All She Ever Wanted - Barbara Freethy [30]
"You should play in a band," Emily said, as Laura put down her flute, the last note still lingering in the air.
"I'm not good enough. And it doesn't pay anything."
"It makes you happy. That's what's important."
"Happy is not what it's about. Success, achievement, that's what's important. Everyone knows that making a living in music is next to impossible."
"Life isn't just about making money. It's about doing something that you love. Don't sell yourself short, Laura. Don't let someone else define who you are. You and I are a lot alike. We've both spent way too much time looking out the window, watching everyone else have fun. It's our turn now. I have my health—finally. And you're away from your parents and all the people who have you convinced that every moment should be spent in the pursuit of future happiness. I say we concentrate on being happy right now and let the future take care of itself. After all, everyone says this is the best time of our lives. Let's make that the truth."
It had been the best time of her life, Laura thought, as she opened her eyes and stared at the flute. Maybe she should take Emily's advice and stop worrying so much about the future and concentrate on the now. So what would Emily do? The answer suddenly seemed very clear. She pressed her lips against the mouthpiece and blew. The squeaking sound was terrible in terms of music, but incredibly rewarding. She relaxed and began to play. The notes came out of her head, her heart, her soul. She didn't know how long she'd been playing until she saw two small, very astonished faces peering around the closet door.
"What are you doing, Mommy?" six-year-old Jennifer asked.
"Can I play?" seven-year-old Suzanne added. "It sounds so pretty."
"You're really good," Jennifer continued.
Her heart swelled. Her daughters thought her music sounded pretty and that she was good. She blinked back a silly tear and laughed. "I think it's time you two learned how to play."
"Today?" they echoed with excitement.
"Yes, today, but later," she said, making a sudden decision. "First I want you to hear what really good music sounds like. Go get your shoes and sweaters. We're going to the park."
* * *
"No one is home," Natalie said, as the door to Laura's house remained closed. "So much for your surprise-attack strategy." She took a step back to gaze at the two-story salmon-colored Mediterranean villa, which fit in perfectly with the other well-built, well-designed homes in this upscale neighborhood thirty minutes south of San Francisco. "Laura and Drew have certainly done well for themselves."
"It's not bad for a house in the suburbs," Cole replied. "I prefer the city."
Natalie did, too. Or maybe she was just more used to an urban environment. The last time she'd lived in a house like this, actually a more modest version of a house like this, had been when her father was alive. After his death, she and her mother had moved into a series of apartments, sometimes sharing one with her aunt or some guy her mother hooked up with.
"Maybe they didn't hear the bell. It's a big place." Cole pressed down on the bell three times in succession. It was so loud Natalie thought the neighbors could probably hear it.
The door suddenly flew open. She jumped back as Drew appeared in the doorway, looking none too pleased to see them. Dressed in tan slacks and a long-sleeved button-down white shirt, he appeared conservative and businesslike, a far cry from the laughing, flirtatious playboy who'd worn faded blue jeans, tank tops and flip-flops. Aside from the blond hair and the golden tan, that guy had completely disappeared.
"What the hell are you two doing here?" Drew muttered, staring at them for a long moment.
Natalie wasn't sure how to respond. She couldn't really blame Drew for being angry. It had been ten years since they'd seen each other, and now they'd shown up out of the blue. It was no wonder he was taken aback.
"Can we come in?" Cole asked.
Drew stepped back and motioned for them to enter. The inside of the house was just as beautiful as the outside,