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"It is. Oh, my God, it's her!"
In walked Lily McCord, a country music star and native of Cold Pines. She wore cowboy boots, a flannel shirt, and a smile that could outshine arena lights.
Barb handed her a wireless mic. “Evening, y'all!" Lily shouted. The crowd erupted in cheers and applause.
“Was this your doing, too, Hoss?” I asked. It was already a mind-blowing evening, and Lily’s appearance ratcheted up the intensity one more notch.
He chuckled. "Hey, even I can't work this kind of magic."
Lily spotted me as she worked her way through the crowd. When she reached me, she hugged me like I was a long-lost friend.
“Pete, my friends tell me you’re a miracle worker. I don’t mean your players are slouches, but you’ve turned them into champions. You're making this little town proud," she said, her eyes twinkling.
"We're doing our best," I replied, still a little starstruck.
"Well, I watched one of the games on the road, and let me tell you, my tour bus was rockin' when you guys won.”
Taylor edged closer to us. His eyes were as big as saucers. "You watched our game? That's insane!"
Lily chuckled. "Well, I’ve got a little soft spot in my heart for local heroes.”
Hoss decided to seize the moment. "Since we've got the queen of country here, what do you say to a little live performance, Lily?"
She quickly scanned the crowd before settling back on Hoss. "You get me a guitar, and you've got yourself a deal."
As if on cue, someone from the crowd produced a guitar. Hoss helped her onto a table, and five people held on to ensure no one got hurt.
Lily strummed a few chords, getting a feel for the instrument, before launching into one of her hits. Her pure, resonant voice filled the bar.
While she sang, I watched my team—my chosen family—as they took in the impromptu performance. Some sang along, a few swayed, and others simply stared, awestruck.
The night transcended my wildest dreams for community connection with our team. I didn’t have a hand in any of it, and I knew I couldn’t plan it better if I tried.
As Lily hit her final note, the room erupted into applause so thunderous it felt like the walls of Dave's might come crashing down. She hopped off the table, guitar in hand, and took a bow.
"Well, Cold Pines, never forget where you came from, 'cause it shapes where you're going," Lily said, her words simple but powerful.
Leaving us with those words, she returned the guitar to its owner, hugged Hoss and me, and found her way to the exit, leaving as unceremoniously as she had arrived.
“This night’s going down in the history books," proclaimed Waller.
The crowd started to shrink, but I could still feel the energy. As I looked around at the players, I saw a few yawns.
I needed a breather, so I slipped outside, craving a moment of solitude in the crisp night air.
"Pete, got a second?" Jensen emerged from near the entrance, holding two beers.
"Yeah, of course." I took the beer he offered, and we both leaned against the outside wall of Dave's. The night was cool, but the beer was colder.
Jensen took a sip, then looked at me. "You know, I've always been a skeptical bastard. Always waiting for the other shoe to drop."
I laughed. "Well, this game can be brutal. It teaches us to be cautious."
"But you, man—you're turning me into a believer," he continued, his eyes focused somewhere down the empty street.
I looked over at him and felt the weight of the admission. "I take it that's a good thing?"
Jensen chuckled. "Yeah, it's a good thing. You've built something here, Pete. We’re not just a team. We’re a family now. Hell, even the town's in on it. I’ve got Waller on my Christmas card list. How'd you pull it off?"
