The urge to hold his daughter in his arms tore at his heart as he smiled down at the drawing through a veil of tears.
Somehow, he had to fix this mess; somehow, he had to get his family back.
Gazing down at the message, Jake smiled. A simple melody line began to play in his mind as the idea for a new song began to bloom. Sitting down on the cool tiled floor, Jake spread the piece of paper out beside him and began to jot down the lyrics that were forming in his mind along with the music.
Solo set momentarily forgotten, Jake spent almost an hour working on the song, keeping it simple. He ended up with an almost countrified nursery rhyme about the “sunshine” moments in life. Deciding that he’d try to work up the rest of the song over the next few days, he turned his attention back to the potential songs to be played during his solo support slot. All the new material was embargoed until after the album release. He knew roughly what Garrett was planning to perform and wanted his own set to compliment that.
Pulling together a list of ten songs should have been easy but, another hour later, he only had four on the list. Scrawling through them roughly with the pen, he turned over the page and started again. Deciding to keep the set purely acoustic limited his choices making it somewhat easier to come up with ten possible contenders.
More than two hours after he’d entered the dragon’s lair, Jake finally had a draft setlist written up and was ready to rehearse. Picking up the borrowed Martin, he began his rehearsal with Stronger Within.
Almost as an afterthought, he’d added Simple Man into the set and had just begun to run through it when the door opened and Jethro stepped into the room. Indicating that Jake should keep playing, the older man took a seat on a nearby stool, happy to sit and watch and listen.
“When we talk you into recording a solo record that needs to be on there,” stated Jethro plainly as the song came to an end.
“No solo records.”
“We’ll see,” replied Jethro, a twinkle in his eyes.
“Wasn’t sure about adding that one in,” sighed Jake as he laid the guitar down.
“She’ll be there, son,” assured the older man warmly. “I’ve a feeling in my braids.”
“I hope so,” sighed Jake wearily. “How am I meant to fix this mess, Jethro?”
“By doing exactly what you’re doing,” began Silver Lake’s white-haired manager. “Give her time. Give her space. Let the wounds heal over a bit. That crazy-ass bitch sent Lori some pretty vile messages and the picture Maddison painted to her wasn’t a pretty one. Lori’s a smart girl. Stubborn but smart. She’ll come round when she’s ready to.”
“Do you really believe that she’ll be there Friday night?” Jake asked hopefully.
“I already said so, didn’t I? Have you tried asking Paul or Grey?”
Jake shook his head.
“Well, if anyone can talk some sense into her, my money would be on Grey.”
A storm had blown in overnight off the ocean and the beach house was creaking in the gale-force winds when Grey and Becky arrived on Saturday morning. Without bothering to knock, the band’s bass player held the back door open while Becky ran into the kitchen then dashed in at her back.
“Morning,” greeted Lori, noting how dishevelled they both looked. “Bit breezy out there?”
“Feels like a fucking hurricane!” declared Grey bluntly. “There’s two trees down out there along the lake already.”
“Not surprised,” commented Lori. “You guys had breakfast?”
Grey nodded, “But coffee would be nice.”
“Lori,” interrupted Becky politely. “Will I take my bag upstairs or is Miss M wanting me in with her?”
“She does but I’ve put fresh sheets on the bed in the front bedroom upstairs for you. Take your things up there,” replied Lori with a smile. “I’m not promising that she won’t try to sneak up there tonight to snuggle in with you.”
“It’s cool,” replied Becky brightly as she headed towards the door to the attic.
Watching her leave the room, Lori smiled, “She’s growing into a beautiful young lady, Grey. Where did that little blonde girl go that was with you the first day I met you?”
“Looks like she grew up while I just grew old,” laughed Silver Lake’s bass player. “Can’t believe she’ll be fifteen on her next birthday.”
“She’s a credit to you,” complimented Lori, pouring them both a coffee. “And thanks again to you and Kola for last night. The kids had a great time. We should take turns and do that every Hallowe’en.”
“Is that you volunteering to host next year’s Silver Lake family Hallowe’en bash?”
Giggling, Lori handed him his coffee, “I guess so, assuming you’re not out on the road.”
“Yeah, there’s a fair chance we will be,” acknowledged Grey. “Maddy wants to talk tour schedules at the band meeting next week.”
“Sounds like you boys are in for a long day,” sympathised Lori. “Can’t say I’m looking forward to my board meeting at Hyde Properties. David sent through the agenda and it’s pretty full.”
“Once you get that corporate suit on, you’ll be fine,” teased Grey, knowing how much Lori hated the formalities associated with her extensive
