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Chapter Thirty-Four
He hadn’t come. For some reason, Emily thought that if he was going to show up in her life, that it would be at her Harvest Ranch concert.
Streamers flowed from the arch set up at the top of the stage. The summer sky had finally released its stubborn grip on the day, and the clouds darkened into the muted turquoise and emerald colors of the evening.
The upcoming light show would be nothing to nature’s performance, although everything about this experience was surreal. Emily never thought that she’d see the day of being the star attraction of a performance—she was so used to her brother taking center stage.
And still she couldn’t get herself to care. A few days ago, she’d actually called West to give him a piece of her mind. He’d just taken it, and when she was done telling him the kind of danger that he’d put his brother in, he’d simply asked when the wedding bells were.
Stupid West! He’d ruined that for them.
She’d hung up on Nash’s brother in a huff, still wishing that things would change, but if Nash didn’t come tonight? She’d know that he really meant for them to be through.
Emily’s fingers played with the ends of the curtain as she looked out at the happy gathering below. Families set up lawn chairs; friends out for a girls’ night chatted and laughed; and smiling women tugged along their boyfriends. She tried to bury her disappointment by trying to guess their stories. These weren’t just invisible consumers anymore, but real people who might actually turn up her tunes on the radio.
Some of these were friends she recognized from Harvest Ranch. Everyone seemed to be in good spirits. Before this, she’d never notice any of those details, only that the crowd kept getting larger and scarier. But thanks to Nash, she was excited to go out there—not that she particularly felt like she was made to be a country star, but at least she could make this fun. She let herself get carried away by the cheerful energy. Nash’s generous outlook on sharing her talents had been a game changer for her. Too bad she couldn’t tell him that in person.
She still kept an eye out for him, hoping against hope that he’d make it. The stress and frustration from the last few days of not seeing him made her burst out crying at the oddest times, and she just prayed that this wouldn’t be one of them.
The first opening band was wrapping up. BlueNecks was made up of a group of talented and energetic bluegrass singers. They dueled with banjos and harmonicas as they got ready to make way for a surprise performance from River Mackenzie.
River touched Emily’s arm and winked at her when she turned. “Guess they can’t wait to hear your new set list,” he said. “Either that or hear the latest gossip on your love life.”
Emily laughed uneasily. “Isn’t that the same thing?” These new songs she’d been working on were a little… personal.
River always did the same thing with Liv, so Emily supposed she shared more than River’s hazel eyes and dark hair. He was going to be the final opening act before she went on, and he wore his signature baseball cap with a casual white shirt and worn jeans and boots for his performance. He was still as handsome as ever, but there was a new inner strength that he carried. He looked more at peace with himself after casting off his wild side. He held up his powerful shoulders with confidence. Married life looked good on him.
“Man, sis, what were you thinking, getting into so much trouble?” he asked. “You’re a chip off the old block.”
She hugged her brother. “I try to be.”
“No, no.” He squeezed her tight. “Don’t be anything like me. Please! If you could listen to one piece of advice from me, it would be that.”
Emily kissed his cheek. “Oh please, you turned out great.”
“Not because of anythingIdid,” he said with a smile.
“You did plenty.” God worked a miracle on him, but River had become a willing participant the instant he saw her tears in the hospital when he’d almost died from that accident. It took a strong man to turn a one-eighty like that.
She hoped that Nash had that same strength, but he was up against so many obstacles. The video hadn’t come out yet, so did that mean what she thought it did? Was he working for Lynch and Trout now? She still wished that there had been a way to release that video herself without causing more problems—or been able to convince his brother to pull some strings to get Nash out. Nothing she had tried worked. But what if she’d done more?What if? What if?
Emily took a steadying breath. This was Nash’s decision. She had to trust him to make his own way. She just hoped that she could fit into whatever he made of that life when he was ready to see her again.
“You okay?” She noticed that River watched her closely.
She smiled. “I’m great. I’m ready for this.”
“I’ve been thinking and worrying and thinking…”
Here it was—the lecture about Nash. She braced herself. “Yeah? About what?”
“I feel like I might’ve pressured you into doing this. I wasn’t thinking, but… you’re not doing this for me or–or,”—River licked his lips—“for Mom and Dad?”
She gulped. “I’m not sure. I’ll let you know when I figure it out, but, well… all I can say is that I’m starting to like performing more, but is it what I want out of my life? It’s been pretty difficult at times.” Losing her privacy was traumatic. “I’m not sure how you do it.”
He rubbed her back. “It’s not always easy, and honestly, Emily, whatever you decide to do, I’m proud of you. I know Mom and Dad are too.” He kissed her cheek, and she felt the warmth of his words fill her. Her parents would be, wouldn’t they? They’d never put conditions on their love, though they’d always wanted the best for them. She nodded, feeling her relief spread through her senses as she realized that this decision was hers. Her brother must’ve felt inspired to remind her of that. “I bet they’re proud of you too,” she said.
“I hope so.” River stepped away, just as his wife came up behind them. She nudged him aside so she could get to Emily.
