Brock stood up. “I’m heading out then.” He nodded at Arden. “Thank you for the delicious meal.”
“You’re welcome.” Arden stood. “Before you go, I want you to know that I’ve decided we’ll have Sean’s memorial after the festival. On the anniversary.”
That stopped him cold. He knew exactly what Arden had planned. He came around the table to hug her. “He would have loved your idea. And of course, I’ll be there.”
“Thank you, Badger. I think it’d mean a lot to him. I know it means a lot to me.”
Chapter 19
Brianna took a series of deep breaths as she waited in the wings of the main stage.This is where I’ve wanted to be my whole lifeshe reminded herself in order to get her nerves under control. Peering out at the audience did not help matters. Even though the festival had opened only an hour and a half ago, the place was already filling up. The flat, open ground directly in front of the stage was a solid patchwork of tarps, blankets, and low lawn chairs filled with spectators talking, laughing, eating breakfast, and listening to the first of the competitors’ groups.
We’re just the warmup acts. No need to freak out. It’s not like they’re all paying attention. Except they were, and there had to be at least five hundred people in view, more in pop-up tents under the trees lining the river and walking around the vendor areas and gathering at the pavilion—out of sight but still in listening range.
Brianna tried to focus on the performance They were good—stiff competition for her group. Amber was fiddling her heart out, taking Jerold’s place since he’d been arrested the day before. This was the last song Amber would do before it was Brianna’s turn to fill in on the group’s last two songs. Luckily, they’d chosen some traditional bluegrass songs, so Brianna knew exactly what to play, though they’d practiced for almost two hours right before going on.
The song came to an end. The audience clapped and cheered and then Amber was heading right for her and it was Brianna’s turn on the stage.
Deep breath. Brock is here. Pretend he’s the only one listening. You can do this.
The group’s singer told the audience about the lineup change—minus the reasons for it while Amber gave Brianna a hug.
“You were fantastic just now,” Brianna said sincerely.
“Thanks! Good luck! It’s a friendly crowd.”
The singer announced Brianna’s name and the audience clapped and cheered again.
Oh my God. This is happening.
That was Brianna’s cue.
Just one step then another. Brock’s out there. Pretend he’s right behind the tree again. It’s just you and him and the river.
The first step was the hardest but after that Brianna got her feet moving. She remembered to smile but closed her eyes when she glanced at the audience as she walked across the huge wooden stage high above the crowd. She stopped in front of her mic and set her fiddle on her shoulder. She cast her eyes down, trying not to see the audience.
But there he was, impossible to ignore right in the middle of the open space between the low fence marking the edge of the crowd and the bottom of the stage. With his back to her, Brock stood guard over her front and center. Brianna held back a giggle at the irony that he wouldn’t actually see her play, as if he really were back behind that tree again listening to her for the first time. She focused on him as she drew her bow across the strings and started the next song. The music took over and swept her into her own world. She only had eyes for her bandmates—sharing nods, smiles, and looks as they negotiated the jam, allowing everyone to shine. It was pure magic and a hell of a lot of skill and all Brianna ever wanted to do with the rest of her life.
They ended the first song and gave the audience a minute to react before they moved into the second, a faster piece that required all her concentration and skill. She improvised her solo and the notes flowed out. She wasn’t aware of anyone or anything but the music at that moment. When the song ended, the roar of the crowd confused her for a moment—someone was listening to her play?
God, yes, they were. She’d done it; Brianna had performed in front of a real audience for the first time and they were cheering. She looked up to see a standing ovation and many more people crowded in to watch. But the only one who mattered was Brock, who quickly looked over his shoulder and smiled at her. She bowed with the rest of the group and smiled directly at him.
I love him. I just met him, but he’s the man I want to spend the rest of my life loving. The revelation should have left her feeling giddy or anxious, but instead, she felt a deep calm. It wasright, and she felt that rightness down to her bones.
She left the stage with the rest of the group but was ready to go right back out with her own band. They all hugged quickly in the wings and then she was front and center on the stage again, this time eager to play for the entire crowd.
Brock stood guard throughout the performance. This time, she was aware enough to notice his foot tapping and keeping the beat as they played.
* * *
“You were amazing, babe.” Brock whispered the words into her ear as he held her backstage. They had only a couple of minutes since he was still on duty, so she kissed him quickly. “How did it feel, playing up there and getting a standing ovation?”
“I think I’m still floating,” she answered. “Will you get a chance to see me in the pavilion later?” While the morning performance was amazing, the one that counted was her solo later.
“I sure will. I’ve arranged my dinner break for then.” He held her face in his hands. “Until then, remember I love you.”
“I love you too.”
Brianna spent the rest of the day in a near dream state. She got a few more pointers from Anthony on her playing and then went to jam with various musicians both professional and amateur who’d brought their instruments just for fun. Every year previously, she’d watched festival-goers jamming, wishing she had the courage to join them. Now they were coming up toherand asking to play. The more she played, the better her body felt, until almost all the stiffness was gone. The day passed quickly and then it was time for her judged performance in the pavilion. She got ready in the tiny lounge backstage, listening to the banjo player before her and waiting for her name to be called. And the strangest thing was that it didn’t feel strange at all. It felt natural and right and like her real life had just begun.
