by Mandy Baggot
‘I own stock. That’s nothing like the same.’
She pulled open the lid, parted the paper wrapping and there was her favorite guitar from Instrumadness. The limited edition Takamine 2011 with the Japanese fish embossed on the body and the gold details on the neck.
‘Someone bought you the freaking Takamine you always play.’ Mia stated, standing up and staring over the box next to her friend.
‘A stalker,’ Honor stated.
‘A rich freaking stalker.’
On auto-pilot, she reached into the box and lifted the guitar up and out, her hand strong on the neck. She slipped the strap over her head and moved her fingers up the fret board. She started playing, moving her fingers up and down the strings as the original tone of the guitar rode through her.
‘There’s a card. Holy crap, your stalker might have signed off on this one.’
Honor stopped playing but before she could react to Mia’s words her friend had snatched up the card.
‘“Because every note means more than ever. With all my heart – Jared”. Oh I’m sorry. Here, pretend I didn’t read it.’ Mia held out the note.
Honor’s whole body reacted immediately, every muscle relieved, every sinew loosened. Jared had bought her the guitar. The guitar she’d been playing the day they first met.
‘Wow. I’ve never seen you look like that.’
‘Like what?’ She looked up at her friend.
‘All mush. Like a whole heap of candy canes. Like a big pink marshmallow of puff.’
‘I do not.’ She giggled.
‘It’s official. You have it bad for the bad boy and by the looks of things the feeling’s mutual.’
She couldn’t help the smile broadening.
‘Now all you need is some more quality alone time without a guitar or a momma between you. Shall I call the Vanderbilt and book you a room?’ Mia suggested.
‘No! And sit still, your nails aren’t dry!’
Chapter Thirty Eight
The doorbell rang and this time she knew exactly who it was. She brushed her hands down the front of her dress, then picked up her purse from the kitchen island. Trying to walk straight in her new too-high shoes was a challenge, but she made it to the door and, with one quick check in the spy hole, she opened it to Jared.
‘Oh.’ She couldn’t help the sound escaping because he looked so different. The cap was still on, but he was wearing a black waistcoat over a white shirt and smart black jeans.
‘What? Don’tcha think a Southern boy can scrub up when he puts his mind to it?’
She smiled and reached for his hand. ‘I got the guitar. It’s the most beautiful thing … but you knew I felt like that about it, didn’t you?’
‘That day we first met, you never took your hands off it once.’
‘That’s how I want us to be,’ she whispered, squeezing his hand.
He pulled her to him and found her lips with his, placing a feather-light kiss there. He stepped back, looking her up and down.
‘Look at you. You’re an angel.’
The dress was full-length, in a pale sea green shade covered in white lace. It smoothed across Honor’s curves and reached the floor. A side slit to mid-thigh made it easier to move in.
‘And you have your hair up,’ Jared remarked. He caressed her cheek with his thumb, then moved down to her neck, making her skin prickle.
‘Because I’m not afraid of who I am now.’
She smiled at him. She meant every word. This was her time to come out of hiding. To grab life by the horns and wrestle with it. She had everything she’d ever wanted, her career back, the chance to sing and share her music with the world, and Jared, a man who loved her just as she was.
He took hold of her hand and brought it to his lips. ‘Your limo is waitin’ right over there.’
‘A stretch? Gear got us a stretch? I never had a stretch once with Micro!’ she exclaimed as excited as a child.
‘D’you wanna do the walk down the line together?’ Jared asked en route.
He didn’t like all the interviews the award ceremonies entailed but it was part of the job. If he did it with Honor they could take turns to answer questions and hopefully bring it all to a speedier conclusion.
‘Is that allowed?’
Jared laughed at her. ‘You’re talkin’ to the lord of rule bendin’ right here.’
She giggled and hit him with her sequin purse.
‘I just want to get you to myself before the whole circus of the night takes over. I’m second on the bill so I’m not gonna be able to sit with you ‘til the break.’
‘I know. It’s OK. Mia will keep me company, or at least scream in my ear the second she sees Byron.’
‘He’s gone a little rock star on me. His solos are getting longer and longer. Real soon there’ll be no lyrics at all. That’s what happens when you’re tryin’ to impress a girl.’
‘Is that right?’ Honor smiled then looked out the window as the auditorium come into view.
There it was. The spectacular building that housed so much country history and outside it was a press pack of mammoth proportions.
‘Is somethin’ up? D’you wish you were gettin’ up on stage tonight?’
‘No. I didn’t expect to be nominated. That all got voted on months ago before I even came back.’
‘Then?’
‘I’ve not been to Alabama before, not even toured there.’ She let out a sigh and turned to look at him.
‘This is nerves about meetin’ my mom?’ he guessed.
‘I know. Dumb, right?’
‘Was it me mentionin’ the dance dress? Because she actually hasn’t got that out for a little while.’
She allowed herself a small laugh but it wasn’t heartfelt. She didn’t want to feel like a spare part and that was more to do with her than the way she thought Jared’s family would be with her. They could be as welcoming as the woman paid to do it at Target, it didn’t guarantee she’d know how to react the right way.
Jared took her hands, laying his grey eyes on hers as the car came to a stop. ‘Let’s do this walk of fame thing and then we can talk about recipes you’re gonna be tested on.’
She hit him with her bag again. ‘Stop it!’
‘ … and here we have country Southern rock sensation, Jed Marshall and the gorgeous, super-talented, Honor Blackwood. You’re looking beautiful tonight, Honor, who’s the designer?’ the interviewer quizzed, poking out a microphone, her cameraman at her shoulder.
She had no idea. Why didn’t she have any idea? She’d done this before; she should have known what they would ask. She let out a consolation noise as she desperately racked her brain for something. ‘I got it … ’
‘I bought the dress,’ Jared answered. ‘No idea who made it but I saw it and I knew it was gonna look fantastic.’ He squeezed her hand.
‘An inspired choice I have to say. So, you’re up for Male Vocalist of the Year, Jed. How d’you feel about that?’
‘I’m truly honored to be nominated. There’s some real tough competition, great country talents all of ‘em. And win or lose we’re all gonna have a great time tonight.’
‘I’m sure you are. So, Honor, first time back at the Ryman. How does it feel?’
She felt the bubble in her stomach growing fuller and fatter by the second. How did it feel? She chanced a look at the Mother Church of Country Music. It was awe-inspiring. A tingle of sensation ran down her back at the thought of being in there again.
‘I remember standing on that stage when I was seventeen knowing how many country legends had walked the same boards. It’s a place where musical magic happens and I’m really looking forward to enjoying all the performances tonight.’
‘We all are. So, tell me, what’s next for the two of you? Going on tour together, buying a home maybe? Anything else we should know?’
‘Well, I … ’ Honor began. She should have expected this line of questioning too.
‘We’re gonna be headin’ down to my homet
own in Alabama real soon. Honor’s gonna come and meet the Marshall family,’ Jared informed.
‘Wow, things are getting serious already.’
‘As serious as a chicken dinner and a few parties round the bonfire gets, ma’am. Thank you for your time. Honor’s new video comes out Monday so make sure y’all You Tube it,’ Jared added, pointing at the camera.
She managed a smile before he was pulling her over to the entrance and away from the cameras and reporters.
‘Now that’s over, come with me,’ he said guiding her through the venue and away from the reception committee.
This had to be right. It had to be perfect. He was only going to do this once. He hurried on, skipping past people left and right, acknowledging no one, just trying to make it to the place this needed to happen.
‘Jared, where are we going? I can’t go too fast in these shoes,’ she called as he paced on.
‘Just hang on in there.’ He stopped just before a set of doors barred by two auditorium employees. Igniting his best smile he approached them, pulling Honor behind him.
‘Good evenin’ ladies. I was wonderin’ if me and my girl could just go in for a second.’
‘Doors don’t open ‘til seven do they, Pearl?’ one of the women responded.
‘Seven,’ Pearl responded, folding her arms across her chest.
‘I’m performin’ tonight,’ Jared told them.
‘I know who you are, Mr Marshall. Too loud, too rock and too much hell-raising. And you know as well as I do there’s an artists’ entrance,’ the woman replied.
‘I do, ma'am but … ’ He smiled, let go of Honor’s hand and leaned forward, whispering into the woman’s ear. He stepped back and waited.
‘Open the doors, Pearl. This one’s going in,’ she informed.
Like Aladdin’s cave, the doors were pulled back and Jared touched his cap in acknowledgement as he and Honor passed by into the auditorium.
She followed him through the doors and was hit with that same sensation she’d experienced outside as they walked out onto the balcony. The theatre seats were empty but down on the stage, the stage where everyone who was anyone in country had performed, people were setting up for the show. Light was still flooding in from the arched stained-glass windows, casting a pale glow over the pew-style seats. It was beautiful, almost holy and she felt her heart contract with a feeling of belonging.
He squeezed her hand and drew her towards the steps that led down to the very front of the balcony.
‘It’s some place, huh?’ Jared said as they made their way down to the wooden barrier.
‘When I was growing up, I used to watch the stars perform here on the TV. They looked so surreal, like made up characters with their rhinestone clothes and beautiful voices. The first time I played here … it took my breath away. It was like a dream.’
‘If you’ve got country in your heart this place moves somethin’ in you,’ Jared agreed, standing next to her.
Down below them were rows of wooden seats that later would be filled with country glitterati. Empty, it was as if the memories of all those occasions gone by were floating through the atmosphere, poignant and laden with emotion.
‘Honor,’ Jared stated, touching her arm with his hand.
She drew her eyes back to him and watched as he pulled something from his finger. He removed one of his rings.
He held it out with his thumb and forefinger. ‘Because of … what happened … I didn’t get to graduate.’ He could feel his hand was shaking but there was nothing he could do about it. ‘So, I didn’t get a class ring or anything but … this is … ’ He paused. ‘This was my daddy’s ring.’
His momma had taken it off his daddy’s hand and put it on his finger that day and this was the very first time he had ever taken it off.
‘Through all those bad times I clung to the hope that I was worthy to wear this ring. That I was man enough to do justice to his memory, to be the kind of person he was.’ He looked down at the ring, the band with gold flames licking over it and the Confederate flag, a crest in the center. The tears were coming.
‘Jared.’
‘I want you to have it,’ he stated, closing the ring in his hand, then reaching into his pocket and bringing out a gold chain.
‘I can’t.’
‘Hey, I know you probably think I’m crazy because this is all goin’ like the speed of a freight train but, the way I feel about you … ’ He took a breath and gazed at her. ‘We’re gonna be on tour for a few months and it’s gonna be hard work and we’re gonna probably get on each other’s nerves within the first week.’ He smiled. ‘But when that happens I want you to be wearin’ this, knowin’ that I love you. Believin’ that I’ll always love you.’
She couldn’t speak. She didn’t have the words. She knew and she could see how much this meant to him. No one had put their heart on the line for her before. No one had cared so much. No one had wanted to share their everything with her. And here he was, this slightly crazy, a little bit flawed, gorgeous, generous-hearted guy wanting to start a future with her.
‘My daddy had huge hands so it won’t fit but … ’ He held up the ring on the chain. ‘Would you do me that honor, Honor?’
A tear snaked down her cheek and over her scar as she nodded; too scared to say anything or risk turning into mush and completely ruining Mia’s hard work on her make-up.
He held up the chain and she quickly turned around, glad her hair was up. She felt the heat from his body as he put the chain around her neck, his hands touching her skin as he tried to fasten the clasp.
‘I’m shakin’ so much I can’t do it up.’ He let out a nervous laugh. ‘There,’ he said, as he finally made the connection.
She turned around and straight away put her hand to the ring at her throat, running the tip of her finger over the engraving. ‘I love it.’
‘I love you,’ he told her.
She let go of the ring and cupped his face with her hand, rubbing her thumb over the stubble on his cheek. She watched him close his eyes and she moved, lightly touching her lips against his, moving gently across his mouth. She waited, knowing he would react and wanting him to.
Finally he gave in, his hand at her waist, pulling her close as his mouth explored hers, fiery and wanting.
Then the whistling started. Honor broke away to see some of the crew on stage, waving and jeering at their show of passion.
‘Damn roadies, they ruin everything,’ Jared joked, flicking them the rock sign. ‘Let’s go get a drink.’
Chapter Thirty Nine
‘Byron was awesome wasn’t he?’ Mia flapped her clutch purse around her face like a fan as they waited for the second half of the show to start. Jared and his band had pulled off a flawless performance and half the awards had been given away already.
‘Totally awesome,’ Honor responded, looking at the audience buzzing back in from the foyer.
‘What’s that tone for? He was note-perfect.’ Mia scowled.
‘I know, I said. Almost a two minute guitar solo in a four and a half minute song,’ Honor remarked, laughing.
‘What is that gross thing round your neck, doll? I tried to ask you before Vince Gill came on but the banjo player went crazy and you didn’t hear me.’
‘Don’t say that,’ Honor said. She touched the ring defensively, holding it in her hand.
‘Jeez, is that some sort of gift from Jed? Hasn’t he heard of Tiffany’s?’
‘It was his father’s. It’s important to him.’ She held its weight in her palm. ‘And he gave it to me,’ Honor stated.
‘God, I hope Byron hasn’t got anything like that up his sleeve. Antiques should only come in the form of furniture in my opinion.’
Honor saw Jared coming towards them and she stood up. ‘I like it, so you’d better get used to seeing it.’
‘Hey,’ he greeted, kissing Honor’s cheek.
‘Hey, you OK?’ she asked as he moved to sit down in the seat next to her.
‘Yeah,
just … ’ he started.
‘Nervous I’m betting. Not long now until the Best Male Vocalist award,’ Mia piped up.
‘Something like that,’ Jared replied to Honor. ‘I don’t think I’m gonna win but when your name’s in the hat there’s always that chance.’
He felt Honor’s hand on his and she linked their fingers, squeezing them tightly.
‘Win or lose, it doesn’t matter. Sometimes I’ve felt better after not winning,’ Honor admitted with a smile.
‘And I’ve got the greatest prize right here,’ he said, bringing her hand to his mouth.
He meant every word. He’d never got into the music industry for the accolades. A Marlon Award nomination was flattering but he knew actually winning would mean more to some of the other artists than it did to him.
‘Ladies and gentlemen, welcome back to the 15th Annual Marlon Awards coming to you live from the Ryman Auditorium. And what have we got next, Bucky?’
Jared knew what was coming next. It was his category.
‘You doing OK here?’ Buzz sat down in the seat next to Jared.
‘Hey, Buzz, you made it,’ he remarked, turning to his advisor.
‘Yeah, I made it. Good luck,’ he stated, nodding his head at his client.
‘ … so, without further ado let’s hear the nominations for Best Male Vocalist 2014.’
He felt Honor tighten her grip on his hand as the names were read out. After each name was called, a clip from the artist’s recent video was played on the big screen.
‘Jed Marshall.’
Honor let out a whoop of appreciation and Mia pumped her fist in the air and screamed. He looked up at the screen and saw a clip from the video he’d done with Honor. There he was standing on the roof of a building, his guitar slung around his neck and there she was leaning over a pool table. A few wolf-whistles ran through the auditorium at that shot.
He saw Mia nudge Honor in the side and she shook her head and then closed her eyes. She was willing him to win, when he really didn’t care either way. He had her and that was all that mattered.
‘And the winner is … ’
He felt Honor digging her fingers into his skin as they waited for the pause to end. He placed his other hand over hers and held it there.
