d started, he couldn’t back out.
“No, I don’t.”
“She does,” Noah said, entering the conversation.
Not much went on in this town that was private.
“She never joined the school band because she had to work in The Howler, but she’s amazing,” Noah added.
Faith looked horrified. “I’m not.”
“Well, now.” Mr. Hope stroked his chin, which was clean shaven. “I’m sure the people would love to see one of the business owners up there accompanying Branna and Ryan. Do you think you could sing backup, Faith, seeing as we are a vocalist down also? Rennie Leigh had to take Simon home because he ate too much fudge. The man’s been emptying the contents of his stomach for some time now.”
“No, I don’t. I have never sung with a band or anyone else.” Faith glared at Ryan and Noah. “It would be a disaster.”
“Not true. You were in that band when you went away to business school for a while,” Noah said, throwing his sister under the bus.
“I refuse.” She folded her arms.
“Excellent,” Mr. Hope said, ignoring her protests. “I’ll get things set up for you all.”
“I’m not doing it. I don’t know the songs.”
“This will be fun!” Annabelle said, looking pleased. “You’ll be great, and if not, you can stand in the back with the tambourine.”
“No, absolutely not, and I’m making your life hell for even suggesting it,” she said to Ryan.
“And there was me thinking you’d been doing that since I got here.”
“What were you thinking, saying that to him?” She was furious. “Have you lost your mind?”
“You can sing; I heard you. Plus, if I have to, why shouldn’t you?”
“Because you know what you’re doing!” Her face was red now.
“When did you hear her?” Noah asked.