Blaze of Winter: A Loveswept Contemporary Romance by Elisabeth Barrett

qualities to have in his line of work—Andy also had the distinction of being extremely soft-spoken. Soft-spoken, but firm. Kate liked him, and that was enough for Avery to like him, too.
    John Anson, a bachelor in his late fifties, was on the other side of the church in a different pew, tuning up his violin. John ran the pharmacy, and Avery had seen him once or twice when she went there to fill Kate’s prescriptions.
    She picked up her violin and ran her bow across the strings, testing them for strength and pitch. Avery thwacked her portable tuning fork on the heel of her shoe and held it up to her ear, listening for the A-pitch vibration. Having been untouched for a year, her violin was seriously out of tune.
    As the familiar act of tuning returned to her, a tiny quiver of excitement formed in her stomach. It would feel good to practice again. And, if all went well, to perform. Just then, Luke came up to her.
    “I see that you found the church all right.”
    She quirked a brow. “It’s the only one in town.”
    “Yes, well, it’s your first time here. Got any questions for me before we start?”
    “Not yet,” she said, “but once we start playing I might.”
    Luke smiled. “Have you met the others?”
    “I know them all by sight, but I wouldn’t mind formal introductions.”
    “No problem.” He led her over to the group.
    “Glad you’re here,” John said, crossing the nave to shake her hand.
    “Lovely to see you again,” Karen said, inclining her head so that her cropped salt-and-pepper hair shimmered under the lights. She had her cello in position and was flipping through some sheet music on the black metal stand in front of her. Andy and Royce each gave her a wave from where they were situated.
    Avery held her instrument at her side and pushed her shoulders back. “I’m a bit out of practice,” she admitted to the group. “But I’ll do my best.”
    “Here,” Luke said, handing her some sheet music. “Andy and Royce will be leaving early, so while we have them, we’re going to do some Chopin. When they leave, we can try a few pieces with just the quartet.”
    “Sounds good,” Avery said, taking her position at the end of the semicircle opposite Karen. John took the seat next to Avery’s, and Luke sat in the last chair.
    The group spent a few minutes tuning together before beginning their practice. Once they were ready to begin, Avery flipped her sheet music for the Piano Concerto No. 1 into position.
    “Have you played this before?” John asked.
    Avery shook her head. “Never.” She took in the first page of the piece. She’d thought she would be nervous about the tremendous number of black notes on the page, but she felt exhilarated instead.
    “It’s an interesting one. Give you a run for your money.” He turned to Luke. “Shall we?”
    “Yes. Avery, want to start us off?”
    As the first violinist, it was her duty. She took a deep breath and got her instrument into position. Then she inclined her head and began the piece. It was exciting—and humbling—to play again after such a long absence. Andy’s solo passages were beautifully done and even though they’d never played together before, the sextet’s tone and tempo was fairly seamless. They finished the allegro, the first movement, and stopped.
    “Want to go back or go on?” Luke asked.
    “Go on,” Karen said. The others nodded.
    “All right. Avery?”
    She started them off on the second movement, the larghetto. By the time they’d finished the final movement, Avery was thrumming with happiness. The emotional sweep of the music, the sheer delight of having her fingers fly across the strings, made her heart swell. An emptiness began to form inside of her as the last note sounded.
    “That went well,” Luke said when everyone had collected themselves.
    Karen snorted. “What an understatement. Andy, your playing was divine, but I’m just thrilled to have Avery aboard. You’re a great sight reader.”
    The others