CBN.com – The unusual
gift arrived after country singer Grace Brennan's show in Branson
— a music box with an anonymous note. Only Grace recognized
the message's implied threat. Someone had discovered the Hideaway
native's past indiscretion — and intended to jeopardize
her present success. Read an excerpt below.
Colorful hues from multiple spotlights streaked across the stage
in laser precision. The floor vibrated with the impact of drums
as Grace Brennan smiled up at her Star Notes costar,
Michael Gold.
"I saw you watching me from the corner of your eye,"
Michael sang, leaning forward and giving her a long, sultry look.
"You like me, I can tell."
With an audacious wink at the audience, Grace placed a hand on
Michael's chest and pushed him backward. "I know you think
you saw something you did not see. I like my hound dog just as
well."
As they continued their comedic duet, Grace felt a familiar tingle.
Michael could sizzle the bark from a tree in January with those
smoldering dark eyes. And his voice was on a par with Josh Groban's.
Three vocal backups — Cassidy Ryder, Delight Swenson and
Blake Montana — joined them onstage, and the Star Notes
show breezed on with all the energy and laughter of a typical
night. The interactive show — like a country Star Search
— had become so popular that the waiting list for guest
amateur appearances was ridiculously long. The audition manager
chose only the best vocalists, and the winner of each show was
invited to return for further competition.
The theater was packed tonight due to the influx of tourists
into Branson on the Friday after Thanksgiving. As the appreciative
audience continued to applaud, Michael announced their final amateur
guest vocalist of the evening. She came onstage and on cue began
her ballad, with the Star Notes performers providing
backup and harmony.
The Star Notes cast had intense practice sessions daily,
and their expertise showed. They could make almost any voice sound
good. The ongoing one-liners and repartee — which changed
from night to night — kept the crowds coming back for more.
As the guest ended her song and turned to leave the stage, Grace
invited another round of applause.
Michael took Grace's hand and kissed it. She met his dark gaze
with a searching one of her own, and her skin tingled where his
lips touched. Fresh cheers rose from the crowd.
When the Star Notes director, Henry Bennett, had added
romantic interaction to the show's script last year, the crowds
had responded with enthusiasm. So had Michael. Only Grace continued
to have misgivings about it. Sometimes she couldn't help wondering
how much of what went on between her and Michael was an act, and
how much was real. And lately she wondered about it after every
performance.
As the applause died and the theater lights came on, Grace eagerly
anticipated the final phase of the show. She loved talking with
the audience.
An usher came down the aisle carrying a huge bouquet of red roses
and a gold foil package. He stepped onto the stage and presented
the items to Grace with a flourish. "Delivery services brought
these for you, Miss Brennan."
The cast of the show often received flowers, gifts and cards
from fans. Gifts brought onstage during the final few moments
of the show added to the "reality" ambience —
another of the director's ideas.
The card with the roses read "From your biggest fan,"
and it was signed "With love, Michael."
She read the note aloud, waited for the catcalls and applause
to die down, then grinned up at Michael as he took the bouquet
from her arms so she could open the lid of the package.
She pulled out a music box of stained glass and caught her breath.
The jeweled colors reflected the stage lights with sparkling intensity
in its artistic representation of a winding, whitecapped river.
"It's beautiful," she breathed, touching the box reverently.
She looked up at Michael. "It's —"
But she caught him frowning at the gift, and saw the barely detectable
shake of his head.
Okay, so this wasn't from him. She lifted the lid, and music
from the song "The Water Is Wide" spilled across the
auditorium as its notes were picked up by her microphone.
The tune chilled her with unwelcome memories.
A gold-embossed card lay on the velvet lining of the interior.
With carefully concealed reluctance she pulled it out and scanned
the childish scrawl on the elegant card. The chill in her spine
intensified.
"Cheaters never prosper. Remember the contest? Soon everyone
will know. There are some things time won't erase. And this is
just the beginning."
Grace froze at the accusation. The chatter seemed to fade around
her, and she grew intensely aware of the waiting audience.
She forced her smile back into place. No time to think about
the ominous note now, or what lay behind it. She passed the gift
to Delight, the youngest and most energetic member of the cast,
who always welcomed a chance for the limelight.
Snap out of it, Grace. There'll be time to think about this
later.
Michael frowned at the momentary look of shock in his costar's
aquamarine eyes. Something was wrong. Just for a second, Grace's
smile didn't quite fit.
The impression disappeared, but he studied her as she chatted
with apparent spontaneity, charming her way into hearts as she
always did — as she'd long ago done with him. Grace didn't
realize the effect she had on people.
For the final set she had changed into a satin-and-lace gown
in a rich dusky purple, and had caught her hair up in a rhinestone
clip. Her face glowed with healthy color. She had been discovered
by Henry in an amateur contest eight years ago. Henry had quickly
recognized Grace's potential. Not only did she have a beautiful
voice with exceptional range, but she was also a talented songwriter,
whose words touched the very soul.
Michael doubted anyone else had noticed Grace's lapse of composure
over the mystery gift. At last she thanked the audience for being
there, and amid renewed applause made her way from the stage.
Michael followed. Henry had called a meeting in the green room
after the performance. They all knew the director would be waiting
for them.
About
the Author
Excerpted from Note of
Peril by Hannah Alexander, Copyright © 2005, published
by Steeple Hill Books.
Used by permission. Unauthorized duplication prohibited.
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