I thought of Mirabel and how men ogled her on stage. Why wouldn’t they? She was a goddess.
Theadora smiled. “I’m not that ambitious. I just like Mirabel’s music, and when she asked if I could play a few tunes, I agreed. I’m also playing on her new song. I was there at Orson’s house today for the recording.”
“She was with him today?” I frowned.
“You know him?” She looked surprised.
“I have had the unfortunate pleasure of meeting him. He’s all over her. That much, I do know.”
She gave Declan a side glance. “Right? Um… I don’t know. I mean, he seemed a bit close to her, I guess.”
Declan inclined his head. “You’re still sweet on her?” He turned to his wife. “Ethan and Mirabel have a history.”
I clutched my glass tightly and shifted my weight. “She’s not talking to me at the moment. The spa’s got her back up.”
“Does she know about the Newmans moving and how you’re paying for their house?” Declan asked.
I sucked back a breath. “Nope.”
“You should tell her. John Newman looked pretty chuffed when he was walking around the new farm with the architect.”
“That’s good,” I said, recalling how the farmer had called me just fifteen minutes after my proposal to accept my offer.
That’s why I tried calling Mirabel, but when she refused to pick up, I gave up. I could have texted, but I didn’t want to come across as desperate. She would find out soon, I imagined. Whether that was enough to have her naked and in my arms, I couldn’t say. I’d stopped taking anything for granted.
Chapter 11
Mirabel
Theadorarosefromherpiano stool, and the applause grew. I always enjoyed performing at the Thirsty Mariner. My local pub had the same warm, accepting atmosphere as a family home. It was also great for trying out new material.
Looking like he’d just come off a movie set, Ethan leaned against the bar. Dressed in a blue-check sports jacket and jeans that fitted him in all the right places, he oozed the confidence of a man who owned the world. With that inviting smile, he seemed comfortable with anyone. If only he were arrogant, it would be easier to hate him.
A pretty blonde whispered in his ear as he continued to gaze my way. I could almost feel the heat from those bedroom eyes making a pathway to me, causing me to fumble and drop things.
“Hey, that was super,” I said to Theadora as she stepped away from the piano.
“It was nice to play a tuned piano. Unlike the last gig. This poor old thing was in such a desperately bad state.” She tapped the piano that was scratched and worn.
Although married life suited her, she was still down-to-earth and real.
“That was such a generous gesture. Jimmy must have loved you for tuning that old thing,” I said.
“At first, he thought I wanted him to pay.” She laughed.
Winding a lead around my arm, I grimaced. “He doesn’t like spending money. But he’s a good guy, and I’d hate him to sell out.”
“He’s not going to?”
Her look of horror made me smile. “No, The Mariner’s been in his family for hundreds of years.”
After I closed my guitar case and tucked away my leads, I ran my hands down my clingy dress to make sure it hadn’t ridden up again.
I followed Theadora, who joined Declan. His eyes lit up with pride and love as he placed his arm around her shoulders and kissed her.
“That was sensational. You both sound great together.” He shot me an appreciative smile.
“Thanks,” I said. “The recording’s come along nicely. Theadora performed Bach-like passages, and it just works so well.”