Page 31 of Shock to the Heart

Before she can say anything else, I seize her to me, practically squeezing all the air out of her. "Baby, I'm so proud of you. That's amazing." Then I lean back. "Of course, I'm just an electrician. I don't know a damn thing about music. I just know what I like."

Her nose crinkles. "That's the thing. You're a normal guy, and you enjoyed it. I don't care what other musicians think. I don't care what the industry thinks. I just want to brighten someone's drive to work in their big company van, you know?"

"You bet." I fling a blanket over us and snuggle her. "I know a whole bunch of blue-collar guys who would be glad to have a listen. Call it a focus group. I'll pay for the beer."

Her head falls back as she laughs, and I kiss along her throat. "You know, I might actually take you up on that."

"For the record…get it, record?...you are going to be in charge of the music at our wedding."

She laughs, headbutting my shoulder again, as if she thinks I'm crazy.

Perhaps I am.

But I do know that electricity always runs to the ground. And Electra is not just the love of my life. She's the grounding that my life has always needed.

EPILOGUE

ELECTRA

* Two Years Later *

Lying on the beach, holding my new husband's hand as the moon rises over the water, I revel in this perfect moment. Part of me thinks I should pull out a notebook and write some lyrics about this feeling. Instead, I allow it to wash over me like the waves lapping just inches from our toes.

CC pulled some strings and arranged this honeymoon paradise for us. She won't say which rock star owns this beachfront property, but she chose well for us. Instead of all modern and glass like the megahomes you see on television, it's a charming cottage by the sea. A true beach getaway.

Which was something we desperately needed. Sure enough, news of our impending wedding got out. CC was actually a real trooper, and took it upon herself to plan two weddings: the grand, elegant affair happening in Nashville next year that she leaked to the press to throw them off. And our real wedding for just fifty people, which happened in my parents' back yard.

My new father-in-law outdid himself, creating a fantastic frame of fairy lights in a huge circle around the garden. Since he needed a lot of help, he actually hired Marty McGee and his crew to assist. Can you believe it? His son's wedding brought the competition together.

"Hey, are you hungry?"

I turn to Trey on the sun lounger beside me. "Yeah, kind of."

"Do we want to actually cook-cook, or just heat something up?"

There are no restaurants here on the island, not even takeout. The owners offered to set us up with a chef, but we wanted to be completely alone. So the kitchen was totally stocked for us, with a ton of prepared meals and raw ingredients.

"How about that frozen lasagna? It looked great."

Trey squeezes my fingers. "Yes but it's supposed to thaw for an hour before it goes into the oven."

"Oh no!" The back of my free hand falls dramatically against my forehead. "Whatever shall we do for an hour, out here all alone?"

As he scoops me up in his arms, my laugh rings out across the beach and out to sea. Trey stops, his eyes suddenly serious as he tracks the horizon. "There's a storm coming. You know to stay off a wet beach during a storm, right? Lightning carries straight through water."

"Good to know." My hand drags across his stubbled jaw as I kiss him. "I'm grateful for that one shock that brought you to me, but that's plenty, thanks."

"Good. Let's go."

My heart races as he kisses me while carrying me into the cottage, where I'm pretty sure we're about to forget all about dinner.

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