Page 33 of Country Heat

I’m grateful for all my success, my fans, and my fortune, but I would give it all up in a second for her.

She’s what I’m most grateful for.

Life is no longer a nightmare.

With this beautiful angel in my life, it’s a dream come true.

EPILOGUE

Cash

Thirty Years Later…

“Where is she?” I mutter to myself as I look around the room, searching for my girl. This place is full of the most talented musicians in the industry, but I’m looking for my favorite. My favorite singer, my favorite person, and my favorite thing in the whole wide world. My Lola.

I start to get that tight, edgy feeling inside that I always get whenever I can’t find her.

We’re at the BeatBox Awards—the most prestigious music awards there are—and we’re seated right in the front. I’m getting the coveted Lifetime Achievement Award for my music contributions, although I feel like the music I’ve given this world is nothing compared to the wonderful children I’ve given it. But no one is giving out trophies for that.

The show is about to start and my wife is still not here. I look around for Lola and curse under my breath when the lights dim in the theater. The show is restarting, back from commercial.

I hope this isn’t where I get the award. I’d die if I was up there saying my speech and my soul mate wasn’t in her seat.

She went to the bathroom so long ago… Where is she?

The music plays and I feel lost as the show starts back up. A woman walks onto the stage from behind the curtain and it takes me a second or two before I realize it’s my wife.

I sink into the seat and smile as Lola struts up to the microphone in her dazzling silver dress that’s sparkling from all the spotlights. She’s grinning at me as the audience claps. Everyone loves Lola. How could you not?

I knew I was getting the award, but I had no idea Lola was presenting it to me. After all this time, she still has some tricks up her sleeve.

I smile as I watch her proudly stand in front of the crowd, looking completely at ease. She’s always been so good in front of an audience. She’s always been such a natural on stage. I love watching her and right now is no different. I’m on the edge of my seat.

“I was thirteen years old when I first heard the deep raspy voice of Cash Edwards,” she says, talking to the vast room of people, but only looking at me. “I was in my room, sitting on my bed when my phone pinged. My cousin had sent me the song.Broken Rancher.I remember pushing play and then I remember sitting up straight as chills raked down my spine. I was transfixed. I was shaken. I was mesmerized by Cash’s deep, iconic voice. Never had I heard such a captivating sound. And in that moment, I knew that I wanted to be a singer.”

I feel my chest aching as I watch this woman who’s changed me for the better. We’ve done so much. We’ve had four amazing children, created six incredible albums, donated millions tocharity, and had fun meeting our fans all over the world. But it’s the little things that mean the most to me. The loving way she looks at me when I bring her a coffee, the sound she makes when I rub her feet, the feel of her hands on my tight shoulders turning me to putty while she whispers soft words in my ear. Those are the moments I truly treasure. The moments that are just for us. The moments that won’t win any awards or will ever be televised, but each one lives in my heart.

“Tonight, it is my honor to present the Lifetime Achievement Award to the one and only, Cash Edwards.”

Everyone jumps to their feet all around me, clapping and cheering as I walk onto the stage.

The applause is nice, but the look from my girl as I walk up to her is paradise. She hands me the trophy and I kiss her lips, wishing we were back home just the two of us.

“Thanks, baby,” I whisper in her ear. “When it’s your turn, I’ll be up here presenting you the award.”

She winks at me with a grin. “You better.”

The crowd is still roaring as I step in front of the microphone, my hand still gripping my girl’s.

“I’m not very good at speeches,” I say, smiling at Lola. “But I am pretty good at singing. If you’ll indulge me, I’d like to sing a song with my girl.”

I’m full of surprises too. Lola shakes her head at me, smiling as the producers hurry out with our guitars.

We take them and wrap the straps over our shoulders, looking at all of the wide eyes and big smiles of the people in the crowd.

Once upon a time, I would have traded places with any of them. But now that I have Lola and the incredible life we’ve built, I wouldn’t trade my life for all the riches in the world. I have everything I need.

I strum my fingers on the guitar, playingCountry Heat. Lola smiles as she recognizes it and joins in.

We step up to the microphone, sharing it nice and close, and start giving these wonderful people a show.

One more glorious time.

Just me and my girl.

The End

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