A/N: My thank yous to Team Jazzward for your help with this chapter. xx

DISCLAIMER: Stephenie Meyer owns Twilight, but if you're here, you knew that already. ;)

-FONO-

With the sounds of Mrs. Cheney cleaning our breakfast dishes and planning to return to their cottage to gather laundry for wash day, I walk out into the garden and take a spot on the bench overlooking the grounds.

As I light up a cigarette, I hear Mr. Cheney rummaging in the garage as he prepares to cut the grass with the new gasoline-powered lawn mower I had delivered last month.

I'm filled to the brim with breakfast, and fighting to stay awake as the sun warms me from head to toe. I'm not one to nap during the day, but the lack of sleep has me contemplating one before returning to the city later this afternoon.

With Sunday and Monday as my days off from both the club and the hotel, I'm able to linger with no pressing commitments to be back at my apartment at any certain time. Normally, my Mondays are filled with typical errands, but for now, my haircut and all those other tasks can wait. Today, the only thing filling my thoughts is Bella.

A slow smile spreads across my face as I think back on our turbulent week together. My mistakes upon her arrival were unfortunate and my firing for being late to rehearsal the next day was unexpected. Nothing could have prepared me for the surprise at having breakfast with her on Thursday, as she needed me—finally. There's no way I would have turned her down, but I probably should have made her work a little harder for my compliance.

Her Saturday night show was everything I imagined and more. From her silky-looking hair and perfectly set makeup to her revealing, sparkly dresses, Bella was a woman in charge the entire night, if not the whole week. Her voice was beyond compare, as she wormed her way into the hearts of all in attendance. There's little doubt she's left Chicago with a new allegiance of fans from all walks of life.

While my attendance record at church is severely lacking, I wish I had been there to witness her captivating the entire temperance-loving congregation. Bella dressed in her Sunday finest as she belted out religious hymns would have brought even the most accomplished evildoer to his knees in record time. She probably left Mrs. Cheney's father, Pastor Weber, speechless and concerned for the security of his job after her saintly performance.

Yesterday, Bella won over the Cullens easily, with Mrs. Cullen's admiration reaching a level that has me wondering if she can add, "walk on water" to her growing list of attributes. It was an unexpected and extraordinary delight to find her in their kitchen with our evening together being one I will soon not forget. My heart skips a beat when I fantasize about her and not Mrs. Cheney removing pies from the kitchen's ovens here on the estate.

Unfortunately, that's wishful thinking on my part as Bella is a woman like no other. With pie making long behind her, she's bound for stardom on the East Coast. I'm certain her departure from the hotel this morning under Felix's guidance was quite the orchestrated event. All the trunks and suitcases make much more sense now, as I would imagine moving across the country with everything you own is no easy task. Releasing a heavy sigh, I stub out the remains of my cigarette and scrub my hands over my face. I tip my head back staring up at the clear blue sky.

I'm not sure why I am feeling at odds over her departure because I knew it was inevitable. She was only here for a week, but she made a lasting impression on everyone she met. Given some time, she may not remember me or Chicago at all. I have no doubt she will be okay. Bella is determined and resilient for whatever the city may throw her way. Plus, she has Felix looking out for her too. While New York is more than double the size of Chicago, I know it's only a matter of time before she becomes the toast of the town with plenty of new friends and invitations to the best parties.

I chuckle to myself, shaking my head because not one of those almost six million people realize how lucky they are that she's about to become their newest resident. I have every confidence Bella will hit it big. Maybe once she's had enough time to settle, I should consider looking into train schedules myself for the opportunity to see her perform again. I hope she would consider a visit from me acceptable, but maybe I should bring along a traveling companion or two. I'm positive Mary Alice would be up for a little adventure and there's no way Bella could resist two of her biggest fans.

-FONO-

Upon my return to my apartment in the city, I'm met with several messages from Mike. The general theme to all seems to be that he has a singer ready for rehearsal on Tuesday afternoon. While I understand everyone is replaceable in this business, I have zero curiosity as to whom he has secured since Bella's departure.

After a restless night of sleep, I go about my normal morning routine with a little less care and make my way to the hotel leisurely, enjoying a cigarette along the way. Without much of an appetite, I forgo breakfast and take my place at the piano in the lobby a little early. I'm a mix of emotions and hope starting with Chopin's four ballades will aid in organizing those.

His romantic ballads are deep and powerful, expanding on a longing and sadness that hits a familiar note with me today. I transition to Mother's favorite piano sonatas by Strauss as my fingers pluck the keys furiously. After the last note rings out, I'm panting as my heart pounds loudly in my ears. I look around to see if anyone has witnessed my musical unraveling, but no one gives me a second glance and continues on with their day none the wiser.

I take a few deep breaths, gathering my composure, and prepare to revisit Chopin's nocturnes when clapping startles me from somewhere behind my perch. Swiveling on the bench, my heart lifts at the sight of her in another perfectly tailored dark blue suit. I eye her warily, wondering if I've finally lost my mind and I'm hallucinating, but then she speaks.

"Chopin and Strauss. I'm impressed. Those were incredible interpretations." Bella walks toward the piano, stopping to take a seat nearby. "Please don't stop on my account."

I shake my head in wonder at her presence. "What are you doing here? I thought you left yesterday."

"And I'm happy to see you too. Is my presence too distracting for you to continue with your recital?"

"My apologies, but you've surprised me once again. Has there been some kind of mix up or delay?"

"You could say that. My stay has been . . . renegotiated and I will be singing in Chicago for the next month or so."

"What?" My face is probably a mix of astonishment and confusion at this news. "You can't possibly be serious."

"I am quite certain, but enough about me. I was wondering if you take requests?"

I sit a little taller in my spot and have a suspicion of where she's headed with this line of questioning. "I do."

"Would you know the works of Scott Joplin?"

"I don't know how appropriate they are for this venue. Mr. King has less . . . lively musical preferences."

"Well, we won't tell him Joplin was a colored man too."

I'm stunned by her revelation. "He's colored?"

"Does that make a difference?"

"I suppose not."

"Let's see how far we can push it then."

I lower my voice and look around to see who may be listening to our conversation. "Are you trying to get me fired?"

"I thought you were willing to shake things up, or was I wrong about you?"

"Where's Felix?" I wonder.

"He's busy. Now quit stalling. Let's see if we can get the old geezer out of his office." She smirks and leans closer, cupping her mouth. "I bet he's too busy with his front desk clerk and the bottle of whiskey I gifted him."

"You—" I'm speechless.

"I think he mentioned needing her help with filing some documents in his office." Bella shrugs. "I've never been good at those administrative tasks, but some women have a real knack for it."

I glance over at the vacant front desk and Mr. King's closed office door that normally stays open when he's here.

"Now, do you know any Joplin pieces or not?" She raises a challenging eyebrow.

I nod, readjusting my position. "I know two."

"Good. That's what I thought. I'm ready whenever you are." She waves her hand toward the piano.

Bella's smile widens and her foot taps to the beat while I play the two pieces I learned at her prompting. More than a few heads turn in our direction and listen before exiting the hotel, but like Bella, I hope they will fall in love with these brilliant ragtime tunes.

My fingers fly over the keys while my grin reflects hers. Something special is happening between us—a building camaraderie, but I dare to hope it's more than a musical connection. While I can't imagine what the next month of her influence holds, I'm more than willing and excited to find out. We've been given the gift of time and I'm not going to waste a second of it.

A/N: Oh boy! A month of fun! What will they do? Lol Were you surprised that Bella's stay was renegotiated? After her profitable performance, I picture Mike begging his uncle to allow her to stay a little longer to help the The Twilight Club remain afloat. I also shared an additional musical influence post on my website, kayrichard dot com, if you're interested in listening to Chopin's Four Ballades, which Edward plays at the hotel.

In 1922, the Ideal Power Lawn Mower Company of Lansing, Michigan sold the first riding version of a lawn tractor with an air-cooled gas engine called the "Triplex," which is what Edward bought to make lawn maintenance easier for Mr. Cheney. There is an exhibit with a variety of models showcasing the history of lawnmowers that can be found at the R.E. Olds Transportation Museum in Lansing. The Michigan-based museum is named after Ransom Eli Olds who was a pioneer in the American automobile industry, but at one point in time, his company was producing the most lawnmowers in the world. You might be familiar with his Oldsmoblie brand too.

Edward also mentioned that Mrs. Cheney was getting ready for wash day. Typically, a household would adhere to a strict schedule. Monday was wash day, while Tuesday was for ironing. Wednesday was for sewing, which included mending seams or repairing tears. Thursday was for upstairs cleaning and mattresses would be turned. Friday was for baking. Saturday was for downstairs cleaning, and Sunday was for church. The reason why downstairs cleaning was done on Saturday was because Sunday was also visiting day and it was important for a household to be at its best when entertaining guests. Laundry would dry outside on clothing lines, but when there was rain on Monday, laundry would hang to dry on makeshift lines in the attic. I remember my mother and grandmothers all hanging clothing and bed linens outside to dry throughout my childhood. They smelled incredible, as there was nothing like that scent.

In Along Came a Spider news: with nine chapters remaining, I'm hosting a giveaway in my Facebook group, Kay Richard's Fanfics, with an opportunity for WIP readers to join Team Spiderward as a pre-reader for a chapter. There is a featured/pinned "Guess the Smile" post with more information on how to enter, if you're interested. It's my way to thank readers for going on this journey with me, giving you a behind-the-scenes/first-look of the next chapter. Time is running out on the first giveaway since chapter 52 is almost ready, but I'm also including a bonus for the winner—a first-look of an Along Came a Spider Extra—Spider and Doc's D Magazine featured article.

Thanks for reading. xx