Read Online Private Melody by Altonya Washington - Free Book Online Page A

a medallion of beef sausage.
    â€œYou’re a damn good cook for someone who hates eating,” he complimented.
    â€œThanks.” She ate a bit more of the sausage and gave a saucy toss of her head. “And I don’t hate eating. It’s just that my mornings start so early with practice andall…it’s usually time for lunch by the time I take a break.”
    â€œDedication indeed. Playing is certainly your passion. So does this condition run in your family?”
    â€œMy father has high blood pressure—it runs on his side of the family. But he’s the only one who has the overexertion problem. Then I came along….” She ate a bit more eggs. “In spite of my not drinking or smoking and eating right—”
    â€œHa! When you eat.”
    She raised her mug in a mock toast. “In spite of all that, his condition became my condition. What?” she asked, noticing the secretive smile he gave.
    â€œJust that it’s hard to believe that you could play so hard, that it affects your heart rate like that.” The smile returned. “I wouldn’t compare piano playing to running a marathon.”
    â€œMarathon? I’d never make it past the first turn.” She poked fun at herself then and nodded. “But in defense of what I do, it is a very exhilarating craft and I put my all into it.”
    â€œThe pills must help.” He noticed her frown as if there were a bad taste in her mouth. “Kianti? The pills?” He probed. “They help, don’t they?”
    She pushed away her plate. “Remember what you said about not having the right to know everything?”
    â€œI’d say you’ve opened the door here,” he challenged and set aside his plate as well. “You’ve already told me so much, why stop now?”
    â€œI stopped taking them,” she blurted when it became obvious that he wasn’t going to let up on the questioning.
    Therin stroked a sideburn and seemed to considerwhat she’d just said. “Didn’t you tell me they’re your only treatment?”
    She scooted off the stool. “Are you done?” She took his plate without waiting for an answer.
    â€œDid Brody take you off of them?”
    â€œNo. I took myself off them.”
    â€œWhat?”
    She scraped any leftover food down the disposal and rinsed out the sink. “I took myself off them.” She kept her back toward Therin.
    â€œWhy the hell would you do a stupid thing like that?”
    In reply, Kianti began rinsing the dishes and putting them in the washer.
    â€œDoes Brody know?”
    She grabbed the utensils from the kitchen island. “He does and he’s fine with it.”
    Therin stood. “Now why don’t I believe that?”
    Kianti loaded the utensils. “Can we stop talking about it? I don’t expect you to get it.”
    He blocked her way when she moved to collect more items for the dishwasher. “So help me to get it, then.”
    â€œWhy do you care?” she snapped and then pressed her fingers to her temples. “I’m sorry.” She went to rinse out the food warmers.
    â€œStop.” Easily, he trapped her against the island, one hand on either side of her. “Listen, I don’t know you well, but I’d like to change that.”
    â€œWhy?” She kept her eyes trained on the floor. “You can’t possibly be interested in pursuing a sickly woman like me.”
    â€œMaybe I am.” His voice was deep and tight with emotion he realized only she had the power to rouse.“Maybe deep down I’ve got some Florence Nightingale tendencies lurking.” He tilted his head to study her face and saw her produce the smile he’d been seeking. He moved back to lean on the corner opposite her. “Will you at least help me understand why you’d take such a dangerous chance with your life?”
    â€œThis is almost impossible to explain to someone