When the Music Ends (The Winter Rose Chronicles) Read online

  When the Music Ends

  Simone Beaudelaire

  This story is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual events or people, living or dead, is coincidental.

  Copyright © 2013 by Simone Beaudeliare. All right reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission the author’s permission.

  Edited by Guy Bailey.

  Cover designed by L.M. Boelz.

  Author’s web site: http://simonebeaudelaireauthor.weebly.com

  This book is dedicated to my beta team: Sandra, Reed, Guy, and Jill. Thanks guys, I couldn’t have done it without you.

  Table of Contents

  ***Chapter 1***

  ***Chapter 2***

  ***Chapter 3***

  ***Chapter 4***

  ***Chapter 5***

  ***Chapter 6***

  ***Chapter 7***

  ***Chapter 8***

  ***Chapter 9***

  ***Chapter 10***

  ***Chapter 11***

  ***Chapter 12***

  ***Chapter 13***

  ***Chapter 14***

  ***Chapter 15***

  ***Chapter 15***

  ***Chapter 16***

  ***Chapter 17***

  ***Chapter 18***

  ***Chapter 19***

  ***Chapter 20***

  ***Chapter 21***

  ***Chapter 22***

  ***Chapter 23***

  ***Chapter 24***

  ***Epilogue***

  Other Books by the Author

  ***Chapter 1***

  October 2002

  "Hello," Sean Murphy called as he entered the door of the century-old white Colonial house in which he had grown up. The age darkened two-panel door slammed shut behind him in a gust of chilly October wind. He stepped into the silent living room with its knotty pine floor and red, rose-patterned area rug, with matching rose printed sofa, two red armchairs, and an antique wooden rocking chair flanking the brick and brass fireplace. His parents, it appeared, were out. His younger sister, however, was in her room, and he heard her muffled greeting through the door.

  "Hi, Sean, can you come here please?"

  Slightly bemused, he climbed the polished wood stairs to Sheridan’s bedroom. He opened the door and was unsurprised to see his seventeen-year-old sister was not alone. Sheridan’s best friend Erin James was with her. The girls were sprawled on Sheridan’s pink and lace canopy bed. It was interesting to look at them together, as they couldn’t be more opposite. Sheridan was tall and curvy and looked like sunshine brought to life. She had fair but slightly golden skin, and masses of blond curls, and a cheerful demeanor. She loved poetry and was a true romantic. Erin on the other hand was small and very pale, with dark hair and eyes and an intense, artistic personality. And yet the girls had been friends since they were in kindergarten together at the local Catholic elementary. Sheridan jumped from the bed and ran to her brother, and Erin sat up, her cheeks flaming at the sight of him.

  "Hey, Sis, what did you need?" Sean asked as he received his sister’s exuberant hug.

  "Your timing is perfect, Sean. I need you to take Erin to the homecoming dance."

  "Huh?" Sean looked at Erin and saw that her fair cheeks were even more deeply pink. He was quite sure this had not been her idea.

  "Yeah, this stupid guy has been messing with her, making her think he would take her, but he really just wanted her to help him study. Today we found out that he was going to the dance with Lindsey Jones, the tramp. We know what he wants, and no loss there, but now Erin doesn’t have a date, and the dance is tomorrow. Would you please take her?"

  "Sheridan, please," Erin said softly, "I don’t need this. I don’t care about homecoming and you know I can’t dance. I’ll just stay home and practice for that audition."

  "No way, you have to go. I won’t have a bit of fun without you. I’m so sick of Jake. I may just ditch him."

  "It’s about time you ditched that dickhead," Sean commented, making both girls giggle. "He’s nowhere near good enough for you, Danny. Why don’t you forget about him and you and Erin go together. That would be better wouldn’t it?"

  "Come on, Sean. It’s not nice to dump someone just before a dance, and he’s nominated for homecoming king. Oh, don’t worry; I’ll break up with him. I think it would be more polite though to do it after the dance and after the SATs next week too, so he’s not distracted. But that still leaves Erin. She can’t come with the two of us. It’s too pathetic. Erin deserves better than to be the third wheel. But just think, Sean, if she comes with a man instead of one of these little boys."

  Sean took a moment to consider. He had never thought of Erin as someone to date, but there was certainly nothing wrong with her. She was quite pretty and very sweet, an excellent friend to his sister. If he hadn’t known her his whole life, it wouldn’t be hard to see asking her out. On the other hand…

  "Yeah, I know what will happen. I’ll be arrested. Sheridan, I’m twenty-three. What do I care about homecoming?"

  "Probably nothing. But do you care about Erin?"

  "Of course. You know what, Erin, come here a minute. I think we should talk about this without Danny for a while."

  "Okay." She walked out into the hallway with him, and he led her to the room that used to be his, still decorated with all his old high school memorabilia; his trophies for swimming relays, discus, and shot put, along with his old full-sized bed (he had bought a queen size when he rented his apartment), with its green and blue comforter. No area rug adorned the floor here, despite his mother’s frequent urging. He preferred to see the beauty of the hundred year old wood. He turned to Erin, who was standing nervously near him, leaning against the thick footboard.

  "I hope you know," she said earnestly, "That I didn’t ask her to do that."

  "Of course not. I can smell a Sheridan Murphy plot a mile away. She’s my sister, don’t forget. However, she is right about one thing. You do need a date. That is, if you really want to go. Tell the truth, Erin. Do you really want to stay home and practice?"

  Erin’s cheeks were very pink, but she said softly, "No, I would like to go. I really can’t dance, though."

  "Come on, Erin," he urged, "You’re a musician. I can’t believe you have no rhythm."

  "It’s not a question of rhythm but of self confidence. I always feel silly dancing in front of a room full of people."

  "How about if you have someone confident leading the way, kind of like a director?"

  "That might help." She looked down shyly. Sean hoped he was doing the right thing. He was aware that Erin had had a crush on him for a while. It was kind of sweet, in an embarrassing sort of way. Erin was still in high school after all, and while she was pretty, her shyness was a little overpowering.

  "Okay then, let’s do it. At least we can show that boy what he’s missing."

  "Are you sure? Don’t you have plans?"

  "Naw. Just boring stuff, you know, like laundry. So, Erin James, will you let me take you to homecoming?"

  She gave him an intense look, her dark eyes glowing with eagerness as she said, "Yes." Her voice was so tiny he almost didn’t hear her. He gave her a brotherly hug around the shoulders. She fled the room. Well, one thing Sean had not expected was to be pressed into service at a high school dance. Maybe it would be nice to have a change of pace, step out of everyday life for a while and just do something fun, especially with a girl who adored him. That might be interesting. And if not, he would have done a good deed and made his sister and her very nice f
riend happy.

  ***Chapter 2***

  The following night, Sean arrived at Erin’s house dressed in a fitted green button up shirt and some dark slacks, trying to look as mature as possible.

  She lived in a very prestigious neighborhood, near the university. It was a status symbol to own a home in this ritzy area. The homes were so expensive that they could only afford a tiny one on their combined salaries, although her father was an investment consultant, and her mother was commercial artist. It was a miniature two-bedroom home, painted tan with green shutters and a stained-glass door. Sean rang the doorbell and waited hoping that Sheridan, rather than Erin’s mother, had helped the girl choose her clothes. Erin’s mom was a silly woman who still felt her daughter looked best in strange artist creations that did nothing for her slim figure. His sister had much better taste.

  Erin opened the door herself and Sean was relieved to see her wearing a touchably soft black velour knee-length dress. It contrasted with her skin and made her dark hair, done up in an elegant twist, seem to glow. Sheridan must also have helped with the subtle application of makeup. Erin looked at least five years older than she was. She was also more confident than he had seen her before, meeting his eyes without blushing, and smiling sweetly.

  "Hi," he said, a little surprised by the transformation. Then he held out a corsage that consisted of a single red rosebud. She stepped forward and he carefully pinned it to her dress, breathing in a waft of lilac that enveloped her.

  "Hi Sean. Let’s go."

  "Do you need me to come in and say hello to your folks or anything?"

  "No, my parents aren’t here."

  "Where are they?"

  "I’ll tell you in the car." There was a hint of tension in her voice.

  "Okay."

  He walked her out to his Mustang and opened the door for her. Even though this wasn’t really a date, every girl needed to feel like a princess now and again, and Sean guessed that Erin didn’t get much of that. He slid into the driver’s seat and turned on the ignition before saying, "Okay, what’s up?"

  "My parents are splitting up," she said it flatly.

  "That’s too bad. Why?"

  "My dad’s always gone on business, you know?" Sean nodded. "Well Mom met someone. She’s spending the weekend with her new guy and Dad’s gone for work again. So I’m on my own."

  "That sucks. Sorry, Erin."

  "It’s okay. It’s not like they actually liked each other or anything."

  He put his hand on top of hers, gently. "Still. I don’t care about them, but I’m sorry for you."

  "Don’t pity me, Sean," she pleaded, "the one thing I can’t stand is for you to see me as pathetic."

  "You’re not pathetic Erin," he reassured her, "Let’s say I’m sorry about your situation, okay?"

  "Okay, thanks." She fell silent for a moment, considering what to say next, nibbling her knuckle. At last she added, "I’m so glad finally to be a senior. If I can just get through this year, I’ll be an adult. I’ll go off to college, and I won’t be at the mercy of their choices anymore."

  "Where are you going? Sheridan mentioned a conservatory in Texas."

  "I’m not sure. I have an appointment with their recruiter in two weeks to play an audition, but I’m also considering going to state with Sheridan. That would be nice."

  "Can you be a performance major at a state university?"

  "Sure. It wouldn’t be as prestigious but I would save a ton of money, and I would be likely to get better scholarships too. With everything that’s been happening, I’m probably going to need them. Didn’t you go to state, Sean, to get your business degree, before you started working with your dad’s construction company? Isn’t that why he made you assistant foreman, because you learned so much about handling all the aspects of the company there?"

  "Yeah, it’s a good school. Don’t sell yourself short though. Saving money is good but not if you miss out on your dreams. I know you want to play that oboe professionally. You’re good enough to do it, so go for it if you can, okay?"

  "Good advice. Thanks."

  They drove along in silence. Erin looked out the window at the masses of oak and maple trees that crowded the neighborhood, beautifully dressed in their colorful autumn garments, interspersed with fragrant green pine and spruce. She felt a thrill of nervous excitement. She hadn’t expected to be going to the dance at all. That she was going with her crush made it even better. Forget David Landry. He could score with Lindsey. Erin now had without a doubt the sexiest date of all. A motorcycle roared by, it’s growl interrupting her train of thought. She refocused on reality. Oh, she wasn’t fooling herself that he was here because he liked her. No, it was a favor, that’s all, but she appreciated it. And he was being very sweet, not acting like it was a chore, pretending he was enjoying escorting his sister’s shy and uninteresting friend to a dance he didn’t want to go to at all. Sean was the definition of a true gentleman.

  He parked at the high school and escorted Erin, his hand on the small of her back, into the crowded and noisy gym, hung with paper streamers in the school’s colors of maroon and white, with its hand-painted cougar roaring from the far wall. The noise inside was oppressive. Why did so many girls giggle so shrilly? Did they really think their dates would find that appealing? She shook her head. She could barely hear the music over the roaring of adolescent voices.

  As they waited in line to have their picture taken, Erin glanced around. Just as she expected, people were looking at her, and some of the girls had envious expressions on their faces at the sight of Sean’s mature good looks.

  Oh, he was so handsome. Sean had neatly cut mahogany brown hair. It was much sharper looking than the shaggy style most of the boys were wearing. His face was tanned from working outside, which made his slightly crooked front teeth look even whiter and his dark blue eyes stand out in sharp relief. His arms, chest, and shoulders were muscular from long hours on the construction site, but his waist was narrow, his hips slim. In short, he was every girl’s dream. Or if not, he was certainly Erin’s. Why did he have to be six impossible years older than her?

  At last they reached the head of the line. A chubby photographer with a lot of gray sprinkled in his dark bushy hair motioned them to stand in front of a mottled gray screen.

  "Okay, Buddy," he told them in a scratchy voice, "put your arms around your girl."

  Erin opened her mouth to argue, to suggest that they pose side by side, but Sean didn’t give her the chance. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her flush against his front. The noise in the room receded as the warmth and wonderful scent of Sean wafted over her.

  "Now you, Sugar, arms around his neck."

  She obeyed without protest.

  "Face the camera."

  They turned their heads. The shutter clicked loudly.

  "Right, now go dance. Next!"

  Keeping one arm around her waist, Sean escorted Erin to the gym. She could feel the noise buffeting her, but the sound was lost over the pounding of her own heart. She knew she would cherish that photo forever.

  "You know," Sean said, his lips very close to her ear in order to be heard over the din, "I thought of a solution to your dancing dilemma."

  "What’s that?"

  "Only dance the slow ones. Those are the easiest. You just hold onto me and sway."

  "I think I can manage that. What about the fast ones?"

  "Walk around. Mingle. Get a snack or drink. It’s easy."

  "You’re smart, Sean. Thanks."

  "Shall we start right out? This is a slow song."

  "Okay."

  Erin placed her hands on the back of Sean’s neck. Sean put his arms loosely around Erin’s waist and demonstrated to her how to move in time to the music. While it was a different kind of movement than she was used to making, it was not very difficult to understand. What was difficult was making herself remember that this wasn’t really a date, especially not when Sean’s body heat was sinking sinuously into her. She coul
d hear the soft sighing of fabric as his shirt and slacks moved with his body. She strived not to lose her sense of what she was doing. This was not a romance. It was just a dance. It didn’t mean anything to him. Oh, but it meant something to her. The song was passionate, romantic. It was "I Swear" sung by the group All for One. She slid her eyes shut and just concentrated on her physical sensations.

  Sean could see the effect he was having in his sister’s friend. Maybe this wasn’t a good idea. He was nervous that her shy crush would turn into a full blown infatuation, and that just wasn’t appropriate. Not least of all because he wasn’t as immune to her as he pretended. His off-handed charm concealed a rather alarming attraction. She was pretty, really pretty. He also suspected that beneath her timid demeanor, she must have a passionate soul. Otherwise how could she play her instrument so well? Some day, maybe, when she was finished growing up, he would ask her out for real. Of course, if she moved to Texas, he might never see her again. This night would only be a remembered possibility, unfulfilled, but never forgotten, to be thought of occasionally with fondness and a touch of regret.

  Hmmm, it wouldn’t do to relegate the evening to memory before it had scarcely begun. And Sean did want Erin to have a good time, so he hugged her a little tighter. Surely there could be no harm in that. He had to have enough self-control to dance with a pretty girl without getting too turned on. It wasn’t easy though. Every time Erin brushed the front of her body against his, his ability to remember why this wasn’t real took a blow, especially now that she was more comfortable with him. Her shyness melted away minute by minute allowing her lovely spirit to shine through. Sean was enchanted. He had always known she was nice. Sheridan was too wise a girl to surround herself with substandard friends, but he had never known how truly special Erin was. It was impossible for his growing admiration not to show a little. And he could see she felt it, and liked it.

  In this way, Erin and Sean passed a pleasant evening. They danced together several times, and when the songs became too fast, they wandered the periphery of the room, watching, conversing, drinking punch, and generally just enjoying themselves.