Page 42 of She's My Kind Of Rain

He nods, so I continue.

“She has a beautiful voice, and I believe she will have a rather large fan base the moment she’s heard on the radio or at a larger live event. She replied back that she was interested in providing a demo tape, as well as a live performance and interview.”

He rests back in his chair, something I’m guessing he does when he’s rather impressed. A small smile blooms on my mouth, and I feel rather proud of myself. Before I even move on to discussing my thoughts behind what makes Sawyer a good fit for our company, an older gentleman approaches. Just like Blake, he’s dressed in a suit, but the air about him is different, He seems full of himself before he even speaks. Following directly behind him, is the pretty brunette that snubbed me in the waiting room the day I had gotten the job.

“I’m Westly Jordan. I’m sure your boss has told you all about your greatest competition in the industry, but if he hasn’t, I’m the owner of Jordan Entertainment.” He reaches out his hand to shake mine and something about him feels off, but I shake his hand to be polite.

“Nice to meet you, sir,” I utter the words, trying to make them sound sincere.

“This here is my assistant, Victoria.” I look toward her and nod, finding her lips drawn into an unfriendly sneer and her eyes narrowed to angry slits. “And who might you be, pretty lady?” What he says feels unprofessional, but how he says it feels slimy.

I force another polite, though fake smile to my lips, ignoring the way his uncomfortable words make me feel. “Daisy Holloway, sir. Head of A&R to the local branch of Telluride Records. Nice to meet you,” I answer his question and try to prevent another.

“Holloway, hey?” He lingers on my last name, and I can’t help but wonder why. He doesn’t explain further, but something in his gaze makes me feel like he has something to add. Which is weird, I’ve never met this man in my life. “Well, we’re here to see a…” He turns toward Victoria in question.

“Mr. Mason, Sir,” she answers before he even has to ask fully.

“Ah, yes we’re here to see Mr. Mason. He’s been making quite a stir around here. Not too often someone we haven’t heard of gets invited to play on this stage, and I wouldn’t want to make Blake’s job too easy now would I, Blake?” He says my boss’s name so casually, yet it feels like his intention is to stir some feathers.

Blake lets out a cool laugh, but doesn’t retort or seem slightly bothered in the least. “Feel free to sit with us if you’d like, Wes.”

“You know what? We’d be happy to oblige.” Mr. Jordan circles the table to shake Blake’s hand while taking a seat. As they are caught up in conversation, Victoria rolls her eyes at me, taking the vacant seat to my left and turning toward the stage to avoid having to have a conversation with me altogether.

I wonder if this is just who she is, or if I have done something to offend her somehow. I decide it’s best not to make an effort, because it is clear she doesn’t want me to.

Moments later, a man walks up on stage to introduce the next act.

This is it, come on, Sawyer.

29

SAWYER - JULY 24, 2004

I take a deep breath,moseying my way onto a stage that’s reputation is built on making people’s dreams come true. Watching my feet to prevent myself from tripping, I approach the mic, trying to ignore the nerves running like livewires through my veins. This is it. The last few moments before I put the fate of my music career into the hands of a roomful of people who are ready to decide if I deserve the chance I’ve been given.

I clear my throat, readying myself to sing, knowing that this day will make or break any chance I have to work with Telluride Records, and if I choke, that opportunity will be gone. I’ve thought all week about what song made the most sense to leave an impression. What would show my strengths and hide my weaknesses. And most importantly, what would set me apart from anyone else who not only performed tonight, but any other night that Blake Montgomery listened.

I decided to follow my heart and sing a song I wrote about Daisy—knowing that the only thing that makes my performance of this song, or any song, different from someone else’s is the fact that I love the girl I’m singing it for even if she doesn’t know it yet.

I close my eyes, let out a breath, and begin to strum my guitar.

The crowd doesn’t change its demeanor the way it had at The Red Fern. They continue to talk even while the band plays and my nerves swell with each passing second that I get closer to the first note I plan to sing.

My words drift over the crowd, and the volume softens by half. I do my best not to search the room for Daisy, worried that seeing her may shift my focus and let the both of us down.

I think of the first time we met with each passing line of the lyrics, of how beautiful she looked that night—though she always does—and the pain that she expressed without saying a single word. I think of our first kiss and the way I had known in that moment that I saw her. That she was worth knowing.

I think back to Hidden Lake and dancing with her near the cliff just like Pops and Nan, under cotton candy skies that would take anyone’s breath away. The way she smells like fresh picked raspberries and vanilla, and the way she crinkles her nose when she laughs. How it feels like I’m home when I wrap my arms around her and how her hands fit perfectly in mine. The way she seizes the moment she’s in and makes even ordinary things feel extraordinary.

I play the entire song with her as my muse. The love of my life. The kind of rain I would happily dance in for forever.

30

DAISY - JULY 24, 2004

I knewSawyer would sing his heart out tonight because opportunities like this don’t happen for everyone. What I didn’t know is that he would put his chance at fame on the line to sing a song I know is meant for me.

I expected him to choose something that felt like it was different enough to set him apart, but I didn’t expect him to write a song completely on his own. I didn’t even know he was capable of it, he’d never mentioned writing songs before. He sings with heart and it’s like the entire room is just as entranced as I am—something at this point I believe he will be well known for when he performs.

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