Kassidy's Crescendo

Title Page

Copyright

Dedication

Other Books in the Series

Praise

Prologue

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

Thank You

Kassidy's Crescendo

 

 

Marianne Evans

 

 

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales, is entirely coincidental.

 

Kassidy's Crescendo

 

COPYRIGHT 2014 by Marianne Evans

 

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the author or Pelican Ventures, LLC except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

 

eBook editions are licensed for your personal enjoyment only. eBooks may not be re-sold, copied or given to other people. If you would like to share an eBook edition, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with.

 

Contact Information: [email protected]

 

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version
(R),
NIV
(R),
Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com

 

Cover Art by Nicola Martinez

 

White Rose Publishing, a division of Pelican Ventures, LLC

www.pelicanbookgroup.com
PO Box 1738 *Aztec, NM * 87410

 

White Rose Publishing Circle and Rosebud logo is a trademark of Pelican Ventures, LLC

 

Publishing History

First White Rose Edition, 2014

Electronic Edition ISBN 978-1-61116-436-7

Published in the United States of America

Dedication

 

This story is for those who long for reform and search for God's grace. May Kassidy's and Drew's story touch your heart and affirm that quest.

 

Be sure to pick up all the Sisters in Spirit stories

 

Aileen's Song

Siobhan's Beat

Kassidy's Crescendo

Maeve's Symphony

 

Praise

 

"Does it make a difference to rely on the Lord for strength and help? Can you find peace in difficult times? You'll find out when you read
Search & Rescue
. If you like loveable characters, then I recommend you drop by
Sal's Place
. You'll be glad you did!" ~ Sherry K. Love2Read Novels Book Review

 

Devotion

"...There were so many things about this story that I appreciated that I am just going to say, you need to read this book." ~ That's a Novel Idea

 

"...a book with a real message that will leave you filled with hope.
Devotion
is so very worth reading." ~ Long & Short Book Reviews

 

I love it when a short story can transport me to a different country and allow me to experience the culture and holiday festivities. Marianne Evans is a gifted writer who has done just that in
Finding Home
. Peter and Alexa will warm your heart. ~ Author Carla Rossi

 

You will find, as you read, a love so tantalizing you will want to dig deeper into God's intriguing word. I know I did. ~ Renette S on
Search & Rescue

 

Teach us to say ‘no' to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age.

Titus 2:12

 

Prologue

 

Six Years Ago

Nothing compared to football Friday in Westerville, New York. Just moments ago, the Westerville High Eagles had delivered a bone-crushing loss to the Teesdale Vikings, Westerville's bitterest rival. That made tonight's victory twice as sweet for seventeen-year-old Kassidy Cartwright.

She trooped away from the football field, one among hundreds, trailing after her friends. She tossed a paper bag of popcorn—contents mostly consumed—into the trash before she passed beneath a soaring wood archway adorned by the Eagles logo and painted in the school's colors of white and gold.

Aaron Gilbert, Kassidy's boyfriend of almost two months, captured her hand in a loose swing, and they exchanged greetings with a few friends who passed by. A wisp of air danced against her skin and hair, flavored by the aroma of a dying bonfire that had illuminated the school's before-game pep rally.

When Aaron angled toward the parking lot, Kassidy stepped a bit closer, both to tuck next to him and to keep warm. “Aren't we going back to the school? To the dance?”

He released her hand and hooked his arm around her shoulders. “Actually, we received a better offer.”

The flirty glint in his eyes, the charm-packed smile, ignited a fire beneath Kassidy's skin. Wind ruffled through his light blond hair and the image, paired with the exuberant evening they shared, was nearly enough to settle her growing disquiet about their relationship. Kassidy relinquished their plans to his care with a nod of agreement.

Her senior year had just begun, and she intended to savor every minute. For this brief, shining moment, it felt incredible to rule the school, to command the hallways, to brag about college acceptances, share plans for intended majors and grand life plans, to live through the season of fall as though springtime graduation, and separations, would never take place.

They strolled to a stop at Aaron's older-model BMW. He wasn't the chivalrous type, but Kassidy was reconciled to that fact. He didn't open the passenger side door for her, or guide her into the car, but that was OK. Sure, he was kind of smooth and showy, but he oozed a type of magnetism, an aura of confidence, that was dazzling. He made her pulse pound. For now, that was enough.

Kassidy opened the door and folded into the vehicle while Aaron claimed the driver's seat. After clicking her seatbelt into place, she propped her back against the door and studied him. Doing so caused her senses to flutter and swirl. Aaron Gilbert was the assistant captain of the Westerville High basketball team. Good looks and a strong, well-sculpted build made him a source of romantic fantasy for many girls on campus.

But he had chosen Kassidy.

He walked her to class, called her all the time, sent her flowers and candy grams on school spirit days. Still there were moments when something prideful, something akin to arrogance, rode just beneath the surface of his actions. Prompted by her convictions, reinforced by the life stances of her three closest friends—Aileen, Siobhan, and Maeve—Kassidy wondered if she might be able to be an example of how to live more solidly for the type of faith and values that had come to govern her life over the past few years.

Aaron shot her a quick smile and leaned across the seat to kiss her cheek before engaging the car and sending them on their way. She returned the smile and drifted back to her thoughts as the lights and quaint, brick buildings of downtown Westerville flew past the windows. Aileen Brewer. Siobhan Douglas. Maeve Callahan. The trio formed the closest thing she'd ever known to having sisters, and they were hers by choice—by heart. They formed a stronghold for her spirit.

Passing car lights glinted off the surface of a thick, twined band of silver that rested—always—on the third finger of her right hand. Her friends wore matching pieces—a symbol of love, a symbol of commitment, a symbol of purity. The rings they wore represented a vow to God to remain pure of body and maintain their solid bond of friendship as God led them forward in life.

I am my beloved's…and my beloved is mine.

Determined to be a positive influence on Aaron, Kassidy straightened her legs and settled more comfortably. “So where are we headed, mystery man?”

Aaron chuckled, waggling his brows at the flirty moniker. “How does an after victory party at Zach Martin's sound?”

If Aaron expected that disclosure to be pleasing, or impressive, he was sadly mistaken. Zach Martin was an arrogant, entitled jerk—full of his own glory because last year he had earned a single-season scoring record for the Westerville basketball team. For now, she kept mum, because Zach was one of Aaron's best friends.

“His folks left for a trip to the west coast yesterday.” Aaron spoke, executing a lane change and darting her a glance. “He's got the place to himself until the middle of next week, so there's going to be a massive party tonight,”

Kassidy's stomach plummeted, pushed hard and fast by a sense of foreboding that erased her dreamy mood and moved tension through her arms and shoulders.

 

****

I shouldn't be here
. Fine hairs danced along the back of Kassidy's neck.
This isn't where I belong.

Holding hands with Aaron, she tried to get over her trepidation. She stilled her nerves and followed him down a narrow set of stairs into the basement of the Martin's luxurious, river-side home. The air vibrated with music that was heavy on the bass. Voices rose and fell on waves of laughter and shouts for attention. A haze of ghostly smoke brought with it a sweet, yet acrid aroma.

Pot.

Kassidy's nose twitched in rebellion. She went taut, but Aaron pulled her forward. “C'mon. It'll be OK. It's not like I'm not gonna get stoned or anything.”

The words weren't at all assuring, because his annoyed tone made it clear her frosty body language had ticked him off.

“Man, have you gone ultra-conservative in the past couple of years. You used to love parties—you'd have a beer or two. You've changed since you started hanging out with that chubster from choir and her posse.”

Kassidy's temper flamed hot and strong. Her mouth flew open, and she pulled Aaron to a hard stop, searing him with a look. “Are you referring to Aileen Brewer? Because if you are, I'm telling you right now—don't ever say anything like again or you and I are finished. Aileen Brewer is beautiful.”

“She is, she is!” Aaron lifted both hands in mock surrender. “Let go of it. I was only joking around.”

A snide spark lit his eyes and flattened his lips. She used to think that mouth was so sweet—so full and tempting. Not anymore. Was any guy worth this kind of turmoil and temptation to compromise?

“Aileen isn't
chubby,
or a
chubster,
as you like to say. She's got curves, and I resent ignorant people who don't know how to be kind.”

“Well, I resent you being so uptight over a harmless comment.” He latched onto her hand and delivered a rough tug. “Let's just kick back and enjoy, OK? This is the
best.
Let's cut loose for a few minutes and unwind.”

She understood the drill. Scoring an invite to one of Zach's victory parties—especially when the parental units were in absentia—was the equivalent of being handed a golden ticket to A-crowd paradise. Walking away from such an ‘event,' on the other hand, would earn a person permanent exile. That mattered a great deal to Aaron.
Too much,
from Kassidy's point of view.

She had lived through scenes like this a few times in her past. A couple years ago, in a quest for popularity and acceptance, she had stupidly imbibed in a couple of beers at a party even though she hated the taste. That behavior had ended promptly just a few months later, in the winter of her junior year, when being accepted into the madrigal choir and tight ties to Aileen Brewer ended that foolish quest. Singing gave her focus, fed a worthwhile passion, and most important of all gained her the friendship of not just Aileen, but Maeve Callahan, and Siobhan Douglas as well.

But even then, even when pressured, she had never sampled pot. Now, the tempo of this party and its intensity left drops of cold dread to trickle down her spine.

“I don't want to stay long, Aaron. Seriously. In and out.” Kassidy's eyes roved the packed space. There had to be at least thirty people milling around.

Aaron huffed and rolled his eyes. “Fine.”

She noticed the way he scanned the crowed as well, accepting and dismissing attendees at a glance, already wrapped up in the swirl of cliques, bodies, noise…and alcohol.

Alarm growing, Kassidy took note of the long necks carried by a majority of those gathered. Shimmering labels featured a couple of the better-known beer labels. Tucking her fingertips into the front pocket of her jeans, her touch came upon the ridges of her cellphone. The edge of her ring caught against the pocket line and captured her attention.