She tried to focus on Ford once more.
“The thing I need my wife to know, as well as all of you, is that we have not lost...as long as someone is still fighting. I am praying for a cure for this disease, but I doubt it will come in time for me.” Ford gripped the mic, his gaze sweeping the audience. “But if you fight for me, after I cannot fight for myself, then I believe that one day...we will win.” He gave a nod, as if approving his statement. “Thank you.”
The crowd was on its feet once more, but Rory couldn’t move. She sat in her seat, tears streaming down her face, and wished there was some way to get through to Sawyer, to let him know that she wouldn’t give up on him, that she was strong enough to go through this with him.
Why had he asked her to attend today’s concert? Why had he gone to the trouble of a front-row seat? Did he want her to witness these testimonies? Was he trying to drive his point home on why he’d broken up with her again? If he thought this would scare her away then how little he knew her. She wasn’t afraid of the future. She was afraid of losing whatever time she had left with him.
She rode a roller coaster of emotion for the next hour, the personal stories bringing tears to her eyes and the music lifting her spirits. Sawyer made a couple of appearances during the concert, performing several duets with the other artists there. But he never held the stage for long, and she grew restless each time he disappeared again. What was she doing here? She believed this concert was a good thing, and she was enjoying it. But why subject herself to the frustration of seeing Sawyer when she didn’t even know why he’d asked her to come? Did he have any idea how hard this was, to see him and know he’d decided they couldn’t be together?
As the concert began to wind down, she grew even more restless, wondering if Sawyer planned to seek her out after it was over or if she should just head home. Perhaps she should duck out early, before the end. That way there would be no awkwardness or uncertainty.
But just as she had nearly made up her mind to leave, the man from the Alzheimer’s association announced the final song of the event. He introduced Sawyer once more, but to her astonishment it wasn’t just Sawyer who took the stage. Her jaw dropped as the kids from the youth center trailed behind him on their way to the front. They were all smiles as they zeroed in on her. It was obvious they knew where she was sitting and had been eager for this moment. And it was clear to her Sawyer had something else planned.
She leaned forward in her seat, her heart humming with hope. No way was she leaving the concert now.
CHAPTER TWENTY
SAWYER DIDN’T USUALLY experience a lot of nerves anymore when he performed. But today, he was twisted into knots as he made sure the youth-center kids each took their place. He couldn’t look in Rory’s direction, but from the way the kids were beaming toward the audience, he knew she was still out there.
It was only after they were all assembled, and his band took up their instruments, that he grabbed the microphone and looked for Rory.
“First of all, I want to thank you all for coming out and being a part of this event with us. As someone who has a personal link to Alzheimer’s, I can’t tell you how grateful we are for your support.”
The words fired up the audience and a round of applause swept through the crowd. He raised his hand to quiet them, and gradually, the enthusiasm died down.
“I’d also like to share my heartfelt thanks for each of the artists who performed here today. They’ve given their time and talent to this event to raise awareness and funds for a worthy cause. I’d especially like to thank my friends here onstage.” He gestured to the kids from the youth center. “These are some of the most talented kids I’ve ever met, and they’re doing the honor of joining me in the last song of the evening.”
More applause. Though his gaze had jumped around the audience, it kept coming back to Rory. She sat still and attentive in her seat, her focus unwavering on him. It gave him a boost of confidence. He cleared his throat.
“There’s one more person I’d like to thank for being here.” He shifted his guitar in front of him and strummed a few notes out of habit. “Not everyone is fortunate to have a champion in their life, someone who roots for them, cheers them on and believes in them no matter what.” He drew a breath and let all of his attention fall on Rory. “I have been unbelievably blessed to have just such a person in my life.” His fingers traced over the guitar strings, and behind him, his band played a few introductory notes.
“Rory Callahan.”
Her eyes widened as he said her name.
“You were right. About everything.” He felt a ripple of emotion, and he struggled to keep his voice even. “I’m afraid,” he admitted into the microphone. The rest of the audience didn’t matter. They fell away from his peripheral vision as he kept his attention on the only person he cared about in that moment. “I’m afraid of the future, of what might happen. But I’m more afraid to face it without you. You’ve always known that I speak better with music than I do with words. So that’s why I wrote this song. For you.”
He launched into the song’s intro, shifting his focus for a moment to make sure the youth-center kids knew their cue.
I’m not too proud
I can say I was wrong.
I can’t live this life
Without you along.
I don’t know the future,
I can’t see what’s ahead.
But I know I want you,
I can’t leave this unsaid.
The music lifted toward the chorus, the youth-center kids joining in with a background of echoing melody. He could feel the energy radiating from them, their pride in being part of what he was trying do here today, both with the Alzheimer’s foundation and with Rory. Especially with Rory. When he’d told them his plans, they were eager to contribute.
So I’m starting to believe
And I’m learning to crawl.
Because of you I know
Love does conquer all.
Times will get tough,
Without a doubt, I know.
But you’re the only one
Who will never let go.
He couldn’t look at Rory anymore. He feared if he saw her reaction, he’d break down before seeing the song through. He launched into the second verse.
Love has no explanation,
And I can’t figure it out.
But when I’m with you
I don’t worry about
How things will end up,
Or how things will be.
In the end, all I know is
I want you and me.
There were tears in his eyes as he reached the bridge, and he was grateful for the voices of Jamal, Kenesha, Zara and the other kids backing him up.
Sometimes love gets buried
Beneath a pile of hurt and fear.
But time marches on
And makes everything clear.
Fear is a power
That love can defeat.
No matter what happens—
Fear can’t compete.
He returned to the chorus, still not ready to look at Rory again. What if his words came too late? What if he’d wounded her too irreparably by pushing her away? But he had to trust that she knew his heart, that she could forgive him for letting the fear infect him as it had. He wrapped up the song by repeating the last lines of the chorus.
Times will get tough
Without a doubt, I know.
But you’re the only one
Who will never let go.
He strummed the last few chords, and the echo of the music faded. He stood there, his face lowered for several breaths. The world had fallen silent. He could almost believe everyone had already departed. But when he finally lifted his head, they were all still there. His gaze
swept the crowd and then, at last, came to rest on Rory.
She was standing while the rest of the crowd remained seated. His heart stopped.
“Rory,” he said. It didn’t matter if the microphone picked him up or not. Things were so quiet that he knew she’d hear him from her position in the front row. “I love you. Don’t give up on me.”
And then she was moving. He tracked her with his eyes as she came around the front of the stage. She was barefoot, but her steps were fast and determined. The security personnel stepped back to let her through as she ran up the steps. Sawyer shifted his guitar behind him, and the kids parted as she passed.
And then, she was in his arms, her lips finding his. In some distant part of his brain, he was aware of cheers from the crowd and shouts from the kids. But all he cared about was Rory, and the feel of her, and her forgiveness. They kissed long and hard, finding each other all over again in their embrace.
When they finally pulled apart, he traced his knuckles down her cheek and then reached in the pocket of his jeans, pulling out the ring he’d chosen years ago and had held on to for so long.
“Rory Callahan, will you do me the honor of standing by my side, for better or worse, in sickness and health...as my wife?”
Tears shimmered in her eyes, but her smile was bright.
“I thought you’d never ask.”
Then she pulled his lips down to hers as the crowd erupted into thunderous applause, and Sawyer knew that despite what the future held, everything that mattered was right there in his arms.
EPILOGUE
One year later
SAWYER HELD ONTO Rory’s hand, only vaguely aware of the cameras aimed on his face. He was far too busy enjoying how beautiful his wife was in her designer gown of deep red satin with lace overlay. His simple black suit and tie with a red vest that matched her dress was sure to put them on a few fashion blogs’ best-dressed lists tomorrow. When designers had learned how he was being honored at tonight’s awards show, they had clamored for the opportunity to dress Nashville’s latest A-list couple. But fashion had become the least of his and Rory’s concerns in the last year.
Following their autumn wedding, they’d thrown themselves into the dual work of promoting his new album and funding the nonprofit they’d established for patients and families dealing with Alzheimer’s. Rory had found new purpose as his partner in philanthropy, and most days, she worked harder than he did as she lobbied for funding, not only for their own charity, but also others, including the Harbor House Youth Center back in Maryland.
They made the visit back home as often as they could, usually at least once every four weeks, to check in on their family and friends. But Rory also worked to make their Nashville house a home so that in the midst of their breakneck schedules, they still had a haven to return to where they could shut out the rest of the world and be together for a couple of days at a time.
“You’ll know him not only for his gold-certified single, ‘Rory’s Song,’ but his extensive work with charities and families dealing with Alzheimer’s across the nation.”
Rory slid a glance his way at these words, and he squeezed her hand. He accepted the awards and accolades because they served to bring more awareness to the disease. But in truth, he had found he was happiest just making music and focusing on his wife.
“Are you paying attention?” she whispered to him, her voice low.
“Only to you,” he replied and managed to drop a kiss onto her jaw as their heads bent together.
She gasped and pulled back slightly. “Sawyer, remember that we’re on camera.”
“We’re nearly always on camera,” he replied. “If I waited for them to pan away from us, I’d never get to kiss you.”
She grinned, not bothering to challenge him.
“Well, you’re about to be called up onstage so pull yourself together, mate. The sooner we finish here, the sooner we can board the plane for our long-overdue honeymoon,” she reminded him.
He released a happy sigh at the thought, and it was those words that propelled him from his seat as his name was called to come to the stage and accept his award for Humanitarian of the Year. As he walked the aisle to the steps leading to the platform, he tried to reassemble his thoughts, preparing for his speech.
He accepted the plaque honoring his efforts and then stepped to the microphone, focusing his attention on the audience.
“Thank you so much for this honor you’ve all bestowed on me tonight. I am humbled by the recognition and appreciation.” He drew a breath. “But I should remind you that I’m just one person in a world of families struggling with Alzheimer’s. And I’m one of the lucky ones. While my dad is afflicted with this disease, he still has far more good days than bad ones. My brother, after having tested for the mutant genes that cause early onset Alzheimer’s, learned that he does not have the DNA that causes EOA. His diagnosis gives me hope, even as I’ve chosen not to be tested myself. Not all families are this fortunate.”
The lights were practically blinding, but he still searched the crowd to find Rory. And there she was. He glimpsed her in the first few rows, beaming with pride.
“You all know my wife, Rory. My single ‘Rory’s Song’ was written for her at a time when I feared Alzheimer’s might take everything from me. I never feel quite right standing up here, accepting an award, when I know the truth—Rory is the one who deserves the accolades. She’s a talented musician in her own right, and she still performs occasionally. Yet she spends most of her time helping others...and supporting me.”
Rory had shifted in her seat, and he couldn’t quite make out her expression now with so many lights in his face.
“Rory is at the heart of everything I do because without her unwavering faith and steadfast love, I wouldn’t be able to keep making music. Rory, sweetheart, would you join me up here?”
There was a hush in the audience, and he sensed that Rory had hesitated. But then, the applause started, and he knew she was making her way to the front. He caught sight of her as she walked the aisle, finding her way to the steps that led to the platform. He stepped back from the podium and added his own applause to the rest of the auditorium’s.
As she reached the stage, he moved forward to take her hand and draw her back toward the mic with him.
“Ladies and gentlemen, my wife, Rory Landry.”
The applause became deafening as the audience swept to their feet. Rory was blushing and shooting daggers in his direction. She never liked being the center of attention in situations like this, but for once, he couldn’t resist. He owed her too much and loved her too well to let her escape recognition yet again.
He drew her into his arms, with the entire audience watching, as she whispered in his ear, “You’re going to pay for this, cowboy.”
He felt her shiver in his arms and whispered back, “Well, here’s to having a lifetime together for you to take your revenge.”
And though neither of them could guarantee the future, he knew that however much or little time he had, they were going to spend every minute of it together.
* * * * *
If you loved this book, you’ll enjoy
the first book in the miniseries
A FINDLAY ROADS STORY,
HARPER’S WISH
And be sure to check out these
other titles by Cerella Sechrist:
GENTLE PERSUASION
THE PARIS CONNECTION
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Keep reading for an excerpt from HER TEXAS REBEL by LeAnne
Bristow.
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Her Texas Rebel
by LeAnne Bristow
CHAPTER ONE
“YOU DON’T WANT to do this.” Tony Montoya took a step forward, despite the gun pointing at his chest. His own weapon remained tucked in his holster. In eight years on the San Antonio police force, he’d only drawn it a handful of times.
A Song for Rory Page 24
