Katherine knocked on the studio door. Warren unlocked it and let her inside.
“It’s freezing out there, Katherine. I should have had the door unlocked. But this way we shouldn’t get interrupted. Do you have a song list? I have plenty of music here.”
“Yes, but I need to make four CD’s. Is that okay? I don’t need anything special, I just want my voice recorded.”
“That’s a lot of songs, but let me see your list and we can get started.” Warren smiled and hoped that she sang as beautifully as Daniel Giordano claimed. If not, it was going to be one hell of a long day.
After getting Katherine in the booth and explaining some things to her, he asked about the order of songs and which CD she wanted to do first.
“I want to do Daniel’s first. I didn't have much money of my own, so I thought if I sang him some love songs it would make a good gift.”
“Wow, that’s super sweet. There aren’t many women like you these days. This’ll be fun, Katherine, and I know it’ll be quite a nice Christmas surprise.” Warren walked outside of the recording room and found the first song.
When the music began, Katherine closed her eyes and pictured Daniel’s beautiful face. She sang like she’d been recording for years. Warren was absolutely stunned. He made a quick phone call and told his producer friend Luis Thompson about the amazing singer.
“I have a goldmine in the studio. Her voice is like no other.” Warren hung up and did his magic as he listened to this amazing woman. He’d never heard anyone sing with such passion. Every single word she sang was felt by him as the goose bumps rose on his flesh.
Katherine finished the recordings. She sang fourteen for Daniel, three for her uncle, Rosie, and Francesco, and three for Carl, because he was always so kind. She took plenty of breaks to let her voice recover and drank lots of water. At five in the evening she walked to the door.
“Thank you so much for your help, Warren. It was a pleasure to meet you.”
“No, Katherine, listening to you sing was totally my pleasure. I have someone who really wants to meet you.” Luis walked into the room and offered Katherine his hand.
“My name’s Luis Thompson, Katherine. I was in the back listening to you singing. I’d like for you to consider something for me over the holidays.”
“I’m sorry, I didn’t know anyone else was in here.” Her cheeks flushed.
“Don’t be sorry, Katherine. Your voice is one that the whole world should hear. I would like to speak to you about a recording contract. I’ve been looking for a unique voice to sign and, thanks to you, I found it. I don’t need an answer today, but here’s my card. You can call me at your leisure and we’ll set up an appointment. You are utterly amazing.” Luis Thompson left the studio with a smile on his face.
“Katherine, this is the deal of a lifetime. You go home and research this man. You’ll see what I mean.”
“Thank you, Warren. My ride is here, and I have to get to the house before Daniel does.”
She doesn’t even know how good she is. Warren smiled as he watched her walk out the door.
Katherine didn’t know what to think. Her hands were shaking as she held the four CD’s. I hope these are good enough gifts. But she would continue to worry.
Katherine ran as fast as she could in the side door of the mansion. She had to find a hiding spot. She rang for Carl and asked him to bring up some tape. If she taped them to the back of the nightstand, Daniel would never find them. Before she did, she looked at the plain CD cases. Now what am I going to do? Katherine tossed and turned most of the night. Her mind was spinning. But after many hours, an idea struck. Satisfied with her new plan, she fell fast asleep.
Chapter 17
The next morning, Katherine waited until Daniel was gone, then summoned Carl.
“Carl, I need you to take a picture of me. I want to wear my beautiful blue coat and go down by the horses. Can you do that and not tell anyone?”
“Of course, but I’m not very good at taking pictures. I’m sure there’s a camera around here someplace.”
“Okay, you go look for the camera, and I’ll try and make myself look pretty!”
“Katherine, you don’t have to try.” Carl smiled and closed the door.
An hour later, Carl knocked on Katherine’s door. She opened it and stood in front of him.
“How do I look? Is this okay?”
Katherine’s strawberry blonde hair was loose and flowed down her pretty baby blue coat. She was wearing just a hint of soft makeup, and her eyes looked so incredibly green.