by Julie Blair
Jac held out her hand and Liz was there, linking her arm, keeping her promise not to leave her alone. Regan linked her other arm and they took several bows amid calls for more.
“Better get me offstage. You have a second encore.”
“Do ‘Mad Dash’ with us,” Liz said.
“You’re not going anywhere,” Regan said, pressing against her. Hands held her shoulders—Cassie and Sammy.
Jac’s heart lunged into her throat. The first song she’d played with Liz. She hadn’t practiced it with the band. She remembered the zip line, how it felt to stand at the edge of the unknown—freedom just a step beyond fear.
“It’s all about letting go and trusting those around you,” Liz said before stepping away.
She listened to Liz’s piano leadership, and to Cassie and Regan’s solid rhythm, and to Sammy’s sax as they started the song. Desire surged through her—desire to be part of this band. Putting the horn to her lips she joined in. Collaborating. Belonging. She poured herself into the piece. Letting go. Making it up in the moment. Trusting. It was glorious and then, all too soon, it ended. She’d improvised onstage. She couldn’t stop smiling.
Thunderous applause covered them. A wall of sound. Electric. Alive. Coating them with its energy. The vibration of it swept through her, lighting up her cells. Bringing her back to life as a musician. She’d forgotten what an audience’s appreciation felt like—a huge burst of joy. Liz and Regan put their arms around her waist, and she was encased by people who cared about her. She was loved and alive. She’d never forget this night.
“That was quite a comeback, Ms. Richards,” Liz said as they made their way backstage.
Gripping her trumpet, Jac fought back panic as people bumped her. Hands grabbed her. Voices everywhere. People called her by name. “Don’t leave me.” She clung to Liz’s elbow. She had no sense of where she was in the commotion, no way to protect herself.
“Never.” Liz stopped, put her hands on Jac’s waist, and pressed against her, orienting her. “We can sneak out if you want, but this is your moment, honey.”
“It’s our moment.” She was breathing fast and sweating. She hadn’t thought through to what would happen after the show. The press. Fans. She felt very blind and wanted to be home, in her recliner, in her—No. She wanted to be with Liz. She wanted to perform again. “Don’t let go.”
“Great set,” a man said, as he passed them. “Nice horn playing.”
“Jason Moran,” Liz said, humor in her voice. “A pretty nice welcome to jazz for you.”
Welcome to jazz. Exactly where she’d been heading a decade ago. A long detour, but she finally felt back on track. High on post-performance adrenaline, she was barely aware they were descending steps.
As they walked across the uneven ground in the warm evening air, cameras clicked and people called out to Ms. Richards or Ms. Randall. They stopped. Bodies were too close. Liz stood in front of her shoulder, shielding her. Jac kept her arm linked through Liz’s as questions were asked. Voices without faces. Hesitant questions at first, as if they didn’t know what to make of Jac’s performance. Then questions about the accident. Questions about whether she’d be returning to the classical stage. And finally, a male voice asked if they were romantically involved with each other.
“That’s enough for now,” Liz said, and then they were walking again. “I need to be somewhere I can kiss you.”
Jac raised her eyebrow. “That’s your department.”
*
Liz pulled over to the curb two blocks from Peggy’s. She needed a few more minutes alone with Jac before the celebration party. This day she’d been dreading for six months had become one of the best days of her life. Making love with Jac had been breathtakingly sensual and deeply renewing. The show had been the best performance of her life.
“Happy?” Jac asked.
“I’m so high I may never come down.” She cupped Jac’s neck and pulled her into a kiss, swirling her tongue in her mouth, breathing hard, her body vibrating with energy. “I want you to play with us full-time.” She rested her forehead against Jac’s and rubbed her thumb over the spot where it had been cut the day they met.
“I’m not at your level, love.”
“After tonight, that’s not a valid argument.” She kissed Jac again, soft and slow. Love surged through her veins, and her body hummed with euphoria and relief.
“I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to. Being onstage…I had no idea how much I missed it. Traveling and performing with a blind person isn’t as easy as—”
“There are a lot of ways you’re not easy.” Liz got the raised eyebrow she was hoping for. God, she loved this woman. “Blind isn’t one of them.”
“You really don’t mind, do you?”
“I mind that you were deprived of your sight. I mind that you lost your career. I mind that you’ve been in pain and alone.” Her throat closed around all the tragedy she wished Jac hadn’t been forced to endure. “I want us to be together in all ways.”
“Fused.” Jac took Liz’s hand and entwined their fingers. “Blended. Inseparable. Different styles that merge, becoming something entirely new. Like the music we make together.”
“Yes. We each have our own voice and we have a collaborative sound.” She squeezed Jac’s hand. “Then it’s settled.” Jac was quiet, the kind of quiet that meant something was wrong. “What?”
“If I play with you…” Jac’s jaw tightened and her face became hard.
“Yes, your name will get attention for a while.”
“You heard the questions tonight. Your set was brilliant. You’ve been playing brilliant jazz for years. They should have directed all their questions to those facts.”
“I’ve never cared about anything but the music. I want to play with you and to hell with what the press does with it. Now do you want to collaborate with me, Ms. Richards, or not?”
Jac tried not to smile. “Demanding band leader, aren’t you?”
“Yes. Don’t forget it.” A shiver ran through Liz. A déjà-vu feeling. They were going to do great things together musically.
“What about that last question?”
Liz took Jac’s mouth in a possessive kiss. “Yes, we’re romantically involved. End of quote.”
“You’ve talked it over with everyone?”
Liz snorted. “If I don’t convince you to join us, they’ll fire me.”
“Your dad?”
“He’ll have to come to terms with quite a few things.” She wasn’t looking forward to the conversation she needed to have with him about Jac. “Do you want to perform classical again?”
“I don’t think so, but when I’m with you, anything seems possible.”
“For me, too.” She kissed Jac again, startled when headlights flooded the interior. Hannah got out of her car and hurried toward them.
“Enough necking,” Hannah said. “Party can’t start without you.”
“You taking good care of my dog?” Jac asked.
“Front seat and we’re holding paws.” Hannah had insisted Max ride home with her, since he’d sat with her during the show. “I think I’m in love. He’s the perfect date. And I told you orange was his color.” She’d tied an orange bandana around his neck.
“We’ll be right there.” Liz took Jac’s hand in both of hers. “You’re in my heart. You’re in my music. I love you. I want to be with you for the rest of my life.”
“I love you with all my heart, Liz. I want you in my life always.”
She kissed Jac every way from tender to bruising, until finally she was afraid Hannah would come after them. “Let’s celebrate.”
She pulled through the stone gateposts and parked next to Roger’s SUV. When they reached the patio, she led them around tables to a cacophony of clapping and congratulatory shouts from family and friends. She stopped next to Hannah, and Jac knelt to pet Max. The band had not only survived, but it had a shining future. She had not only survived, but she had a future with the woman she lov
ed. She wanted to celebrate all of it.
“I’m so happy for you both,” Jac’s dad said, handing them glasses of champagne, probably expensive champagne, knowing Roger. “It looks like you’re very good for Jacqueline,” he whispered to Liz.
Jac’s mom wrapped her arms around both of them. “I’m so proud of you.”
Peggy’s gaze was glued to them, a huge smile on her face while she brushed tears from her eyes, the perfect mirror to the emotions swelling and surging through Liz.
She missed Teri, but it was a missing filled with peace and the sense of completion. Teri was here in spirit, and she had no doubt she was cheering Liz’s new life.
“To Up Beat,” Roger shouted, lifting his glass. When the group quieted, he said, “I’ve never heard a performance like you gave tonight. Knowing what you’ve all been through, your achievement is even more memorable. Here’s to your very, very bright future.”
When the cheers died down, Roger held up his glass again. “To my sister-in-law. Jac, your talent needs no mention, but your courage does. Here’s to your stunning return to the stage. May tonight be the first of many.”
Liz kissed Jac on her tear-dampened cheek as everyone cheered. A shiver shot through her. Not just Jac. Jacqueline Richards. She was going to make sure this was the first of many performances for her lover.
“My turn,” Liz hollered. “We’ve been asked to play a special show tomorrow evening on one of the other stages.” She’d been surprised and thrilled when Tim approached her after the set to request an encore performance.
Wild applause erupted. Regan, Sammy, and Cassie crowded around them, whooping and hugging and high-fiving. A band in all the best ways.
“I’d like to say a few words,” Liz’s dad said, stepping forward.
Liz glanced over her shoulder when Hannah squeezed it.
“Will he ever leave well enough alone?” Hannah asked, rolling her eyes.
“He deserves his moment.” He might be overly enthusiastic, but she owed this night as much to his years of support as she did to Teri’s foresight.
“I’ve never been more proud of my daughter than I am tonight. She’s fought her way back from tragedy and has earned this night of triumph.”
“Makes you sound like a gladiator,” Hannah said.
Jac blew out a snicker.
“I’m honored to announce that one of the top agents in the business, Malcolm Phillips, has offered to represent Up Beat. This time next year…”
Liz didn’t hear the rest of what her dad said as she dissolved into laughter. Jac’s face went from shock to anger, and then she joined in laughing. Her dad scowled at them. Peggy’s expression was priceless incredulity, and Roger just shook his head.
“How do you think that happened?” Liz asked Jac after another round of cheers died down and people dispersed to help themselves to the catered sandwiches and salads.
“Revenge for the interview I gave your friend, and a reminder he’s still around. I don’t care. Nothing could ruin this night.” Jac looked radiant. She’d come offstage with a mantle of confidence, like she’d reclaimed an essential part of herself.
“I need to talk to Dad. He needs to know about us.”
“If you’d rather wait—”
“No. I plan to be glued to your side all night.” So much love filled Liz’s heart it squeezed the air from her lungs.
“Don’t be long.” Jac kissed her hand. “I love you so much.”
“I love this smile.” She traced the precious half smile she’d never get tired of. Interrupting her dad’s ear-bending speech to Regan and Sammy, she led him toward the bench along the walkway to Jac’s.
“We did it, sunshine! Grandma would be so proud of you. Malcolm will have the contract to me in a couple of days and—”
“Malcolm Phillips is Jac’s ex-husband.”
He looked puzzled. “I didn’t know.” And then delighted. “Which confirms that he’s one of the best agents in the business.”
She put her hand on his arm. “He’s an unscrupulous scoundrel who’s caused Jac no end of trouble.”
After a minute, he said, “I’ll make other inquiries. After tonight’s show, we’ll have agents lining up to represent you.”
“Slow down, Dad.” There was no easy way to do this, and she hated throwing ice water on his enthusiasm. “I’m in love with Jac. We’re romantically involved,” she added, in case there was any doubt in his mind.
“You’re just infatuated with her fame and—”
“No, Dad. I love her.”
The confusion on his face was heartbreaking. “I don’t understand how you can love someone else.”
“I started listening to my heart. It’s capable of loving again. Yours can, too.”
“No.” He shook his head. “I’ll always love your mom.”
“We can’t keep Mom or Teri alive by refusing to let love capture us again,” she said, as gently as she could.
He leaned forward, elbows on knees, shaking his head. “I had my one true love. Like Grandma.” The usual pride in his voice had a hint of a crack. Kevin and Karen’s separation had hit him hard. “I’d be afraid I’d forget all the good times with her.”
“You don’t stop remembering. You make new memories to blend with the old.” She wasn’t giving up, but it wasn’t tonight’s battle. “I want you to be happy, Dad.”
“Watching you get your dream makes me happy. We need to add gigs to your tour.”
“I’ve asked Jac to join the band full-time.”
He was quiet for a moment, and then nodded. “That’s good for the band.”
“And for me.”
He studied her, as if searching for something, and then looked away. “I only want what’s best for you.” He fiddled with the buttons on his sport coat. It seemed too big on him, like the last year had worn him away. “You know that, don’t you?”
“Of course.”
“Is there going to be a place for me? With the band?”
The uncertainty in his voice tugged at Liz’s heart. Yes, he’d made mistakes, but hadn’t they all? “You’ve always been part of the band and always will.” She hugged him for a long time, certain of his love.
Sammy met them on their way back to the patio. “Hey, Pops. Let’s get you some food. You’re at my table.”
“Thank you,” Liz mouthed to him.
Jac stood and pulled back the chair next to her as Liz approached the table where she sat with her family, Max lying beside her.
She always knows where I am. Jac’s attentiveness was one of so many reasons she loved her.
“Drink up, love.” Jac slid a glass of red wine toward her. “It’s—”
She clamped her hand over Jac’s mouth. “I don’t want to know how expensive it is. I just want to enjoy it.” She put her arm around Jac and kissed her. She tasted of wine and love, and she couldn’t get enough.
“Welcome to our family,” Jac’s mom said, a huge smile on her face. “Will you come for another visit soon?”
“We’ll be on tour the next few months,” Jac said, her voice full of pride as she explained she’d be joining the band.
Peggy leaned close. “I’ll stop saying this someday, but you two make a beautiful couple. You were my first choice for sister-in-law.”
“I love you and Roger almost as much as I love Jac. You gave me reasons to laugh again. You let me come back to life.”
“You brought Jac back to life, and I’ll always be grateful.”
Jac stood and held her hand out to Liz. “May I have this dance?”
“Did you sneak this into the mix?” A medley of jazz standards had been playing.
“Of course.” Jac’s eyebrow went up.
“Are you always going to be so romantic?” She melted into Jac, into her confident lead, as Frank Sinatra’s voice crooned out “Just In Time,” the song they’d danced to in Hawaii.
“Yes.” Cheek to cheek, they moved in a lazy circle that covered no distance and all the distance in t
he world, from alone to coupled. “I miss that dress you were wearing the night we danced in Hawaii. All that bare skin. Mmm.”
“I miss your hands on my skin.” The flame of arousal that had been simmering all night became a hot burn.
“Soon, love. Soon. Anticipation makes it sweeter.” Jac’s breath warmed her cheek as she hummed the melody and Sinatra sang the prophetic lyrics about being rescued by love just in time.
Liz shifted so Jac’s thigh was between hers and felt Jac smile against her face. She sucked in a breath, and her heart skipped beats when Jac pressed into her sex. The thin silk pants they both wore made it feel like skin on skin. She scraped her mouth across Jac’s cheek, and the rest of the short dance was one long, heated kiss.
“My turn with Jax,” Hannah said, stepping next to them when a new song began. “Go rescue Dad.”
Liz could barely force herself to let go. Everything felt right in Jac’s arms. When she opened her eyes, her dad was watching her. He looked away, but not before she saw the confusion on his face. She went to him, tugged him from his chair, and danced with him. She wanted to tell him it could be Rebecca in his arms. She hoped one day it would be.
Everyone wanted to dance with her and everyone wanted to dance with Jac. It was well after midnight before the party wound down. As she made her way back to Jac, Regan and Sammy intercepted her. “We’re taking off,” Regan said, her arm around Vicky’s waist. She looked happier than Liz had ever seen her.
“You played like…” Liz shook her head as her throat tightened. She hugged Regan for a long time, and even better, Regan hugged her back. “Meet us here at noon tomorrow. Peggy’s fixing lunch for us.”
“I wasn’t sure about…” Regan shifted her weight and put a hand in her pocket, but kept Liz’s gaze. “What Teri did. Setting us up for the festival. But we’re going to be okay, yeah?”
“We’re all going to be okay.” Monday was the one-year anniversary of Teri’s death. It wouldn’t be an easy day to get through, but Teri’s death wasn’t the lighthouse in her emotional life any more. She had someone she loved, who loved her in return.
