"I will be right by your side the entire time." Emily began to laugh.
"You mean eighteen years, right?" Meghan burst into laughter.
"Of course, I will, you are my best friend. Who, else is going to fetch your midnight cravings?" Laughing, Meghan parked, and Emily opened her door first, turning towards her best friend with a smile.
"Chocolate milkshake." Meghan met her grin over the hood of the car in surprise.
"You are hungry?"
"Yes, and a hamburger."
"Yay, Emily is back. Let's eat."
#
Summer was in full swing, as June neared the end. Decorations around town were already up in preparation for the fourth of July. Emily now at two months along was relieved, the morning sickness had ended. The cravings began, leaving her hungry pretty much all day and night, and yet she still had not gained more than a few pounds. Katie loved teasing her mother when she had a craving, especially the hot sauce on French fries and melted cheese on everything. She had not looked towards a vegetable in a week, much to her daughter's delight. Big juicy hamburgers were the dinner of choice, only enhanced the feelings this was a boy.
On the outside, she appeared fine, but on the inside was a different story. Emily was sad and lonely. She wondered how her heart would heal a second time. No heart should ever lose two men. She avoided the internet as much as possible, as Katie and the girls had stopped buying gossip magazines. If anyone knew what was happening in Wade's life, they decided not to divulge the news to Emily.
The week after the fourth of the July Emily volunteered to make the bank run. It was a hot Friday, and the lunch crowd quickly dwindled, adding to Emily's restlessness.
Lately filled with regret, fear that she should have given Wade a chance to explain before he left town. Now she could only hope that she would not hate the rash decision for the remainder of her life. Needing some fresh air, Emily chose to walk the block to the bank. After leaving the bank, deciding to turn towards the small park a few blocks away instead of returning to the diner. Choosing a swing in the shade, she could not help but reflect on her life, the change in direction that she was heading and Wade. Memories flooded her of the first few weeks of getting to know Wade with him behind the counter. "What a joke, a country music star was slinging burgers at a diner. He must have had a good laugh at how stupid we all were."
Emily did not hear the person take the swing next to her until he said her name. "Emily." She wiped her tears.
"Oh. Hi Kevin. I didn't hear you walk up." She swiped a lone tear heading towards her chin.
"Emily, do you want to talk?" Shaking her head, then changing direction.
"I do have a question. Did you know who he was?" Kevin focused on his feet, sighing then confessing.
"Yes, we knew. Sherri's brother is Troy, Wade's manager." Kevin paused to face her, hoping she was ready to hear the truth. "Troy wanted him away from Nashville. He worried about how the stress of the divorce and the accusations were affecting him. You see, Troy is more than a manager to Wade; he cares for him as he does his own children. Troy was worried, Wade began distancing himself from life for some time. He was sad, Emily. Sad. But he was not able to see his way out to make the changes he so desperately needed to make. That is until he met you." His words caught her attention.
"Me?"
"Yes, his ex-wife Lacey. It is quite a story do you have time?" Emily nodded.
Kevin left the park much later after patiently answering all of Emily's questions. She sat alone, in the swing, gently pushing herself back and forth as she processed all of the information. "That witch of an ex-wife wanted it all, holding his family's farm hostage until he gave up his name to her. It was his name." Emily teared up when she recalled what Kevin had said. "Emily, Wade gave up the stage name to use his real name in life with you."
"For me? He did all of that for me?" She pressed the palms of her hands over her eyes, filled with regret. "I did not give him a chance to explain."
Emily's mind poured over and over memory, and each word he attempted to speak to her when she shut him out of her life. The last thing he asked of her. "Don't believe everything you hear or read about me." Emily cried. Instead of blaming him for their loss, she now chastised herself because she sent him away.
Chapter 13
Kevin walked from the park straight to the diner; he had a feeling Emily would remain at the park for a while longer. After their talk, he left her with a great deal to contemplate. Kevin had been waiting for the chance to tell her the truth about Wade, waiting for the right time had been the hardest part. Now the time has come for action, and he realized he needed some help to correct the situation. Kevin walked into the diner, removing his baseball cap, spying Bill and his friends having lunch, the perfect partners to assist him with his plan.
"Hey Kevin, how is the farm?" Shaking their hands, pulling up a chair.
"Good really good." His eyes darted around the diner to see who else was around. "Hey, I need to get straight to the reason why I need to speak to all of you. It's Emily and Wade; I just spent the last hour telling her about Wade and everything that happened. When I left, she was crying. She loves him of that I am positive. I haven't heard from him in a month, but when he left here, he was a love-sick fool for that girl. I don't even know if he is aware of the baby." Bill interrupted.
"I have." Every eye at the table shifted their attention towards Bill in surprise, when he waves Meghan over to the table. "Meg, can you call Emily and send her on another errand? We all need to talk and make plans." Meghan nodded, pulling her cell phone from her pocket, returning to the kitchen she yelled for Lynn, the newest part-time cook they hired after Wade left. Lynn popped her head out of the large cooler, from doing inventory. "Quick tell me something that we are out so I can send Emily on another errand." Without missing a beat.
"Lemons, two dozen to be exact." Surprised by the quick response as the phone rang, reminding herself to inquire later.
"Em, hey are you anywhere near the store?"
"Yes, about a block. I was starting to walk back. Why?"
"Oh, Lynn has something special she wants to make for the dinner crowd tonight, and she needs two dozen lemons. But if you are heading back, then I can drive over in a bit." She hoped Emily would take the bait.
"No, I will get them. I am enjoying the weather, should be back in an hour." Meghan smiled and nodded to the men at the table.
"Thanks, Em," Meghan said, her thanks to Lynn, and even more thankful they found her when they did, with Emily's pregnancy she has already made life a lot easier. Fifteen minutes later, a plan formulated when Meghan asked. "When is our deadline?" Bill responded. "First week of August." Bill smiled. "Don't worry. I will get the boy here."
#
July passed faster than he had expected, for that he felt relieved as he welcomed the first week of August. Ever since Bill had called alerting Wade to his plan, he found it difficult to eat, sleep, or make it through the day without wanting to pick up the phone to try to call Emily again. He would never have dreamed how difficult it was to stay away from her as it had been. Wade stared at the ring of keys in his hands, then to the one hundred and fifty acres, a barn, pens, and a beautiful old farmhouse that just needed some loving. Even now a few days since he had closed on the property, he continued to stay amazed. He was home. While watching the construction crew working on the house, the loneliness crept back in, causing Wade to count the days since he walked away from Emily with tears in his eyes. He had learned a lot about women from Bill, everything he said made sense. He knew now the only way to get her back was to show her who he was, not to tell her who he longed to become.
Leaving Mason, Texas after Emily found out the truth was by far the hardest thing he had ever done. So many times, in the past few days, he had been tempted to throw her over his shoulder, taking her someplace where she had no choice but to listen. On more than one of their conversations, Bill had encouraged patience. Now, as they neared three months later, th
anks to Bill, Wade had a solid plan to get his girl.
Wade was home, home in Texas. He was a free man ready for his future with Emily if she can find it in her heart to forgive him for holding back the truth. Sitting on the front porch as the sun dipped behind the hills, in one of four rockers he bought for this purpose. His eyes returned to the photograph June had given him of Emily from the holiday, when a large group had taken a trip to the river. The photo was of Emily sitting in a lawn chair with her feet in the water. Her once flat belly now showed the definite signs of his child, as her hands rested on her stomach, she was laughing.
He wished he had the right to be there, to hold her. According to Meghan and Bill, he needed to stick to the plan and not allow Emily to see him around town. His Emily was a woman of action, not words. Wade returned from Nashville, where he spent his time recording his new album, in time to sign on the dotted line for the new house and land. His album, the first one entirely made up of his original songs. The songs were the ones he written here while he fell in love. He felt this was his first real accomplishment in the music business.
Walking around the back of the house to water the strip of rose buses he planted for Emily, visible from the kitchen window, one of the many surprises in the house he added. Friday night was approaching fast, and all he could hope for is that Meghan and June knew what they were doing.
Chapter 14
Emily and Meghan walked into the large dance hall. Emily had not been dancing in more than a year and doubted tonight would be the night to break that long streak. With the jukebox playing, she realized how much she missed moving on the dance floor. Emily grabbed Meghan's arm pointing, in the direction of the stage, set up with instruments. "Look a live band." Meghan nodded in agreement.
"Wow, Bill went all out to surprise June." Emily began to tear up, hating her quick emotions.
"How sweet."
Lately, it seemed she cried over everything; even commercials appeared to get the best of her moods. "Must be wonderful to have a husband..." Her thoughts trailed off, as the words died out on her lips. They both wandered, admiring the decorations, oohing and ahhing over the tiny white lights hanging above the dance floor reminding Emily of her favorite romantic movie. Meghan met up with her husband and all three girls as Emily made her way towards a table closer to the stage. After a busy day on her feet, she chose to take advantage and rest by the sheer chance she found the energy to dance later.
Emily settled into a chair, her long clean clad legs crossed at her booted ankles. She had chosen a loose fit cotton shirt with a round neck that hugged her shoulders and flared at the waist covering the elastic extension she now wore in all of her jeans to keep them secured, leaving her longing to have her flat stomach return. Meghan insisted she looked good, in truth Emily was much too tired to care, so she trusted the word of her friend.
A few minutes later, the happy couple walked into the hall as everyone clapped and yelled Happy Anniversary. Meghan insisted on bringing Emily a plate of barbeque brisket and potato salad. Content to sit and enjoy eating while visiting with friends and neighbors, her awkward fear of her unexpected pregnancy now old news. The idea of a new baby had received a warm welcome everyone she knew. Most of the crowd finished their plates with the big lights were dimmed as Bill took the stage with June.
"I would like to thank everyone for coming to our party. Thank you for helping us celebrate a long life, filled with love and happiness."
Emily noticed Bill and June's boys, along with their families standing nearest to the stage. Bill continued telling a short story of their life together, alerting the crowd in on their history and how they managed to obtain approval from her dad. Bill added. "Every couple has obstacles that they overcome to be together." He hesitated then continued. "Love is not worth it if you are not willing to fight for the chance to be together. No one is perfect. We all come with baggage. Real love is accepting their full bag and learning to live with it. My wish for all of you on our special night. Raise your glasses." Bill lifted his glass. "May, all of you, always know, and feel love and may you never be afraid to ask for what you want."
June appeared shocked when Bill pulled her into a romantic kiss in front of family and friends.
#
Emily stayed seated, sipping a seven-up watching speechless as Bill and June walked to the edge of the stairs, hesitating to talk to the members of what appeared to be a band taking the stage. The lights dimmed briefly obscuring her view and inhibiting her curiosity. Emily stood, compelled to move for a much better view of the scene unfolding in front. If she were not watching with her own eyes, she would never have believed, as Bill shook hands with Wade.
Watching with parting lips in confusion when Wade took the stage in front of the band, picking up the guitar, he adjusted the microphone and looked straight towards her. In a split second without forethought, her hand went to the soft expansion of her belly. Emily took in his appearance and how amazing he looked in his tight t-shirt and faded blue jeans. "Oh, crap, why does have to look good it isn't fair." She took one step at a time, closer towards the stage. Feeling Meghan's arm shifted around her waist as June took her opposite side. Emily fought off the urge to faint when she heard the deep timbre of his voice through the microphone.
"Thank you for the welcome. I sure have missed this place. Some of you knew me as the cook from Emily's diner. What you didn't know was that I used to perform. My name was Lincoln Wade. Some of you might have heard of me." Voices erupted as several teenage girls screamed, including Katie, Mallory, and Molly from next to the stage. "This is a long story on how I ended up here in Mason, and we have some partying to do, so that will wait for another time. But I will say this when I left here to return to Nashville to take care of some unfortunate business. I left my heart here. So, no, I wasn't born in Texas, but I got here as fast as I could." The crowd clapped and cheered. Many turned towards Emily to see her tears streaming down both cheeks. Meghan handed her several tissues as the band began to play.
It was new, not like anything Emily had heard from his previous two albums. Emily had spent every night since he left falling asleep listening to his voice. She knew every song, every word by heart. Meghan held her tightly as Wade whispered into the microphone. "This is for Emily."
Clenching a tissue in her hand, Emily brought her fingers to her mouth, the new song reached into her heart as each word healed bit by bit of the shattered pieces that remained after he left. -Fighting back more tears as the words sunk in, the tenderness, different from the words of the previous releases. Not even Meghan knew she had furiously downloaded his music so that she might listen whenever she needed to feel him close. The words Wade sang. "I am sorry for all the things I didn't tell you I am sorry for all of the things I didn't show you." She let another round of fat watery, tears fill her eyes. Damn the makeup.
Katie moved near her mother, placing her arms around her, speaking into her ear. "Mom, he loves you. Give him a chance if not for you then for the baby and me." Emily leaned back, her eyes drifting towards her sweet daughter's face. "Why you?" Now Katie's eyes glistened with emotion. Emily ran her finger across the soft cheek of her daughter. "Mom, I don't remember Daddy. It would be nice to have a Dad before I leave for college." Emily smiled, hugging her daughter as her eyes returned towards the stage over her child's head. Wade was ending the song with the last verse. "I love you, Emily," Emily nodded, her smile widened, she mouthed. "I love you, too."
#
Katie released her hold on her mother, standing beside Meghan and June as Emily took the final few steps towards the edge of the stage. Wade had stopped singing as the band continued to play, resting his guitar in the stand, jumping down off the stage. He opened his arms as Emily took the last step into them. The spotlight moved to the couple in love as Wade and Emily danced, for several minutes. Wade's head turned away from the girl he held in his arms towards the band. The band stopped playing, as Emily noticed all attention was on them. Feeling nervous, she fought
the urge to run. Sensing her fear, he calmed her nerves with the soft strokes of his thumb across the back of her hand. "No. You stay right here I have been planning this for weeks. You are not getting out that easy." Meghan released a deep breath, leaning towards June. "So far, so good." June smiled. "Sorry about us crashing your party with the plan." June begins to laugh.
"Oh, honey, why do you think we decided to have this party. This party has been Bill and Wade all along. They only thought they surprised me with the party. Seeing those two together is all I need."
The band begins to play another unrecognize song as one member begins to sing softly. The spotlight stays on Emily and Wade as he lowers himself to one knee. Mesmerize, Emily notices when Wade looks towards Katie, appearing to ask a silent question with one raised brow. Katie immediately grins and nods. Emily can’t help but wonder if the entire town has plotted against her.
"Emily" Wade repeats her name. Louder this time. "Emily, look at me. Please." Reaching for her left hand. "I fell in love with you over a glass tea. I know it happened too fast and it was scary. But that is how love is. It happens in an instant you have to be open to it."
"I love you, too." Emily says softly.
She smiles when he opens the little black box revealing a beautiful diamond engagement ring. "Emily, I am sorry that it took me so long to return to you. I had a life that I had to straighten out and a new life I had to start here."
"Well is everything straight now?" Of all the things he expected her to say, that was not it.
"Yes, honey. It is all straight now."
"Good."
"Emily, will you please marry me?" She hesitated, tilting her head to stare directly into his eyes.
"Are you sure that everything is straight now?" Emily wanted badly to believe him. Her heart did, as it slowly wound itself back together now that he has returned.
For Love or Music Page 7