Life over the past five years had become more and more demanding as Silver Lake had gone from strength to strength and Weigh Station had enjoyed a successful revival. Juggling musical commitments, recording sessions and tours for two of the planet’s biggest bands had been a logistical nightmare. He’d long since lost count of the number of shows he’d played, finding it harder and harder to remember where he was and who he was with. If it wasn’t for the journal he kept, Jake would have lost track of time and place entirely.
On the flight home, he’d been sitting between Grey and Jethro, having lost the coin toss to see who would take the middle seat. As Grey had slept soundly at the window, Jake had confided in the band’s manager that he didn’t want to even think about music until at least the fall. Understanding completely, the older man had nodded his silent agreement, noting how raw and hoarse Silver Lake’s vocalist’s voice was sounding.
Now, as he sat watching the horizon, Jake was wondering if he would be able to sing again by fall even if he wanted to. Ghosts of a past duet with Tori from Molton were tormenting him. The last three shows had really put a strain on him and, by the end of Flyin’ High in Los Angeles, his voice was gone. A sign to take a much-needed rest perhaps he thought.
Lost in his thoughts, he sat enjoying the view and the tranquillity of the beach.
The familiar screech of the patio door to the sun room opening startled him back to the present. He listened closely wondering who was about to approach him.
“Daddy!”
Before he could turn round, he felt sand spray over him as Melody threw her arms around his neck. As he hugged her close, she smothered his face with kisses.
“I’ve missed you, Daddy,” she said as he pulled her into his lap.
“Bet I’ve missed you more, Miss M.”
“You sound funny,” commented the little girl, screwing her face into a frown.
“Too many shows. Too many songs,” said Jake quietly.
“You need the icky medicine Mommy gave me when I had strep.”
“Maybe. I think I’ll start with some warm water and honey first though,” he replied. “Now, are you going to make me breakfast?”
Giggling, Melody shook her tousled blonde head.
“Is your Mommy awake?”
Again, Melody shook her head. “She was drawing last night.”
“And I’ll bet she was drawing most of the night,” added Jake, knowing all too well how easily Lori lost track of time when she was working.
“What about your brother?”
“Snoring,” giggled Melody, delighted to have her daddy to herself for a bit.
“Want to go for a walk?” suggested Jake. “You can tell me about all the things I’ve been missing out on since you guys came to the show in Baltimore.”
Hand in hand, father and daughter walked along the deserted beach heading south towards the bath house. Not for the first time, it struck Jake how much his little daughter reminded him of Lori. She was growing into a confident young lady, comfortable around people but not precocious. One thing that Lori had insisted on was that their children would be brought up well-mannered and well-behaved. Despite the trappings of his rock star life and the success of both Mz Hyde and Hyde Properties, they wanted their children to be well-grounded and not spoiled showbiz brats.
As Melody chattered away about her latest play date with Wren and Hayden, Paul and Maddy’s twins, Jake smiled at the innocent simplicity of her life. Bored with telling her daddy all about pre-school and her pre-school graduation, Melody asked him question after question about the band and the tour and the shows and life on the Silver Bullet, the band’s tour bus, and about the flight home.
“Your Uncle Grey snores worse than your brother,” revealed Jake with a wink. “But don’t tell him I said so.”
“I won’t. When will I see Uncle Jethro? Will he come to my birthday party?”
“If he’s still in town, I guess he will,” he replied, scooping her up into his arms. “Time to head home. I need some breakfast.”
“Cheerios!” shrieked Melody happily.
“I was thinking coffee but Cheerios work too.”
The aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafted through from the kitchen as Jake and Melody entered the sunroom. A hint of bacon was also in the air and Jake smiled as he heard Lori laughing at something their young son had said. No matter how often he heard it, the musical tones of her laugh made him smile.
“Mommy!” yelled Melody as she raced through the house. “Daddy’s home! I found him on the beach.”
Still smiling, Jake followed his daughter through to the kitchen. Just as he’d pictured it in his head, Lori was standing pouring two mugs of coffee, her own long blonde hair caught back in a messy ponytail and her walking cane by her side.
“Mornin’, li’l lady,” said Jake softly from the doorway. “One of them for me?”
“Morning yourself,” she replied, smiling at him. “What time did you finally get in at?”
“I didn’t get in,” he confessed, crossing the kitchen to lift the two mugs. “Couldn’t find my keys. I went and sat on the beach. Watched the sun come up then Miss M found me.”
“You needing some hot water and honey?”
“Later. Right now, I need a coffee and a hug from my wife.”
As he wrapped his arms around her,
