A Different View

This novel is dedicated to several people:

Rachel: Who helped me with the plot idea and made me write even when I had given up hope.

Danielle: Who helped me come up with a plot to begin with

Tasha: For all the word wars she was willing to do with me.

And last, but not least, my mother: For all her encouragement and help with coming up with a title.

Thank you all so much for your help. I could have never done this without you!

Character’s you’ll meet in this book:

Melodie Wilde

Age: 24

Height: 5’ 10”

Description: Light slate blue eyes, Honey blonde hair that curls/waves to the middle of her back.

Personality: Sweet tempered, but when frustrated can say things that she doesn’t mean. A quick learner, stubborn when she puts her mind to something.

Nick Carson

Age: 25

Height: 6’ 2”

Description: Green eyes, Dark curly brown hair.

Personality: Not much is known. He loves to have fun and would do anything for Melodie.

Lilly Wilde (Sister)

Age: 20

Height: 5’ 8”

Description: Large steel blue eyes, Curly, auburn hair that goes to a little past her shoulders

Personality: Incurable curiosity, is ALWAYS asking questions. Always has a smile ready    for anyone who will give her the time of day. Good sense of humor.

Carson Wilde (Father)

Age: Unknown

Height: 6’ 0”

Description: Steel blue eyes, Bald with a brownish gray beard

Personality: Also a concert pianist. Very quiet, but he speaks his mind when he gets upset about something. Is a big encouragement to Melodie through tough times.

Heather Baldwin

Age: 21

Height: 5’ 5”

Description: Brown eyes, Brown hair that goes to about to the middle of her back.

Personality: Has a happy personality that makes everyone else want to be happy. Has a good sense of humor and loves to laugh, but also knows when to be serious. She is Melodie’s rock in times of trouble.

Rodger “Brussels” Wilson

Age: 23

Height: 6’ 5”

Description: Bright blue eyes, Dark brown hair.

Personality: Annoying, though he doesn’t mean to be. He likes Melodie, but the feelings aren’t mutual. He is very persistent and doesn’t give up easily, even after Melodie explains her feelings to him.

Landon Bakers

Age: 22

Height: 6’ 2”

Description: Brown eyes, Dark brown hair that tends to stick up a little.

Personality: Slightly hyper, but fun to be around. Very athletic, and active and tends to get everyone into a happy mood. Good sense of humor and loves a good joke but knows when to be serious and listen.

Luke Roberts

Age: 26

Height: 6’ 3”

Description: Brown eyes, sandy blonde curly hair.

Personality: Happy go lucky type. Plays and teaches piano to the blind. More stubborn than Melodie when he gets his mind set on something.

There is a dull roar coming from the auditorium as people take their seats. Melodie Wilde looks out at the crowd from behind the stage anxiously. She fidgets, rearranging the skirt on her floor length lavender dress.

“I am so nervous!” Melodie says as she starts pacing back and forth. She trips on the hem of her skirt and Nick steadies her swiftly.

“You'll be fine,” he says looking her in the eye, “You always are.”

“I know, I just always get those pre-concert jitters. I wonder if they'll ever go away?” Melodie sighs looking up into Nick's dark green eyes. She shakes her head slowly trying to regain control of her thoughts.

She walks back over to the opening of the stage and looks back out at the crowd. The roar has quieted some as the hour draws closer.

Her eyes widen with anxiety, and she takes a step back bumping into Nick. He wraps his arms around her and gives her a quick peck on the cheek. “You'll be fine.” he says trying to reassure her and then give her a gentle push towards the stage. She takes a cautious step out into the light and the crowd applauds as she crosses to the Steinway grand piano in the center of the stage. As she takes her seat the crowd quiets. She places her hands on the keys and takes a few deep breaths envisioning the music she is about to play. It's one of her own compositions. She always starts and ends with one of her own as they come easiest to her. It's so quiet you could hear a pin drop. She begins slowly and quickly gets lost in the melody, one song morphing into the next phase and the the next till it's finished. She starts the second piece, a quicker paced one and her fingers fly over the keyboard all but invisible as she plays. As that one ends the crowd erupts into applause startling Melodie and breaking her concentration. She looks around nervously and catches a glimpse of Nick who gives her an encouraging smile. She starts yet another piece and continues going to the next and the next, till she's been playing for an hour. She ends with another one of her pieces and then she's done. She breathes a quiet sigh of relief and stands as the applause erupts around her again. She curtsies a few times and then walks backstage practically falling into Nick's arms.

“I am so glad that's over,” she says.

“Don't be so sure about that,” Nick says, “It looks like they'd like you to come back out.”

Melodie groans, but walks confidently back out on the stage and curtseys yet again and sits back at the piano. She plays one of her shorter compositions and when it ends she curtsies once more and exits. Nick stands with his arm outstretched and she walks just a little quicker towards the exit, trying to keep her composure. She steps into his embrace and he holds her for a long moment. She pulls away slightly and he looks down at her and studies her for a moment before smiling widely.

“What are you looking at?” Melodie asks curiously.

“Oh, I was just thinking about how lucky I am to have you,” he says grinning at her. “You are so beautiful.”

“Oh, sure, I'm sweating and can barely breathe, and you're calling me beautiful,” she says blushing slightly.

“But you are beautiful!” he exclaims “Even when you think you look your worst.”

Melodie rolls her eyes. “Ok, whatever you say dear,” she says teasingly.

Nick grabs her hand and they head to the dressing rooms. Melodie takes off her dress and slips into her jeans and sweater that she had worn in. She pulls the pins holding her hair in place out and and lets her honey blonde hair fall. She shakes her hair out and pulls it into a loose ponytail at the nape of her neck with a scrunchie as Nick knocks on her door. She grabs her garment bag and other bags and opens the door to his smiling face.

“Ready to go?” he asks.

“Yep, and I'm starved, can we get something to eat?”

“Sure, where do you want to eat?”

“I don't care, you pick.”

“Ok, I know the perfect place, are you in the mood for Italian?”

“Oh, you know me, I'm always in that kind of mood!” she smiles wryly at him.

He grabs her bags and start for the car. As they open the door a blast of cold air makes them gasp. Melodie wraps her thin arms around herself trying to keep warm as the air whips around her, freezing her to the core. Her eyes water as the wind changes directions blowing right in her eyes. Nick throws the bags into the trunk of the car and climbs into the car beside Melodie.

“Just a little cold out there huh?” he asks grinning.

“Uh, yeah, just a little.” she replies shivering, teeth chattering.

Nick starts the car and turns the heat on high. After a few minutes Melodie stops shivering as the heat becomes warm. She sighs.

“I'm so glad that's over. I just have a few more to go and then I'll get a break.”

“Won't that be nice?” Nick says smiling.

“Yeah, I'm so ready for a break... I feel like I've been going a hundred miles a minute.”

They fall into a comfortable silence. Melodie starts humming one of her ballads.

“You're tired aren't you?” Nick asks.

“Not really, well, maybe a little. Why?” she asks curiously.

“Oh, well, I just notice that when you're tired you hum to yourself.” he replies smiling crookedly.

Melodie laughs self consciously. “I do?”

“Yep, almost every time.” he says laughing.

She sighs, “I guess maybe I'm more tired than I thought I was.”

When they get seated in the restaurant everything smells so good that Melodie's mouth starts to water.

“Ok, I think I'm more hungry than I am tired!” she says laughing.

They place their orders and wait for the food to arrive. Melodie's stomach growls loudly and she doubles over trying to quiet it. Her face turns crimson and she looks around to see if anyone is looking her way. She looks at Nick who's shoulders are shaking in quiet laughter.

“Oh, very funny,” she says glaring at him ferociously, hands on her hips.

This just makes him laugh all the more.

She sighs in defeat, only to have her stomach growl loudly again.

Nick laughs and then clears his throat.

“So, do you have anything planned for tomorrow?” Nick asks Melodie nonchalantly after the waiter gives them their meals and leaves.

Melodie becomes immediately suspicious. “No, why?”

“Well, I just thought we could do some Christmas shopping tomorrow. I have quite a few more things left to get and there is only a month or so left,” he explains.

Melodie breathes a sigh of relief. “Sure! That sounds like fun! Quick question though…would you mind if Heather joined us? She has been wanting to get together with me, but I have been so busy lately that I have not been able to plan anything.”

“That is fine with me, the more the merrier!” he says smiling at her.

They finish their dinners while planning what to do for the shopping trip tomorrow.

It is quiet while Nick drives Melodie back home.

When he pulls in the drive Melodie sighs. “I am so tired…I just want to go crawl into bed. Unfortunately I will not be able to do that until I call my dad and Heather.”

Nick snickers, “You will be fine, especially after you talk to Heather. She always lifts your spirits,” he smiles.

She smiles back at him knowingly. “Yeah, I know.” She grabs her bags and prepares to get out of the car. “Thanks for coming tonight.” she says quietly.

Nick looks into her eyes. “I would not have missed it for the world,” he says smiling.

Melodie smiles back. She kisses his cheek and then gets out of the car.

“Goodnight, have sweet dreams.” Nick calls out the open window.

“You too!” Melodie calls. She waves as he drives away and then pulls out her keys to unlock her door.

She flips on the light and Skylar comes and greets her as she looks for the phone.

“Hi kitty, I bet you are hungry.” Melodie says.

Skylar meows and purrs loudly.

Melodie gives her a scoop of food and sits down to call her father.

The phone rings a few times and then is answered by Lilly, her younger sister.

“Hello?” Lilly says sounding bored.

“Hi Lilly, it is Melodie, is-” Lilly’s squeals cut her off.

“Melodie! I am so glad you called! How are you? How did your concert go? Did you get a recording?” Lilly asks, bubbling with enthusiasm.

“Whoa, one question at a time!” Melodie says laughing. “Not everyone can talk as fast as you Lilly.”

“Sorry!” she says giggling.

“I am fine, tired, but I will be fine, you know how those concerts take it out of me.” Melodie says grinning.

“Yeah, how did it go?” Lilly asks.

“It went very well, and yes, they recorded it. I was so nervous though.” Melodie replies.

“I bet! Ugh! I could never go up in front of all those people like you do, Melodie. I would get sick!” Lilly says.

“Well, you sort of get used to it.” Melodie says leaning back against the couch.

“You called to talk to Dad didn’t you?” Lilly asks.

“Yes, is he there?” Melodie asks, suddenly remembering why she had called.

“Yep! Here he is! Love ya and talk to you soon!” Lilly says as she hands the phone over.

“Hello?” her father says.

“Hi Dad! It is Melodie! I was just calling to check and see how you were doing and tell you about the concert.” Melodie says.

“Oh Melodie! I am glad you called. How are you honey?” Carson asks.

“Oh, I am fine. What about you?” Melodie asks with a grin.

“I am doing fine too. Do not believe anything Lilly tells you…she not around here enough to know anyway.” He teases.

Melodie hears Lilly in the background say “I am not gone THAT much! Gimme a break dad!”

Melodie snickers. “Well, that is good to hear.”

“So how was the concert?” Carson asks curiously.

Melodie smiles as she says “It was great! I was really nervous at first, like I usually am, but after I started playing - ”

“You got swept away in the music” Carson finishes for her.

“Yep…the usual.” Melodie says laughing.

Melodie and Carson talk for a while longer about various different things before Melodie notices the time and remembers that she needs to call Heather.

“Well, Dad, I need to go, I have another phone call to make.” She says.

“Ok, well I need to head to bed anyway…Lilly’s been glaring at me trying to make me go to bed.” Carson laughs. “I will talk to you soon honey, Love you!”

“I love you too dad.” she says and then hangs up.

She sits back sighing and closes her eyes for a moment. She starts to doze off, but remembers she has to call Heather. She picks the phone back up groaning inwardly. She dials the number and waits. Heather picks up after the third ring with a distracted sounding “Hello?”

“Hi Heather, it is Melodie.”

“Oh, hi Melodie. What’s up?” Heather says still sounding distracted.

“Not much, I just wanted to invite you to come Christmas shopping with Nick and me,” Melodie says.

“Hmmm… what time?” Heather asks a little more focused this time.