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Emma had never heard the audience go quiet so fast. She could have heard a pin land on shag carpet for how silent it was.
A tear formed at the edge of her eye and she wiped at it with the crook of her finger. “But that’s how you Colorado men are, isn’t it? You’re a different breed. And let me tell you. I was the luckiest woman alive when I was with him.” She let out a sad laugh. “Enough about that. I came here to debut my new album, and the first song I’m going to sing… well, he put the words to some music that I’ve been composing for quite some time.” She scanned the crowd, then adjusted her hold on the guitar.
Fingers in place, she took a deep breath and plucked out the intro. Here went nothing. “This is called ‘Caleb’s Song.’”
I was driftin’ like a tumbleweed, through a world I never seemed to need. Then you turned my world upside down, and I’m walking on clouds since you’ve been around.
Now every sunset’s a painting in the sky, and every moment with you feels like the first time, Darlin’,you’re the reason I believe in love again. In this dance we’re in, I can’t help wishing it never ends.
It’s a new love, like a wildflower in bloom, You’re the sunshine breakin’ through the cloudy afternoon. In your arms, I found a place I can belong. With this love, we’ll write our own song.
From the moment our eyes first met, I knew there was somethin’ I couldn’t forget. With your laughter like a melody, You’re the rhythm to this heart of mine, set free.
Now every sunrise is a promise so true, with every kiss, darlin’, I fall deeper for you. In your love, I’ve found my home sweet home. In this journey together, we’ll never be alone.
It’s a new love, like a wildflower in bloom, You’re the sunshine breakin’ through the cloudy afternoon. In your arms, I found a place I can belong. With this love, we’ll write our own song.
Let’s take this road, hand in hand, Through the valleys and across the golden sands. With you by my side, the future’s bright and clear. In this brand-new love, I’ll hold you near.
It’s a new love, like a wildflower in bloom, You’re the sunshine breakin’ through the cloudy afternoon. In your arms, I found a place I can belong. With this love, we’ll write our own song.
So take my hand and hold on tight, Through the stars and the fireflies, we’ll ride. In this country love song, you’re my melody, Forever and always, you’re the one for me.
Emma letthe last note echo into nothingness, nearly forgetting that she was performing live. But then the audience roared with applause. She opened her eyes and let out a little laugh. She got to her feet, and a stagehand retrieved her stool. The rest of the performance went as planned. She peppered some of her classic songs with those in her new album. With each new song, her anticipation of seeing Caleb grew.
When the show had ended and she’d left the stage after her encore performance, she returned to her dressing room. Jessica threw herself into Emma’s exhausted arms. “That was so good! You did it! You made it through.”
Emma laughed to keep herself from crying. “I did, didn’t I?” She glanced toward the door, her nerves getting the better of her.
“Don’t worry, he’ll come,” Jessica assured her. “Just be patient.”
28
Caleb
Caleb stared at the door as if doing so hard enough would allow him to see inside. In that room, Emma would be waiting.
Well, maybe she wouldn’t be waiting to seehim. She could be waiting for her security team to whisk her away into one of the waiting limos outside. She could be waiting for any number of fans who paid for a backstage pass in order to meet her. Maybe she wasn’t even in there at all.
Carter nudged him. “Are you going to knock or what?”
He shot his brother a dark look. The fact that his brother and sister convinced him to come at all still didn’t sit well with him. As much as he’d wanted to come to satisfy that gnawing ache he had in his chest, he was equally terrified that she would take one look at him and tell him to get lost. “What if she doesn’t want to see me?” he whispered.
Charlie rolled her eyes and let out a groan. “Who else would have upgraded our tickets? Who else would have thought to confirm us with your phone number? I don’t know of anyone on her team who would have done that, do you?”
“She’s right,” Carter said.
“And did you hear the way she sang your song?” Charlie punched him playfully in the arm. “If that wasn’t her proclaiming her love for you, I don’t know what is.”
“Right again.” Carter nodded. “You know what I don’t understand? You’ve been moping around since she left, clearly not over her. You sit there half-angry and half-lovesick. Pick a side and stay there. You can’t live your whole life trying to make everyone play by your rules. That’s not how life works. They get to decide how they feel and what they want to do.” The way he said it made Caleb wonder what actually happened while Carter was gone, but his brother refused to acknowledge any of it.
Caleb’s eyes lingered on his brother, then shifted to Charlie.
She groaned again. “If you don’t knock, I’m going to. You can’t just stand out here.”
“Why?” Caleb huffed. “Because wishing doesn’t do any good without action?”
“No…” she drawled. “Because we don’t know how many other people have VIP passes. What are you going to do if a hoard of them shows up—which could happen at any moment, by the way. Then you’ll lose your shot.”
