Read Online Maeve's Symphony by Marianne Evans - Free Book Online

center.” Josh delivered a rueful wince. “I refer to it as Torture Central.”
    Siobhan chuckled. “Sounds like our choreography coach Elizabeth Portier would fit right in. She’s our version of a torture queen. Liam, has she signed on for this performance?”
    “Immediately. Claims she’s determined that you all uphold her reputation as a preeminent dance instructor.” Following a shared smirk with Siobhan, Liam addressed Kassidy. “And Drew is meeting us in the city next week. Now that we’re official, I’ll give him the green light to set up a meeting on Monday or Tuesday with the production team at Lincoln Center.”
    “He’ll make it incredible.”
    Kassidy’s features lit and Maeve smiled, enjoying her friend’s display of bias. Next, her gaze danced to Josh. Coming upon his dark-chocolate gaze stirred a heady, though futile, rush of longing for that level of happiness.
    “My goodness—this is real. It’s going to happen.” Aileen’s mood was radiant. She closed her eyes and pressed her fingertips to her temples. “Unreal.”
    When the meeting concluded, Josh asked the team to assemble in a circle. “If it’s OK, I’d like to offer a prayer for what we’re going to be doing.”
    Hands connected in an instant. Heads bowed.
    “Jesus, we stand before You in awe and thanksgiving. You give us the opportunities, the gifts, the enthusiasm, to carry Your plans to fruition. Please be with us. Bless our efforts to honor You and show the world Your love. We’re so grateful to You. Amen.”
    A quiet and unanimous “Amen” filled the spaces between them, acting as glue, as purpose.
    Gradually her friends separated. For an extra beat or two, Maeve remained rooted to the spot, lost to the call of a man who, in spite of celebrity, in spite of every cultural beckon that could have ripped him to shreds, continued to put God first. That fact was powerful and telling.
    Before leaving, he cornered her at the conference table. Maeve noticed the way her friends kept their distance. The show of discretion was somewhat obvious—but appreciated since Maeve struggled to find even footing.
    Josh lifted her coat and held it open for her. “I wanted to tell you I caught up with Doug last night.”
    “Good. I’m sure he can’t wait to see you.” Maeve slipped her arms into the garment. If she met his eyes, she’d be done for, so she dipped her head. Josh smoothed the coat over her shoulders, hands coming to rest upon her for a moment. Gently, she moved away by a pair of steps, busying herself by stuffing paperwork into the leather portfolio she slid from the tabletop and into a tight, protective hold against her chest.
    “He told me you and the girls will cantor at Holy Spirit Church this Sunday.”
    “At ten o’clock Mass. Father invited us to join the choir as kind of a welcome home reunion at the lectern.”
    “I’m looking forward to it.”
    Maeve came up short. Of course, Josh would be there. His family had been parishioners at Holy Spirit for ages. The reality of him attending service sent Maeve drifting straight back to innocence, to happiness, to love.
    And its loss.
    “That’s great. It’ll be good to see you there.” She forced a smile and swallowed nerves.
    Josh studied her flatly for a moment. Sighed. “I’m trying so hard to reach you, Maeve. Please, find a way to let me in.”
    OK, so he saw straight through her, but what else was new? She couldn’t fake her way through matters of the heart. Not where Josh Andrews was concerned.
    While she floundered and tossed her heart back and forth between opening the flood gates and locking them tight, Josh retrieved his coat, touched her cheek in passing. “See you Sunday.”
    It took less than three seconds after Josh’s departure for Maeve’s Sisters to converge. Kassidy took the lead, glancing into the now empty hallway where Josh had exited. “You OK, sweetie?”
    “I’m fine. Perfectly fine.” On the inside, Maeve wilted and wished that