The Wedding March. Tara Randel

blue button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up and boots to complete his very casual, very male concert look. His hair, artfully messy, appeared lighter blond in the late afternoon sunshine. His smile, when he chose to share it, hitched her heart rate up a notch.

      “A bit much, don’t you think?”

      Right now, she was inclined to agree. “Part of my look.”

      He stopped, gave her a nerve-racking once-over. “You look nice.”

      Wow. A compliment. From the man who mostly kept his opinions to himself, except when it came to Kids’ Klub.

      “It’s not too much?”

      “For tonight, I’d say you nailed it.” He scooped up the phone he’d placed on top of a nearby monitor. A blast of loud music startled her, blaring for a few seconds as the sound guys tested volume levels.

      “I spoke to them about the crackling coming from your monitor,” she said, struggling for conversation. “They’re working on it.”

      He nodded.

      “Are the guys ready?”

      “As ready as they’ll ever be.”

      “Still tense?”

      “They aren’t used to playing before big crowds.”

      At least he was hoping for good attendance.

      “We’ve practiced the songs enough. They should be okay with the lineup,” she said, mostly to reassure herself.

      “They can play, that’s not the issue.”

      “Issue?” Her stomach plummeted.

      He slipped his phone into his back pocket. “Ryan is used to playing the main keyboard so putting him on standby has thrown off his timing.”

      She was afraid switching the usual setup might not be a good move, but what choice did she have? She always started out playing the piano and moved back and forth between it and her guitar.

      “I’m sorry to mess things up, Luke. But since I’m the headliner, I have to give the fans what they expect.”

      His gaze pierced hers and she felt herself cringe. Had she come off as pompous as she sounded?

      “I get it. Ryan is set in his ways.”

      Evidenced by his less than warm and fuzzy welcome to Cassie.

      “And the others?”

      “Brian is his usual cool self and Sonny is hitting on the makeup artist, so we’re good.”

      A relieved grin curved her lips.

      “Once we get playing, the guys will be fine,” he told her.

      She had no doubt. Brian was seriously talented, but too laid-back to care. Sonny, so sure the right woman was out there waiting for him, was just plain optimistic all the time. Ryan, probably the least talented, although he could play the keyboard with technical precision, wore a perpetual scowl. Cassie wondered how his wife put up with him.

      And Luke? Cassie got the impression he held back. Never truly sharing the real man behind the shadows in his eyes. She spent too much time wondering who’d put them there and why.

      Blowing out a breath, she asked, “And you?”

      His gaze softened a tick. “The set will go fine, Cassie. You’ve done this before.”

      Yes, but never with Luke playing nearby.

      Even with her nerves stretched so taut she thought she’d snap like a broken guitar string, his calm voice eased her concerns. Every time he said her name in that smooth-as-butter voice, she fought the tendrils of delight curling through her.

      Focus. You’re here for the kids, not their handsome program director.

      “I know things were a bit rough during practice,” he went on to say, “but it’ll all shake out in the end.”

      “I’m glad you think so.”

      “Always does.”

      Okay, she’d take his word for it.

      Glancing out over the park, she watched as streams of people started to fill in the audience area, carrying blankets, folding chairs and coolers. It was a beautiful spring night to enjoy for a good cause. Luke had secured a special permit allowing them to use the public park for the concert, enlisting his cousin Dane to build a temporary stage, which ran parallel to the beach and the green-blue gulf waters beyond. The venue would be casual and inviting.

      The last time Cassie had toured, she’d been booked in large venues, so at odds with her love for intimate settings. Tonight’s concert would fall somewhere in the middle.

      Another tech hustled by. “Thirty minutes and counting.”

      Right. She needed to be alone to center her thoughts. “I’m going backstage,” she told Luke, whose gaze also overlooked the park.

      He turned back, lines forming between his brows. “Nerves?”

      “I need a few minutes,” she replied, warmed by his concern.

      “Gotcha.”

      She’d just turned to walk away, fighting her silly disappointment that Luke hadn’t been more chatty, when Denny, the teen she’d met at Kids’ Klub, rushed across the stage, followed by a girl his age.

      “Hey, Mr. H. We sold all the tickets for tonight.”

      Luke clapped Denny on the shoulder. “You’re sure?”

      “Yep. Miss Branford,” he said and gestured at Cassie, “er, your sister, not you. Anyway, she’s been keeping track of sales and donations. So far we’re right on the mark.”

      Sounded like her sister. Lauren was in her element projecting the outcome of sales.

      Luke looked over Denny’s shoulder to meet Cassie’s gaze. “Seems your idea worked out.”

      Her tummy quivered. “I’m glad.” Which she was, but she wasn’t patting anyone on the back until after the concert.

      “Even with the short time span to publicize the concert, so far so good.” Denny’s grin lit up his face. “Thanks, Miss Branford.”

      “Please, call me Cassie.”

      “Really?” He pushed his glasses up his nose. “Cool.”

      “Who’s your friend?” Cassie couldn’t help notice his besotted smile as he introduced the girl dressed in head-to-toe black.

      “This is Erin.”

      “Nice outfit, Erin,” she said as she stuck out her hand in greeting.

      “Thanks. I saw you wearing something like this when you were on the MTV awards show.” The young girl’s teeth tugged at her lower lip. “Sorta stole your style.”

      “I don’t mind at all. You look great.”

      With her nearly white blond hair and porcelain complexion, Erin was in the early stages of stunning. Contrast the dark clothing and Cassie understood Denny’s reaction. The teen was clearly smitten with the goth girl.

      “You did a great job rallying the troops.” Luke told Denny, rewarding the teen with a lopsided grin. A grin usually reserved for when he was around the kids. How sad was it that she could use one of those assuring smiles from him right now?

      “It was easy. All the kids were excited to help out. Especially since they got free admission. And they got to meet Cassie Branford.” Denny’s smile couldn’t get any bigger. “I got ’em on hot dog duty now.”

      Luke glanced at Cassie. “Denny came up with the idea to sell food for extra income, so I put him in charge. He’s nothing if not industrious.”

      As were most of the kids