Chapter 29
Maven
Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto in D major.
It was the right choice for an audition of this caliber, but the fingering on the cadenza was proving challenging.
I definitely should have been practicing it more than I had the last few weeks.
Thankfully, I’d spent so much time with the orchestral excerpts prior to my last audition that it gave me ample time to work on the concerto.
After my hundredth attempt on the cadenza, muscle memory kicked in, and I finally got through the entire thing without a single wrong note.
Was it perfect yet? Not close enough. But it was a victory that needed to be celebrated.
And, honestly, I just needed a break.
I set my violin on the bed and picked up the phone to call Ben, when I saw the time and remembered he was in a client meeting.
Carson and my mom would also both be at work.
Penny was still at school. Who else could I call?
My mind sifted through my friends here in New York.
Excluding the group of friends I’d met through Colin, friends I hadn’t seen much since our breakup, most of the others were fellow musicians.
They’d definitely appreciate the accomplishment.
I stared at my phone, my thumbs tapping against the sides. So why didn’t I want to call any of them? The only people I wanted to celebrate with were hours away from me back in Autumn Ridge.
Except Cassandra.
With a quick text to Ben, relaying the exciting news, I went to search out Cassandra. I found her in her office, typing on her computer; and when I knocked on the frame of the open door, she glanced in my direction with a welcoming smile. “Why do you look so excited?”
I took a few steps inside. “That cadenza was brutal, but I got it!”
Her smile widened. “Sounds like something we need to celebrate! Do you have time for an ice cream break?”
Cassandra definitely knew my love language. “You know I always have time for ice cream.”
We dished ourselves up a scoop of vanilla bean that was soft and silky, then took a seat at the table.
When Cassandra took a bite, she closed her eyes, taking in the flavor with clear enjoyment.
And I didn’t blame her. This was a piece of heaven from a shop that made all their own ice cream daily.
“Did you know I used to not like vanilla ice cream?” She opened her eyes again.
“But it was always Richard’s favorite, and over time, it grew on me.
” She paused, her gaze distant and a slight smile curving her lips upward at the corners.
“I’d even go so far as to say it’s my favorite now. Probably because it reminds me of him.”
I had never met Richard, but I felt like I knew him through all Cassandra had shared. “I love that! Ben listens to classical music for the same reason.”
She gave a small nod. “That doesn’t surprise me. He sure seems to love you.”
He did love me. He always had. I hadn’t thought so for a time, but neither of us had ever stopped loving the other—no matter how imperfectly we’d gone about it.
Cassandra took another bite. “So, have the two of you decided about what you’re going to do if you make it into the New York Philharmonic?”
“We both agreed it doesn’t make sense to decide anything unless I win the audition.
” I paused, glancing up at her. “But I have been trying to figure out how we could make it work without Ben needing to move here. His business is doing so well, and he loves Autumn Ridge. I don’t want to force him back to New York just so I can live my dream. ”
Cassandra gave a slow nod. “Have you come up with any ideas?”
“Not any good ones. Only that, if I do win it, a year or two in the orchestra would probably be sufficient. Ben could stay in Vermont and I could live here during the week, then I could commute home for the weekends.” Saying it aloud made it sound even worse.
She gave a tight-lipped smile. “You could. And you’d always be welcome to stay with me while you’re in New York.”
I scanned her expression. There was something she wasn’t saying. “What do you think I should do?”
“Honestly, I’m not sure. I know it has always been your dream to play in the New York Philharmonic, but to think of you and Ben living apart from each other breaks my heart. I feel you’ve done that long enough.”
A buzzing in my chest told me she was right. I couldn’t live away from Ben. I didn’t want to. But could I ask him to move back to New York? Could we leave the house he’d built us for the dream I’d always had? Even if it was temporary?
Thankfully, none of it mattered yet. We could make those decisions together—if I won the audition.
My phone chimed with an incoming text.
Ben: You’re incredible!
Ben: I just got out of my meeting, so I’d love to hear it. Video call?
When I met her gaze, Cassandra gave a knowing smile. She stood up to grab our dishes. “Tell Ben I say hello.”
Before she’d made it far, I jumped up and wrapped my arms around her. “I’m so grateful for you.”
She gave a small laugh, pressing her cheek to mine. “Almost as grateful as I am for you.”
Bennett
I’d decided to use the week Maven was in New York to get as much done on our house as I could.
Every evening, I’d head over after leaving the shop and work until I couldn’t keep my eyes open.
Plus, staying busy helped me keep from thinking too much about what was coming.
I’d already looked up what it would require to become licensed to do cabinet installations in New York City, and though it seemed straightforward enough, everything else about expanding my business there was… overwhelming to say the least.
Would I need to open a new workshop in the city?
Get all new equipment? Buy new trucks? Just the thought of navigating those streets in a box truck and hauling cabinets into high-rises made me feel irritable.
Let alone finding clients in a sea of contractors, hiring employees I trusted, locating decent suppliers and local lumberyards, and paying the higher premiums to be insured there.
I drew in a deep breath, stopping my downward cycle.
None of that mattered yet, and if the time came to figure it out, I’d do it.
One step at a time. If Dust & Timber could thrive here in Vermont, there’s no reason it couldn’t in New York.
Because there was one thing I knew for certain—there was nothing more difficult than living a life without Maven.
The sound of an engine outside had me walking toward the open window.
It was Dominic’s red Ford pickup, but there were other voices too.
Confused, I headed down the stairs and opened the door to find Dom, Carson, and Dean Alden, who’d helped with the barn raising.
The three of them carried toolboxes and chatted as they made their way up to the porch.
I smiled. “What are you guys doing here?”
Their gazes shifted to me.
“We thought you could use some help,” Carson said right as another truck pulled up behind Dom’s.
The doors opened. Archer Kade and James Carver stepped out with a crew of my guys from work—Boone, Josh, and Alex.
Then Tate pulled his truck next to mine—my dad, Luke, and Liv were apparently joining the caravan of volunteers.
A lump formed in my throat, and I just stood there while each of them walked into the house, several placing a hand on my shoulder as they passed.
Dad stopped next to me. “We’ve got some real good people here in Autumn Ridge. But you’d better come in and tell ’em what needs to be done before these guys just start doing whatever they feel like.”
I gave a small chuckle. “That’s probably a good idea.”
Before I’d finished explaining the different tasks still needing to be done, a few more Autumn Ridge locals had joined the crew, including Wade Stevenson and my old boss, Wally.
Once everyone had divvied up the jobs, Boone lifted a hand like we were breaking from a football huddle.
“Let’s put on some classical music and get this place done! ”
A round of cheers sounded, and a second wave of emotion struck me.
This time it was at the thought of leaving behind this community.
But I wouldn’t be leaving them behind. Not entirely.
And not for good. Maven and I would be back to visit plenty.
And one day, we’d settle down in this house I’d built for us. I was positive about that.
With a warmth in my chest and a smile on my lips, I got to work. We had a house to finish!