It was Saturday, and little Nina had the day off from school.

Crystal stayed home with her, while Briony and James drove Gwendolyn White to her weekend class before heading to the studio together.

They'd barely stepped through the door when Hannah stood up from her desk and gestured toward the reception, "Briony, someone left flowers for you."

Briony paused and glanced toward the front desk.

A bouquet of white roses sat in a tall vase, impossible to miss.

"Garry again?" James frowned, sounding unimpressed. "Couldn't he be a bit more original for once?"

Briony didn't even spare the flowers a glance as she headed for her office. "Same as always, Hannah-give them to the café downstairs."

"You got it!" Hannah called back.

James followed Briony inside, shutting the door behind them. They settled onto the sofa.

Briony turned to James. "That talent show just started-the one Ottilie's in."

"Ottilie?" James searched his memory. "Who's that?"

replied. "She's gone viral. Search her name and you'll see her highlight

and tapped open a short video

brought up a video of her performing her original

blunt assessment. "The song's pretty good. Singing's...okay

nodded. "Check

James scrolled down-and stared.

single comment was raving about

closer. Wait

Ottilie performed was written

scale in there. Mrs. Winslow said Rosita couldn't coax a tune out of a

had grown up with his grandfather's old records and had picked

folk music and healing

called "Grandpa's Paintbrush." It wove

some Southern

did Rosita

the deal between Ottilie and Rosita,

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