Finding Forever (Living Again #4)

by L. L. Collins

  The room became even more deafening with the applause and catcalls of the hundreds of people in this room. She had done what? Everyone here had bought a ticket for a concert that benefited her? Lacey blinked, looking back and forth between Sam and Brant. She was in shock.

  “Lacey, can you come up here, please?”

  Oh, God. She wanted her to go up on the stage? She wasn’t sure she would make it. Tears filled her eyes, and she covered her mouth with her hand so she wouldn’t make a fool out of herself. She wasn’t a pretty crier, and she knew it.

  Brant stood and grabbed her hand, leading her to the stairs to the stage. Right when she stepped on the stage, she heard hooting and clapping from a group a few rows from where she had been sitting. Stopping to look at who it was, she saw her sister and all of Sam and Ellis’ Florida friends: Kayley, Ben, Alexis, Benji, Cierra, Rachel, Devin, Ellis, baby Kerri, and Mason. They were giving her a standing ovation, which then prompted the entire theatre to follow, standing and clapping as she made her way to Sam.

  She wasn’t sure if she should be mortified or ecstatic that Sam had done this for her. But when she reached Sam, she engulfed her in a tight hug, sobbing into her hair as they held on to each other.

  “You’re my inspiration,” Sam whispered. “I love you so much. This is all for you tonight, Lace. Every single word, every song I sing. This is to show you how much you mean to me and everyone who is here for you. We’re all going to be here to watch you kick the ass of this stupid cancer.”

  Lacey pulled back, knowing that the makeup she had so carefully applied was running down her cheeks. She swore she could feed a river with the amount of tears she had cried in the last few months. “Super Star, you’ve really done it now. How in the hell did you pull this off?”

  Sam beamed. “Once you started planning to come here, I got it in gear. It’s great to have connections.” She turned to the audience and lifted Lacey’s hand, clasped in hers. “My best friend Lacey Russell everyone. This whole thing is for her.” The applause and shouting resumed until Sam motioned.

  “Thank you for being here tonight. Lacey, when I posted this benefit on my website, it sold out in ten minutes. Ten minutes, Lacey. I could’ve filled this room five times with the number of people that wanted to be part of this cause. But I wanted it to be an intimate, private concert that you would always remember. When you’re at your lowest, Lace, just remember. Everyone here, including all of our friends and family, believe that you can do this. Remember this room, giving you a standing ovation. On that note, why don’t we get to some singing! Lacey, you can go back to your seat now. After the benefit is over, we’ll have a catered dinner in your honor in the ballroom out the doors.”

  Brant helped her down off the stage, and she had never been more grateful. She knew that Sam was an amazing person before this, but she had just blown her away with her generosity and kindness. Lacey pushed away the thoughts that she didn’t want to take charity from anyone, even her wealthy friend, because it was so much more than that and she knew it.

  Lacey looked around the ballroom, decorated simply with ivory linens and floating candles in the center of the tables. Sam’s concert was beyond amazing, and everyone that was there had been thoroughly entertained. She sang all of Lacey’s favorite songs, then took survivors on the stage to share their personal stories. Once each of them were done, she sang their favorite song. And every single time, Lacey bawled her eyes out at their stories.

  “Quite a show, huh,” Kayley slid in next to her. “You holding up okay?”

  Lacey smiled at her. “Yes. What an emotional but amazing night tonight. I still can’t believe she did that.”

  “Just so you know, we’re always here for you. You know Ben’s a doctor as well; pediatrician, but if you ever need him to find out a second opinion, he has a lot of friends.”

  “Thank you.” It floored her the number of people that were willing to step up and help her.

  “Miss Lacey?” Kayley’s ten year old daughter Alexis appeared next to her, her angelic face marked with concern. She had to be the most adorable little girl Lacey had ever seen, with blonde curls and blue eyes. “You have cancer?”

  “Yes,” she admitted, trying not to tear up in front of the little girl. “But I’m going to take medicine.”

  “Chemotherapy, right?” Lacey must’ve looked shocked at her knowing the word. “My Daddy’s a pediatrician. He said that sometimes kids even get cancer.”

  “That’s true, Alexis. But I’m hoping that I’ll be okay.”

  “I hope you are, too,” she said. “You’re really pretty, Lacey. And you’re a veterinarian, right? I want to do that when I grow up. I love animals. Or be a regular doctor like my Daddy.”’

  “You can be whatever you want, Alexis.”

  Alexis looked at Brant, then back at Lacey. “He’s really handsome,” she whispered, but not quietly enough.

  “Yes, he is,” Lacey whispered back, squeezing Brant’s leg under the table. She could see out of the corner of her eye that he was very amused by the conversation. When Alexis looked over at him and caught him looking at her, she ducked her head.

  “I have to go get my brother and sister. Benji’s probably playing in the toilet or something,” she rolled her eyes. Lacey looked at Kayley and they both hid their smile as she hurried off.

  “She’s something else,” Lacey commented.

  “You got that right,” Kayley agreed. “The funny thing is, the kids are with Ben out at the bathroom. I swear I don’t have to say a word to any of the kids. Alexis thinks she’s the mom. I left Dalen with a babysitter; having him here would’ve been not a good idea.”

  “My thoughts exactly,” Rachel said, sitting across from them. Devin took off his jacket and hung it on the back of the chair, then kissed his wife briefly before sitting down. “The twins are with my parents. We needed a date night. Right, honey?”

  “Always,” Devin winked. “Lacey, I’m very sorry to hear about your diagnosis, but I’m also glad to be here for a benefit for you tonight. You know we’re always here for you, for anything.”

  “Thank you, all of you,” she said. “This is my boyfriend, Brant Tucker, and my sister, Aubrey Russell. Brant, Aubrey, this is Kayley, Rachel, and Devin.”

  “And Sam and Ellis,” Sam announced, swooping in behind Lacey as everyone shook hands with Brant.

  Sam hugged Lacey from behind. “The benefit was amazing,” Lacey said. “I can never thank you enough.”

  Sam waved her hand. “I don’t need any thanks. Look around you, Lace. Every person in this room, that’s over 500, paid a thousand dollars a head to be here tonight. A thousand dollars. Plus, I’m having an auction later in the dinner for some concert tickets, a trip, stuff like that. Every single bit of it goes to you, Lacey.”

  Lacey tried to calculate how much that could end up being, but her mind couldn’t fathom it. “Sam,” she started, but Sam put up her hand.

  “I don’t want to hear it, Lace,” she interrupted. “I know you have insurance and all, but you’re going to go months without working, plus have co-pays and other expenses. You’re taking every damn dime. Pay off your house, get married,” she eyed Brant. “But no matter what you do with it, you’re taking it.”

  “Thank you,” Lacey said again. “All of you are such an amazing part of my life. Even though I’ve only met all of you a few times, you treat me just like I’m part of you. I know the next few months are going to be very difficult, but I also know my support system is just a phone call away.”

  Ben slid in next to Kayley. “What did I miss?”

  “That’s Ben,” Kayley introduced Brant and Aubrey. “That’s Brant, Lacey’s boyfriend, and Aubrey, Lacey’s sister.”

  Lacey sat back and looked at the group of people that assembled here for her, because of Sam. Brant’s hand was tucked in hers, and she felt peace. It was going to be okay, no matter what happened.

  Brant pulled up to his parents’ ranch, sighing as he passed the huge T
ucker Ranch sign. Lacey had insisted they come out today, even though he said she had enough to deal with since her treatment started tomorrow.

  He was embarrassed to say how long it had been since he had been out to see his parents. It looked serene and peaceful, the trees all changing color to signify fall.

  “Wow,” Lacey breathed, stepping out of the truck. “It’s gorgeous out here, Brant.” She turned in a full circle, taking in all the trees, the massive ranch house, and the endless fields. You could see the mountains in the distance, the clouds touching the top of them. He had to admit that he’d missed it out here. Growing up here had been full of adventures; a perfect place for a curious boy.

  “Brant!” His mom stood on the front step, waving to them. She was in her element, having cooked them an elaborate brunch before they headed back to town.

  “Let’s go,” Lacey said, linking her hand with his. “I’m right here, remember that.” He smiled, loving when she used the same words on him that he had used on her.

  They walked up the front steps and Brant stopped, hugging his mom. “Mom,” he said, pulling back from her. “This is Lacey Russell, my girlfriend. Lacey, this is my mom, Jane.”

  “Mrs. Tucker, very nice to meet you,” Lacey smiled, holding out her hand. Brant knew that wasn’t what she wanted.

  She reached out and enveloped Lacey in a hug, and Brant smiled. He knew it. “Call me Jane. Well aren’t you just the cutest thing. No wonder my Brant loves you so much. Come in, come in. I’ve got a meal all ready for you, and your dad’s at the table waiting.”

  Brant’s stomach constricted, and he hoped that he could make it through this visit without wanting to punch something. They walked into the kitchen and his dad lifted his eyes to meet his. The last time he had seen him was when he walked out of the hospital room.

  “Hi, Dad,” he smiled, putting the fake persona on he used with him to get through. “You’re looking well. This is my girlfriend, Lacey.”

  His dad’s eyes flicked to Lacey, and he almost breathed a sigh of relief. Maybe he would behave himself while she was here.

  “Nice to meet you, Mr. Tucker. I’m glad you’re doing better.”

  His dad looked at his mom, then back to Lacey. “Nice to meet you too, Lacey. I hear you’re a veterinarian. That’s impressive.”

  “Yes, I am,” Lacey said, sitting down next to him at the table. “Thank you. I’ve always loved animals, so it was a natural fit.”

  His dad looked at him then. “So has Brant. Always had quite a heart for the underdog. Brant, you’re looking good. Been working out a lot? I think you’re thicker than last time.”

  Who was this man and what did he do with his father? He was asking him about working out? He had always said gyms were for pansies and a real man worked out by getting their hands dirty outside. “I’ve been going almost every day, yes,” Brant said cautiously.

  Lacey squeezed his hand, and he relaxed. If his dad was going to try, so would he. “What does the doctor say? You going to be able to get back out there soon?”

  “Not soon enough. I’m doing well, but the old body doesn’t want to cooperate anymore. Doc says I should think about someone younger taking over.” And there it was, the guilt. If Brant would’ve taken over the business, his dad could retire without worrying.

  “Don’t you have anyone on your staff that you trust to run things?” Lacey intervened, feeling the tension in his body. God, he loved her.

  He smiled at her. “Yes, I have great employees. They are doing their best to keep up. I’ve run this ranch since I was younger than Brant. I started shadowing my dad when I was sixteen, just like he had with his dad.”

  “You grew up right here in this house?”

  “On this property, yes, but we had the house rebuilt when Jane and I got married.”

  Lacey looked at his mom. “How did you guys meet?”

  Brant sat back, watching his parents completely fall in love with Lacey. His dad actually laughed and smiled at her more than once. And even when his mom asked about her cancer, which he wanted to kick her for, Lacey didn’t bat an eye. If it was possible, he loved her even more at this moment than he ever had.

  “That was fabulous,” Lacey said. She hadn’t stopped talking since they got in the truck from his parents’ house. They had taken her on a tour of the ranch. She had squealed like a little girl when she saw the horses, having to stop and feed them sugar cubes and nuzzle them. She had then offered to come check them out anytime if they needed veterinarian services. Of course, after she was done with treatments.

  She had fed chickens, pet a baby calf, and asked his dad so many questions it made Brant’s head spin. He didn’t think he’d ever seen her be so animated in all the time he had known her.

  “I think my dad just might worship the ground you walk on,” Brant joked. “He’ll probably trade me in for you.”

  “No way,” she giggled. “Plus, he doesn’t have to trade you in. He gets both of us. He seemed like he was really trying today. Did you think so?”

  Shockingly enough, he did. “Yes. I think a lot of it had to do with you. Thank you. You’re such a bright ray of sunshine in my life, Doc.”

  “You remember that when I’m hugging the porcelain god and have no hair, okay?” She smiled at him sweetly, and he groaned. She just didn’t stop.

  It was Lacey’s first day of treatment, and Brant thought he might be as nervous as she was. She had gotten the port put in when they returned from Florida. It was underneath her skin on her chest. You only saw it if you looked up close or she moved a certain way. For all intents and purposes, she was ready. Her left breast was healed, her port was in. All that was needed now was the poison they would put in her body to kill the cancer cells.

  Brant had turned down two more shoots where he had to travel, and his agent was getting worried. At this time, he was only accepting jobs that he could do within driving distance of Lacey. Angela thought he was committing career suicide, and maybe he was. But he never wanted to look back on this time and regret that he wasn’t there for her. Everything else could wait.

  After their time at his parents yesterday, he had felt the most positive he had in a long time. Maybe it was possible for him to have a relationship with his family now without judgment. Time would tell.

  “Ready?” Lacey stood at the doorway, wringing her hands. She was so scared she was barely holding it together. Not that she had said that; he just knew her. Brant didn’t blame her at all, because he felt it, too.

  “Ready,” he answered, trying to smile at her. The truth was, he wanted to go lock himself in the bathroom and cry. He hated that this was happening to her.

  “You didn’t think you would get away without seeing me, did you?” Sam’s voice boomed from the front door. Brant had known she was coming; there was no way she was staying away from Lacey today.

  They walked down the hall to see Sam and Ellis, baby Kerri sleeping on her mom’s shoulder. She embraced Lacey, and Brant and Ellis shared a look over the women’s heads. They had been talking quite a bit since they had returned from Florida, and Brant thought he was a fantastic guy.

  “Give me that baby,” Lacey cooed, taking Kerri from her mom and settling on the couch with her. Brant smiled, mouthing thank you at Sam. She needed the distraction.

  Max woofed from the back door, Sophia and Maggie right behind him. “They need to go out,” Brant announced. “Ellis, want to walk out with me?”

  Ellis looked back at the two women, bent over baby Kerri, and nodded. They walked out onto the back porch, watching the dogs run through the yard.

  “How are you holding up?” Ellis asked. “Sam’s been a wreck. I don’t think she’s eaten or slept in days. I’ve found her crying at least a dozen times. I feel so helpless because there’s not a damn thing I can do. I’m not used to not being able to do something to help her.”

  Brant nodded. “That’s about how I feel too. When Lacey does fall asleep, I find myself just staring at her, hoping and praying th
at I can sleep next to her for the rest of my life. What if she doesn’t beat this, Ellis? I don’t think I could survive it.” Brant hadn’t vocalized his fears to anyone, afraid that Lacey would know how terrified he actually was.

  Ellis blew out a breath. “I can’t imagine how you must feel. I know how I would feel if Sam was going through this, and that’s just me thinking about it, not having to live it. She and Sam are like sisters, and Sam’s already lost one sister to cancer in her lifetime.”

  “I didn’t know that,” Brant said. “That’s terrible. I know we’re all here for her and we just have to believe that everything’s going to work out for the best. I can’t thank you and Sam enough for being such a huge supporter for her during this time. What Sam did for her in Florida, it was amazing, man.”

  “Sam doesn’t have all the final numbers yet, her accountant is working that out,” Ellis said. “But, man, the number that she’s estimating is staggering, Brant. You won’t believe what Sam has done. It’s insane.” He shook his head. “That wife of mine, she has people eating right out of her hand. In this case, it’s for a wonderful reason.”

  “How much?” Brant asked quietly. He knew that Lacey was uneasy about the money, as happy as she was for what Sam did for her. Both he and Lacey made good incomes, and even with her out of work for the next few months she felt she would be okay. But Sam didn’t think ‘okay’ was enough. She had even offered to move Lacey anywhere in the country she wanted if she found better doctors there.

  Ellis looked back at the door, then to Brant. “Over a million dollars, Brant. Can you believe that?”

  Brant’s mouth dropped. “What? No damn way.”

  Ellis nodded. “Yes. Those people went batshit crazy for those private concert tickets with the dinner, then they spent a crapload on the auction and merchandise, too. Once the magazines got a hold of the story, she got even more people coming forward. It may end up being more than that, man. Is that crazy or what?”