"Oh no, I don't have anything prepared."
Jackson leaned close to her. "Give it up, Legs."
She let out an exasperated sigh. "All right, give me a C." He obliged and she started to sing Happy Birthday. Jackson leaned his elbow on the piano and watched her, fully amused. He could tell that she too was capable of more. He should have known she could sing by her full, rich speaking voice. He listened carefully. She sang right in the middle of every pitch and had a lovely vibrato. He guessed her to be a mezzo-soprano. First soprano's voices are usually a bit thinner. She curtseyed as she finished and Sarah moaned, "You guys are awful."
Jackson pulled her in by the waist. "Who's holding out now?"
"Show me yours and I'll show you mine."
He held her closer and whispered, "We are going to make a date for that when the peanut gallery isn't around."
Elisabeth threw her head back laughing. "You got it, Maestro."
Sarah continued her protest until Jackson admonished her, "What have we said about whining in front of company, you know it's not polite." Even Connor had to laugh.
She set her mouth in a pout as Connor kissed her hair and led her out of the room. "Let's go check on those desserts."
Elisabeth leaned her elbows on the piano. "So, when are you going to show me what you've really got in those hands?"
Jackson gave her a half grin. "Next week Sarah and Connor are going to his parent's house in Maine. I suggest we make a date to meet back here and lay our cards on the table. No holding back… all in."
"It's a date."
It was midnight when Elisabeth checked the clock. "Oh my gosh, it's so late. I should be going."
"You could spend the night," piped in Sarah. "I'm sure I can fix you up with whatever you need for clothes."
"That's sweet of you, but I really should be going. I need to be up early tomorrow. I have so much to do for my open house." She had already invited Sarah and Connor. "I've had a wonderful evening and look forward to seeing you all Friday. Thank you for everything."
Sarah rose and kissed her. "We need to make a date for shoe shopping soon."
"Absolutely!"
As they walked to her car, Elisabeth said, "I hate to see this night end."
"If you have a few more minutes, I'd like to show you my stable."
"You have horses?"
"No." He leaned in close with a wicked smile. "I have horsepower."
"Ooh, a chill just ran up my spine."