Page 151 of My UnTrue Love
She just had to stay positive about this performance and it would all be okay.
Probably.
“My best, best friend gave me pieces of a ballad.” Bill said mildly, his shoulders relaxing as he felt her presence. “Her pa started it and she asked me to finish it. Said it would be good practice. So, this is what I wrote. For her.”
He launched into the first notes ofMy Own True Love.
His fingers danced over the guitar strings. Cameras rolled and the spotlight shone, but suddenly his nerves were gone. His lips curved a bit, truly enjoying himself. He was in his natural element, now. Doing what he was born to do. Playing his own music. Freeing his emotions and being an artist.
She was so proud of him!
Then he leaned into the microphone …and all thoughts were wiped from Clem’s mind.
Bill sang and the entire studio went deathly quiet. His voice was rough and smooth, beguiling and honest, powerful and intimate. It was everything, all at once, surrounding you in a cocoon of sex and dreams and magic. It was like hearing music for the very first time.
Clementine’s breath stuttered out of her lungs. This wasn’t a ballad. This was an orgy for your ears. She’d known he was a once-in-a-generation artist. But she’d had no idea how incredibly, sinfullyhotthe man would be, when he finally embraced his full potential.
Holymoly.
She was going to have to keep other women off of him with a cattle prod.
The lyrics he’d written poured out of him. Unpracticed and raw. When he recorded this song (and they weresorecording this song) it would have bigger instrumentals. Fancier production. But this acoustic version captured the desperate edge of the man who sang them. His yearning for his True Love. Pleading for her return. Calling her to his side.
Needing her.
Clem took an unconscious step forward onto the very edge of the stage. The audience couldn’t see her, but Bill could. His small smile grew bigger, feeling even more confident with her standing so close. The song got faster. Swelling with emotion and promises. All of them sung right to her.
Clem wouldn’t have it any other way. The cameramen were probably wondering why he was looking off-stage, but she was too spellbound to care.
Bill had not written an easy song to sing. It was big and flashy, with complicated vocals. His talent made it seem simple, though. Natural. Like anyone could distill truth and beauty into poetic lyrics, and then perform the song for the first time on live international television.
Up in his box, Ranger O’Rourke slowly stood up, a shocked expression on his face.Home on the Rangewas indeed witnessing its greatest performance. Pecos Bill and a borrowed guitar brought the whole studio to a standstill.
When Bill reached the final verse, the lyrics turned hopeful. Maybe True Love wasn’t just a foolish dream. Maybe the woman wasn’t lost and beyond his reach. Maybe he would one day find her. Bill might’ve once winced at the idea of puttinghis emotions out there, but now he sang with all of them on display. No one could look away.
Bill’s voice soared to reach the highest notes of the finale. There was an audible gasp from the audience, as he freakingnailedit and let the song end like a graceful dream.
It was the birth of a superstar. Everybody knew it.
Deafening, thunderous, endless applause erupted. Clem clapped along with the others, tears in her eyes. Whoever was following Bill’s act was out of luck, because there would be no topping it. Maybe ever. People were on their feet, screaming his name.
Bill gave a polite nod of his head to the adoring masses, but his eyes quickly went back to Clementine. His brows rose, asking what she thought.
She beamed at him and blew a kiss.
He laid a hand over his heart in appreciation, giving a little bow. “I love…” He stopped short, his whole expression shifting.
Clem understood why.
The True Love bond had just snapped into place.
Good folks always felt it after they’d slept with their True Love and she’d slept with Bill. Repeatedly. There was no mistaking the knot that yanked tight between them. It was strong. Warm.Right.
Even though Clementine hadn’t dreamed of finding her True Love, she found herself thrilled with the connection. It made her feel completely justified in chasing down her cowboy. She’d known they were a perfect match!
Bill’s reaction wasn’t so sanguine. His jaw went taut, his eyes glowing bright. With the audience still cheering, he stalked off stage and headed right for Clem.
She could feel the wild tumult of his emotions. Artists were so easily overset. “Honey, I know you’re probably surprised. But don’t let yourself become all het up…”
