Ste''s hand was still swollen, making violin practice impossible for now.


    A few days away from her instrument wouldn''t hurt. In fact, it gave her a chance to sit down with Abby and discuss the details of their uing concert.


    Joshua, however, seemed genuinely crestfallen when he realized Ste wouldn''t be ying for the next couple of days.


    Abby noticed and grinned. "Is Star''s violin really that hypnotic? Can''t fall asleep at night without your daily fix?"


    She was only teasing, but Joshua nodded withplete seriousness.


    "Ms. Cameron''s ying has a magic to it—something that soothes the soul. If I go


    a day without hearing her y, I simply can''t sleep."


    Abby blinked, then burst out, "Joshua, you really know how to tter!"


    She''d only meant it as a joke, but with Joshua''s twist, it sounded like she''dpared Ste''s music to an unforgettable melody that lingered in the mind for days.


    Joshua always had a knack for saying the right thing at the right time. Abby found herself liking him more and more-though, of course, not that way.


    She said, "I actually have a bunch of Star''s recordings. Want them? Listening to those should help you sleep, right?"


    Joshua''s eyes lit up. "Abby, you''re a lifesaver!"


    Abby chuckled. "We always look after our own. Joshua, you''d better take good care of Star, too."


    Joshua nodded earnestly.


    That afternoon, Ste received a phone call from Mr. Burton.


    "Star, do you have any free timeing up?"


    Seeing his name on her phone, Ste sensed what this might be about. She hesitated for a moment, then said, "I''m not practicing for the next couple of days, so my schedule''s wide open."


    Mr. Burton sounded surprised. "But aren''t you getting ready for your concert? Why aren''t you practicing?"


    He knew better than anyone how dedicated Ste was.


    "My hand''s swollen. I need to rest it for a day or two," she exined.


    There was a beat of concern on the other end. "Ste, what happened? Did you overwork it?"


    Ste paused before replying quietly, "Just bumped it by ident."


    "Hold on a second," Mr. Burton said.


    He didn''t hang up. Ste could hear the clinking of bottles and jars in the


    background. After a moment, Mr. Burton came back on the line.


    "I found some ointment for swelling-good stuff. Rub it in tonight, and the swelling


    should be gone by morning."


    Ste felt a pang of emotion-and


    guilt. Mr. Burton had been retired for years. Ever since he''d left the Burton


    family, he''d opened his own private practice never meddling in family affairs again.


    Yet for her sake, he''d publicly hosted a reception to ensure she wasn''t bullied.


    And now she''d managed to get on the wrong side of Sellers Sherman.


    Sherman was one thing, but Sellers was the next head of the Burton family.


    Thinking about the confrontation that was bound toe, Ste''s heart ached for


    Mr. Burton. She lowered her voice. "Thank you, Mr. Burton."


    He chuckled warmly. "No need to be so formal with me, kiddo. After all these years; you''re always the first to bring me treats or fun little gifts, and you''ve never once lost


    temper with this old man


    remember every bit of it."


    Ste''s eyes stung with tears. Mr. Burton cared for her more than her own father ever had.


    Even so...


    His voice came through the phone again, gentle but firm. "Didn''t we talk yesterday about Sellers? If you''re free you two should meet as soon as possible


    Ste raised an eyebrow. "Sellers... agreed to see me?"


    Mr. Burton sounded pleased. "He did. In fact, he wants to meet soon-he''s


    worried work will get busy again and he''ll be traveling all over the ce."


    A strange glint flickered in Ste''s eyes.