Pitch Perfect (14 page)

“I get it!” She was unappreciative . . . of, well,
everything
—from the gourmet food she consumed to the luxury car she drove to the world she had traveled. In truth, that even extended to her friends. If one wasn’t available, she had a long list of others that she could plug in without even caring which one. An exception was her friend Cat Carson, but she was so busy with her music career that Mia rarely saw her anymore. “It makes sad sense,” she whispered. She had so much that it all meant so very little. “Incredible.” Mia inhaled a deep breath of river-scented air and shook her head. “I really get it now.” What her life had been lacking was . . .
meaning
. “Well, doesn’t that just suck,” she said dully. Then she thought about it for a few more minutes.

The merchants she had passed on the way here were hard at work opening shops that were obviously still struggling to keep the doors open. Wide smiles and friendly waves were in abundance, though, despite the shaky economy. But by looking around Mia knew that this went deeper than just selling products. This was about preserving not only a town, but a way of life that was pure Americana and yet becoming scarcer as the years passed. She could tell that it meant much more to them than simply making a buck. It was about pride of ownership and preserving a family business or farm for future generations. Just like Hanover Candy, Mia thought with a sad pang that went straight to her gut and twisted. How could her father do such a thing, especially to a longtime friend? While Mia fully acknowledged the sad realization that her life was lacking substance, she had always believed in her father’s integrity.

She sat there for a moment and relived that last conversation with her father that had led to her bouncing out of town in Manny’s car. Something didn’t make sense. Mia nibbled on the inside of her cheek, deep in thought, until the loud honk of a barge heading down the river startled her out of her trance. She blinked in the bright sunlight and wanted to sit and contemplate the missing piece of the puzzle until the answer came to her, but she really needed to get into Noah Falcon’s office before Cam arrived. With that in mind, she picked up her purse and stood up.

Once inside the elevator, Mia felt her cheeks heat up at the steamy memory of the hot kisses shared with Cam. Riding in an elevator would never be the same. She firmly told herself not to make too much of it since it was one of those trapped-together situations where one thing led to another and all that. Besides, she was going to be living in Cricket Creek for only a short time, so why start something she couldn’t finish? There was only one problem with that decision: She had never had a man make her melt the way Cameron Patrick was able to. The romantic in her wondered how on earth she was going to be able to walk away from that feeling without exploring where it could lead.

Mia sighed. “First things first,” she muttered. A second later the elevator arrived on the fifth floor, and although Mia hoped she appeared confident in her expensive suit, in reality her knees were a little bit wobbly. Still, she marched right up to the receptionist and requested to see Noah Falcon.

“Is he expecting you?” She was a tiny wisp of a thing but had a tone that suggested she didn’t mess around. Mia looked at the nameplate on the desk, which read
MAGGIE
, and smiled.

“No,” Mia admitted, “but, Maggie, it is a matter of extreme urgency.”

“Well”—Maggie’s pointed little chin came up—“if your urgent matter doesn’t pertain to opening day, then it will have to wait.”

“It does.” Mia tried not to cringe at her obvious lie.

“In what capacity?” Maggie challenged, clearly not believing Mia, and yet there was hope in her tone that indicated to Mia that the Cougars had some sort of situation on their hands.

“Well . . .” Mia swallowed, and her heart knocked against her ribs. She had her foot in the door but didn’t know quite how to open it wider. She just totally sucked at lying! “Um . . .”

The secretary sighed and gave Mia a pointed look. “Mr. Falcon is swamped, so you’ll have to come back when you have an appointment.” She turned her back and started typing.

Mia swallowed hard. She wasn’t used to being dismissed like this, and it rattled her, but just when she was about to give up, she heard a male voice coming from an open office door. Her ears perked up and she gleaned enough information to know that whoever was performing the opening-day concert had just canceled. She perked up. This was right up her alley! “Um, excuse me?”

Maggie swiveled around and gave Mia a bland look.

“Actually, I’m here to discuss opening-day entertainment,” she announced and immediately started going through the Rolodex in her brain that contained famous people she knew. Luckily, there were quite a few.

“Why didn’t you say so?” Relief washed over Maggie’s face. “Oh, good. What was your name again?”

“Mia Money.”

“Money?” Maggie asked and scrolled down a list that Mia obviously wasn’t on.

“Like money in the bank,” she added. She was beginning to like her facetious last name.

“Hmm, can’t find you.”

“I was added last minute. You know, to save the day. Opening day,” she added in a firm tone full of meaning.

“Well, in that case, head on back.” The fact that she wasn’t on any list suddenly didn’t matter. Maggie pushed the intercom and announced the arrival of Mia Money to Noah Falcon and then pointed. “First door on the left.”

“Thank you,” Mia said in a clipped businesslike manner and then headed down the short hallway. When she entered the spacious office, Noah Falcon looked up at her with a handsome but frowning face. “Good morning,” she said breezily. She wondered if she should go into her rehearsed speech about Cameron Patrick or gain some leverage first.

“Morning.” Noah gave her a slight smile, but his brows remained drawn together. There were dark circles beneath his eyes, suggesting lack of sleep.

“So you’re lacking opening-day entertainment?”

“Yes,” he said hesitantly, but he angled his head as if trying to place her. Mia didn’t think they had ever met, but he could have seen pictures of her with her father. “I don’t mean to sound rude, but do I know you? Ty McKenna, the head coach, has a baby who never sleeps, and I’ve been helping him along with doing a million other things to get ready for opening day,” he added with a sigh, and then gestured toward a chair in front of his massive desk. “So forgive me in advance.”

Mia took a thankful seat and then gave him a bright smile. “No, we’ve never met, but I think I have a solution to your lack of an opening-day concert.”

“How did you know about that?”

“It’s my job to know things,” she said and was somehow able to keep a straight face. “You’re in luck.”

“I sure hope so.” Noah scrubbed a hand down his face and thankfully didn’t ask who she was or whom she worked for. She could only lie badly so fast. “I wanted to start off the season with a sellout crowd, so I booked a big-name country concert before the game, but they had to bail due to a schedule conflict. It’s going to be tough to find a replacement this late in the game, if you’ll pardon the pun,” he added with a slight but tired grin. “I’ve tried calling in favors, but I’ve come up empty.” He raised his hands to demonstrate.

“Well, have you heard of Cat Carson?”

“The cute country singer with the big voice?”

“Yes.” She pressed her lips together while it sunk in.

“Wait.” Noah suddenly leaned in closer. “Are you saying you can get her to fill in?”

“It’s possible.” Mia nodded and said a silent prayer. “Um, what is the date again?”

“June third.”

She gave him another businesslike nod and a confident smile. “If not Cat, then perhaps someone else. I have lots of connections.” When he opened his mouth as if to probe, she hurried on, “She’s incredibly busy, but I’ll call right now and see what I can do, if that’s okay with you?”

“Really?” Noah blinked at her as if trying to size her up. “You
really
think you can pull this off?”

“I do.” They had become fast friends after Mia had given a large check to Cat’s favorite charity at a fund-raiser several years ago. “I know her very well, in fact.” She pulled out her cell phone. “Now, would you like me to make the call? It’s much more likely for me to get her now versus later in the day.”

“How much would she charge? Our budget here is, well, let’s say, not big. The band I had coming here was doing me a personal favor.”

Mia smiled. “Cat gives generously to several charities. I’m sure she would be happy to perform a short set simply for a donation to one of her charities.” She gave a little wave of her hand.

“Not a problem. I’ll even pitch in some personal money. Give Cat a call.”

“Excellent,” Mia said and then scrolled down to Cat’s number and pressed the
CALL
button while saying a silent prayer that Cat would be available. Although Mia had other connections, Cat Carson was her best shot. While Cat loved her music, she avoided the limelight, and the two of them had often traveled via Mitch’s company jet to exclusive but private beach destinations. And oh, how they gave new meaning to shop ’til you drop! But what Mia liked about traveling with Cat was that they both enjoyed local merchants more than big designer brands. While Cat’s music was played on country radio, she really had a bit of a pop-music Colbie Caillat vibe that had universal appeal. And while she often sported a cowboy hat and boots, her flowing skirts, billowy blouses, and chunky jewelry added a bohemian flair that suited her often beach-oriented songs.

Mia smiled at the thought of seeing her friend. While Cat’s crammed schedule prohibited her from getting away very often, and even less now that her career was starting to skyrocket, Mia knew her friend would help if it was even remotely possible. If it worked out, Mia was going to use this coup to butter up Noah rather than call it in now as leverage. She had learned from event planning, especially charity balls, that it was better to butter up than to demand. Nice, she had found out, went a long way.

When the phone rang for the third time, Mia felt a jolt of alarm and flicked a quick glance at Noah. When his shoulders rose and fell, she knew he was thinking the same thing. Cat wasn’t going to pick up. But just when her voice mail was about to chime in, Mia heard a breathless, “Hello! Mia?”

“None other,” Mia said and gave Noah a thumbs-up. “Did I catch you at a bad time?”

“No, just got back from a run and it is so hot out that it kicked my butt. How are you, girl? Feeling the need for some retail therapy?” Cat asked with a laugh.

“Actually, I have a favor to ask of you.”

“Sure, what is it?”

“Well . . .” Mia cleared her throat and wondered just how to explain her current situation in front of Noah, so she chose her words carefully since she wouldn’t be mentioning her father. Once again, she wanted to do this on her own. “I’m in Cricket Creek, Kentucky.”

“Kentucky? Really? For the Derby? Can I come? Get a big floppy hat and everything?”

Mia chuckled. “No, that’s in Louisville.”

“Oh. So what’s in . . . ?”

“Cricket Creek? Actually, my car broke down, and, well, it’s a long story that will keep until we get together.”

“Okay, but you’ve got me intrigued! So what’s the favor, sweet pea?”

“Ex–baseball pro Noah Falcon is willing to give some serious cash to the charity of your choice if you will do him a big favor and sing a set before the opening-day baseball game for the Cricket Creek Cougars. He manages the team and has, well, a situation. The band he booked bailed.”

“Oh, well, that’s not good. But serious cash to one of my charities is good! When is the event?”

“Saturday, June third,” Mia said with a wince and held her breath.

“Wow, that’s right around the corner,” Cat answered slowly. “Let me pull my schedule up on my computer.”

“Thanks!” Pulling her schedule up meant Cat was at least willing. Mia heard the clicking of the keyboard and nibbled on the inside of her cheek.

“Luckily my manager just updated it so it’s current or I would have to call her.”
Click, click . . . click.
“Oh . . . well, wow, no way.”

“Oh . . . what?” Was that a good
no way
or a bad
no way
?

“Is Cricket Creek far from Nashville?”

“Only a couple of hours, I think.”

“Hmm, what time is the concert?”

“Wait a second,” Mia said then looked at Noah. “What time is the concert?”

“The game is at seven in the evening but the concert is at five thirty,” he answered, and she repeated the information to Cat.

“Well, I open for Toby Keith in Nashville on Friday. I’ll be on his tour bus so I won’t have a car, but he’s staying on Saturday to do some interviews. As long as I’m available by Sunday afternoon, I’ll be fine. In fact, come on in on Friday night and we’ll hang out. I’ll be at the Marriott right downtown. It’ll be a blast. I haven’t seen you in so long, girl!”

“So you can do it?”

“I’ll have to clear it with my manager, but I don’t see why not. And when Toby learns that I’m doing this for charity, I’m sure he will work it out with me. Just have me back after the game or Sunday morning and we’re fine. I might even be able to arrange to get picked up.”