Nothing would surprise Ariel after this.
However, something felt wrong in her story. Something was missing. “But why couldn’t you work it out? Make yourschedules mesh? Find a band that would include both of you, or start your own band together? If I fell in love, I’d make it work.”
Would Ariel’s musical career be worth it too? Could she sacrifice love for success? “Auntie, do you regret choosing a career over love?”
The older lady was quiet so long, she might not have heard Ariel over the voice of her own memories.
“The more honest question is whether falling in love with only one man in my lifetime was worth the pain of losing him.” Her aunt turned in the saddle to face Ariel, her eyes glistening. “The answer is yes. Knowing and loving my Auggie is worth the deep pain of giving him up. And the deeper joy of finding him again.”
Giving him up…
Would it be worth it for Ariel? She didn’t know. Long ago, she’d decided never to marry a musician. But unlike Aunt Dahlia, Ariel wasn’t in love, although her feelings for Caleb could definitely trend in that direction if she let them.
For whatever reason, people had started calling Ariel the sweetheart of country music. But would the sweetheart end up alone?
“Auntie, I think you want me to stay single too. But I should make that decision.”
A shadow fell across her aunt’s still-pretty face. “I know things about men and show biz that you don’t.”
“Like what? I’m not a child.”
Aunt Dahlia blew out a big breath, seemingly lost in her thoughts.
“I’m going to tell you something no one else knows, not even Auggie.” She kept her gaze on the paved road before them, her shoulders slumping a little. “When I came to Nashville from my parents’ little mountain cabin at nineteen, I didn’t know anything. So when a certain manager offered to take me on asa client, I jumped right in. Didn’t know I should check him out first or that lots of men in Nashville call themselves managers when they’re just lechers.”
Ariel saw where this was going, and it crushed her heart. She looked away, across her father’s field. “It’s okay. You don’t have to tell me the rest.”
“No, but you’ll understand more when you know that, after what he did to me, I couldn’t trust any man.”
“Even your Auggie.”
They rode in silence, Ariel watching the little brown birds in the trees and listening to their songs.
“So I kept you hidden. At least, as much as a woman of your importance in the music world—and your beauty—can stay hidden. I did it for you, because when something like this happens, life never gets back to normal.”
She did it for Ariel.
Maybe the Lord orchestrated it for her good. Still…
“Auntie, I love you dearly, but if Caleb asks me out, I’ll say yes.”
A look flitted across Aunt Dahlia’s face—one Ariel had never seen in her. Fear? Terror?
“He’s not like your old manager. He’s a fine man. He won’t hurt me.”
They rode in silence until the farmhouse came into view. “What about Earl’s song? Did you rethink your decision?”
“I thought about it a long time last night. I haven’t changed my mind.”
As Ariel expected.
They started up the long dirt drive, watching for their nephew to run outside and meet them. The house looked the same as ever, with its pretty gables and big front porch.
Ariel watched for Sam, hoping he’d meet them in the yard as usual, but he didn’t come outside. Ariel dismounted and,holding her reins, grabbed Aunt Dahlia’s reins as well as she swung off her horse.
“Hey, little sis. Aunt Dahlia.” Red-haired Ethan, having changed from his dark jeans and button-down to his Carhartts, strode toward them from the barn and gave them each an awkward side hug. Then he led the horses to the nearby stable, presumably to give the animals their water and hay.
Sometimes Ariel felt like jumping into her brother’s arms just to see how he’d react to genuine sisterly affection.
