Page 19 of Wildfire
"I heard them last night at Cole's. They're called Frayed Edge, right? They're incredible. This is the sound I'm hoping to create with my music when I start playing.”
"I didn't know that you play. Guitar?"
"Yeah."
"Sing too?"
My face flushes as I nod.
"You've got the voice for it. Nice and smokey. You're not a smoker, are you?"
"Nope. I never touched the stuff. I guess it's just how I sound. I remember my mother having a voice similar to mine—at least, I think that's how she sounded."
"You wanna meet the band? See if maybe you can play a number with them?"
My mouth falls open in shock.
"Better close your mouth, or you'll get sawdust in there."
"Can you really introduce me to them?"
"Of course! I booked them for the event. They're rehearsing tonight at the town grange hall, where the party is. Why don't we head over there after work?"
My heart leaps in my throat. I've never met a band that had recorded albums before. I haven't even made it to L.A. yet, and things are already happening for me.
It must be a sign!
"That would be amazing. Thank you so much, Callie."
She smiles and starts prepping to work on one of the boats sitting outside under the canopy. We fall into silence as we linger in our separate thoughts. As she heads out to where the boats are, she turns to me.
"You keep doing this level of work, and I'll have more where it came from."
As I watch her walk away, a scene flashes in my mind of me working alongside Callie and playing in a band right here in Owl Creek. As soon as I see it, I shake the thought away.
I'm going to Los Angeles. It's where I'm supposed to be.
Buzz brings out some hot tea for us before lunchtime, and we sit around the picnic table chatting. I love watching these two together. Even though I know they've been together for years, they still act like newlyweds. He gets a far-off, soft look on his face every time he looks at her, and she is constantly touching his arm, rubbing his back, or leaning her head against his shoulder. We laugh, and Buzz tells stories about the boys when they were younger.
Cole was the serious one, always looking out for his little brothers, who found endless trouble. Working in the shop was the only thing that held Caleb's attention and saved him from any serious problems as a teenager. Cody, the other twin, was a bit more manageable but always seemed to bring injured wild animals home, making life hectic. In addition to that, he wasmore intelligent than all the other kids at school, so he struggled to be engaged.
I hear a vehicle rumble, which tears me out of my reverie. I see Cole's truck coming down the driveway, and my heart skitters in my chest.
"Your cheeks are looking a little rosy there, Renée." Buzz watches me as I press my hands to my head to straighten loose hair.
"It's because you're so funny, Buzz. You've had me in stitches."
He winks and then gets up to greet Cole as he walks to the table. I watch them hug, and I think my eyes almost pop out of my head. I've never seen my dad hug my brothers. These two big, strong, manly men aren’t afraid to show their love for each other, and it makes my chest tingle with affection for them both.
Cole sits beside me, and Callie gets up to bring the lunch. "Buzz, help me get the food." She pinches his arm playfully, and they walk into the house, leaving Cole and me alone.
"You aren't working today?"
"I am. I just thought I'd stop by and see how it's going here. And my parents are creatures of habit, so I knew there'd be some food involved, too."
"I knew it."
"Knew what?"
