Chapter 37
CHAPTER 37
I an
Three months later …
Jeri takes the microphone. “I want to thank you all for coming out tonight. Mad Dogs Run is celebrating its fifth birthday and all of us want to recognize Sam Weston for being a Rock Hills trailblazer!” She pauses as applause erupts from the crowd. “We have some special guests tonight. First, some of you might recognize Ian Stanton standing over there by Sam, but did you know it’s the same Ian Stanton from Boundless Hearts?”
As the audience turns to look at me, I promise myself that, whatever this is, I’m going to get Jeri back. I wave and speak to Sam out of the side of my mouth. “What the hell’s she up to?”
“Not sure.”
I can tell by the humor in his tone he’s lying.
“As a surprise to Ian, I’d like to introduce Mr. Charlie Paul and Mr. Tommy Henry also of Boundless Hearts. Surprise, Ian!”
Shock ripples through me as Charlie and Tom pass me by.
“Hey, Ian.” Charlie slaps me on the shoulder.
“Lookin’ good, asshole.” Tom punches my arm.
Neither linger long enough for me to ask questions, and they cut through the crowd bumping fists and slapping hands. I’m stunned to see them and, yet here they are. I can’t help but smile that they’re here. Charlie takes the microphone and exchanges a look with Jeri that makes her blush.
I’ve never seen Jeri blush.
“Ian, that woman of yours got us here. We’re glad to see you, brother.” Emotion chokes me as Savannah joins them on the stage.
“Thanks, Charlie.” The crowd goes wild seeing Savannah. She hasn’t performed since that night in Discord Flatts. Instead, she’s spent most of her time with Gigi, doing her best to rebuild her sense of security. For my part, I hired security. It was necessary after the local press discovered I was in town. Savannah and Gigi have spent more time at the ranch and Gigi understands that Marcus now lives at the ranch to keep us all safe. Most nights she sleeps between Savannah and me, and I find myself watching them both as they sleep. I ask myself “How did I get so lucky?” every single day.
Savannah quiets the audience down. “I know you’re wondering what all of this is about, Ian but, as much as it looks like we’re playing hot potato with this microphone, I’m going to pass it to one more person; Skylar Barrows.”
Skylar stops on her way to the stage. “I love you, Ian.” She hugs me around the neck as I stand flabbergasted. “It’s good to see you.”
Speechless, I watch as she joins Savi onstage. The two men move back as the two women embrace. Savi hands Sky the microphone and the applause of the crowd simmers down.
Skylar, ever the epitome of serenity and grace, looks over the room full of people.
“It’s been a while, hasn’t it?” She smiles as the audience chuckles. “I believe each time we evoke the name of someone who’s passed on, it lets them live again. Dash was a man who loved life and he truly loved the guys in the band. They’d been together since they were kids and he believed music was the common ground on which everyone walked. I share that sentiment. With Sam Weston’s help, and without Ian’s notice, I’ve learned much about Rock Hills. Over the past few weeks, Sam’s shared its history and the vision for future expansion. Today, it’s my honor to announce the formation of The Barrows Foundation for the Arts.”
The room fills with applause once again. Skylar patiently waits for quiet before she continues.
“The Barrows Foundation is a three-fold venture. It will provide grant money to entrepreneurs who desire to repurpose buildings for music venues, and stipends for those using their talents in music and architecture. To finish off this trio we’ll build a music venue where national acts will perform while on tour and, with your help, Dash’s memory will live on.”
Everyone in the room is now standing, and hoots and hollers ring out.
“A long time ago, Savannah Grace won a songwriting contest and Boundless Hearts recorded the song ‘Heal Me’. That song gained them their first platinum record. Today, we have three or the original four here to play it for you.” She waves me up to the stage. “C’mon, Ian.”
It feels surreal as I cross the room and step on the stage, and I sweep a look over the room. There’s electricity in the air; a collective anticipation of what will happen next.
Skylar steps off the stage. Savi follows but stops.
“Are you okay?” She asks.
I shake my head as I pick up the guitar. “Baby. I can’t believe you pulled all of this off.”
She shrugs it off. “It was just a few phone calls,” she says as she looks up at me with those big blue eyes that sparkle like sapphires. She’s never looked more beautiful to me. Her long, blonde hair cascades down her back in soft waves. Her sweet expression adds to her delicate features giving her a radiant glow. I lean down to give her a tender kiss. “You’re an amazing woman.”
“And you’re a wonderful man.” She tips her head toward Charlie and Tom who are up on the stage and ready to perform. “Have fun.”
I roll my shoulders, releasing the tension that collected there. Mic cords and speaker cables run around the stage. It all takes me back.
I don’t think I’ve stepped on Mad Dogs stage since I’ve been here. I adjust the mic and stand so it’s just the right height and angle. Taking a breath, I look out at the faces of the people.
“Savannah wrote ‘Heal Me’, but she didn’t intend for it to be played the way we recorded it. I look to Charlie and Tom. “I’d like to do it her way, guys. Follow me, okay?”
Near the back of the room, Savi sits at a table with Sam, Cora, Gigi, and Marcus. Her eyes are fixed on me, and I’m overcome with a sudden wave of emotion.
“Baby, come up here and sing this with me.”
She nods, smiling, and kisses Gigi, then passes her to Cora before coming up to the stage.
“You know, I’m a lucky bastard,” I say into the mic. “I got a second chance—you all know the story. I’m not sure I deserve it, but I’ll take it.” I point and look up. “This one’s for you, brother.”
I clear my throat of emotion and begin to play the intro. I’ve sung these words a hundred times, but I finally get the message. I feel the words the way Savannah meant them, only this time instead of falling off my lips, they’re coming from deep down inside.
They say making mistakes is a part of life
And I say that’s good livin’
Sin’ll stain your mortal soul
And some things ain’t forgiven …
She picks up the second part and I feel the heart and soul of the song. It’s like I got a new life, and it feels damn good to be here.