Page 17 of Lovestrung

So, I didn’t walk inside. Instead, I leaned against the door frame and watched the afternoon sunlight filter through the big windows as it bathed his whole body in a warm, comforting glow. I tried to remember if Ethan had ever shown an interest in the old piano before now, but I couldn’t. Then again, he still rarely spoke unless someone asked him a direct question that needed an answer beyond “yes” or “no”, and he spent most of his time in his room. But that wouldn’t be possible for much longer. School would start up soon, and Mama had told us to keep an eye on him when we could.

I didn’t mind. He was a mystery, after all, and one I hoped I’d still find a way to solve. I hadn’t given up on him. Somehow, I knew I never would.

I closed my eyes, mesmerized by the music. I’d give myself another few minutes of the lovely tune he conjured with his hands before I’d sneak back to the kitchen and help Mama tidy up the kitchen. But abruptly, the music stopped, startling me. My eyes popped open.

“Wh-what are you doing here?” Ethan’s anxious voice interrupted the peace and I cursed inwardly for not paying more attention to him.

“I heard the piano,” I whispered as I straightened my back and took a step inside the room. “I couldn’t resist finding out who was playing.”

His eyes started flitting around the room, as if he was trying to find an escape route, and I frowned.

“It was beautiful,” I kept talking, trying to put him at ease. “I wish I knew how to do that, but Mama always says I’m too impatient to learn it properly. Who taught you to play?”

Instead of answering, he bit his lower lip and closed the lid. Disappointed, I looked down at Sam who’d woken up from his slumber. Clucking my tongue at the dog, I felt more at ease when Sam yawned and rose. But instead of coming my way, he placed his head in Ethan’s lap. That was strange. But it seemed to pull Ethan free of whatever place he’d gone to inside his mind, because his hands started to stroke the dog’s head.

“I…my mama taught me before she died,” Ethan murmured and looked down at Sam. “It’s the only piece I know, though. It’s called The Moonlight Sonata.”

“I’m so sorry, Ethan.” The words seemed trite, but I didn’t know what else to offer.

Not knowing what to say to this strange boy, I turned on a low sigh, admitting defeat again.

“Pippa?”

At the sound of my name, I stopped and turned slowly to look back at him.

“Yes?” I held my breath, silently marveling at the fact that he’d approached me for the very first time.

A faint blush crept up his neck and cheeks, and my heart skipped a beat when he looked down again, his long eye lashes fanning his cheekbones, but then I snapped out of it. What on earth was that? I didn’t have time to examine the strange workings of my heart, because when Ethan spoke up again, I kept my eyes riveted on him, careful not to miss anything he wanted to say.

“Do you want to stay a while? I can play it again, if you’d like?”

Relieved that he wanted my company, I beamed at him.

“Yes! Let me just go grab some cookies. Mama just finished baking, and you have to try her cinnamon cookies.” I backed away slowly, worried he’d disappear if I didn’t hurry up. “Don’t move, all right?”

A small smile met me as he nodded and turned to open the lid again, and I stormed out of the room and ran down to the kitchen.

“Mama!” I panted as I skipped to a stop. “Quick! Cookies.”

Her eyes shot up in surprise. “Excuse me, young lady? You know better than to talk like that. I’m not a maid.”

“Sorry, but you don’t understand.” I waved my hands at her and tried to explain as quickly as possible. “I was listening to Ethan playing, and suddenly he discovered me, but instead of bolting like he usually does, he asked me to stay! And I thought that offering him some cookies would make him relax even more. So, I came out here to get some.” Anxious to get back to him, I bounced lightly on the heels of my feet.

Mama’s mouth quirked with amusement, but she only leaned against the tabletop and crossed her arms. Her eyebrows raised, she kept her silence and I knew then and there that my explanation wouldn’t sway her. Good manners, on the other hand, would.

“May we please have some cookies, Mama? Please?”

Her full lips stretched in a wide grin and she nodded. “Already made a plate for you, baby girl.”

My eyes widened, and I came closer to the counter, my mouth salivating at the sight of them behind her back.

“Thanks, Mama.” I grinned up at her and then quickly took the plate before I darted back into the hall. When the front door opened, I barely acknowledged Daddy, Parker, and Max as they came home from their fishing trip.

“Hey, where’s the fire?” Daddy laughed as I brushed past him.

“Playing the piano.”

“What?” I looked back and caught the deep frown. “Who’s playing the piano?”