Page 16 of The Rebel with Broken Strings
He caught Emily’s startled gaze and winked. “Don’t you worry. This ain’t about perfect pitch. It’s about feeling the music in your bones.” He started a slow, steady clap, the rhythm pulsing through the community center. “C’mon now, everybody join in. Let’s get this party started!”
As the other kids enthusiastically followed his lead, Gunner noticed Emily’s hesitation. He moved closer, never breaking the rhythm. “Just like that, Emily. Feel it in your feet first. Let it climb up through your body.”
Emily’s foot began to tap tentatively. Gunner grinned, thinking,That’s it. Baby steps.
“Now, let’s add some vocals,” he called out. “Don’t worry about the words. Just let out whatever sound feels right.”
Emily’s lips parted, a barely audible hum escaping. Gunner’s heart swelled with pride. He’d coaxed that same tentative sound from his own throat years ago, in a dingy Nashville bar, where he’d first dared to dream of stardom.
As the session progressed, Gunner watched Emily closely. Her voice, initially a whisper, began to gain strength. The tightness in her shoulders eased, and a hint of a smile played at the corners of her mouth.
“That’s it, Emily!” Gunner encouraged. “You’re finding your groove. Remember how this feels.”
He thought back to his own mentors—especially his grandfather—the ones who’d believed in him before the fame, before the fall.I owe it to them to pay it forward, he mused, a bittersweet pang in his chest.
The closing notes of the group performance faded, leaving a buzzing energy in the air. Gunner’s heart swelled with pride as he surveyed the beaming faces of the young performers. His gaze settled on Emily, her eyes bright with newfound confidence.
“Alright, y’all,” he called, his voice carrying across the room. “That’s a great start for today. We’ll break things down to individual sessions starting tomorrow.”
Laughter filled the space as the kids began leaving the stage.
Gunner watched as Emily and her mother gathered their belongings, the little girl’s eyes still sparkling with excitement. He sauntered over, his boots clicking against the polished floor of the community center.
“Heading out?” he asked with a smile.
Sarah nodded, her hand resting protectively on her daughter’s shoulder. “We are. Thank you so much. This meant the world to Emily.”
Gunner tipped his cowboy hat. “The pleasure’s all mine.” He crouched down to Emily’s level, his voice softening. “You keep practicing those exercises we talked about, alright? I expect to hear that beautiful voice of yours even stronger next time.”
Emily nodded shyly. “I will. Promise.”
As they turned to leave, Gunner called out, “See y’all tomorrow.” He watched them go, Emily’s small hand in her mother’s, and he smiled.
Well, I’ll be damned, he thought, running a hand through his hair.This feels better than any standing ovation I’ve ever had.
* * *
The next morning, Aubrey exhaled deeply, feeling the last traces of tension melt away as she rolled up her yoga mat. The warmth from the heated room clung to her skin, a comforting embrace after the intense session. She caught her reflection in the full-length mirror, noticing the healthy flush in her cheeks and the serene gleam in her eyes.
“Thanks for the class, Deb,” Aubrey said. “I needed this today.”
Deb smiled warmly. “Glad you could make it. See you next time.”
After saying her goodbyes to the other attendees of her weekly hot yoga class, Aubrey left the living room-turned-gym and stepped out into the refreshing air. The coolness provided a much-needed relief for her overheated skin.
Sliding into her car, she cranked up the heat and began the drive back to the farmhouse. The winding country roads stretched before her, endless fields of snow-dusted grass on either side. She gripped the steering wheel tightly, her peaceful mood from yoga slowly evaporating.
As the old farmhouse came into view, Aubrey felt her stomach clench. The flowered wallpaper and creaky porch were a far cry from her sleek Atlanta condo. She parked and sat for a moment, staring at the house that she, Charly and Willow had renovated from top to bottom. But both Charly and Willow had wanted to keep the farmhouse as close to its original state as possible. Aubrey would have gutted it and replaced everything old with modern luxuries.
The thought of Willow potentially moving in with Eli down the road sent a conflicting wave of emotions through her. On one hand, she would miss living with Willow. She’d already lost Charly, who moved in with Jaxon at the ranch. On the other, it meant she might finally have a chance to move into town and get out of these dusty country roads where she simply didn’t fit in.
“It’s just temporary,” she reminded herself, trying to summon some of the calm from her yoga session. “Soon, you’ll be back in civilization.”
But even as she said the words, a small voice in the back of her mind whispered that maybe, just maybe, Timber Falls would never feel like home. Which was simply terrifying, since it was all she had.
She quickly squashed that overwhelming thought, grabbing her yoga mat and heading inside. She had a busy day ahead, and dwelling on her conflicted feelings about this place wouldn’t do her any good.
When she pushed open the farmhouse door, the familiar creak accompanied her entrance. She made a beeline for the kitchen, her throat parched. As she reached for a glass, the sound of footsteps made her turn.
