Page 87 of Hauling Ashe

I’m an hourglass and you’re the sand,

but I won’t let you slip away.

Fragile but strong, this can’t be wrong.

I’ll hold you close.

I won’t let you slip away.

As we finish the sultry sound with Tommy’s voice doing it justice just like he did nearly thirty years ago, I immediately know what I need to say to Mae. I need her to know I’m in love with her.

I hit the final key and stand. We take goofy bows as the guests applaud for us, and then I hop from the stage. We’ll be taking a little break and then Gage Everly promised to sing a song he wrote just for Julia and Chopper as their wedding gift.

“Dad, that was incredible,” Julia says, rushing to me once I’m on the dance floor. “You never mentioned writing a song, only being part of the band.”

I softly smile at her, reaching out for her face. “Wasn’t worth mentioning,” I say brushing off the accomplishment, although it was our second famous hit. Back when hitting charts and ranking were important to us. Then finances and fame got in the way, and Tommy wanted more. He deserved more, as did the rest of them, and they joined with Kit and skyrocketed to the top, earning money and accolades.

“We have our dance coming up,” Julia reminds me, teasing me, as I’d struggled to pick a song for our father-daughter moment.

“I won’t miss it, Jellybean,” I assure her. “I just need to find Mae.”

Julia smiles. “I really like her, Dad. She’s good for you.” My daughter’s approval gives me the extra boost I need to tell Mae how I feel tonight. I don’t want one more day to pass without her knowing I love her.

“I’m going to look for Mae but save that dance for me.” I lean forward and kiss Julia’s cheek then head for the barn entrance.

As I near the exit, I find Jude lingering. “Hey, have you seen Mae?” I ask him.

Despite Brut’s telling me Mae went to our room, I’m unsettled by her disappearance. She missed our little concert.

Jude grips my arm to stop me from continuing forward toward the inn. “I sent her away.”

“You mean you sent her to the room.” My brows pinch, puzzled by the edge in Jude’s tone.

“I mean, I told her to get lost,” Jude clarifies. “I told her to leave.”

“You what?” My body tenses as I face my son. A man who is a mirror image of me and my own father—our father. His attitude suggests he’s even more like the old man than I’ve considered.

“You don’t need that kind of woman, Dad.”

“And just what kind of woman do you think Mae is?” I snap, not really concerned about my son’s opinion but curious all the same. I’m certain he hurt Mae’s feelings somehow.

“Someone after your money, after the attention, after the fame.”

“You have no idea what you’re talking about.” Jude grew up in his mother’s limelight like Julia. A puppet in her performance as perfect mother and ideal wife. He bought into her act as she spoiled him, but Julia was her favorite. Julia didn’t conform, which drove Rochelle to desire more connection with our daughter.

As for Mae, I don’t believe my Prius-driving, stop-at-kitschy-locations, experience-the-road, and save-the-bird lover is after anything other than…my heart?

“Mach told me how you paid her to drive you here.”

“I—” I did do that. But she could take all my money as far as I’m concerned. The only commodity I want is her heart in return for mine.

“And now she’s gone, as she should be. She took your money and ran.”

I don’t believe him. That can’t be true. “You don’t know what you’re saying.” Mae would never do that. She hasn’t been paid yet and she wouldn’t leave me behind. She wouldn’t leave me again.

I reach for the harmonica in my pants’ pocket. She offered her gift to me, through Brut, as silent support. That was my Mae. Considerate. Loving. Dedicated.

“You don’t need that kind of trash.”