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Chapter Three
The confrontation with one of River’s former mentors in crime wasn’t doing anything to ease Emily’s stage fright. She was absolutely terrified to get in front of these people now. She’d tried to get lost in overseeing the setup, and after wrestling far too much with her purse, she headed to the bag check. Emily tried to rub away the knot of tension tightening her neck and shoulders. She was turning into a nervous wreck.
“Emily! Is that you?”
She whipped around with joy at the familiar voice. “Cadence!”
Her friend smiled brightly at her, hurrying through the crowd in a gold dress that made her dark skin glisten like the sunset caressing the warm earth. Emily sagged in relief at the welcome sight. Cadence looked absolutely stunning in stiletto heels. Her black ringlets flowed past well-defined shoulders. Emily had always thought that her friend’s height belonged to a runway model. Cadence blew away all the Nashville debutantes with her grace. Her confident stride had the power to make every head turn when she’d entered the room. She was gorgeous, clever, a firecracker of energy, but most importantly, she was Emily’s dearest friend.
“Thank goodness you’re here!” Emily called out.
Cadence had been her rock when the worst had happened with River. The two had been roommates while attending Tennessee State when Emily had found out about River’s drunk-driving accident. Firefighters had to cut him out of his Ferrari wrapped around a telephone pole.
Emily had almost lost her brother that night. The familiar shock that had trapped her with her parents’ deaths had felt almost worse than before, because now she knew how painful it was to lose those she loved. The hole of despair and misery was almost too deep to escape, and now to see death hunting down her brother in the same way?
She’d felt so helpless back then. As she’d waited in the hospital room through surgery after surgery, the truth had slapped her like a brick across the face—if he survived this, she could still lose him if she didn’t do something. But what options did she have?
Everything she’d attempted before hadn’t worked. When she’d first recognized the signs of River’s addictions, she’d tried talking reasonably with him. He’d nod and nod to comfort her, then he’d end up in the tabloids for a fistfight or an affair—scandals that he’d never be involved in if he’d been clean. Emily was ten years younger than River and felt so helpless against his fast talking and charm. He’d always promised to be better. He’d always broken that promise.
She’d tried pleading, threats, throwing out his drugs and alcohol when she’d stumbled across them. He’d yell at her when he was desperate for his next fix. More than once, she’d found River passed out when she came to visit.
Emily had prayed desperately for help—God, you have my parents, and I know they’re with you, and they’re happy… but it’s so hard now because I have no one to turn to… no one except You. Please! Show me how to do this. I don’t know how to help my brother. My love is not enough, and I’m so scared. I can’t do this on my own. I’m going to lose the last family that I have left on this earth.
That’s when her Heavenly Father had given her Cadence. Her roommate had held Emily in the waiting room while she cried. Emily had felt the truth of her words as surely as if God had squeezed her shoulders and told her to listen up to what his other daughter had to say. Cadence had wisdom beyond her years. She’d grown up in foster care, and she’d seen her share of tragedy and drug abuse.
Cadence had helped Emily find the drug rehab center for River—Tri-Star Recovery. It had a decent program. She’d even told Emily what to say to her brother when she visited him in the hospital. “You’ve got to be tough,” Cadence had said. “You have to lay it all out on the table. He’s going to fight you. He’s going to try to talk his way out of this like he’s done every time, but he’s at his lowest point and you’ve got to reach him now when he just might listen. I know it’s hard. You’re going to feel cruel because he’s hit rock bottom, but you have to say it how it is. It’s the only way to save his life.”
And by some strange miracle, it had worked. River was happy now, with a family—something no one could’ve foreseen. Only God had known his potential. If it hadn’t been for her friend, Emily never would’ve been strong enough to get River the help that he’d needed.
Emily owed her everything!
Cadence finally reached her with a happy cry. She enveloped Emily in a compassionate hug that always made her feel better. “You look so good!” Cadence exclaimed.
Emily nodded, trying to accept the compliment, though she hardly felt any confidence. What was left of it had been torn into shreds after meeting Lacy Lynch. Her heart was now racing like a freight train. Cadence would have to be made of stone not tofeelhow loud it was.
Instead of letting Emily go, Cadence squeezed her more tightly. Yeah, her friend was an absolute angel. Emily might chalk her friend’s sudden appearance up to luck, but it was absolute providence that their paths had crossed again. Already, she was starting to feel better.
Cadence pulled back from Emily, still clutching her arms while she studied her friend’s face. Emily was sure that her freckles were standing out with the redness in her flushed cheeks. She never could hide her emotions that well.
“You okay?” Cadence asked.
“Yeah, I’m fine.” Well, sheshouldbe fine. Anyone else would be—River definitely would. “It’s just I’m–I’m performing tonight.” She attempted a smile.
Cadence’s brilliant one made Emily’s feel more genuine. “You are? I finally get to hear you perform in public?” She squealed out in excitement. “Oh, Emily! We are so lucky. I can’t wait. Your voice is absolute gold!”
Emily ducked her head, trying to borrow from her confidence. “I hope so.”
Cadence stepped back, sweeping a hand over her shimmering gold dress. “Guess what? I’m working tonight, too. I’m keeping an eye on things here.” She winked at Emily. “I got senior associate at WhiteBoulder Private Equities.”
“Wow!” Emily was blown away. “You did it!” Cadence was the smartest one in their business classes. They’d both graduated only a year-and-a-half- ago, and to get a job at WhiteBoulder in the first place was amazing, let alone reach senior associate in so fast a time? Emily was so proud… and also a little worried. Poor Cadence worked for Lacy Lynch.
Cadence didn’t seem to have the same reservations about her boss. Smiling, she slid her brilliant gold designer purse across the counter. Emily jumped, then slapped her purse against the counter too. They were exactly the same.
“Love your purse,” Emily said. “I’ve got one just like it.”
Cadence laughed. “Copycat!” It was a common occurrence, since Cadence had introduced Emily to Bartonia Bags when they were freshmen.
Emily pulled her cellphone from her purse before handing off the designer bag to the man behind the desk. He slipped Cadence her number, so that she could retrieve hers later. Cadence waited for Emily to get hers before she took her by the arm. “What are you up to? I’m dying to hear how you’ve been. Where have you been hiding yourself?”
