Song for a Cowboy (Kings of Country 2)
“I was hoping you’d say that.” He shook his head, the final strains of the
song putting an end to the highlight of his day. He didn’t want to say goodbye. He sure as hell didn’t want to let her go. “I was thinking about coming to a concert.”
“I might be able to get you a backstage pass. Watson will be glad to see you.”
“That’s nice, but I’m not coming to see Watson.” It was hard to escort her off the floor and back to her family. Everyone knew he’d been trying to leave for the last hour, so he couldn’t decide to stay now. But he paused, waiting long enough for her to give him one more lit-up-from-the-inside smile before heading out—carrying her warmth with him.
Chapter 12
Emmy Lou held the mic closer to Krystal, watching her sister’s fingers slide along the strings in time with Jace. With four shows under their belt, the two of them had turned the guitar solo into a guitar duel—and the fans loved it. As the roar of the crowd climbed higher, she and Travis exchanged a smile. Touring was exhausting, sure. And no matter how many hours of rehearsals and performances they put in, glitches happened. But as long as they kept the music going and their energy high, the fans were game for anything.
When Krystal and Jace paused, Travis said, “Finally,” and a ripple of laughter joined in the steady clapping. A smile passed among them as they started singing the chorus together.
Now, baby, when you kiss me, ooh-hoo.
Oh, I like the way you kiss me.
Once we start, don’t want to stop. Ooh-hoo-hoo.
And all I know is here we go. Ooh-hoo.
Back to the start, straight to my heart. Ooh-hoo-hoo.
No fighting this. No stopping fate.
Third time’s a charm. My heart can’t wait.
Even though this was their second encore of the night, the energy in the Coastal Shoals Civic Center hadn’t waned. Emmy, on the other hand, was wiped out. “Thank you, Raleigh, North Carolina,” Emmy Lou said, waving. “Y’all be safe going home tonight.”
The four of them took a bow and waved. But instead of leaving the stage with her siblings, Emmy Lou paused at a little girl who was waving a bright-pink guitar at her. She was sitting on her mother’s shoulders, smiling and hopeful. Emmy Lou made a beeline in their direction. As resistant as she’d been to her rhinestone-covered silver jumpsuit, it did take the fear out of crouching down on the edge of the stage.
“Hi, sweetie,” she said to the little girl. “What do you have there?”
The little girl was holding an inflatable pink guitar over her head. “It’s a guitar. Like Krystal’s.” She held it up, her smile revealing two missing front teeth. “It’s for you.”
Emmy Lou stared at the little girl, truly touched. “For me? Are you sure?”
The little girl’s mother nodded. “It was her idea. She wanted it because it was pink, and pink is your favorite color.”
Emmy Lou’s eyes were stinging. “I love surprise presents. And this one is extra special. What’s your name?”
“Valencia.” She smiled.
“Well, Valencia, I’d really love a picture with you, if that’s okay?” Emmy Lou asked Valencia’s mother.
Sawyer came out to help, lifting Valencia onto the stage with ease. He stood by, stony faced, until the pictures were done and carefully lowered her back to the concrete floor.
“Thank you.” Valencia’s mom smiled. “I know you hear this a lot but it’s real nice for young girls to have a role model like you. They’re hard to come by these days.”
“I appreciate that.” Emmy Lou waved goodbye. “And thank you, Valencia. It was nice meeting you.” But when she stood, the stage seemed to tilt, and her head was spinning so fast she wound up grabbing on to Sawyer’s arm.
“You good?” Sawyer asked, taking the inflatable guitar and leading her swiftly from the stage. “Em? You okay?”
It wasn’t the first time. “I just stood up too fast.” It wasn’t a big deal.
“You normally get dizzy from standing up too fast?” He wasn’t amused. “Come on.”
“Sometimes, yes. I’m a little dehydrated.” She patted his arm.