by Nan Dixon
“I will.” Rosa waved. “I’m ready.”
Sage pushed Rosa to the elevator. Half the staff called out good luck. A few said they were on their way to see Carolina sing. It was amazing how many lives Carolina and her mother had touched. He couldn’t stop smiling. This should be a fantastic night.
He helped Rosa into the cab and they headed to Fitzgerald House. “I hope you enjoy the food at Southern Comforts.”
“Carolina’s boss has been sending dinners to the hospital.”
“Wow.” He wouldn’t have ever thought to do that. “That was nice.”
“Well, they have so much.” Rosa rolled her eyes. “It’s not like it’s a hardship.”
Carolina had warned him that her mother had lost her filters, but it seemed strange that she would be flippant about Abby’s kindness.
“I hope you enjoy tonight. They’re holding a special table just for you.”
“They should. My daughter’s performing.”
He kept from raising an eyebrow. “We’ll be eating with one of the men I work with and his fiancée.”
Rosa didn’t say anything. Just watched as they drove through the squares, humming a song he didn’t recognize.
Sage directed the cabdriver to the parking lot. It was the closest he could get so Rosa didn’t have to walk too far. “Let me help you.”
Rosa took his arm like she was a queen. “Lead on.”
They moved through the courtyard gardens. “None of this was here the last time I was at Fitzgerald House,” Rosa mused.
“I didn’t know you’d been here before.” He slowed and pointed to the carriage house apartment. “Carolina is living up there.”
“She is?” Rosa frowned. “It’s the least they could do. I’m dying, you know.”
“I know.” He cleared his throat. “I hope you can...enjoy the remaining time with your daughter.”
“I don’t know what I would do without her.” Rosa sighed. “She’s my shining light. The spitting image of her father.”
Sage raised an eyebrow. Carolina looked just like her mother.
Slowly they moved to the restaurant. Right outside the entrance was a life-size figure of Carolina.
“There’s my baby!” Rosa called out. People on the patio glanced over.
The hostess waved. “Hey, Sage. Kaden and Courtney are already here.” She pointed to a table in front of the stage.
“This will be perfect.” Rosa selected the chair with the best view. No problem, when Carolina came onstage, Sage would swing his chair around. “Kaden and Courtney, I’d like to introduce Carolina’s mother, Rosa Castillo. Rosa, this is Courtney Smythe and Kaden Farrell.”
“It’s nice to meet you,” Kaden answered.
“Good to meet you,” Courtney echoed.
“You aren’t Fitzgeralds?” Rosa asked, frowning.
“My brother is married to Abby Fitzgerald,” Courtney said.
“The oldest.” Rosa nodded. “Are they all married?”
“Only Abby and Bess. Dolley is getting married next year.”
“My Carolina is between Bess and Dolley.” Rosa stated it with finality.
This was the strangest conversation Sage had ever had. But when they’d decided to eat together, he’d warned Kaden and Courtney about Rosa’s tumors.
“I understand you like champagne,” Sage said. Rosa’s doctor had told Carolina a little alcohol was okay.
“I adore champagne.” Rosa waved a hand like a conductor.
“So do I,” Courtney said on cue.
He ordered a bottle for the ladies and he and Kaden requested beers.
Sage helped Rosa make her menu selection based on Carolina’s recommendations. As they waited for their food, Ella walked over to the table. “Hello.”
Sage made introductions.
“I think I know you.” Rosa frowned.
“I was Carolina’s roommate in Nashville. I’m staying with her right now.”
“Of course.” But Rosa still looked puzzled. “Make sure you don’t drown out my baby.”
“I won’t.” Ella crossed her heart with her finger. “I’m going to play some background music while you eat. Carolina will be out in about twenty minutes.”
“I can’t wait.” Rosa shooed her away. “Go. Play. Then Carolina will get on sooner.”
Everyone at the table laughed.
Their salads arrived. Rosa looked around, took a bite and then sighed. And repeated it again. Was this the brain tumors or her normal personality?
“How are the headaches?” Kaden asked, directing the question at Sage after their entrées arrived.
Before he could say they were better, Rosa put her hand to her temple. “Awful. I hate them. But tonight—not so bad.”
Kaden raised an eyebrow. “That’s good.”
“Bright lights sometimes make me have...” She looked at Sage as if she’d lost the word.
“Seizures?” he asked.
“Yes! Seizures. But Carolina fixed all that. She made my stress go away. Poof!” Rosa took another bit of her lamb chop. “Now I get to hear her sing.”
“Mamá, I’m so glad you’re here.” Carolina slipped next to the table and kissed her mother’s cheek. She smiled at Courtney and Kaden. And set her hand on Sage’s shoulder and squeezed.
“There’s my baby. There’s my girl.” Rosa’s voice was loud enough to have people’s heads turning. “Isn’t she beautiful?”
“Hush, Mamá. How’s your dinner?” Carolina asked. The black dress she wore clung to her body, the fabric shimmering in the lights.
He wanted a chance to strip the clingy dress off her tonight.
“Good.” Rosa shrugged. “I like having the Fitzgeralds serving me.”
“Mamá.” Carolina shook her head.
Sage was hoping for a kiss, but they were in a packed restaurant. “Looks like your debut is pulling in the crowds.”
“Abby’s food is doing the work. But I get to benefit.”
Abby came up beside them in her chef whites. “Are you ready to wow them?”
Carolina inhaled. “You bet.”
“You must be Rosa,” Abby said. “I’m so glad you were well enough to come tonight.”
“I wouldn’t miss it.” Rosa smiled. But when Abby turned to say something to Carolina, Rosa stuck out her tongue. At Abby? What beef did Rosa have with the Fitzgeralds?
“I’ll introduce you. At least for tonight.” Abby touched Carolina’s hand. “Ready?”
“Absolutely.”
Sage caught her hand. “You don’t need it, but good luck.”
“Thank you.” She bent and brushed a kiss on his lips.
His heart expanded.
Abby headed up the stairs to the small stage. Ella ended the song she was playing and did a little fanfare music before Abby flipped on the microphone. “Welcome to Southern Comforts. I’m Abby Fitzgerald and I hope you’re enjoying your meals.”
Most of the dinner crowd clapped.
“I want to welcome you to our first night of entertainment. Carolina Castillo grew up on Tybee Island, but comes to us via Nashville. She’s become part of the Fitzgerald House family. I want you to give her a warm welcome.” Abby held out her arm. “Carolina Castillo.”
Sage felt like his face would crack as he smiled. He sat back to enjoy the evening.
* * *
CAROLINA WANTED TO push on the butterflies dancing in her belly, but everyone was watching. Abby had introduced her as part of the Fitzgerald House family. Abby had no clue how true that was.
She’d sung in front of crowds hundreds of times. She shouldn’t be nervous. But she’d never sung to her boyfriend or her mother at the same time.
Ella grinned and gave her a nod.
“I hope you’re all having a good time. Please enjoy Ab
by’s wonderful food and a glass of wine or one of the great beers Abby has on tap. Naomi can make you the perfect cocktail. Sit back, relax and enjoy your evening. And if you’re looking for something fun—why don’t you try the Southern Comforts Tea? Just make sure you have a designated driver.”
People laughed.
It was worth giving Abby a plug. They were symbiotic, right?
She nodded at Ella and pulled the microphone from the stand. “I thought I would start with a local songwriter. So here’s a song from the legendary Johnny Mercer.”
“This is ‘Moon River.’” She took deep breaths as Ella played the intro. Tightening her diaphragm, she let the column of air carry the notes.
As she sang, a smile broke across her mother’s face. Sage grinned and the audience—okay, diners—smiled or rocked with the music.
She and Ella worked through their set.
“This one’s for my beautiful mamá. She taught me how to sing.” Carolina touched her lips, sending her mother a kiss. “And she or my yaya sang this lullaby as they tucked me into bed.”
“‘A dormir va la rosa de los rosales.
y a dormir va mi niño porque ya es tarde.
Este niño chiquito no tiene cuna.
Su padre es carpintero le va a hacer una.’”
Even though the small spotlight partially blinded her, Carolina saw the tears streaming down her mother’s face. She fought to keep her throat from closing and stopping the music inside her. She’d meant this to be a good memory for her mother. Not a sad one.
But her mother would never have a chance to sing a lullaby to a grandchild. Carolina’s hand shook as it clutched the microphone.
Ella raised her eyebrows.
Carolina focused on the back wall. She would finish this song.
She held the last note. Thank goodness it was the last song in this set. She needed to settle. Needed to hug her mother.
She bowed as the dinner guests applauded. Waving, she said, “Don’t forget the fabulous Ella Blade on the piano.”
The clapping grew louder.
“I’m taking a little break. Enjoy your dinner or drinks and I’ll be back in thirty minutes.”
The applause didn’t stop. As she stepped from the small stage, she even caught the restaurant staff clapping. If this kept up, by the end of the night she would be sobbing.
Mamá rose to her feet, clapping. “My baby. My baby. You’re fabulous!”
“Thank you.” She hugged her mother.
Her mother had lost so much weight. And in her heels, Carolina towered over her. It wasn’t supposed to be like this. Her mother was still supposed to be the brightest flower in the bouquet. The glint in a jewel. She wasn’t supposed to fade away.
“You were so good.” Mamá kissed first one then the other cheek. “This has been the best night.”
“You taught me how to sing.” She helped her mother sit back in her chair, then stood with her hand on her shoulder.
“You did have a fantastic teacher.” Her mother dusted off an imaginary lapel.
Sage, Kaden and Courtney all laughed.
“You were amazing.” Sage kissed her hand and kept it in his.
It wasn’t the words that thrilled her as much as the light in his eyes.
“You’re incredible.” Courtney leaned over the table. “Do you have a recording of that lullaby?”
“I... Not of that song.” She’d done some recordings, but they were all demos.
Courtney winked. “Do you have other children’s songs? I would love to use your music in the day care. Your voice is so clear, I could understand every word. Well, not the Spanish, but it would be good if you could sing the song in both Spanish and English.”
“Thank you.” She shook her head. “I do have some other children’s songs. But not an album’s worth.”
“Work on that.”
Kaden set a hand on his fiancée’s arm. “Let her catch her breath.”
“Of course.” Courtney’s cupped her mouth and whispered, “We’ll talk.”
And laughter rang out again.
“Nice set.” Ella pushed a water bottle into her hand. “Thought you were going to lose it on that last song, but you pulled it together.”
Carolina bumped her friend’s shoulder. Everything was perfect tonight. Her mother was laughing, Sage looked at her like she’d hung the moon in the sky and she was doing what she loved with her best friend.
“We’re almost done with dinner.” Sage squeezed her fingers. “I’ll be taking your mother back to the hospital, but I’ll return.”
“Thank you.” She brushed a kiss on his cheek. “Having you and Mamá here means the world to me.”
She brushed another kiss on her mother’s cheek. “I should mingle.”
“I’m so proud of you,” Mamá exclaimed. “Now go work the crowd and don’t forget to flirt with the men. They’ll leave bigger tips.”
Some of the shine came off the evening. “Mamá.”
“Well, they do!” Mamá dug into the crème brûlée the server dropped off. “Go. Go.”
“I’ve got it handled,” Sage assured her.
She and Ella worked the room. If a diner called out, they stepped over to the table and talked. Took a few requests. Finally they made it to the bathroom.
“You should have flirted more with that last man,” Ella joked.
“Ha, ha.” She finished washing her hands and checked her makeup. “Thanks for being here. For everything.”
“It’s what best friends do.” Ella gave her a hug. “I wish I didn’t have that gig up at Hilton Head. I love it here.”
“It’s only for two weeks, right?”
“Yeah.” Ella raised her eyebrows. “Why did you lose it on the last song?”
She swallowed. “My mamá won’t ever sing that lullaby to my children.”
Ella gave her another hug and then pushed back and stared her in the face. “Are you and Sage talking children?”
“No!” Carolina jerked. Although the image in her head of a child had her black hair and his green eyes.
“He’s awfully nice,” Ella said.
She smiled. “He is and if I don’t come back to the apartment tonight, I’m with him.”
“Got it,” Ella said.
After exiting the bathroom, they linked arms.
“This is the best night I’ve had in—months,” Carolina said. “Let’s go back and wow the next group of diners.”
“You go, girl.” Ella asked, “Any changes in this set?”
“We can add that request from the last table in. Make it the second song.” She smiled. Tonight was perfect.
* * *
THIS HAD TO be Carolina’s last encore, right? Sage sighed. He wanted Carolina to get the accolades she deserved, but he also wanted to celebrate her success—one-on-one.
“She’s incredible.” Abby came up behind him.
“Amazing.”
Abby ducked under the bar pass-through and grabbed bottles of prosecco. “Once she and Ella are done, come join the family upstairs. I want to celebrate her success.”
He wanted to hustle Carolina out of the building. Instead he pasted on a smile. “Sure.”
Up on the balcony, the Fitzgerald sisters and their men leaned over the railing watching Carolina sing “Stormy Weather.”
When the song ended, the entire group and most of the diners on the main floor gave her a standing ovation. Sage stood, too.
Carolina did a goodbye patter that included pimping the restaurant and bar. She was smiling as she headed over to the bar. To him.
He cupped her face and brushed her lips with his. “You’re incredible.”
“Thank you.” Her eyes sparkled. “I feel...fabulous.”
“That was the best.” Ella came up and did a small booty
dance.
Abby waved from the balcony in a come-here gesture.
“Your boss wants us to celebrate with the family.” Sage hoped she would say no, but wouldn’t keep her from a party in her honor.
“Really?” Carolina did her own little butt wiggle.
Sage had to hold in a groan. Looked like they wouldn’t be alone for a while. Damn.
“Let’s go.” Ella headed to the staircase.
He took Carolina’s hand.
“Thank you for bringing Mamá.” She bumped his shoulder with hers. “I know she’s challenging.”
“I just want you happy.” They turned the corner at the top of the stairs.
“Congratulations!” Abby popped the cork on a bottle. Daniel and Gray did the same. “You were spectacular.”
“Thank you.” Carolina accepted the first glass poured.
“We had the best night ever,” Abby added.
“The kitchen hasn’t been that busy since we opened,” Cheryl said. “We need to expand the dessert menu. People lingered while she sang. And they ordered more food.”
“And drinks,” Abby said.
He pulled out chairs for Carolina and Ella and then helped hand out wineglasses. Once everyone had a glass, they held them up to Carolina and Ella. “Congratulations!”
Everyone laughed, talked and complimented them. Carolina fit right in like she was part of the Fitzgerald family.
“Thank you.” Carolina took a sip and grinned. “You’re all great.”
“You were wonderful.” Sage rubbed her back.
“I don’t think you’ve met my mother.” Abby tugged Carolina out of her chair, dragging her to the opposite end of the table. “Mamma lives in Atlanta. I’m so happy she arrived in time to hear your last set.”
Carolina stumbled and her face paled.
Sage followed her to the end of the table, worried. She’d been running on adrenaline for days.
Abby waved a hand at Carolina. “Mamma, I’d like to introduce you to our star.”
Abby’s mother held out her hand, but she was frowning.
“My mother, Mamie Fitzgerald Robbins. Mamma, this is Carolina Castillo.”