“I can’t,” Kaylyn said. “I’ve got some more training with Jaris and Sugar, his new guide dog.”
Hank asked, “Jaris was Nicole’s former partner at the Chicago PD, right?”
She nodded.
Big Jim placed his guitar in its case. “Is Chance working with him, too?”
Everyone in town knew that Kaylyn had a big crush on the guy.
“Yes. He’ll be there, too.”
Mitchell admired her dedication to the blind. She’d provided some of the best guide dogs to people around the world. Would she be able to let that life go when their big break came? “How about tomorrow night? We’re supposed to play at Jena’s wedding. Are you ready for that?”
“Sure.” She picked up her purse from the counter where she’d left it.
He couldn’t believe his luck. Finding Kaylyn was going to change everything. “Kaylyn, you were amazing. Thank you.”
“I had fun.” She yawned as she dug through her purse. “I’ll bring my own keyboard with me tomorrow.”
“You will be going to Denver with us, right?” Hank asked her. “We need you for that gig.”
“Sure, fellas. I love singing, but you have to know that raising my dogs is my passion. That will always be first.”
Mitchell’s gut tightened. Now that he’d found the sound, would he be able to keep it if Kaylyn had other dreams?
“I’m happy being second if you sing with us from time to time.” Godric grinned. The guy fit in perfectly with all of them, and he was a great bass player, too. “You’re so talented, Kaylyn.”
Big Jim nodded. “She’s got the best pipes I’ve ever heard.”
After saying their good-byes, the band exited Mitchell’s garage just as his cell went off.
Who would be calling him this early? Everyone in town knows I played last night at the party. He looked at the name on his screen. Lucas.
“Why are you calling me this time of day?” he asked. “You know I don’t get up before ten after a gig.”
“Phoebe’s in trouble.”
His jaw clenched. She was his muse—always. Even after the breakup, he still pictured only her face during every song he played. She was the inspiration for the sound he’d finally found last night. “What kind of trouble is she in?”
“Her stalker is back. She needs us, Mitchell.”
“Where is she?”
“With me. I’m at her house.”
That was all he needed to hear. “I’ll be there in two minutes.”
“Perfect.” Lucas paused. “We’re going to get her back, Mitchell.”
He heard something odd in his brother’s voice that shocked him. He’d seen them on the sofa during Patrick’s speech. Had they spent the night together?
This was no time to let false hope derail him. Phoebe needed him. She was in trouble. That was all that mattered now. “You can fill me in on the rest when I get there.”
* * * *
Jason looked at the time on his cell and realized Shane was already five minutes late for their meeting.
Fuck. Same old Shane.