Encore! (Tudor Saga Book 1) (20 page)

The doors slung open and three long-haired, bedraggled men got out. Elizabeth, who immediately knew her daddy was among them, scrambled to get down off Daniel's lap and scurried toward him. I noticed Zara was hanging back—perhaps to give father and daughter a minute together.

It didn't take but a second to see she was a daddy's girl. Amadeus had already picked her up and lifted her over his head, all the time little Elizabeth screeched in delight.

Danny and I greeted them and sat back down. Zara, who had been sitting with the baby, was on her feet. Amadeus greeted his wife with a kiss made more for the privacy of a bedroom than a display in front of us. He didn't seem to care. That was Amadeus' way.

"Would you boys like some coffee?" I asked.

"Coffee would be great," Damien replied. "I've about had my fill of tea."

I looked around, everyone nodded. I rose from my chair, winked at Danny and turned toward the cottage. Angus followed me.

"You look good, sis. So does Daniel. I take it you've enjoyed your little vacation?" He had a devilish look on his face. Angus always was full of the devil, an imp, always into everything, including other people's business.

"Yes we have. I think I'm going to insist on more vacations when he has extended down time. He's been practicing, trying to ready himself for the tour. But we set limits this time, and he's been really good natured about it."

"Good." He sat down at the table while we waited for the coffee to finish. "So, what are your plans? Are you going on tour with him, again?"

"Yes. That's the plan, why?"

"No reason. I just see you two as getting serious and I didn't know how he felt about a spouse coming along on the road."

"Let's not jump ahead of ourselves, Angus. Anyway, I help keep Danny straight on the road—make sure he gets to be where he's supposed to be, take photos, that sort of thing."

"Well, I see marriage in you two's future. That's all I'm sayin'. The two of you are obviously in love."

"Okay Mister Matchmaker. Enough." I shook my head at my devious brother. "So, tell me, the tour went well?"

"Yes it did; but I'm ready to go home and relax for a while."

"I can imagine you all are."

"Look, sis, I know this isn't easy for you. Heck, it's not easy for any of us. Damien and I really want you and Daniel to feel at ease around the family. I know Amadeus has been a butt over things, but ignore it. He'll come around in his own good time."

"I'm trying, Angus, really I am. Amadeus is not an easy presence to ignore when he gets all full of himself."

I got up out of my chair and began taking mugs out of the cupboard. Placing them on a tray, I found the sugar and cream and set them down as we continued to wait.

"I know you are. Baby steps, as Damien says."

"Yep. Oh, not to change the subject, but do you know if mother and Peter are going to join us? I haven't heard a peep out of her."

"As far as I know, they may get up here for at least a day. Peter's been busy with some projects, but mother is insisting he take some time off, too."

I giggled. "Did you ever imagine our mother, married to a famous rock star? You've got to tell me the story about that, Angus."

He laughed. "Better yet, you need to have Zara tell you how she found them kissing right here in this kitchen, just before Elizabeth was born. In fact, if I recall, she was in labor."

"I never expected her to remarry; but then again, I didn't expect Daddy to die so suddenly. I'm glad she's happy, though. Peter seems to be good for her."

"He is. He's sort of Amadeus' mentor, you know. The two of them have worked on some projects together and toured a bit."

I shook my head. "Yeah, I figured as much."

Noticing the coffee was ready, I pulled the carafe from under the brewer and placed it on the tray. "You want to get the doors for me?"

"Sure." He led the way out to the exterior door. Yeah, Angus and I were going to be okay. One down, two to go. Damien had voiced his support earlier, but I still wanted to spend time with him. I wanted to hear what had happened to him. Amadeus, though, was an entirely different story.

We all sat down like civilized human beings, amazing as it was, for the next hour and talked. Nothing in particular was discussed, just telling stories for Daniel of long ago. It was nice to see everyone relaxed and enjoying each other's company.

Amadeus was playing with Elizabeth and holding his infant son in between while he and Logan kicked a soccer ball between them. Then it was over, at least for a while. The boys were exhausted, wanting showers and food, of course. So, while all of this was going on, I excused myself and pulled some things together for everyone to eat. Zara was nowhere to be found. I figured she had either gone to put the kids down or to have some time alone with Amadeus.

As I was finishing up in the kitchen, Daniel came looking for me. By the look on his face, I could see he was a bit overwhelmed by all the activities.

"Need some help?" he asked, bringing with him the tray of coffee mugs.

"Of course. I've just about got everything ready to put on the table. I figured I'd just let everyone do buffet style."

"That'll be fine, sweet. How are you holding up is what I'm wondering."

"I'm okay. This time's a little easier than the last two times." I flicked a grin his way as I handed him a stack of plates.

"Table?"

"Yes, please."

I glanced at the doorway to see Amadeus walking through. Daniel nodded and passed him on his way to the dining room. I noticed Amadeus looked somewhat solemn.

"I've about got lunch ready to go." I said.

"Zara told me you put her and the kids in the master bedroom. Is that true?" My twin asked with an expression that only I recognized.

"Well, yes. Daniel and I thought with four of you it made more sense to give you the larger bedroom."

"You do know that Zara shot and killed a man who was after her and Elizabeth in the doorway of that room, don't you?"

"What? No, Amadeus I didn't. Oh my God! Why didn't she say something? We would have never…"

"It's done. You didn't know. But now you do." He gave me one of those dark looks of his, like I was a force he did not want to reckon with.

"What's done?" Daniel asked as he reentered the kitchen, looking between the two of us.

"Amadeus was just telling me the reason Zara didn't stay in the front bedroom was because she had a horrible thing happen in there. She…"

"She shot and killed one of my former band mates who was crazed and out to do harm to her and Elizabeth. I was just telling Mary Elizabeth here, so she would know why Zara changed rooms."

"Oh man, Amadeus, we had no way of knowing."

"It's okay, Daniel. It happened while my sister, here, was hiding out. It's all good now." He grabbed a piece of cheese off the plate I was holding, turned and walked out.

Daniel and I stood there looking at one another. I handed him the plate, grabbed a couple of platters, and followed him into the dining room.

"She should have said something, sweet," he whispered as we placed the food on the table.

"Drop it, Danny. We know and that's the end of it. I just want to get through these next couple of days and go home."

"Would you like to go take a drive this afternoon, take in some sights?"

"I don't want to cut into your practice time."
If he was even going to be able to practice.
We hadn't taken into consideration that Amadeus and Zara would be bringing along their children.
Zara might not take too kindly to it. Tough.

"A couple of hours isn't going to hurt. Now come on let's get everyone together and eat. Then you and I can sneak off by ourselves for a while."

Lunch was a quiet affair. Probably because my brothers were tired from the long hours they'd been keeping. I was waiting for Danny to give me some sort of sign he was ready to go on our drive. He and my brothers were engaged in some conversation about something business related. I started to get up to clear the table when Zara motioned me to sit.

"I'll take care of cleaning the kitchen. You and Danny get out and see some of the sights; and take your camera, the countryside is breathtaking."

Daniel suddenly stood up, still engaged in something interesting with Amadeus and Damien. "Amadeus was just telling me that Peter has a small studio in that building across the road. When we get back, I'll slip over there and practice."

Shaking my head, I rose from my seat and headed towards the stairs. I found my camera case and purse and descended the stairs to join Danny.

Climbing into the SUV, I was glad for this little reprieve from my family. We spent the next couple of hours driving down country lanes. I took pictures, some with Danny, some just of the magnificent Scottish countryside. We toured the small village last, stopping at the local pub for a beer.

"We'll have to come back sometime," Danny said as we started back to the cottage. "I think I would like to see more of the countryside and historical places."

"I would, too, just you and me. I'd like to go over to the west coast."

"And we will."

"Mary, I know this is difficult for you, spending time with your brothers. Getting reacquainted. It's hard. If you'd like, I can make an excuse tomorrow and we can leave the morning after."

"You'd do that?"

"Of course I would."

Our trip to Scotland and spending time with my family was a bit easier this time. My mother and her new husband never showed up, which may have helped. Damien, Angus, Amadeus and I all got reacquainted. Zara and I relaxed around one another as did the children, Elizabeth thinking Danny was quite fun.

Danny and I promised when we got closer to Seattle, for his tour make-up dates, that we'd all get together; but only if Amadeus stayed away from concrete walls. A joke. An attempt at reconciliation with Amadeus.

Chapter Fifteen

What should have been the final leg of Daniel's U.S./Canadian tour had been reshaped and, yes, lengthened in order to make up dates which had been cancelled. Daniel was insistent that all dates he missed because of the accident be made up, even if it meant him returning at a later date. His management team had done a superb job of putting everything into place. Daniel was quite happy with the results.

The day arrived for us to leave for New York City. We were spending a week there in order for Danny to rehearse with his band. Yes, band.

The interviews and appearances had been lined up. He loved all this, even if he was a bit on the shy side. But get Daniel Kennedy talking about his music and he morphed into this other being. And besides, New York really was his town. He seemed to thrive here.

Once again, I made sure he had whatever he needed—his clothes were in order, everything set for the day or evening's events. We were taken on a tour of some of the city's newest, hottest night clubs on a couple of nights. Danny always liked to see what was out there. It gave him ideas.

Two nights before we were to leave on tour, Danny had been asked to perform in Central Park at an outdoor concert. He jumped at the opportunity because it would be his first public concert since his injury. He, no we, thought what better place than New York City? The two of us had such fond memories here.

He was in his own element as we were escorted to a backstage area that was set up for the various acts. His band had already arrived and while they stood off to one side to go over last minute details, I hung back and took it all in. Most of all, I loved watching Danny and the excitement beaming from him. I had to admit, it was contagious.

Shortly before he was to go on, he joined me, handing over his violin case to keep. He helped me put it over one of my shoulders so I didn't have to worry about keeping up with it. His band went first to set up.

As always, he walked off to one side by himself, mentally preparing himself. Then he strolled back over to me and shocked me by kissing me quite passionately on the lips. Usually it was just a cheek peck.

"This is for you, angel-mine."

I stood there in shock for a second, at both his comment and show of affection. I leaned up into him and kissed him on the ear and murmured, "I love you, Danny."

We gave each other the thumbs up and he walked out into the lights. I stood there, at the edge of the stage, watching in awe at how well he was doing. He was back!

This night seemed to be the night for firsts and surprises. He actually stopped to introduce one particular piece, my favorite off his new CD, the one that had given me the vision of for his video clip.

I heard him explain how the piece came to be on the CD as he always did. Then he told the crowd, this huge New York crowd, that the song had special meaning to him because it was the one that brought us together. I could see a couple of his band members grinning and pointing at me. Right then I knew Danny had planned this—that this was what they'd been discussing earlier.

He introduced me as he turned and beckoned me out on stage with him. I shook my head, but he wasn't to be deterred. Danny actually walked off the stage to where I was standing, took the case and placed it on the floor, grabbed me by the hand, and grinning, led me onto the stage. He continued telling the audience he probably wouldn't be standing in front of them, today, if it hadn't been for my undying love, support and care. He led me to a stool one of his band members had conveniently placed in the center of the stage. As I sat there, he began to play that piece. He pretty much never strayed too far from me the entire time. I knew I had the cheesiest grin on my face. Actually, Danny told me later it was more one of pride. And I was proud of him, proud of us.

When the piece finished, he helped me off the stool and in front of who knows how many people kissed me. "I love you, angel-mine. You deserved this. Who knows, perhaps Archangel might show up sometime." I, in turn, kissed him on the cheek, waved out at the crowd and walked back over to my place in the wings. The crowd loved it and we were later told that one moment was the highlight of the entire event.