She’s My Kind Of Rain (Rawlings Ranch #1)

Chapter 11

11

SAWYER - JUNE 18, 2004

My eyes survey the crowded space as I mosey towards the bar. Cowboy hats and blonde hair seem to be the majority of my view, making it that much easier to spot anyone who doesn’t fit one of the two. I notice the girl making her way through the crowd. She looks as if she wants nothing more than to leave this place, and for some reason, my gut says that reason has something to do with me. Stepping forward to reach her, I’m abruptly stopped by a hand on my shoulder.

“Hi, Mr. Mason.” I turn to meet the face of an older gentleman. “My name is Benny Southers.” The name sounds familiar as I survey the rest of him, trying to pinpoint why I know who he is. He’s in jeans and a navy suit jacket with a western pattern sewn on the lapels. Atop his head is a matching navy-colored felt cowboy hat and his sideburns peek out below. His face is aged with smile lines and his grin seems genuine as he reaches out his hand to shake mine. “I’m the owner of this here establishment.” He pauses for a brief moment, gazing around, visually pleased with his bar. “Now that, son, was one of the best performances I have seen in a long time.”

“Thanks, I appreciate that a lot coming from you, sir.” A swell of pride grows in my chest. He’s probably seen hundreds, no, thousands of performances...and he was impressed with mine?

“My bouncer informed me earlier that a scout was here tonight. That doesn’t happen all too often. So call it grace or whatever ya want, but I just want to let ya know that you made a mighty big impact on the crowd. Somethin’ I ain’t seen a lot of in all the time I’ve had this place. Just wanted to let you know, whatever you may believe, someone, greater power or not, was on your side tonight.”

I nod, a soft smirk coming to my lips, knowing that if anyone was watching my back, it was Pops.

“And that scout sure as shit took notice.” He hands me a card that notes Telluride Records at the top. “She gave this to one of my bartenders. Said she had to be on her way, but to make sure ya got it.”

I look away from him to the crowd and my heart sinks. The girl...she’s gone. I try to shake the hold she has on me to focus on Mr. Southers’ words. A scout is interested in me . And yet, all I can think about is that girl and her sad, pretty face. My gaze returns back to him and then to the card in my hand.

Daisy Holloway.

I read the name, wondering where she was in the crowd, unsure if it’s the shock of being handed a card like this, or just my lack of ability to focus on anything other than the girl I no longer can see. I focus back on Benny.

“I don’t normally get to be a part of things like this, but I just want to say you’re welcome back on the stage whenever ya want. Ya made some fans, myself included.” He hands me his card. “Call anytime for a spot. If we ain’t got one, we’ll sure as hell make one.”

His words send a rush of surprise through me. “Wow, thanks, sir, I really appreciate that.” I pocket the cards, shake his hand, and he turns to leave.

My eyes search the room for the girl a second time, landing instead on Rhett near the bar. He waves me over, and a hint of guilt coils in my chest. I should go see him, this was only possible because of him after all. Casting one more glance around the bar for the elusive girl, I sigh and make my way toward him, noting the tension lingering in my muscles from the last few minutes.

Rhett all but bursts once his eyes meet mine. “Sawyer, ya son of a bitch, ya nailed it!”

“Thanks, buddy.” I pull the cards out of my pocket, acting like I have a prize to share, and he rips them both out of my hand, glancing from one to the other and back again.

Rhett’s eyes look as if they are about to pop out of his head. He hooks my arm and pulls off his hat, spinning us in a circle. You would think he’d just won the lottery with his reaction. His excitement bursts from every seam of his body. An honorary yeehaw, escapes his lips, drawing attention from the surrounding crowd of people.

“I fuckin’ knew it. I fuckin’ knew it! ” His enthusiasm amplifies with each passing statement. “Buddy, today is the day you officially became a star. The crowd ate every minute of that song up. People damn near didn’t even blink while you played, afraid they’d miss a moment of that performance.” He places his hat back atop his head. “ And the fuckin’ cards? Telluride Fuckin’ Records ?”

I laugh, shushing him slightly to not draw anymore attention to us. I know this isn’t an act from Rhett, but pure joy for me, unfortunately the rest of the bar doesn’t know that, and I don’t really want to have to talk to them either.

Rhett settles down, his eyebrows scrunching before he asks, “Are ya in shock? Why do ya look like ya done seen a ghost or somethin’?”

“Honestly, I think I might be.” I let out a nervous huff of laughter, and the magnitude of what just happened sets in. After just one successful performance, I have a chance to take something I only ever viewed as a hobby to something more. I can hardly believe it. That this moment, this night, is real and not just a dream. “Rhett, I just fuckin’ got a card from one of the biggest record labels in the world, all because you set this up. Thank you so much, I don’t even care if nothing happens after this, I already feel like my dream has come true.” I look directly at Rhett.

Smiles permeate our mouths before Rhett loops his arm in mine, spinning in a circle, another honorary sound of excitement escaping us both.

This moment will forever be written in time.