Make Mine Music

By Amber St. Clare

Evelyn Madison, a single mother of two teen aged daughters does not miss her ex-husband nor does she anticipate finding love any time soon. She has not set foot into the dating scene in quite some time as her priority has always been taking care of her whimsical daughters.
Unexpectedly, her outrageously fun and witty girls guide her into a direction where fate ultimately takes its course into an unplanned relationship. Christian Hale, the girl's youthful and attractive music teacher has many hearts a flutter but he is intrigued with Evelyn and the talent she does not realize she possesses. He fears however his own intense past will cost him the future he wants to have and to be the man he longs to be.
Under Christian's guidance, Evelyn voyages into the music world but finds the demands may be too high. As they struggle to discover a stability between career and love or sacrifice each one for the other.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Amber St. Clare
• Release date: Sep 16, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301455225

Amber St. Clare

Amber grew up in Kansas City, MO. She is the youngest of 5 and by 14 years at that. She has been writing stories since she was a little girl including tales from preschool about sissors legs. Thru the urging of her long time friend she finally started self-publishings books. She would really like a literary agent so she can write full time, but hey, who wouldn't right?

Book preview

Make Mine Music

Amber St. Clare

Published by Amber St. Clare at Smashwords.

Copyright 2013 Amber St. Clare

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return it to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Table of Contents

1. It Keeps Getting Better

2. Hello

3. Calling

4. Tomorrow

5. So Long

6. New Adventures

7. The Audition

8. In Person

9. Something New

10. Arrival

11. Back Home

12. Daily Grind

13. The Return

14. Gone Again

15. Back Again

16. Life Goes On

17. Bad Day

18. Reunion

19. Home

20. A New Beginning

Make Mine Music

By Amber Wood

1.It Keeps Getting Better

Evelyn put the car in drive and pulled away from her parking place. She turned left at the end of the street and waited at the light that was always red. She never made the light no matter how many ways she had tried doing something differently. And it was one of those really long lights. But alas Evelyn had surrendered to the fact she was never going to make the light in the way she had surrendered other facts in her life. This is how it was.

Routine wasn’t necessarily bad she reminded herself. It merely meant there was order. And with two teenage daughters, a little order certainly was not too much to ask for. Evelyn had to laugh as she reminded herself that she was lucky. Her daughters and she had a good relationship. She wasn’t their friend, she was always their mother. But in that the line was clear and respected by both. They loved and adored their mother and she returned that love.

There were however days when she wished she wasn’t going at it alone she thought as she looked down at her hands sans any ring on her left finger. Dating years would be approaching, Evelyn was surprised they hadn’t already and she wasn’t sure if she would survive it. It seemed like just the other day the girls were taking their first steps and now Claire was a freshman and Julianne a sophomore. It had been 11 years since Brian was gone. Perhaps their closeness as a family came from knowing they had to stick together, for they were all the family there was.

Evelyn pulled the car into the school parking lot. More of the same routine, she thought to herself. She wasn’t unhappy at all, perhaps it was thinking of her daughters approaching dating age that made her think of love missing in her life. She had been so busy as a mom that she had not thought of it much. She had assured herself for years there was still time to meet someone; she was only 33 she told herself. Keeping up with two busy girls had kept her youthful in many ways.

Evelyn walked in the doors of Clifton Heights High and briefly wondered to herself when parent teacher conferences were. She was afraid she would forget, no need to worry, they always got reports of being great students. Evelyn wandered down the hall to the gym where Julianne, her resident tom boy but with looks that were blossoming into a full-fledged beauty was finishing basketball practice. After she was in tow they would go upstairs and pick up girly girl Claire at music practice. Though the two girls were complete opposite in personalities and likes they got along extremely well. Perhaps still part of the common bond that made them all complete Evelyn pondered.

Julianne picked up her bag and left practice waving to her team mates.

Hi mom. She said tossing her a basketball. Evelyn caught it as best she could, not near the athlete her daughter was. Great catch! She said sarcastically.

Yeah well I do what I can.

Speaking of which mom, can we go to the mall on Saturday?

You? Mall?

Yeah I need some new gym shorts. Julianne said pointing down to ones Evelyn saw nothing wrong with, except maybe they were getting a little too short. They didn’t live lavishly and they didn’t go without. A new pair of gym shorts wasn’t out of the question, especially if they were on sale Evelyn said to herself.

Sure, if you can talk Claire into it. Evelyn said and they both laughed as they headed upstairs to the music room. Claire would of course love a chance to go to the mall. Evelyn seemed obviously preoccupied as they climbed the stairs.

What is it mom?

Oh nothing, I guess I’m just thinking of life and how fast it goes sometimes, hoping I made all the right decisions.

You’re a good mom, mom. Don’t make me get all gushy. You’re not old and ugly thank goodness so we don’t mind hanging out with you. And you’re not strict and we’re not crazy out of control kids. It’s a sort of silent bargain.

I think sometimes maybe you’re smarter than I am.

Oh I think all the time!

Evelyn laughed a bit and motioned for Julianne to go ahead and get her sister.

She’s probably done by now.

Julianne ran ahead to the music room while Evelyn slowly sauntered down the hall looking at the painted angry jaybird mascot on the wall. She was thinking to herself that all in all, life was pretty darn …who is that? Evelyn wondered, as her retrospective interrupted.

The girls were heading towards her while thru the double doors Evelyn could see into the music room where there was a very attractive man. She didn’t want to be caught staring at one of the senior boys. If not herself, the girls would murder her. Meeting her glance he waved at her and gave her a warm smile. The doors shut and Evelyn’s heart was racing. She didn’t know it would do that anymore. Guys were something that had fallen out of her mind quite a while back. Since the girls had started to get busy she’d spent her life driving them to music lessons and games. She didn’t mind her life was theirs; she had happily surrendered it out of love. But that guy… Suddenly life felt a little out of routine. Mom! A very excited Claire shouted even though she was only a few feet away, teenagers, Evelyn thought. Mr. Hale says I’m doing great and at this rate I can go to the showcase Saturday.

Trying to get that guy of out her mind, who she was hoping was at least 18 to fantasize about, she was happy about her daughter’s news.

That’s great. How about we celebrate for dinner? Your call.

Oh great, we’re going to have salads again. Julianne whined.

I’m tired of Chinese that’s all you ever pick. Claire retorted to her sister.

Or I can make it. Evelyn said as a sort of threat. She was a good cook but an evening out to eat was always a treat.

No, uh, we can compromise! Julianne said quickly.

That bad huh? Evelyn asked.

No, it’s just…

I know, how about pizza. Evelyn suggested knowing it would always please them.

Yeah, yeah, good idea! They agreed favorably.

Well then let’s go. Evelyn said turning to leave dribbling the ball on the hallway floors.

Hey, no ruckus in the hall! An authoritative voice warned.

Evelyn turned around to apologized. Oh, I’m sorry Coach Brady. Really I didn’t even realize I was doing it.

Oh, no problem Ms. Madison, I thought you were one of the students.

No, it’s my bad I know better I’m sorry Coach Brady.

Evelyn almost thought Julianne would be horrified. They had known Coach Brady pretty well with all the sports & tournaments that Julianne played in.

Can’t take her anywhere Coach Brady, I’m sorry. Julianne said being her usual smart ass.

I’ll remember that. Evelyn said laughing as they left the building.

It was one of those really gorgeous evenings where the sun would still be out late. They were throwing school gear in the back then Claire assumed the front seat.

What is it mom? Julianne was a perceptive kid.

Oh nothing, I guess, I mean, I know I’m 25. she joked I guess I got along fine with my mom, I just…

Mom, Claire began. You’re fine, we’re okay to be seen with you. Don’t worry.

It’s not like you drive the nerd mobile and are ugly. Claire said.

This ugly thing would really bother you guys huh?

Why do you ask that? Claire inquired.

Well Julianne said the same thing not a half hour ago.

Great minds think alike. Claire said shrewdly.

Whatever dork. Julianne lovingly called her sister.

I just thought about it because I could see Mr. Hale checking you out. You adults always think we’re so dumb. Claire announced.

Mr. Hale? Evelyn asked suddenly confused and hoped that was the guy she saw. He’s your new music teacher right?

Yeah, you haven’t met him yet. He’s pretty cute too, young and cute, maybe you should date him mom, then I could go to state for sure.

I’ll work on that. Evelyn said having no such intention of course, but she wondered, was someone was checking her out? She was relieved the guy she was reserving for fantasies was not a student like she had feared. ‘Cougar’ was not going to be part of her repertoire she resolved.

Julianne turned on the radio and a song by a young female artist came on. The girls sang along sounding awful as they wholly meant to be torturing their mom.

Come on mom, join in! Claire said.

Evelyn thought of the notion of ‘joining in’ with her daughters.

Come on mom, you do it really well. Claire urged again.

Yeah mom, show Miss Thang how to do it. Claire encouraged.

Evelyn smiled and sang along to the song. She didn’t mind her daughter’s music; she wasn’t all that much older than them. Evelyn’s voice was rather remarkable. She had a deep voice for such a petite woman as herself. Most wouldn’t have guessed it to look at her.

Every day I’m living large, I’ve got my life, I’m in charge and it keeps getting better. Evelyn sang and thought to herself that life did keep getting better, and wasn’t this chart topping artist just a year younger than her, she tried to remember to herself.

Maybe I could come to your school and be in the school play. Evelyn said joking.

Mom, we said we can be seen with you, let’s don’t push it. Julianne clarified.

Fair enough. Evelyn responded.

2. Hello

The next day at work Evelyn sat in front of her computer screen wondering if she needed better glasses. She peered out the window by her desk to give her sizzled retinas a break. The fall leaves were infused with intense shades of orange, yellow and red on campus. The leaves had a stellar glow against the old stone buildings that comprised the campus. Evelyn had taken a job at the university museum about five years ago though she was under qualified for the job. She charmed them, got it, worked hard and was very good at it. Plus she liked the job and that always made life easier. It paid well but she had gone after it because the girls had taken an interest in going to college, and she would get a discount on education.

Evelyn was working on research for a painting. She had time to herself during the day to work on her projects, no one looking over her shoulder. Nothing was worse than the secretary job she had before this one, people asking her questions every ten minutes as to what she was doing. Now she had benefits and insurance for all three of the family. Life was pretty sweet, Evelyn thought to herself. Her daughters were healthy, smart and sweet. Her job was good, the future looked pretty bright. She worried if she could keep it that way. Life was pretty funny, she’d had a monkey wrench thrown in the way before.

She looked at her pictures on her desk, and thought of her daughters. Evelyn herself had had a good relationship with her own mother though she had died when the girls were young. Evelyn’s father had died when she was in high school and that was the only family she knew. She liked when the girls friends came over, it gave the small house that big family feeling. Claire & Julianne were just teenagers; life would change a lot over the next couple of years.

Mom! Oh boy Evelyn thought, this was one of those teenage cries for help moments. Where is my pink top? Claire hollered.

Where did you leave it? To Evelyn it was a rather obvious question. If you leave it one place, you can find it again, that age old mother wisdom.

I don’t know. If I did, I’d know where to find it! Claire shouted back.

Indeed, again that too made sense with the physics and all. However, Evelyn thought as she walked upstairs to Claire’s room, how does this mean that I know where it is. Not like every shirt has a beeper on it to find it like the phone does.

Why don’t you say, Evelyn began as she walked into the room. Mom, I cannot find my pink shirt, can you come and help me look for it.

In a perfect world mom sure. Claire said obviously growing impatient as it was time to leave for her showcase concert.

And another shirt…

Would do no good, it’s gotta be that one.

Right, my bad. Evelyn said looking around. She knew she hadn’t seen it in the laundry so no use in looking there. The girls didn’t leave their clothes lying around the house, so no use in scouring the residential landscape.

Your sister borrow it?

Claire looked at her with a teenager’s glare that meant she was missing something obvious. Mom, it’s pink.

Oh, right. Well, that was true. Julianne wouldn’t be caught dead in something pink.

Ah! I found it! Claire said excitedly emerging from her closet.

Where was it? Evelyn asked.

In the closet.

Crumpled up on the floor out of sight?

No, on a hanger.

Right, why didn’t I think of that? Evelyn said sarcastically under her breath as she left the room. Having been a mom she was dressed and ready to go. She passed by her night stand and added some lipstick.

Mom, what are you doing? We have to go! Claire said while heading down the stairs.

Two seconds to add some lip stick and she was the one taking so long. She was the mom, she was the first one ready! It wasn’t fair Evelyn thought as she went downstairs, collected her keys and bag which were ready by the door and walked to the porch.

Mom! another exasperated cry came from Claire. Have you seen my clarinet?

In the car on the way to the championship Julianne announced her newest body function. I’m hungry!

They were always hungry. Teenagers always have to tell you what their body is doing, whether it’s a head ache, tired, hungry. They were a lot like old people Evelyn decided.

We can’t stop we’re in a hurry. Evelyn wasn’t about to say it was Claire who couldn’t find anything she owned and throw the 13 year old in a hissy fit.

But I’m hungry. Julianne said totally dismissing the information given. Not like I even want to go to this music thing.

Yes, but you wanted to go to the mall afterwards.

I’m hungry too mom. Claire added not only because she probably was but in siding with her sister Julianne which would owe her one later in return.

If we’re late… Evelyn began but knew it was an empty threat. If they were late, she’d be the one to blame. Motherhood was all it was again.

With the two fed, they arrived at the competition with a couple minutes to spare. Claire went and joined her group on stage while Julianne and Evelyn looked around trying to find out where they were supposed to sit.

Do you ladies need some help? A sexy deep male voice asked them.

They turned around expecting an usher and instead saw Mr. Hale.

Oh, hello. Evelyn said surprised. He was a little older close up but still he looked pretty darn young than from across a hallway. Yes, first time here. Evelyn was worried she may have been blushing a little and for fear of saying something dumb and Julianne never letting her forget it. So she decided to keep her answers short.

"Well if you’ll permit me, I can show you the way,