Ada gave Maggie a side-eyed smirk. “I’d love a drink.” Summoning the bartender, he ordered and then handed Ada her drink.
As Broden’s last song began, Arlo led John and Faydra backstage. Turning to Alex, she asked, “Did you want to share anything about the ministry?”
“Nah, John and Faydra have powerful stories. They’ll do better than I ever could.” Alex’s eyes twinkled as he watched them take the stage. He puffed out his chest like a proud dad.
Maggie couldn’t help but grin. Arlo took to the stage with swagger, “Next up, I want to introduce two special guests. Their names are John and Faydra from New Life Baptist Church in Santa Monica. Come on up guys.”
John and Faydra gave small waves as they walked to center stage. John spoke first.
“I just want to thank you all for being here and donating. New Life’s homeless ministry not only gave me the food and clothes I needed, but they encouraged me and gave me a job. They gave me hope. Now I want others to experience that too.”
Maggie clasped her hands near her heart. Then, John handed the mic to Faydra. “My parents were drug addicts. My dad would get violent when any small thing didn’t go his way. I left home when I was fifteen. I had twenty-five dollars in my pocket. Trying to make it on my own led me into some sketchy situations. I was just trying to survive. But, one day, I met a New Life volunteer named Jocelyn. She invited me to come by the church. Said I could take anything I needed and that they might have some resources available too. They helped me find a shelter for teens. I’ve been volunteering at New Life for the last three years. I wanna be a teacher someday. I know that anything you can give will make a difference. It did for me. Thank you.”
Maggie didn’t realize until that moment how young Faydra was. She seemed so mature.Lord thank you for John and Faydra. Thank you for New Life Church. Help this event to go well, and show me how to continue helping others.
Arlo took the stage again. “Wow, those are powerful words. Let’s give it up for Faydra and John.” The crowd roared. “Thanks so much for sharing your stories. Remember, you can find donation stations up by the bar or up here by the stage.” Arlo pointed to the wooden chest. Then, he took a step back and said, “Our next performer is…” Maggie turned towards the bar to take a sip of her drink as Arlo continued, "none other than LA’s urban cowboy! Give it up for The Break’s very own… Chase Smith!”
Maggie swiveled on her bar stool so fast that she slipped off. Alex caught her in his arms. “You okay?” he asked.
Maggie couldn’t speak.
At that moment, Chase found her eyes.
Chapter 39
Chase
Asthebandbeganthe song’s intro, Chase felt heat rising in his chest.Who’s that guy? Whoever it is, it’s not happening. I love her. I hope I’m not too late.
Taking a subtle inhale, he began singing John Michael Montgomery’s “Be My Baby Tonight.”As he belted the lyrics, he never lifted his gaze from hers. She righted herself on the bar stool and blinked a few times. A moment later, a huge grin spread across her face.
After one last hard and fast strum to end the song, he ran his hand across the small box in his pocket. He needed to reassure himself it was still there.Here we go…
The band dropped out and Chase strummed solo. He saw Maggie tilt her head—clearly, she didn’t recognize the melody. Chase winked at her, silently communicating—You don’t know this song… I wrote it just for you.
As the intro began, Chase closed his eyes. Although he was on The Break’s miniscule stage, he felt like he was performing the biggest show of his life. Adrenaline and joy surged through his body.This is my big break. Life with Maggie is what I want.Chase opened his eyes and kept them glued to her while he sang, "When it comes to words, I think less is more. When it comes to love, I’ve never felt anything like this before. I don’t want to say it, I want to show it. I’ll love you more each day, and everyone will know it.”
Making his way down the stage stairs, he skirted by all the tables—especially the ones that were filled with women. There was no way he was gonna make that mistake twice. Not tonight.
After just a few steps, he landed in front of Maggie. The last note vibrated through the air and he let his guitar fall to his side.
Maggie jumped into his arms. “Maggie…” he whispered, inhaling her sweet vanilla scent.
She cut him off, “Chase, I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have run away.”
He pulled back and looked into her eyes. “I shouldn’t have made you pretend to be my girlfriend.” He smiled and gently set her feet back on the floor.
Maggie tilted her head and chewed on her lip. Chase’s heart pounded in his ears. Sweat was beading on his forehead. “I don’t want to fake date you Minnesota Maggie because I love you.”
Then, he pulled his guitar strap over his head and set the instrument on the ground. Taking a knee in front of her, he tugged a black box from his pocket with trembling hands. Someone behind him gasped. Chase refused to let himself look around, but he could feel hundreds of eyes on his back.
Opening the box, he held it toward her. He wanted to tell her that meeting her was the best thing that ever happened to him and that he loved everything about her from her thick accent to her giant heart, but all his words seemed to vanish. Somehow he stuttered out the question that could change his life forever, “Maggie Eckland, will you… marry me?”
Maggie’s jaw went slack. Chase tried to read the expression on her face, but he couldn’t tell if she was in happy shock or petrified shock. The silence was deafening.
“Maggie, are you okay? If you’re not ready, you can tell me.”
Maggie and time stood, but he felt like he was stuck in the middle of a swirling vortex. Finally, after what felt like forever, Chase heard mumbling.
