My heart beat hard in my chest, but I took a few deep breaths to calm my nerves. I could do this.
We all stepped up onto the platform, and a man I didn’t know started in on a long introduction, talking about Everett Davis. He had an impressive list of accomplishments leading up to opening the beautiful building behind me.
Mr. Davis took the microphone and said a few words, mostly thanking people. Talked about his vision, and his hopes for the future. He was a good speaker—held the crowd’s attention quite well.
“Now for the moment I’ve been waiting for,” he said. “When I discovered the artwork of the young man standing next to me, to say I was impressed would be a vast understatement. I understand architecture and design, but Jameson Bodine understands beauty. I was fortunate enough to commission a piece from him, and I have to say, it blew all my expectations out of the water. And they were high expectations.”
He signaled for the sculpture to be uncovered. I watched, my heart hammering, palms sweating, as two men pulled the canvas sheet down.
A collective gasp rippled through the crowd, followed by a low murmur of sound as people reacted to her.
“It’s my great pleasure to introduce you to the artist of this remarkable piece, Jameson Bodine.”
The crowd applauded, and Mr. Davis gestured for me to take his place behind the podium.
I swallowed hard and blew out a quick breath. My stomach was queasy, but I squared my shoulders and stepped up to the microphone.
And then I saw her.
Leah Mae moved closer to the platform, slipping her way through the crowd of onlookers. Her hair was in a loose braid, hanging over one shoulder. She wore a pretty yellow dress with a chunky turquoise necklace and her favorite cowboy boots.
She smiled and winked, then tugged on her ear twice. Our signal. She’d done that for me back when we were kids, anytime the teacher made me get up in front of the class. I’d focused all my attention on her, forgetting anyone else was looking at me.
I grinned back at her, doing the same thing now.
“Hi,” I said, and the speaker cracked. I turned to the side and cleared my throat. “I’m Jameson Bodine of Bootleg Springs, West Virginia. I have to admit, speaking in public is not my biggest strength. I tend to prefer to stay behind the scenes and let my work speak for me.”
I paused and glanced over at my sculpture. I hadn’t planned to say much, but I looked back at Leah Mae, and the words poured out.
“I’d planned to make something different. But after seeing something on TV, this image came into my head. It was a woman. Someone I used to know. And she’d always been happy and smiling with a light in her eyes like summer sun glinting off the still waters of a mountain lake. But this time, when I saw her, the light was gone. And I couldn’t stop thinking about how she looked like an angel to me. But not an angel who was free to fly. Like a caged animal in an old-fashioned circus, being made to do tricks.
“So, I took a chance and followed my vision. I’d never created anything quite like her before, and truth be told, I wasn’t sure I was capable. But I guess when a man is as inspired as I was, there’s not much that can keep him from seeing it through. In any case, I’m glad y’all like it. It means the world to me.”
Stepping back, I nodded, and the crowd erupted with applause. But I hardly noticed they were there. All I could see was Leah Mae. Her wide smile. Her eyes shining with tears.
Mr. Davis shook my hand again and stepped up to the microphone. I wasn’t too sure what else was said. A few more words, a few more people to thank. Then we stood for photos, and after what seemed like an eternity in the fires of hell, I was finally free.
Leah Mae waited near the sculpture, her head upturned. She looked toward me as I approached her. I wasn’t sure what I was supposed to do. Run up and scoop her into my arms? Kiss her? Walk slowly so I didn’t scare her off?
“Hi,” she said.
“I didn’t think you’d be here.”
She tucked her hair behind her ear and nibbled on her bottom lip. “I wasn’t sure if you wanted me.”
“Oh darlin’.” I stepped closer. “I want you more than anything in this world.”