A few of the dozen or so patrons politely clapped while Denise whistled and cheered from her spot behind the bar. Jake clapped hard and loud, as did Bill.
“Thank you,” Rachael breathed into the mic. “This one’s for Jake.” Then she sang.
Jake held his breath as the first words of “California Dreamin’” fell from her lips. She sang it low and slow, stretching every note about brown leaves and gray skies into bleak longing. Outside was Indian summer, but as her voice captivated the room, Jake’s thoughts turned to bitter cold winter days he’d never known in California. She made him feel them, feel the chill, the despair.
And then she lifted her voice to the rafters on the wordCalifornia, and the word became a beacon of hope. She picked up the tempo through the rest of the song, filling it with passion for a place she had never seen. She made the song hers, all the way down to changing a line—I know I’ll never stay. Pure defiance rang out and slammed against the walls.
She finished to the same stunned silence she’d gotten after her first performance. Jake’s stomach had dropped that night, seeing the defeat on her face in the quiet moments before she realized she’d crushed it. This time, he and Rachael were ready for the roar of the crowd—both smiling, Rachael’s eyes closed and Jake’s opened, taking all of her in, holding this amazing woman in his heart.
She was glorious, everything he ever wanted.
Absolutely perfect.
The outsized applause sounded like it came from a crowd three times its size. Jake caught someone say, “Never thought about going to California, but I sure want to now.”
Jenny cheered and whistled louder than Denise. Even Connie had a stunned smile as she glanced at Jake, until Bill wrapped an arm around his wife’s shoulders and squeezed. “Aren’t you glad I made you stay?” he asked her. Jake was relieved to see Connie nod vigorously.
Bill walked back up to the stage and Connie leaned over and spoke in Jake’s ear. “She’s like no one I’ve ever heard.”
“When I get her out of here, she’ll be a star.” His own words stunned him because they were true—he would do anything to see her safe and thriving away from her father. Jake lived to see justice served, but he didn’t hesitate to turn a blind eye when it came to Rachael. He needed to know once and for all where she stood, what she knew, and what her past held, or risk losing control over the mission, his career—and his heart.
Tonight, he thought.It has to be tonight, before I go out of my mind.
“I have to tell Bill who she really is, Jake. I’m sorry.” Connie’s words pulled him crashing back down to earth.
He looked at her as his desperation rose. “Can I…let me—”
“Folks, I made a mistake and I’m about to do a terrible thing,” Bill said from the stage. “My buddy Jake over there, after me begging and pleading, finally brought his guitar tonight. Along with Raquel—”
Hearty applause cut his words off.
Bill smiled likeI know, right? “—yeah, and I should have put him up here first, because I don’t know how he’s going to follow that performance.”
Bill motioned for Jake to come up as Jenny begged her mom to stay longer to hear him, all while Rachael walked back to the table, her smile stretching ear to ear.Shit.
“Please, let me tell him instead of you. I can explain.” Jake tried to keep the smile on his face as he pleaded with Connie in the seconds before Rachael reached them.
Connie shook her head. “I can’t sit here beside her and pretend I don’t know.”
“Jake!” Bill raised his eyebrows. “Don’t wuss out on me, man, get on up here.”
Jake had no choice but to abandon Rachael to Connie’s mercy. He picked up his guitar and it felt as heavy as a sky full of storms.
Eighteen
Rachael had eyes for only Jake as she headed back to the table. He was talking to Bill’s wife and they both smiled at her until Jake picked up his guitar and she caught the worry on his face. Rachael understood—performing was scary and she was still filled with butterflies. She wondered how long it had been since Jake put on a show for an audience. Probably a while, if ever, considering how nervous he looked.
She grabbed him by the arm and stopped him before he could pass. An irresistible pull, like her whole body wanted to melt into his, made her stomach flip, sending the butterflies into orbit. She settled for standing on her tiptoes and kissing him. His soft lips moved against hers, but she wanted so much more. Rachael decided that if Jake wanted her tonight, she was his.
She looked deep into his eyes. “Break a leg,” she said. “I believe in you.”
Jake smiled, but the worry stayed put. “Thanks, Angel.”
And then he glanced back at Connie and Bill with a look that told Rachael that something more than stage fright had him jittery.
Her stomach filled with ice water. Could it be…did they know she’d lied about her name?Just one more secret on top of the rest. I’m so tired of it.
“Jenny, honey,” Connie tapped the table to get her daughter’s attention, which was riveted on Jake, “why don’t you go on up and help him readjust the mic down like dad showed you?”
