The Preacher's Daughter

by Valerie Reyes

  He nodded and finally gave me a little smile.

  “Good luck with your research. I hope your surround sound project goes well,” I said.

  “Thanks, good luck with your music,” he said.

  I made my way out and when I looked back he was shaking Carol’s hand and thanking the band. The handshake was a good grip. His arm followed Carol’s rapid up and down motion.

  Chapter 9

  My flight the next day was a straight trip from Virginia to Savannah, Georgia. When I got to my flat I had a few messages on my machine and a pile of mail. Before I checked them, I wanted a shower in my own bathroom and a nap in my own bed.

  Once I was more relaxed, I went through the mail first. It was mostly bills and a few cards. I played through the messages. There were a few messages for studio sessions with some of my regulars. I had one call that stood out. It was a booking for a few small shows with a new band, and it had been left within the past week. The message said that it would be eight cities in one month and that a sample disc was in the mail for my consideration.

  I called back the studio sessions and booked them for the coming week. The mini tour message did not leave any contact information, so all I could do was see what came in the mail.

  After a few days, I held an unmarked disc from an envelope with no return address. The music was nice. It bordered on being something I would have expected to hear in a coffee shop, but there was something in the vocals that stayed with me. There were also some interesting choices in the instruments featured on some of the songs. The lyrics had good meaning, but could use a little work with some of the phrasing. Overall, there was something captivating about the music as a whole, so I was willing to take on the project.

  I just didn’t know who to get in touch with to accept. Then, a few days later I received another phone call.

  “Is this Brock Bowen?” a man’s voice asked.

  “Yes, this is he,” I replied.

  “Great! This is Marcus Springfield. I recently sent you a disc for a band I manage that is doing a small tour. We were hoping you would join us as back up. As you can hear from the disc, we need stronger backup vocals, particularly on this first tour. I understand you are one of the best in the business. That would give us a great leg up getting traction for the band,” he said, finally pausing.

  “It sounds very interesting, Mr. Springfield. I do like the sound of the band. They are a little rough around the edges, but I believe they show promise. Refining their sound and message will come with time. When can we meet?” I asked.

  “If you will take the project, I have been instructed to fly you out as soon as possible so we can re-record a copy of the album that is better suited to distribution. The tour would start in the next month,” Mr. Springfield said.

  I thought for a moment. He sounded really excited and energetic, but this band was moving fairly quickly. It looked like with rerecording and the tour I would be gone for a month.

  “Well, I just got back from a tour and I booked some studio sessions for this coming week. I could fly out the following Monday. Where would all this be taking place?” I asked.

  “Well, the recording and first performance is in Little Rock. After that, we will make the circuit of Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas, going back to Arkansas,” he said.

  “That sounds good. What is the name of the band?” I asked.

  “Sounds of Lawlessness,” he said. “We look forward to having you. I will get your initial plane ticket and a packet with your hotel information in the mail immediately. Have a great week.”

  He hung up the phone before I could respond.

  Chapter 10

  At the airport, there was a chubby man waiting there, holding a sign with my name. He seemed to recognize me. As I made my way toward him he tucked the sign under his arm and moved toward me as well, offering a smile and a wave.

  “Mr. Bowen, I’m Marcus Springfield. It is a pleasure to meet you,” he said, offering his hand.

  I grasped his hand and we shook hands heartily.

  “Nice to meet you as well. I look forward to meeting the band and working with you all. I don’t know that the band manager has ever picked me up. You all must be a fairly close-knit bunch,” I said.

  “We are. The band and I have known each other for some time. Our founder and lead singer has been a friend of mine since college, but he decided to focus on the tech and production side of things,” he said still smiling. “Let’s go get your luggage.”

  We made our way through baggage claim and to his car. He dropped me off at the hotel and invited me to join the band for dinner that night after I had time to rest. We would begin recording the next day.

  At the hotel I took a short nap, then showered and dressed for dinner. I wasn’t sure where they planned to go for dinner. I opted to wear my black slacks with my white silk shirt and dinner jacket. Even without the tie I did always catch some glances when I dressed up.

  When I went to the lobby I didn’t see Mr. Springfield. I waited a few minutes and no one came so I checked in with the woman at the front desk.

  “Yes, Mr. Bowen. A car has been sent for you. The driver should be just outside,” she said, smiling pleasantly.

  “Thank you,” I said, returning her smile and adding a nod.

  Outside the door, a man in a suit seemed to recognize me. He stood beside a nice luxury car and gave a slight bow, opened the door, and gave a wave of his hand for me to take a seat. I said a brief thanks and watched as he drove to the restaurant. Little Rock was a nice city. It was larger than I expected. I felt concerned about being underdressed, considering the driver service.

  We arrived at a place called Brave New Restaurant. The driver parked at the door and came to the back passenger side door to help me out of the car. Once inside a hostess asked if I had reservations.

  “I’m meeting a few people. It should be under Mr. Springfield or Sounds of Lawlessness, I imagine,” I said unsure if that was correct.

  She gave me a knowing smile and said, “Yes, you are with Mr. Lawson. Right this way.”

  “Mr. Lawson,” I said.

  As I followed her, more and more about the entire situation began to make sense. The name of the band and the name of his company. The mention of the change of direction in college. The lack of information provided with initial message and CD.

  Conner.

  As we reached the table I was unsure whether I was happy or angry. It was hard to be angry when I was in such a beautiful restaurant.

  “Alright, your waitress will be with you shortly,” the hostess said and returned to her podium.

  Conner stood as I arrived at the table, then came around to help me push in my seat. Once we were seated he didn’t leave much opportunity for me to speak.

  “You probably feel like I have tricked you, and I suppose in some ways I have. I do have a band and we do travel and play bars and small venues. I have no intention of making it anything larger than it is. I do want you to record with us and join us on our coming tour. You don’t want to date me, but I think that you really just need an opportunity to get to know me,” he said.

  “Conner, this is all really sweet and I appreciate the effort you made. You didn’t have to orchestrate all this with the tour and recording though,” I said.

  “Would you have talked to me otherwise?” he asked.

  “Well, I didn’t give you the apology you deserved before. I shouldn’t have let all my personal judgments affect our time together. Once I learned more about you I realized you were probably the opposite of everything I had known,” I said.

  “Are you saying I have a chance?” he asked, smiling.

  “I’m saying,” I paused to think, “I need to think.”

  He looked disappointed for a moment. Then, he looked at me with determination.

  “Okay, feel free to think, but I want to tell you I don’t need to think. Something in me sparked when I first saw you. A fire lit in me the night we were together and has fue
led more and more even as you’ve resisted me. Seeing you tonight, I know I won’t give up,” he said.

  His eyes were locked on mine and never broke our gaze. I cleared my throat and reached for my water glass. The waitress came to take our order and he waved her off before she could speak.

  “There is a lot that comes with this kind of relationship. I don’t know if you are ready for that,” I said.

  “I don’t care about that. I care about you,” he replied.

  “Besides, I don’t know if I could date a billionaire, you probably have to spend a good bit of time in the public eye,” I continued.

  “I’m just a man who works hard for a living and I avoid media as much as possible,” he said making his way around the table.

  “We live so far apart. There is a lot to think about if we were to have a relationship,” I said quickly.

  “We both travel a lot anyway. I would be willing to join you on your trips or fly you to meet me. Eventually we could agree on somewhere to live if you were willing,” he said, standing beside my chair and taking my hand.

  My mind was racing with all the things that could stand in our way. As quickly as I thought of problems, he had a solution.

  The waitress returned.

  “Two bottles of wine, one red and one white. Two of whatever the best item is on the menu tonight and two desserts,” he said to the waitress while still facing me. “Please tell the chef the order is for me and I would like it to go.”

  She nodded and returned to the kitchen.

  “Let’s take the food and everything to the hotel and we can continue to talk if you need more convincing,” he said.

  “Are you sure you don’t plan on using other methods to convince me?” I asked.

  He kneeled at my chair and kissed me. I knew immediately that I had missed his kiss. I no longer cared who might be watching and it was obvious he didn't either.

  “I have been holding myself back from so much and so many people. I have had all these opinions and observations and projected them on everyone I have come in contact with. I have been right in many circumstances, but how many times have I been wrong? I stopped so many relationships before they could even get started,” I said shaking my head.

  He still held my hands.

  “That could all change,” he said comfortingly.

  I thought a bit longer. I nodded to him.

  “Okay, let’s go to the hotel. I do want to talk though,” I said.

  “Absolutely,” he nodded.

  He sat in his chair, seeming more excited. I felt a bit excited as well. The things holding me back from Conner had been things I projected on him, and over time I would learn that all those things were not the way I perceived them.

  When our food arrived, Conner and I left the restaurant. He dismissed the car he initially hired for me. He led me to his SUV and opened the passenger side door.

  “This isn’t what I would expect for a billionaire,” I commented aloud.

  “I’m not what most people expect when they get to know me. I drive a normal car. I live in a three-bedroom house within driving distance of my hometown. When I’ m not working I play music with a band I started in college. We were making a name for ourselves locally before my first breakthrough with the Bluetooth adjustments. Each of the other guys had good things happen for them as well with work or family, so we still perform locally. I’m a normal guy. I like sports bars, video games, and want a home and family,” he said as he drove.

  “What happened with your fiancé?” I asked.

  “We dated all through high school. I proposed in college. It seemed like things were going well, eventually I realized I couldn't lie to her anymore. I came out to her three weeks before our planned wedding date. She eventually forgave me, and we are still friends today. She's married now, lives back home. I'm not out to the public yet of course.”

  I glanced to the young man at a nearby table with his cell phone camera trained on both of us.

  “Well, for the time being anyway.” Conner said with a laugh.

  I didn’t really know what to say. The rest of the ride to the hotel was in silence.

  When he parked the car he came around to my door and held it as I got out. He held the door as we walked into the hotel as well. When we reached my room, before I opened the door, I turned to face him.

  “I do like you. I like you more than I’ve wanted to allow myself to,” I said.

  “Well, that’s reassuring,” he said.

  “I’ve thought about you a lot,” I added.

  “You have been my only thought,” he replied.

  “Are you sure?” I asked.

  He kissed me once more.

  “I’ve never had a doubt,” he said.

  Born of Fire

  Chapter 1

  The circus was coming to Perri, and all the streets were abuzz with gossip and hype and excitement over the prospect. Ralph had never seen nor heard of anything that could get an entire town of twenty thousand people as excited as when the Barnabus Circus posted their fantastical, multicolored flyers around town and erected their huge harlequin tent in the fairgrounds.

  Every street cafe he passed, every group of gossipers on the street, and hell, even the local feed store clerks, everyone wanted to talk about the circus. “Did you hear, Old Barnabus got a new act for his circus. I heard it was a dragon!” “No, surely not a dragon. Dragons can’t be caught, much less tamed.” “Well, I’m sure there’s something unusual about Barnabus’ new act!”

  No matter who it was--someone was talking about the Barnabus Circus. Granted, this was nothing new. Every five years, the famous circus made its transit across the country of Yarn, setting up in any city that had enough people to make a stop profitable. Though they didn’t always set up in Perri, it was about the third time in Ralph’s living memory that they had.

  For as long as Ralph could remember, the Barnabus Circus was the end all, be all entertainment attraction in the entire country of Yarn. From sea to sea, a more fantastical show could not be found--or at least, that’s what the posters always advertised, and the carnival goers rarely, if ever, begged to differ.

  The sole reason that Ralph had to rely on hearsay for so many years to confirm whether or not the Barnabus Circus was all it was cracked up to be was due to the price. Being a farmer, the ten shillings that were asked for a seat was a bit too much for him to possibly ask his parents to spare for a simple night of entertainment. After years meticulously saving from odd jobs, though, Ralph finally could afford to go see what all the fuss over the circus was about, and he’d never been more excited.

  On the night of the circus, Ralph dressed in his finest, which wasn’t saying much. He had a clean flannel shirt that his mother had just made for him, and new brown cotton pants that had been carefully starched and creased. These were things that he would eventually break in on the farm, but they were new now, and that was all that mattered.

  Upon entering the city, he saw a veritable rainbow of elaborate dresses intermingled with dashing tuxedos and suits milling around the fairgrounds and funneling into the brilliant circus tent, everyone set aflutter with excitement for the evening. Ralph, though he was very much out of place in this crowd, confidently strode in. The chauffeur, a dapper looking fellow to be sure, gave him a quizzical glance, but ultimately led Ralph to his seat.

  Ralph didn’t let himself be too bothered by the strange gentleman, and instead allowed himself to splurge yet further tonight by buying some peanuts from a wandering vendor while he waited for the show to begin.

  “It looks like it’s true! There’s a real life dragon that will be shown today!” a woman’s voice from behind Ralph said. He moved a bit in his seat to look around the dirt pit that the circular stands of the circus were surrounding, but there was nothing there yet apart from some props. On the far side, however, there was a huge wooden door, painted with vibrantly colored question marks, suggesting that it was a mystery.

  “That’s just a rumor
, it hasn’t been confirmed,” a man’s voice replied to the woman, making Ralph even more anxious. He munched on the peanuts he had bought earlier until the tent fell silent when a rotund looking gentleman in a fine black waistcoat began walking from one of the side doors of the stadium to the center stage. The hush was so pronounced that Ralph felt like the noise from his cracking of the peanut shells was unacceptable, and so he stopped eating for the time being and paid attention to what was going on in front of him.

  “Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls! I welcome you to the twentith annual Barnabus Circus. I am your lovely host, Barnabus, and tonight I have a lovely treat for you all. Tonight, you will be astounded, astonished, and amazed! It has been three long and bleak years for the lovely people of Perri since last I graced your doorstep, but tonight! Tonight, my good people, your eyes will be treated to some of the most amazing, astonishing, wonderful, fantastical things that they have yet feasted upon! Three years, my good people, is all the time in the world for an old circus to pick up some new tricks. So please, sit back, relax, and enjoy the circus!” Barnabus said. Though a small man, his voice boomed in the tent, and everyone felt as if he were standing right next to them as he made his pronouncements. Not only that, but his sheer enthusiasm was almost a tangible thing, and Ralph felt his heartbeat increase as his excitement mounted. The crowd began to cheer, and Ralph was on the edge of his seat.

  In the pit where Barnabus stood, a fog began to roll in. This fog was not an ordinary fog, but it was a thick blue fog that soon swallowed up the pit into a faceless and featureless void of blue swirls. Ralph’s jaw dropped as he saw this fog envelop the pit, but soon a wind from seemingly nowhere dispersed the bluish smoke and a gaggle of harlequin clowns took the stage.

  Some clowns were on unicycles, one was riding a bucking bronco, still more were on tight ropes, but a general purpose soon emerged in this crazy mess. These clowns were on a mission to throw pies at one another, and soon Ralph was in tears laughing. Following this act were some gymnasts that did feats of flexibility and agility that defied the mind. Then were tightrope walkers and acrobats. Following that act were flame eaters, and so on and so forth. Ralph couldn’t even take his eyes off the performance long enough to fuss over his food, he was so entranced by the amazing and death defying stunts before him.