Finding Forever(35)

But he and the children managed to go in without any trouble, and Liam kept an eye out for Whitney. He finally spotted her sitting on a bench with Sam, who didn’t look as if he was doing too well. Liam made a beeline in their direction. He was hoping Ally would work her magic and Whitney would abandon Sam and join them.

“Aunt Whitney!” Ally cried out. She jumped into her aunt’s lap and gave her a hug.

Whitney looked up in surprise and spotted Liam, who gave her a knowing grin. They both knew exactly what he was doing. So he didn’t even try to pretend.

Sam spoke up. “Whitney, I’m so sorry, but I don’t think I can stay any longer. My stomach is really hurting,” he said. He swallowed several times and she moved back, obviously praying that he wasn’t about to hurl all over her.

Whitney looked up at Liam with suspicion. He could tell she desperately wanted to ask him if he’d slipped something to her date while he’d been at the house. But there was no way she was posing that question. He’d just let her wonder.

“I’ll go with you,” she told Sam, and Liam panicked.

“You can’t leave, Auntie. I just got here,” Ally said with her big, innocent eyes.

Whitney looked again at Liam, and he gave her a look full of challenge.

“I don’t want you to miss out on the concert,” Sam said. “Please stay. You can catch a ride back with the children and Liam.”

Sam was a much nicer man than he was, Liam had to admit. But he enjoyed the frustration in her eyes. She clearly wanted to stay for the rest of the show, but she had her pride, too, and it was pulling her in the opposite direction. He saw the moment she gave in to what her niece wanted, and he felt like jumping in the air in victory. And yet he wasn’t thrilled when she decided to walk Sam to his car.

Liam waited impatiently for her return, and he didn’t hear a single Christmas carol until she finally reappeared. It was only when she stood with him and the kids that he found himself relaxing for the first time since the kiss the night before.

As the song ended, one of the performers spoke to the crowd. “Are you all having a good time tonight?” the man said into his microphone.

And the audience exploded with shouts of joy and approval.

“I’m always glad to hear that,” the man said. “We have a special guest in the audience tonight. I know for a fact that he can play one mean fiddle. Would you like him to come up here and play for you?”

Liam was filled with panic as both the performer and the band leader looked down at him and smiled. That was when Whitney figured out what was going on. Liam was now the one turning a little green.

Whitney’s lips turned up in an evil smile as she took hold of his arm and dragged him toward the stage. The two children were jumping up and down in their excitement.

“I wanted to just blend in,” Liam said desperately.

“Now, don’t be shy, Liam. All the eligible women in the audience want to hear you play,” the performer said, and the crowd went crazy again.

Liam was locked in now, and he couldn’t back out without inciting a riot. Yes, considering the venue, a tame holiday riot, but a riot nonetheless.

“I’ll return the favor, Whitney,” he muttered before jumping up on the stage. “I don’t know why you want to hear me play,” he said into the microphone. “These guys have been doing an amazing job tonight.” When the crowd cried out for him to perform, he smiled broadly. “Okay, okay, I’ll do it.”

He was handed a fiddle, and the band started playing.

As the music soared, and even as he drew the bow over the strings, Liam looked down, his eyes connecting with Whitney’s, and his heart leapt. He was in trouble because of this woman. Serious trouble.





Chapter Nineteen


He wasn’t the guy she’d thought he was.

Liam grinned at the audience and played his fiddle like a pro. Heck, Whitney had seen Charlie Daniels at the State fair when she was young, but he had nothing on Liam.

She found herself clapping along with the crowd and what truly amazed her was that she was having far too much fun. Why did it have to be because of Liam? She had no business having any fun with this man … this stranger.

After a few more songs, the crowd allowed him to leave the stage. But he couldn’t stay there at the concert any longer — there was no way the people would give him any peace. So he, she, and the children headed away. Why had she been so reluctant to leave for Sam, who’d been so sick she should have made sure he was okay, but then not utterly bummed to leave early with Liam? Maybe it was time to get her head examined.

“Let’s get some ice cream before we head home,” Liam said when they made it outside.