and shake his head. The fame thing wasn’t for him.
It didn’t matter whether deep down Zack’s money trouble or his curiosity led him to his decision to audition. Whatever had changed his mind, she was at peace.
Headlights appeared around the bend in the road. Reese shivered again and wondered—what if this were the last time they shared a morning like this? She had loved Zack for so many years, had felt herself destined to a future with him. The guy whose grandpa had been praying for her specifically since she was born. What if Zack left this morning and never came home?
She could break down later.
REESE FELT WARM the moment he embraced her. For a long time they didn’t say anything. It was enough, standing there wrapped in each other’s arms. Reese could feel the way their hearts beat faster than usual, the impending good-bye making even their bodies aware of the little time they had left.
“You’re cold.” He drew back and looked at her. “Were you waiting long?”
“Not really. I wanted to be out here.” She forced a smile. “I’m excited for you, Zack.”
“Know what I want?”
“What?”
He brushed her cheek with his thumb. “I want to jump on your horse with you and ride together till the sun comes up. Just forget the whole singing thing.”
“Hmmm.” She gazed off toward the horizon, already growing lighter. “Sounds beautiful.” She met his eyes again. “Why haven’t we ever done that?”
“We will.” He smoothed a piece of her hair blowing in the breeze. “Next week when I get back.”
Crickets played softly somewhere in the distance. She narrowed her eyes, seeing to the deepest part of him. “You really don’t believe it, do you?”
“Believe what?” His words came slowly, a whisper wrapped in the newness of the morning.
“That you’ll make it.” She refused her gathering tears. “That you’ll win.”
“It’s not humility. I’m realistic.” His grin came easily. “Guys who can sing are a dime a dozen.” He kissed her and their faces remained close. “Now, guys who sing to horses, maybe not.”
She was enjoying the moment more than she’d expected. “You know what
“What?” He swayed with her, the rest of the world forgotten.
“I think your days of singing to horses are numbered.”
“Speaking of which.” He walked back to his car and returned with his guitar. “I owe you a song.”
She felt tears in her eyes, but her smile remained. He pulled his guitar from the case and perched himself on the porch railing.
She had to admit to the possibility that she was hearing it for the first and last time. If things changed . . . if Zack never came back.
She focused on the words and the way Zack looked straight at her as he sang. The song was beautiful, every line a message from his heart to hers. She would never love anyone the way she loved Zack Dylan. By the time he reached the last chorus she had tears on her cheeks.
He smiled at her, his own eyes shining with the good-bye ahead. The song played out, the words moving easily from his soul to hers.
When it ended they didn’t move or speak. Finally he slipped the guitar back in its case and took it to his car. When he returned, his eyes locked on hers.
“After this you’ll have your answers.” She reminded herself to smile. “Maybe we both will.”
He took half a step back. “Both?” He searched her eyes. “What are your questions?”
“Come on, Zack.” She willed him to understand. “If God gives you answers, He’ll give them to me, too.”
“Like . . . ?”
“Not about you.” This was a slippery slope. She chose her words with great care. “About the future . . . London. That sort of thing.”
“I thought we were finished with London.” He took her hands in his, clearly troubled. “Please, Reese. I want to marry you. Don’t decide anything until I get back.” Fear flickered in his expression. “Okay?”
She searched his eyes. He didn’t understand. Once he was on the show he’d be busy. Too busy to come back to Danville until the ride ended. Whenever that might be. Of course she had questions. About London . . . about the two of them. About all of it. Again, she didn’t want to send him off worried or troubled. They’d have their answers soon enough.
She closed the distance between them, letting his body warm hers again. “Go audition. You have to. You’re the best.” She memorized the feel of his arms around her. “Go find your answers, Zack. Do it for your family and for God.”
Her words seemed to ease his anxieties. She felt him relax against her. “Remember what I told you?”
“It’s going to be okay.” She felt the compassion in her eyes.
“Exactly.” He released her hands and brought his lips to hers. And for the sweetest seconds they forgot everything except what it felt like to be together, to be in love. The kiss led to another, and the desperation built.
Finally he pulled himself away. “I’ll call you when I get there.”
She pressed her head to his chest, and he wrapped his arms around her. “Make me a deal?”
“The pre-dawn horseback ride?”
She giggled despite her sadness. “That, too.”
“Mmm, baby, I mean it. That’ll be us the first morning I’m back.”
She smiled, and hope waved a flag in her heart. If only she could hold on to that picture. “I like that.”
He chuckled. “What was your deal?”
She felt her eyes grow watery. When she was sure she wouldn’t cry, she looked up at him. “Prove them wrong, okay? Please . . .”
“Who?” He held her face in his hands and searched her heart, her soul.
“The world says fame changes everyone.” She found her smile. “Prove them wrong.”
Strength gathered in his eyes. “I will.” He kissed her again. “If I get that far, I absolutely will.”
She nodded and felt her heart fall in line. “I believe you.” No matter what lay ahead nothing could change Zack Dylan.
His lips met hers and the kiss lingered. “See you soon.”
“I love you.” She willed herself to remember the look in his eyes, the kindness and humility that set him apart. “I always will.”
“Whatever tomorrow holds, you’re a part of it. God made us for each other.”
She wanted to believe it. With all her heart she wanted to. She held his gaze, lost in his soul. “Go win it.”
“I’ll call you.”
He kissed her one final time, seeing to the places in her heart that belonged to him alone. He held his hand up in a frozen sort of wave. Then he turned and jogged to his pickup truck. He looked back at her as he drove away, as she stood there, watching until his taillights faded into the distance.
By then the morning sun had splashed light onto the day and Reese felt a peace that hadn’t been there before. Zack would survive the weekend auditions. His voice would catch the attention of the judges and the nation. He would win their hearts with a single song.
