“Tactfully, truthfully.”
“Trying my best.”
“The rope line so far has been a lot of requests for autographs and selfies,” David mentioned. “The back of the hotel has been getting some fan interest too—staff entrances, fans hoping to spot those who might try to slip into the hotel unnoticed. Security has been checking IDs for anyone entering the hotel throughout the day, so we’ll have security camera footage to review for those areas too. Lynne has been moving between the two areas. She’s at the back presently.”
“I’m relieved to hear that. Thanks, David.”
Evie walked back to her table, offered a small smiled apology to Rob. The entrée arriving gave her cover for avoiding further conversation. Evie settled in to enjoy the meal, listening to Rob’s conversation with the senator about a business park development on the south side of Chicago. David slipped into the seat beside Rob some minutes later, and a waiter promptly brought him a dinner plate.
“All’s quiet?” she leaned around to ask softly.
“We’re good.”
The mayor was just taking the podium, so Evie quickly introduced the two men.
“I’ve heard nice things,” Rob said, offering a hand.
“The same,” David replied with a smile.
After the mayor’s welcome and introductory remarks, the lights dimmed for a video of the featured charities. The main speaker for the evening expanded on the work of the organizations represented in the video, and he closed with an impassioned and genuine plea for donations to continue the work of each. Baskets with envelopes had been distributed to each table to collect contributions, and a general stirring filled the room as checkbooks appeared and envelopes were stuffed and returned to the baskets.
The mayor shifted the program focus to the music for the evening. People turned their seats to better view the stage as he talked about their guest artist.
Applause grew as the curtain pulled back on Maggie in a shimmering pale-blue gown, flanked by tall vases of white roses. Two keyboards and two guitars comprised the musicians to either side, with a percussionist situated with his rhythm set in the back of the semicircle stage. She looked elegant and poised, comfortable before her audience.
Maggie waited as the sound filled the ballroom in a long lead-in, and Evie could feel the anticipation building. The slender woman before them was pulling the audience in with her infectious smile, a hand at her side tapping lightly to the beat. Because Evie was watching for it, she caught the extra joy in Maggie’s expression when she located David. The accompanying music rose in volume, and Maggie’s voice joined it with an energy that made the room come alive.
“Lover of mine, how great is your arrival,
Joy of my heart, how pleasant your smile,
Come and fill my heart, meet my every need,
Only with you, Beloved,
am I fully alive.”
The voice behind the number-one song in the country soared up to the high ceiling. Evie noticed even the waitstaff stopping to listen. Having never been that near a performer before, it was a revelation as Maggie captured every guest in the ballroom with the power of her words and the charm of the music. By the end of the second song, the guests were transformed from interested onlookers to an involved audience. Increasingly enthusiastic applause broke out after each song.
The curtain closed on the final piece following Maggie’s wave, and the mayor returned to the podium while the waitstaff hurried in with dessert.
“Very nice,” Rob’s mother said, looking specifically at David, and he smiled his thanks.
The mayor had been trying for some time to get the crowd’s attention, and after they finally quieted down, he said, “And now a final surprise guest for the evening.” The room quieted further. “Please help me welcome”—the curtain behind him began to part once again—“our new governor, Governor Bliss!”
Applause filled the room to greet the man now striding toward the podium.
“Good evening, my friends. Wasn’t that spectacular? I had to watch on a screen in the back, but Maggie of the Triple M band spoke to my head and to my heart tonight, folks. Let’s give her another round of applause she’ll be able to hear in the dressing room.” The crowd cheered in response.
“I asked your gracious mayor here,” he continued, “if I could add a few words tonight to underscore the enormous place charity has in our state and the work these wonderful organizations have accomplished for our citizens.” He went on to list the impact felt across the state among children, families, schools, law enforcement, and others.
Movement at a side door caught Evie’s attention. Maggie slipped into the ballroom wearing a simple blue dress, and not everyone immediately recognized her as she made her way between the tables. David stood and pulled out a seat for her. Rob slid his chair closer to Evie’s to make room. The mayor went to the podium to thank the governor for coming, and again applause filled the room.