by Gail Meath
They arrived at Duke’s Club, and it was swarming with all the same people who had attended the funeral. The band was on stage, already playing tunes for everyone to enjoy. As they made their way to one of the front tables, they greeted and thanked everyone for coming. Then, they sat down to enjoy the music.
“Jax, this is the perfect tribute to Mister Beacham,” she told him. “He would have loved it.”
“Oh, there’s more to come, Laura.” Jax waited until the band stopped playing, then he stood up. “Don’t go anywhere.” He winked at her and joined the others on stage. But instead of retrieving his trumpet, he walked over to the microphone and waited until the room was quiet.
“Thank you all for coming here today to honor Horace Beacham,” he announced. “I didn’t know the man personally, but it’s obvious that he had a lot of friends who cared about him. I thought it would be very fitting for Laura to sing a special song for him today.” And he motioned for her to come up on stage with him.
Everyone started clapping. She was in disbelief and nearly in tears. But she stood up and joined him. “Why didn’t you tell me?” she whispered to him.
“Sing April Showers, Laura. You know the tune. I’ll accompany you on the piano in his stead.”
“You play the piano?”
He shrugged his shoulders and handed her the microphone.
She watched him in amazement as he sat behind the piano. As soon as he began playing, she chimed in, singing the beautiful song that was so perfect for the occasion. Slowly, she wandered over to be closer to Jax, keeping her eyes on his.
As soon as the tune ended, Jax got up and made his way over to her. He snatched her hand and pulled her into his arms in front of everyone. He gazed at her and ran the back of his fingers gently over her cheek.
She smiled at him. “You told me that you were out of surprises.”
“I have a few more up my sleeve,” he whispered. “Tell your mother to ready the couch. Ace and I are going to Millbury with you. I need a break from the glitter and lights, too, Laura. And I never want to lose you.”
He leaned down and kissed her with every passion in his heart. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer. And the crowd stood up and cheered.
The End
(That is, until the next book releases in early Spring, 2022)
A Special Note to Readers
https://www.gailmeath.com
Thank you very much for reading Songbird. I hope you enjoyed it. Usually, I write historical romance novels based upon the lives of heroic women and events in history. Originally, I intended this book to be based upon the true Broadway Butterfly Murders that took place in New York City in 1923-24.
Dorothy King and Louise Lawson were two not-so-famous actresses who were drawn away from their Broadway careers by a few wealthy businessmen who showered them with furs and diamonds. They were both killed separately a year apart, and their murders remain unsolved to this day. Back then, the newspaper headlines had read, “Who Killed the Broadway Butterflies?”
Yet, as I continued writing and researching the era, I had so much fun learning about the way of life on Broadway during the Roaring Twenties before the depression, my story ended up more lighthearted than I had expected, and it merely includes some fictionalized tidbits addressing the murders.
During my research, I happened upon a couple great videos that I wanted to share with you. The first one is a live video of Coney Island in the 1920s. What a hoot! The rides were none too safe back then! The second video is Judy Garland singing her 1959 rendition of April Showers, which was one of the most popular songs in 1923. And the last video is a taste of the jazz era that rocked and altered the music world forever in so many ways.
Canned Thrills at Coney Island in the 1920s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Wz5vZmU8Dc&t=47s
(Dusty Old Thing, 2/19/2019)
Judy Garland sings “April Showers” finale from “GE Theatre” 1956
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsfXi5BKkNo
(Entertainment Buff, 7/4/2011)
Original Memphis Five - Tin Roof Blues 1923
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43S1Yk5PMoU
(Bsgs98, 4/11/2012)
Thank you again for your time and interest! If you enjoyed Songbird, I hope you will take a moment to leave a review at your favorite retailer. I would greatly appreciate it! And please feel free to contact me on my website, Facebook page or by email at, [email protected].
All my best, Gail
Historical Romance Collection
AGUSTINA DE ARAGON (1803)
A true Spanish heroine during Napoleon War
COUNTESS JACQUELINE (1413)
Medieval based upon a True Story
FIRE BLOSSOM (1843)
Western in Texas
THE PERFECT SISTER (1904)
Murder-Mystery in New York
HOLBROOK MANOR (1910)
Western Murder-Mystery
PATH OF TREASURES (1852)
Murder-Mystery on the Erie Canal
FATEFUL STRANGERS (1785)
High-Seas Adventure
SCANDAL IN BOSTON (1848)
Murder-Mystery in Boston
