“Well, say something, will you?”
“Cassidy, this is all too good to be true. And even if it isn’t, I thought we decided against this life.”
“We decided not to accept the radio contract because it wasn’t on our terms. This is. We can have everything we want, Thomas.”
“You would do this for me?” he asked.
She nodded. “For us.”
“What changed your mind?”
A shy smile lit up Cassidy’s face in such a rare way it took Thomas’s breath away. She held up her finger for him to wait and slipped from the bathroom, returning a moment later. “This,” Cassidy said holding up a page of sheet music. “Our song is what changed my mind.”
He stared at her, unmoving.
“We made this together, Thomas,” she said waving the sheet music. “This, is our destiny. And nothing would make me happier than to share your music with the world.”
“Our music,” he corrected, pulling her into his arms.
Chapter 39
Cassidy
Cassidy and Thomas made love and music until the watery light of dawn filtered into their cozy cottage bedroom. Each note, each touch growing and swelling between them like a symphony. After they were drunk on each other and their bottle of celebratory wine, Cassidy requested Thomas play their song again. He obliged his bride-to-be, with an enthusiastic naked bow that made Cassidy giggle.
Thomas pulled her onto his lap while he played the piano. This time, she rested her hands on top of his to feel the music, as she sang the words she knew by heart. They recorded the track so they’d have something to tempt Mr. Samson with just in case he had thoughts about backing out of their contract, which Thomas still had trouble wrapping his head round.
But despite all Thomas’s concerns, Cassidy noticed a glow take root in him as he played. She smiled to herself, knowing without a doubt she’d do anything for him. And this contract would be just the beginning for them.
Finally, after they’d exhausted each other, they slept—their desires wrung dry.
Morning came too quickly for Cassidy. She tried to calm her nerves about their upcoming journey to New York City. She’d never been on a train before. She’d never even left her little rural town, save for coming to the cottage at Carter Ridge. She had no idea what to wear to meet with a head radio executive. Cassidy changed a dozen times but nothing from her suitcase felt worthy of the contract they were about to sign. Out of time, she finally settled on an outfit, and though Thomas assured her she looked stunning in her jade dress, ivory hat and lace gloves, Cassidy couldn’t fight off her butterflies as she helped Thomas carry their trunks to the waiting cab.
Once everything was loaded, Thomas took her hand. “Are you ready, my love?”
Cassidy swiped a tear from her eyes, forcing a smile as she nodded.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. It’s just this place . . . I’m going to miss it. I think it will always have a piece of my heart.”
Thomas pulled Cassidy into his warm embrace. “Mine too.”
“Can we have one last look?” she asked.
“We can do one better,” Thomas said with a devilish twinkle in his eye.
He led Cassidy back to the front door and pulled out his pocketknife. He carved their initials into the chipping green paint of the doorframe. T.C. + C.C.
Cassidy ran her fingers over the letters and smiled.
“We will always be a part of this place,” Thomas said. “And . . .” he pulled a pencil and blank page of sheet music from his shoulder bag. He pressed the paper over the address block above the door and rubbed the pencil over it until the impression of the numbers appeared—474. “It will be a part of us,” he said handing the paper to Cassidy.
“Thank you,” she whispered with misty eyes.
“We carry the places and people we love right here,” Thomas crooned placing a hand over Cassidy’s heart. “They’re always with us.”
Tears streamed down Cassidy’s cheeks as she folded the paper and tucked it inside her dress, directly over her heart. She held her hand out to Thomas, smiling brightly. “I’m ready.”
Chapter 40
Thomas
The train ride was a breeze. Thomas sprang for a private berth so Cassidy wouldn’t feel overwhelmed in the crowded passenger cars. He did his best to distract her from her nerves about traveling. But truth be told, Thomas was anxious himself. The deal Cassidy had struck with Mr. Samson seemed implausible. It’s not that Thomas didn’t believe Cassidy, it was just that he had a hard time believing he was worth that kind of money. Now Cassidy—she looked like a world-class movie star. Even when Thomas had first met her and she was wild and guarded, her beauty had been undeniable. But Thomas, with his scars . . . he was terrified Samson would take one look at him and change his mind. And it would devastate Thomas if he were the reason Cassidy wouldn’t get everything she deserved.
Thomas sat next to her on the plush red velvet seats of their private compartment, holding her hand and pointing out his favorite sites as they steamed toward New York City.
The trip passed quickly and to Cassidy’s credit, she didn’t seem too nervous. Quite the opposite actually. Thomas gazed at her as she took in the hustle and bustle of Grand Central Station with awe. She seemed enamored by the vibrant sights and sounds of New York City. But Thomas found himself choking on the stale city air. New York seemed more suffocating than he remembered. Perhaps being tucked away in the secluded wilderness of Carter Ridge made the city seem cramped and loud, or perhaps it had always been that way and Thomas was just seeing things differently now that Cassidy had opened his eyes.
Thomas hailed a cab and they drove the busy city blocks to WOR’s headquarters. Once they pulled up outside the building Thomas’s palms began to sweat. He’d never even met Mr. Samson. What if the guy was a crook? Or what if Cranston had come back and tried to ruin their deal after the way Thomas had scared him off. A million doubts ran through Thomas’s mind as he stared up at the massive building that held WOR’s offices and radio station.
“Thomas?” Cassidy called, her voice breaking through his fears. “Are you all right?”
“Yes . . . just a bit nervous, I suppose.”
She laughed anxiously. “Me too.”
“Cassidy, are you sure this is what you want?”
“Yes! I’m not having doubts. I’m just intimidated. This place is larger than life.”
“That it is.” Thomas replied. “But we don’t have to do this. I have enough money from the farm. We can go up there and pay back our airtime and leave all of this behind if that’s what you want.”
Cassidy took Thomas’s hand and squeezed. “All I want is to be with you, Thomas.”
“That’s what I want too.”
“Then let’s go up there and see what Mr. Samson can do for us. If his initial offer stands we’ll take it. But if anything is not to our liking, we walk away.”
Thomas scrubbed his face with his palms. He wanted more than anything for things to be that simple. “Cassidy, if we end up paying WOR so we can walk away . . . I’m afraid I’ll have nothing to offer you.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean I’ll be broke and unemployed. And probably without a place to live now that my roommate is married.”
“Thomas, I came from nothing. We’ll make do. As long as we’re together . . . that’s all that matters.”
Thomas kissed her, his nerves ebbing with her touch. He took her hand in his and exhaled. “Well, Miss Clark, let’s go see what our future holds.”
Chapter 41
Cassidy
After a pleasant conversation with the receptionist, Cassidy and Thomas were directed to a private lobby to wait. Cassidy followed Thomas down a hallway lined with glass doors. She shivered when she saw the name, Merle Cranston, painted on a frosted door to her left. Thomas noticed it too and took Cassidy’s hand, directing her to a small waiting room full of uncomfortable brown chairs.
&
nbsp; “Mr. Samson will be with you momentarily,” the receptionist commented before returning to her post.
“So is this where you work?” Cassidy asked looking around the bleak yellow and brown interior of the office.
“Yes. The recording studios are straight through there,” he replied gesturing to a set of heavy double doors.
“No wonder you didn’t want to be stuck here.”
“Having second thoughts?”
Before Cassidy could reply, a booming voice filled the room. “Miss Clark! Mr. Crain. What a pleasure! Please, please come in.”
Cassidy and Thomas stood, taking in a tall gentleman with thick dark hair and a full mustache. His broad stature filled the doorframe labeled, President Elijah Samson.
They each shook his hand as he introduced himself.
“Elijah Samson,” he boomed. “So good of you to come. It’s an absolute pleasure to finally meet you both in person.”
Cassidy politely nodded and took a seat inside the smartly appointed office. Thomas sat next to her and took her hand out of habit. The gesture wasn’t missed by Samson.
“So it’s true, then? You two really are an item?”
“Yes,” Thomas responded. “Engaged to be married, actually.”
Samson raised his eyebrows. “I wasn’t aware,” he said looking at Cassidy.
“A happy development since we last spoke,” she replied.
“Well America will burst with joy when they hear.”
“About that . . .” Thomas said. “Miss Clark conveyed your generous offer. But if you wouldn’t mind, I’d like to see the terms myself.”
“Of course! I took the liberty of having the contract drawn up. But please look it over to make sure everything is in order.”
Cassidy read the contract over with Thomas. It was all there—everything he’d promised right down to the letter, in simple terms just as she’d requested. Her fingers twitched to sign it before he changed his mind, but Thomas still seemed hesitant.
“Is everything to your liking?” Samson asked anxiously.
“Mr. Samson, this offer is more than generous. And perhaps I’m a fool to look a gift horse in the mouth, but why this sudden motivation to sign us, when only a week ago you sent Mr. Cranston out to threaten us.”
Samson had the good manners to look embarrassed. His face reddened as he rubbed the back of his neck with his large hand. “Mr. Cranston has since been relieved of his position with WOR. It seems he has quite the reputation for shorting clients with underhanded contracts?”
“I’m not sure I understand your meaning” Thomas said.
“WOR never authorized Mr. Cranston to solicite that contract. He noticed your potential on his own and planned to have you sign a contract where he would be your sole representation and then sell you to the highest bidder, making himself a fortune.”
“How do we know you’re not out to do the same?” Cassidy asked.
“Oh, I’m going to make a fortune, but so will you.”
“Just to play music and share a few personal stories?” Thomas asked. “I’m sorry but it doesn’t make sense.”
“Well your listeners certainly feel otherwise. You’ve stolen their hearts with your love story.”
“Just how many listeners are you talking about?” Thomas asked.
A huge smile cracked Mr. Samson’s face. “Your show is pulling forty percent of radio listeners.”
Cassidy’s face was blank, but Thomas’s had gone pale. “Is that good?” she asked.
“That’s thirty million people,” Thomas gasped.
“That’s right. Your little show is only second to Roosevelt’s Fireside Chats.”
“I think I’m going to be sick,” Thomas muttered.
“Mr. Samson, may Mr. Crain and I have a moment?” Cassidy asked.
“Of course.”
Once Mr. Samson excused himself, Cassidy took Thomas’s hands in hers. They were ice cold. “Thomas, what’s wrong?”
“This is too big, Cassidy! Thirty million people? We’ll never have a moment to ourselves. We’ll belong to the world.”
“No, Thomas. We belong to each other. No one else.”
“I don’t know if I can do this.”
“Look at me.” Cassidy spoke softly, placing her hand on Thomas’s scarred cheek. “Whether you decide to sign this contract or not, I’m in this with you. If we do this, we do it together. It’ll just be me and you in the studio, not millions of strangers. And if we don’t do this, it’ll still just be me and you.”
Thomas stared at Cassidy, gold flecks illuminating his soft brown eyes. He kissed her lightly and sighed. “Just you and me against the world?”
She nodded.
Thomas reached for the pen. “I think I like the sound of that.” And he signed the contract.
Chapter 42
Thomas
To celebrate the start of their stellar radio future, Thomas took Cassidy to his favorite restaurant in town, Oscar’s Delmonico’s. Gene and his new wife, Silvia, met them, toasting to their success. They ordered everything on the menu and drank champagne until they were giddy.
“Thank you for dinner, Tommy. This is quite a treat,” Gene remarked.
“It’s the least I can do, Gene. Without you I never would have met this angel,” Thomas said, smiling at Cassidy.
“Well in that case, I owe you too.” Cassidy grinned and raised her champagne glass. Thomas, Gene and Silvia followed suit.
“To Gene!” they toasted.
“And to love!” Silvia added.
“Well you sure got one thing right, Genie-boy,” Thomas crooned.
“What’s that?”
“When you know, you know.”
Gene laughed whole-heartedly “Ain’t that the truth!”
Thomas soaked in the happy atmosphere as he chatted with his friends. He caught up with Gene over the latest studio drama while Cassidy and Silvia giggled about wedding details. Thomas began to feel the electric vibe of the city take hold of him again and somehow he knew this contract was going to be a good thing for him and Cassidy.
After dinner Gene and Silvia offered to let Thomas and Cassidy stay at their place. And though they could now afford the finest hotels in town, Cassidy jumped at the chance to see where Thomas had lived.
He couldn’t stop grinning as he watched Cassidy move about his cramped room, tracing her fingers over his things and studying his family photographs. His heart felt like it might burst. This was more than he’d ever hoped for—a woman who loved him and a future in music. Thomas wrapped his arms around Cassidy and pulled her to bed. They spent the rest of the night making love and dreaming about the endless possibilities of their new life together.
Thomas awoke in the predawn hours. The vibrant sounds of the city told him though the sun hadn’t risen, the day had already started for many busy New Yorkers. Thomas let his eyes wander around his old room. Cassidy’s appreciation for the apartment had been dancing through his mind as he gazed at his sleeping bride-to-be. She seemed to love the place, and got along with Silvia instantly. An idea started forming in his mind. He slipped out of bed, dressed quickly and left a note on his pillow before heading out into the city to find the last piece of his puzzle.
Chapter 43
Cassidy
Cassidy awoke to an empty bed. But she smiled when she found the note on Thomas’s pillow.
Ran out to find something you might like. Be home soon. – Thomas
Cassidy dressed in a pretty red dress that hugged her curves. She pulled her hair back into a ponytail and padded out to the kitchen. Another note.
We’re both at the studio. But make yourself at home. – G & S
P.S. There’s coffee in the pot
“That was sweet of them,” Cassidy murmured to no one.
She poured herself a mug of coffee and stood next to the large picture window to watch the busy traffic below. Even though it was closed, the horns and street noise below could still be heard through the glass. The liv
ely streets below mesmerized Cassidy and she lost track of how long she sat there, soaking in the city.
“Where have you been?” Cassidy exclaimed when Thomas arrived back at Gene’s apartment.
“Sorry, my love. I didn’t mean to worry you. I left a note.”
“Yes, this morning. But it’s past noon! If I’d known where to look I would have been out searching.”
Thomas kissed Cassidy’s forehead and pulled her into his lap. “I had something I needed to take care of.”
“What was so important that you left me here alone all day?” she asked.
Thomas grinned. “How about finding us a place to live.”
Excitement brightened Cassidy’s face. “Were you able to get the farm back?”
“I’ve been thinking,” Thomas said. “I don’t think I want it back.”
“What? But why not?”
“It’s not practical. It’s too far outside the city.”
“Then where will we live?”
“Well you seem to like this place.”
“Yes, it’s lovely,” Cassidy said, “but I doubt Gene and Silvia want us as permanent house guests.”
“But you like them, right?”
“Of course, Thomas. They’re lovely friends.”
“I’m glad you feel that way,” he said dropping a key into her hand. “Because I rented the apartment across the hall.”
“Oh Thomas, that’s wonderful.” Cassidy laced her arms around Thomas’s neck and kissed him. “But are you absolutely sure about the farm? Maybe it could be a place to retreat to when we want a break.”
“I’m sure, my love. The farm requires too much upkeep. Besides, it’s my past. I want to focus on our future. But you’re right about one thing.”
“What’s that?”
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