Page 109 of Freeing the Wild
“I’m about to get real raw with you here.”She smiles as she puts her capo on her guitar.“Kentucky raw.I think there are very few times in life when you go through storms but aren’t sure you’re gonna make it out the other side.Y’all know last winter was one of those times for me.But I came back, even though I wasn’t sure the stage was the place I was always meant to be.”
What’s this woman talking about?She was born for this stage.
“When I was going through it, I mean really going through it, the person who helped pull me through was the last person I expected.But he came in and picked me up.Literally, y’all.”She laughs.“And he gave me some great advice.He told me that fresh air and horseback riding don’t fix every problem, but they sure are a damn good start.”
The crowd goes crazy at her words.Fucking Christ.I swallow down the sting in the bridge of my nose.If this woman makes me cry in front of thousands of people … She begins a soft strum on her guitar as she continues her story.
“Recently I was faced with another choice.And it was his words, some intense therapy, and my time in this great state that helped me through.It took some time but I, uh …” She looks around.“I realized I was in love with this man in every single way that works.And when it works, you don’t need to figure all the details out right away.Cause those little things … well, they’re just white noise.Semantics.
“So.To my man, thank you for loving me and for being patient as hell.For reminding me this life isn’t someone else’s.It’smine, and sometimes, well, you just have to be yourself and follow your heart.Even if you have no idea where you’reheaded.”She takes a beat before pressing on.“Haden.It may have taken a while, but l know now that what I need in this life is a front porch to write on, a little Kentucky, and you.”She winks as she starts to strum on her guitar.“And in case you’re wondering, Cowboy, I made sure I used only the best notes.”
I choke back tears as I watch her, and let what just happened wash over me: the most incredible woman I’ve ever known just told me she loves me in front of thousands of cheering concertgoers.Cassie came back.No one ever has.But shedid.She left and came back.For me.
The lights dim as the slow, steady twang of her acoustic guitar fills the arena.Evan joins in and plays soft chords in the background while she plays the melody.Almost instantly the whole place is lit up by people’s phone flashlights.I brace myself as her sweet and raspy voice fills the air around us.
I don’t know lonely ’til the sun goes down,
Another night, another show, I don’t know which town,
These passing souls just keep eating at my bones
But under those neon lights you felt like home
The last place I expected to breathe
Was in your arms with your hands on me.
But in Kentucky and you I found all I need
You fed my restless heart like a wild grown weed,
You taught me to chase all that I ever dreamed,
In Kentucky and you I found my melody …
I’ll be your shotgun ride, a million stars above,
The snow can keep coming down as we fall in love,
An ocean of nights could never drown the fire of us,
Just promise me baby that I’ll be enough …
And I’ll promise you baby that I’ll never give up.
In Kentucky and you I found the place I belong
No space in your eyes that I could do wrong,
You taught me to chase all that I’d ever need …
In Kentucky and you I found my melody.
And if I stay will you stay?
And if I fall will you fall?
And if this is our heaven and it’s meant to be …
