When the volunteers dwindled, Kyle shifted back to his own music and hit songs to again bring dancers to the patio. The dancers melded onto the patio and spun in the flickering lights, many of them still barefoot and wearing grape leaves twined in their hair like pagan dryads dancing the night into bliss.
-:-:-:- -:-:-:-
The applause from Kyle’s finished song faded. “I wanted to take a pause in my program tonight. Some of you recognize me from my prior band; I recently started up this new band of one, Zinc Penny. The interesting note is while I put all the music together; Amanda, over there behind the tasting bar, she wrote all the lyrics. My music inspiration came from her words. Can everyone give a big round of applause to Amanda? She needs to come up here on my little stage. I need her help with this next song.” Kyle saw Amanda shaking her head. “C’mon Amanda. I can’t do this next song without you.” Julie elbowed Amanda and flicked her fingers for Amanda to go. Kyle kept softly strumming a few chords. Amanda undid her apron and walked across the patio. “She’s reluctant, but she’s brave.” Kyle changed the chords. “Sing with me Amanda,” his voice filled in the words to the song she wrote about the vineyard at dawn, he turned to her to sing the chorus. He smiled at her as if the love of the whole world came through him as she sang. The song finished and she started to retreat during the loud applause. “Stay right there, Amanda. I have a little story. I recently got a tiny apartment over an appliance store in Old Town Temecula. The owners of the shop are elderly and they have been married for fifty or sixty years. They need help to move appliances. They work hard in their shop and I see the teamwork they put together in their business and each other. It is inspiring and more than my experience with my own parents. They and Amanda altered my perspective.” Kyle looked over the audience and changed chords. Kyle knelt down before Amanda and sang,
“Will you love me in joy and sorrow?
Until our days are old and gray?
Will you let make you happy for-ev-er?”
Amanda … will you … marry me?”
Kyle’s guitar sustained one long note. His strumming hand opened with a little black velvet box that he flipped open with his thumb. He had woven guitar wire into a ring. He looked into her face and hoped he could keep away his own history, avoid the pettiness of the father that threw away his two sons. He hoped he could be a better man for Amanda. He hoped that somehow he would find success that would match her. Can I escape my troubled past? I am yours, for as long as you can stand my crazy songs and me.
Amanda looked at Kyle in surprise. She had never expected this. Her mind raced back through the years to determine her mother’s age when she married, and then divorced. Her mind reeled. What about college and her career, which she had not figured out yet. Could she adjust?
The crowd yelled for her to make up her mind, to say yes, how could she say anything other than yes?
Amanda was not ready for this. Is anyone ever? She looked at his face and those arms that she knew could hold her tight forever. Her fingers touched his fingers. Her head nodded and her mouth blurted out “Yes! Yes, I will marry you Kyle Doukay.” All the wedding dresses she ever thought of as a child flashed through her mind, the faceless manikin that always stood in for her husband in those dreams replaced by the glowing vision of this musician. The smile on his face made her body sing.
The audience clapped furiously and congratulated Amanda and Kyle. Telling them how they will be such a lovely couple. They said their children would be beautiful. Amanda had not thought that much of the future through in those seconds before agreeing. A moment came where she thought she might lose her breath.
A guest in a loud Hawaiian shirt pushed through the people congratulating the couple. He wore deck shoes and a pair of baggy brown khakis. He held a card out for both Kyle and Amanda. “I’m Joseph Montgomery, head of The Independent LA Music Group. I like your sound. Since I’ve heard you here now twice I thought I better talk with you before I became too much of a fan.” He laughed. “Come down to my office next week, Sally my secretary will set up the time when you call the number on the card, but I want the rest of my team to hear you. Bring your guitar. You have a great sound and a vibe that we can help you record and market. Certainly much better terms than you can get anywhere else. We will put you out on the Internet and radio airplay. However, we can discuss details next week. Congratulations on finding each other.” He nodded to Amanda, “I’ll see you next week, great show.” He faded into the crowd.
Kyle turned to Amanda, “I know that company – they completely changed the way music is bought and sold and marketed.” He squeezed the card in his fingers, “This is amazing!”
Amanda smiled and hugged Kyle, “I get first dibs because I saw in you what the world had not figured out yet.”
Kyle smiled at the amazing woman who agreed to be part of his journey. He suggested, “Are you going to finally call your mother?”
“Maybe.”
“You need to forgive her.”
“I know. I should.”
“Do it now. Tell her our good news. And think about your father too.”
“You need to forgive Sardis and your father, too.” Amanda released Kyle, “But you better get back to singing so we make sure we maintain that interest you’ve generated.”
Kyle nodded with a sharp strike of a guitar chord, he leaned into the microphone, “Everyone, this next one is also a brand new song.”
Chapter 22
Amanda leaned against Kyle. The sky remained clear and the temperature of the day had chilled but still a warm breeze lifted the grape leaves into pleasant rolling waves that comforted the winery. Amanda nestled deeper into Kyle’s chest gathering his radiated warmth, love, and hope. His strength flooded her with happiness. They were the only two remaining at the winery, standing on the patio. The guests left hours ago and the winery workers finished cleaning up and already departed for their homes.
Kyle said, “You look like you had a good day today.”
“I did.” Amanda squeezed Kyle, “Because of you.”
“Did you want to set a wedding date?”
“Tomorrow or the next day we’ll talk about when, and where.” She looked around them. “I love the peacefulness of the vineyards stretching to the horizons. A wedding here would be beautiful.” She knew how spectacular winery weddings could be after working several though the summer.
“Let’s see if we can sell a few songs.” Kyle laughed, “Or we might be eloping to Vegas.”
“That would be fine, too.” She knew the winery could remain a great dream. “I just want to stay here with you, forever.” Because I found my True Love.
“You might get sleepy.”
“As long as my prince wakes me from my dreams with kisses.” Amanda looked into Kyle’s glittering eyes, reflecting the starlight, his shoulders backed by the solid mountain to the south that hovered at the edge of the horizon – glowing with golden promises. “Kiss me.”
THE END
Coming Soon!
PRESSED
Another Novel Set In
The Southern California Wine Country Series
By J Gordon Smith
Leiko and her English prince Rutger begin dating and quickly fall for each other. Then Rutger’s family life spirals out of control after his father’s chartered sailboat washes ashore, empty of crew. Leiko’s ex-fiance returns from Texas intending to reclaim Leiko’s love, but does she want him or the charming Rutger? Can their friends help them sort it out or will darker events cast long shadows over the two of them getting together?
Look for PRESSED, Book 3 in the Southern California Wine Country series!
If you enjoy wine and Southern California, stop by Monte De Oro Winery located in Temecula Valley, only an hour away from Los Angeles and San Diego. Join their wine club and they will ship great tastes direct to your door on a regular basis. The author has a case, or three, of Monte De Oro wines stocked in his personal cellar – delicious inspiration.
Revo
lution Guitars mentioned in this story references concepts driving a real startup guitar company. American crafted guitars with local renewable, vintage, and recycled woods built in Detroit, Michigan. Watch the author's website for news when they launch since he's excited about getting a model to play himself.
A Personal Note from the Author
Thank you for reading! If you enjoyed this novel then please visit the book on-line and leave a review to encourage others to take a chance with the characters in this story. Some of my books have spent half a year in the writing and editing process after a year or more of concept development. Do not be shy about putting up reviews. When I read a review revealing how my words have touched another’s soul, that makes all this writing worthwhile. I hope to see your kind words soon.
Amazon direct review page: Crushing at Amazon
Goodreads direct review page: Crushing at Goodreads
Tell a friend! In Person and via popular social sites like Facebook, Goodreads, Pinterist, Twitter, Reddit, and others you may participate with. I really rely on word of mouth – how many friends recommended your last favorite book? I hope this story earned the honor of being shared.
I blog about my writing projects at http://jgordonsmith.com and hope you stop by and say ‘hello’. You’ll learn how new stories are progressing, advanced cover concepts, and other bits of work I do. I post new story projects on Goodreads that I’m actively writing and expecting publication soon, so take a look and add any that intrigue you to your “To Be Read” list. You’ll get notified when the story publishes. I hope to see you there!
Copyright
CRUSHING
Copyright © 2013 by J Gordon Smith
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner without written permission except for brief quotations in critical articles or reviews.
Published globally by J Gordon Smith with Ayton & Greene Publishing Company
Official Author Website: http://jgordonsmith.com/
Cover Art & Book Design: Ayton & Greene Publishing Company
[Reference file #: Crushing_131015]
This is a work of fiction and intended for entertainment. The work may contain excessive violence or sexual situations that may not be suitable for some readers. All characters, names, places, incidents, and situations appearing in this work are imaginary or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, businesses, companies, or persons; living, dead, undead, mythical, or magical is purely and entirely coincidental.
Dedication
To Laraine for understanding this writing gig and tolerating my guitar playing.
Other Books Written by J Gordon Smith
ONE NIGHT BURNS by J Gordon Smith
A Vampires of Livix Novel – Volume 1
(Paranormal Romance, New Adult Contemporary)
The front door exploded free of its hinges. Glass and wood shrapnel shattered across the room bouncing from furniture and walls. Garin tucked me protectively behind his body as across the broken threshold strode three snarling vampires. I recognized their leader –
Once Patent Attorney Anna Arkena meets the handsome and intriguing vampire Garin Ramsburgh, a bold Investment Analyst at Draydon Financial, she quickly learns how her life in the small mid-western town of Livix will change.
The Vampires of Livix cringe as these two become close – mixing with vampires always ends badly. But the problems only escalate as outside interests pressure Garin’s wealthy family to sell their successful military parts business amid faked financial losses. And international terrorist and militia groups push their own agendas with deadly effectiveness.
Who is behind it all? What do they want? Is this only a spark of a greater fire to come? Will Anna survive the vampires? Can Anna and Garin achieve happiness? Will she find True Love?
Find out in the Vampires Of Livix trilogy, complete series plus a pair of short stories available now!
ZOMBIE TATTOO by J Gordon Smith
The aZure Tribe – Short Story #0.5
(Science Fiction, Zombie Apocalypse)
“Tell me again how a thirty-eight gun British Frigate came to rest here at the bottom of the world?” A brutal Antarctic wind shook the protective canvas tarp behind Doctor Cooper like the lusty snap of a ghostly sail. “Any guess at what we might find?” But the growling reply of the sectioning saw covered their voices as it gnawed into the black, frozen wood.
The archeology researchers pry into the ancient pirate ship and release a horror hidden in the frozen ice for three hundred years. They might think of warning the world of the virus if not so preoccupied in surviving the tattooed monster that lived in that cold, undead ship – waiting for them …
Zombie Tattoo is a short story that launches the chronicles of The aZure Tribe Trilogy, a shared zombie apocalyptic world spreading across cities near you. Do you dare uncover the tattooed horror that lives within?
Find out in the aZure Tribe trilogy!
THE BLACK JEWEL by J Gordon Smith
The Gemstone Series
(Epic Fantasy, Swords & Sorcery)
Sylanna’s jaw scraped against the rough plastered wall, “You cannot be one of the guardsmen.”
“And how did you guess that? Was it my curt accent or my fashionable attire?” His sweaty arm clamped tighter, grinding into her belly, while his other hand held a long dagger against her throat. Sylanna’s mind scattered. She had not even heard him approach!
The talented thief Sylanna flees to a remote monastery after she is attacked by the Rubied Assassins. But she learns the quiet monastery is anything but silent; pious monks plot against each other, executions and murder are brushed aside, and ancient secrets are buried deep under the fortified structure while the studious leaders supply a brewing War. Will Sylanna survive the monastery and its suspicious monks? Will she escape the Rubied Assassins or will they surprise her behind the monastery’s thick walls and wide moat? Who can be a friend and who is secretly an enemy? Even the Black Jewel, a comforting talisman she has carried since childhood, clutches a dangerous Destiny that unwinds as the menace approaches. Can she stop the evil?
Find out in the Gemstone series, all four books are available now!
About the Author
J Gordon Smith was raised on a Michigan farm absorbing a lifetime of oral history stories that quickly lead to reading and a deep interest in writing. Along the way he acquired degrees in Engineering and Business and worked for local, start up, and global corporations - some involved with producing cars and trucks that you probably own and drive every day. His work involved international travel to Europe and Asia as well as points as near as Canada, Mexico, and half the states in the US. His latest endeavor is embarking on the long road of learning to play guitar, while writing the next book in the series, and engineering products and machinery.
Table Of Contents
Title Page
Editorial Summary
Chapter 0
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
THE END
Coming Soon!
Author's Note
Copyright
Other Books
About The Author
Table Of Contents
Crushing (The Southern California Wine Country Series) Page 16
