Sweet Surrender

by Leeanna Morgan

  Willow smiled. It would have to be a huge extension to be felt at Zac’s home, but she was happy to answer his question. It was better than talking about why she was still living in Sapphire Bay.

  “It looks as though everyone’s getting ready for the bridal dance,” Pastor John said from beside Zac.

  Willow had left the table a few minutes ago to make sure the band was ready.

  “Have you heard Willow sing?” Zac asked.

  John smiled as another wedding guest returned to their seat. “Not often enough. She sounds like an angel. Giving up her career must have been a difficult decision.”

  From what Willow had said, he thought she’d stopped singing because she’d been working too hard. “Was it more than exhaustion that stopped her from performing?”

  John’s face became guarded. “Willow will tell you the whole story when she’s ready.”

  Zac’s gaze was caught by the woman walking onto the stage at the front of the barn. Willow’s crimson, off-the-shoulder dress looked beautiful in the daylight. Now, with the spotlights focused on her, she was breathtaking.

  She stood behind the microphone and smiled at Levi and Brooke. They were standing in the middle of the room, ready to dance for the first time as husband and wife.

  When Levi nodded, Willow turned to the band.

  As the opening notes of the song filled the barn, a hushed silence fell across the wedding guests.

  Levi and Brooke took their first steps, holding each other close as they gently swayed to the music.

  When Willow started singing, Zac held his breath, stunned by the purity of her voice. His eyes never left her. Not for one moment would he have believed that this was the same woman who made jams and preserves for his home. The same woman who gave up a music career to take photographs.

  Her voice rose as high as the rafters, then dropped to a quiet whisper, taking everyone with her as she told the story within the song.

  Willow’s body swayed with the music. She was as lost in the melody as Zac, transported to a world filled with love and laughter, a world full of second chances with no time for regrets.

  Her hands wrapped around the microphone, holding it as gently as a newborn babe. As the last note left her lips, Willow closed her eyes until there was nothing but silence surrounding her.

  Like an ocean wave, the wedding guests stood, clapping and cheering as much for Levi and Brooke as for Willow. It was a moment Zac would treasure, a turning point that could change his life forever.

  Tears stung his eyes as he thought about his life and the choices he’d made. In that moment, as Brooke rushed across to Willow and hugged her tight, he knew there was a reason he was here, a reason to look forward to each day.

  And that reason was standing in front of him.

  After she’d finished her second song, Willow returned to the table where Zac and Pastor John were sitting.

  Zac handed her a napkin and a pen. “You promised me an autograph.”

  She searched his face, looking for any sign that he’d enjoyed what he’d heard. “Did you like the songs?”

  The serious expression on his face deepened. “You should be singing every day. You have an amazing voice.”

  Willow’s shoulders slumped forward. “I thought you were going to tell me the songs were awful.”

  “Why would I do that?”

  “Because you don’t like country music.”

  Zac frowned. “How did you know…? You saw my music collection.”

  “It’s impossible to miss. You have an entire wall of albums arranged alphabetically by each artist’s name. I couldn’t find any country music singers.”

  “If I’d heard you sing, I would have filled my office with your albums.”

  Willow smiled. “I only made seven.”

  Pastor John leaned forward. “It sounds like you’ve found your newest fan.”

  She picked up the napkin and, in big, bold letters, she wrote a message to Zac, then scribbled her signature across the bottom.

  After he’d read what she’d written, Zac studied her face. “This could be the title of a song.”

  “You’re close. It was the title of my last album.” Willow had spent six months writing the songs for, Live Like There’s No Tomorrow. The album had massive worldwide sales and had earned her two Grammy Awards. But it wasn’t the only reason she’d added the words to the napkin—and Zac knew it.

  John cleared his throat. “I promised Mabel I’d save a dance for her. I’ll see you later.”

  Willow wiped her hands on the skirt of her dress. Zac’s intense stare was making her nervous. “What are you thinking about?”

  “You. There’s a whole lot more to your life than what you’ve told me.”

  She bit her bottom lip. “Like what?”

  “Why didn’t you tell me your manager stole the rights to your songs?”

  Willow’s heart sank. “Pastor John—”

  “He didn’t tell me. In between your songs, I googled Willow Clarke. The Internet is full of stories about you.”

  “Don’t believe everything you read.”

  “Your manager didn’t steal the rights to your songs?”

  She leaned her elbows on the table and focused on the people on the dance floor. “That part was true. When David wanted to work with me, I was so excited. He had a great reputation and had managed some of the biggest names in the music industry. Unfortunately, I didn’t ask a lawyer to look at my contract until I was ready to release my first album. That’s when I discovered I’d given him the rights to my first three songs.”

  “Did you get them back?”

  Willow shook her head. “It was my own fault. At least it made me more cautious when I hired my next manager.” She took a deep breath. “Some of the stories that were published about me are totally untrue.”

  “You didn’t have lots of wild parties in your six-million-dollar mansion?”

  A smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. “I’m afraid not. I didn’t own a mansion and the wildest party I went to was a friend’s bachelorette party. While I was touring, I spent my evenings in my hotel room, watching Hallmark movies and reading. When I was in Nashville, I spent most of my time writing new songs.”

  “Were you happy?”

  Willow thought about her answer. “At the time, I was living my dream. When I was performing it was perfect, but behind the scenes it was harder. People treated me differently, expected me to be someone who could help them with their career. I had to be careful about what I said and did. By the time I left Nashville, I was burned out and lonely. If it weren’t for my parents and the friends I made in Sapphire Bay, I don’t know what I would have done.”

  “Do you miss being part of the music industry?”

  “I miss singing and spending time with musicians.” She smiled as the band launched into the chorus of their next song. “But the life I have now is much better.”

  “It sounds like moving home was the right decision.”

  “It was.” Willow tilted her head to the side. Zac looked bone weary, as if he were holding the weight of the world on his shoulders. She could only imagine what his life must have been like in Kabul. “While you’re here, I hope you find something to make you happy.”

  Zac’s brown eyes connected with hers. “So do I.”

  His softly spoken words made her heart clench tight. Willow had never lived in a war zone, never felt the responsibility that came with saving people’s lives. But she did know what it was like to think you’d never be happy again—that the best part of who you were had disappeared a long time ago.

  Zac folded the autographed napkin in half and placed it inside his jacket pocket. “In spite of everything that brought you here, I’m glad you came home.”

  Willow studied the warmth in his eyes and smiled. “So am I. Would you like to dance?”

  He looked at the other wedding guests and grimaced.

  She held out her hand. “Don’t worry. No one will be watching.” Wh
en Zac wrapped his hand around hers, a spark of pure energy flared between them.

  “I’ll try not to stand on your toes.”

  Willow sighed. It wasn’t her toes she was worried about. It was her heart.

  Chapter Five

  Willow followed Megan and Sam into the storage room at the back of the barn.

  “We hid the cans and streamers in here,” Sam whispered.

  Willow didn’t know why her friend was worried about someone overhearing them. The band was performing hits from the sixties and most of the wedding guests were singing along with them.

  “I love this music,” Megan said. “I feel like I’m at a Beatles concert.”

  Willow smiled. “Don’t boogie too much. Your baby might think it’s time to be born.”

  Megan rubbed her tummy. “This little guy isn’t going anywhere for a few more weeks.”

  Sam’s eyes widened. “Does that mean you’re having a boy?”

  Megan laughed. “I have no idea, but there’s a fifty percent chance you’re right.”

  “I don’t know how you stop yourself from studying the scans.”

  “We want it to be a surprise.” Megan looked over her shoulder. “If we’re going to decorate the car, we’ll have to be quick. Our cover will be blown if Levi or Brooke see us.”

  Sam pulled a box off a shelf. “William and Caleb are good decoys. Besides, it should only take a few minutes to attach everything.”

  Willow hoped Sam and Megan knew what they were doing. Levi had decided at the last minute to borrow Zac’s Shelby Mustang to take Brooke to their hotel. The classic car was a lot more expensive than the one he was originally going to use. She was terrified they’d scratch the paint or damage the back bumper.

  Sam handed Willow the box. “Most of the cans and streamers are in here. I’ll grab the last box and, Megan, you take the sign.”

  “Where do you want me to put it?” Megan asked.

  “In the back window.” Sam handed her a set of keys. “Just remember to turn off the alarm.”

  With the stealth of Navy Seals, Sam, Megan, and Willow hurried through the barn doors and into the cold night air.

  Willow shivered as she carefully unwound the first string of cans. “These are wonderful, Sam. When did you paint them blue and pink?”

  Sam knelt beside her, attaching another string to the bumper. “Last weekend. Caleb thought they belonged at a baby shower. What do you think?”

  “Don’t listen to him. They’re perfect.”

  Megan tore a piece of tape off the roll in her hands. “The pink paint matches the color of the roses in Brooke’s bouquet.”

  Willow frowned as Megan maneuvered herself into the Mustang. The two-door car was perfect for taking the bride and groom to their hotel, but not so great for a pregnant woman trying to stick a sign to the rear window.

  Opening the driver’s door, Willow leaned inside. “Can I help?”

  “I’m fine. I just need to…”

  Megan’s sharp, indrawn breath startled Willow. “What’s the matter?”

  “It’s just Braxton Hicks contractions. They’ll go away soon.”

  “How often are you getting them?”

  Megan winced. “A few times a day. It’s been worse this afternoon.”

  Sam rushed around to Megan’s side of the car. “Are you sure you’re not in labor?”

  “My doctor said it’s normal.” Megan closed her eyes and took another deep breath.

  Willow sat in the driver’s seat and rubbed her friend’s arm. “When was the last time you had a contraction?”

  Megan frowned. “At eight o’clock. This is the third time I’ve had contractions in the last hour.”

  Sam looked across the car at Willow. “My cousin’s baby was seven weeks early.”

  Willow bit her bottom lip. Megan had a lot less than seven weeks until her due date. To make matters worse, they were nearly an hour’s drive from the obstetrician. If Megan was in labor, they needed to do something now. “I think we should call your doctor.”

  Megan opened her eyes and forced a smile. “I don’t want to interrupt his evening. Besides, I’m fine now. I think they’ve finished.”

  Willow glanced at Sam. From the frown on her face, they must be thinking the same thing. “If you won’t call your doctor, I’m getting William.”

  “He’ll only worry.” Megan relaxed against the leather seat. “The contractions are my body’s way of preparing me for the real thing. I just need to stay here for a few minutes and relax.”

  Willow looked around the yard. “It’s too cold to be outside. We’ll go back to the barn and find somewhere quiet to sit.”

  “What about decorating the car?” Megan asked. “We haven’t finished.”

  Sam helped Megan out of the seat. “It will only take a few more minutes.”

  “I’ll do it.” Willow plucked the sign and tape out of Megan’s hands. “I won’t take long.”

  “Thank you.” Megan handed her a set of keys. “We need to give these to Zac as soon as we’ve finished.”

  “No problem. And don’t worry about the empty boxes. I’ll bring them inside with me.” A few minutes after Sam and Megan closed the door to the barn, Willow finished the car. By the time she rushed inside, her friends were sitting in the foyer, talking quietly.

  “Would anyone like a drink?” Willow asked.

  Megan shook her head. “No, thanks. If I have something to drink, I’ll be running to the bathroom every five minutes.”

  Willow doubted Megan would be running anywhere, especially if the contractions kept coming. It was at times like this that Willow wished she’d come from a large family. Even having friends who had already had babies would help. At least that way she would know what to do.

  Sam shook her head, too. “I’ll make myself a cup of coffee when we go back into the reception.”

  “We don’t have to stay here,” Megan said as the band launched into an Elvis Presley song. “I’m perfectly okay.”

  Sam checked her watch. “Let’s wait another ten minutes. I want to make sure the contractions are practice ones and not the real deal.”

  “You’re worse than William.”

  Willow looked toward the big, double doors leading into the main part of the barn. “Talking about your husband. Look who’s walking our way.”

  Megan turned and smiled at William.

  He frowned.

  It didn’t look as though he was fooled for one moment by his wife’s false cheerfulness.

  “Is everything okay?” he asked.

  Megan glanced at Willow and Sam. “We decided to sit here and chat. It’s difficult to hear what anyone’s saying when the band’s playing.”

  William’s eyes narrowed. “You didn’t answer my question.”

  “You’ll overreact.”

  “I’m your husband. I’m supposed to overreact.”

  Megan sighed. “I had another set of Braxton Hicks contractions. I’m fine now.”

  William pulled out his cell phone.

  “You can’t call the obstetrician.”

  “It’s his job to look after you.”

  Megan pulled herself to the edge of the seat. “He’ll only tell you what he told us the last time you called.” William held onto her as she stood upright. “I’m not in labor.”

  “I still think—”

  Megan’s fingers dug into William’s jacket. She leaned into his chest, breathing heavily.

  Willow looked at her watch. “It’s only been ten minutes since the last contraction.”

  William’s panicked gaze shot to Willow.

  “Do you want me to get Zac?” she said quickly. “He must have delivered lots of babies.”

  William’s brief nod was all she needed.

  While William rubbed Megan’s back, Willow rushed into the reception area, scanning the wedding guests for a tall, brown-haired doctor. She couldn’t see him, but Pastor John was sitting at their table.

  Willow headed straight toward him
, hoping like crazy he knew where Zac had gone.

  “Is everything all right?” he asked.

  “We think Megan is in labor. Have you seen Zac?”

  John lunged to his feet. “He’s getting coffee. Come with me.”

  Willow didn’t know what the other wedding guests thought as they ran across the dance floor but, right at the moment, she didn’t care.

  When she saw Zac, she breathed a sigh of relief.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Come with me. We think Megan’s in labor.”

  He left the two coffee cups on the nearest table and followed her into the foyer.

  Willow tried to think positive thoughts. With a pastor and a doctor at the wedding, they had every base covered.

  She hoped.

  Zac took one look at Megan and knew she was worried. “When did you start having contractions?”

  “I’ve had them on and off for the past few weeks. They’ve been more frequent today.”

  “How frequent?”

  “This is the fourth set in the last hour.”

  Zac looked at William. If anything, he was in worse shape than his wife. “Did you call your obstetrician?”

  “I tried,” William said. “But he’s delivering another baby. I told the person I spoke with that you’re here. They asked if you could exam Megan. If you think it’s necessary, we’ll drive to Polson.”

  Zac looked at the expectant faces around him. “Is there another room we could use?”

  William wrapped his arm around his wife’s waist. “There’s a room behind us. Megan, Brooke, and Nora used it when they arrived this afternoon.”

  “Where’s Nora?” Sam asked.

  “She’s okay. Mabel’s looking after her,” William said.

  “That’s good.” She handed Zac a large first aid kit. “This was in the storage room. I thought you might need it.”

  “Thanks.” Zac turned to Megan. He was just as anxious to make sure she was all right as everyone else was. “Are you ready?”

  “I think so.”

  Zac followed Megan and William to a small room on the right-hand side of the foyer. “When did you have your last scan?”