“No wait, you don’t understand. When I left Pepper, she was fine,” Judah declared loudly as the cop turned him, handcuffs at the ready. “If she’s been hurt and kidnapped, it wasn’t me. I know who did it. You’ve got to help her.”

“You can tell your story at the station, Mr. James.”

“No, she’s in danger and I need to save her! I know where she is!” All he could think about was that idiot telling him to get rid of Pepper and how to do it. Judah was desperate, but the policemen just looked at each other with a knowing expression.

“We’ve heard about you, Mr. James. We know all about your problem.”

Zion tried to step between them. “He’s telling the truth. If Pepper’s in danger, it’s not from Judah.”

“The detectives will sort it all out down at headquarters.”

A wildfire of worry and fear swamped Judah. He couldn’t let this happen. Pepper belonged to him, he had to find her. “Zion, I’m sorry about this, bud.” Jerking away from the cop, he knocked the gun from his hand.

Zion, seeing what was happening, dove in to help, wrestling a gun away from the other cop. The rock stars held the advantage of several inches and added muscle. With a few well-placed blows, the men in blue lay in a daze on the floor, leaving Judah and Zion to stare at one another. “We’re up shit creek without a paddle, dude.” Zion’s breath came in harsh pants. “I hope you have a plan.”

“I do, let’s get out of here. We’ve got to hurry.” They took off down the hall, hoping they wouldn’t run into more trouble.

“I’ll drive,” Zion announced as they made for his car. “Perhaps, you should tell me where we’re off to.”

“Mount Bonnell!” Judah shouted as he climbed into the front seat. “And step on it!”

 

* * *

 “I knew this was going to happen. I saw it coming.” Heath was bowed up like a bull, waiting for the helicopter to land. “I’m going to kill that son-of-a-bitch with my bare hands.”

Ten, Jax, and Philip stood at his side. Ryder and her husbands were in the chopper as it hovered just off the ground behind Highlands main house.

“Let’s concentrate on finding her safe, then we’ll worry about everything else,” Philip warned. He couldn’t believe James was responsible for Pepper’s peril, he’d seen the love for his sister in the rock star’s eyes.

Once the OuterLimits helicopter touched down, the McCoys boarded to find the Duke brothers in full communication with the Austin police department. “What are they saying?” Ten asked as they took their seats.

Gideon turned around from the co-pilots chair. “Well, I’m not sure if it’s good news or not. Pepper hasn’t been found, but they are operating on a clue that James supposedly gave them.”

The sound of the blades whirling and the engine revving up to full speed drowned out their voices. As soon as they were aloft, Ryder left her seat to come kneel by her brothers. “They haven’t found Pepper, but when they went to arrest Judah, there was a scuffle.” She let out a worried sigh. “He escaped custody along with his band mate, Zion Chastain. One of the cops heard Judah tell Zion they were on their way to Mount Bonnell.”

“So, you think he took Pepper to Mount Bonnell?” Jax asked, his face a mask of concern.

“We don’t know,” Samson called from the pilot’s chair. “We’re going to find out, that’s where we’re headed.”

As they winged their way south toward Austin, their thoughts all gravitated to other troubled times. When Cato was kidnapped by Caesar Arness and dropped into a snake-infested cave called Dead Man’s Hole. When Ryder was taken by members of the Russian mafia and almost died in an explosion in Galveston. They all regretted the circumstances that had put their women at risk, and now they were facing another crisis.

“I swear to God, if something happens to Pepper, I’ll never forgive myself.” Heath worried aloud. “I should have stopped this. I should have put my foot down.”

Ryder hugged her brother. “Pepper is in love with Judah. You couldn’t have stopped her from seeing him.” Even though she’d heard Pepper’s words, there was a part of her that doubted Judah could harm her sister.

… “Drive faster, Zion!” Judah felt like he could jump out of his skin. If he was right, Pepper was in imminent danger. As they zigzagged through the back streets of Austin, making their way from the downtown area to the hills of Westlake, he tried to make sense of what he knew and what he suspected. “Ivana’s behind this, she has to be. She’s jealous, vindictive, obsessed, and crazier than I’ll ever be.”

Amidst all the chaos, Zion couldn’t help but smile sadly. “I’ll second that motion. She’s a mad hatter, for sure. We’ll get there, buddy, just hold onto your seat.”

As they drove fast enough to split the wind, praying to avoid a cop, Judah imagined what Pepper was going through at their very moment. “Hurry, Zion. God, please hurry. I have to save her.”

…While still in the car, Pepper regained consciousness. She couldn’t scream, a rag was stuffed in her mouth and her hands were tied behind her back. What was going on? She didn’t know the man who’d taken her. She had no idea why he would want to hurt her. All she could do was lie in the backseat and wonder where they were headed.

After what seemed like hours of being jostled about, Pepper felt the car slow down and come to a full stop. In a few moments, the back door opened and she was dragged out by the hair of her head and made to stand on her feet. “Up the hill, blondie. We can’t take the stairs, too many people.”

Pepper glanced around her. She recognized the area. They were near Mount Bonnell. Her abductor had parked some distance away, hiding his car near the tree-line where they could climb the high cliffs without running into a tourist. A bad feeling twisted Pepper’s gut. She wanted to ask what this was about, but her mouth was full of stinky cloth. Faster than she could manage on her own, the man pulled her up the steep hill. On this side, the elevation didn’t seem that high, but she knew when they made it to the top, there was a sheer drop from the top of the bluff to the Colorado river far below. As he pushed and poked her to make her walk, Pepper’s mind flew to the Spanish girl, Antoinette, whose ghost was supposed to haunt these hills. She’d jumped from the top of Mount Bonnell and fell to her death on the rocks below. She faced death to be with her slain lover, rather than suffer unknown horrors at the hands of the savages who meant her harm. “Judah,” her inner voice cried aloud. “Judah!” He couldn’t hear her, for she was making no sound. Her heart cried out to him just the same.

… “God, cop cars are everywhere. How’d they get here before we did?” Judah asked frantically.

“I don’t know, unless they received some clue, some tip-off.”

“Park down here, Zion. Let’s not use the main stairs.” He pointed to the steep pathway cut into solid rock that visitors to the park used daily. Mount Bonnell was a favorite look-out point in the city, second only to the cliffs overlooking the Pennybacker Bridge about a mile downriver.

Zion pulled in next to an old white Ford. “Looks like somebody else had the same idea.”

“Come on! There’s no time to waste!” Judah bounded out of the car with Zion right behind him. “I might be wrong, but we can’t risk it.” Together, they set out, running up the steep incline, holding onto tree trunks and sliding back down when their shoes slipped on the loose dirt.

…Overhead, the OuterLimits helicopter hovered over the top of the mount, trying to find a place large enough to set down safely. “Over there!” Gideon pointed to a small clearing. “I think that spot will do.”

Samson landed the bird, while the McCoys kept watch out the window. “I don’t see her. Do you?” Jax yelled over the sound of the still turning blades.

“No, there’s ample boys in blue, though. Keep looking!” Ten craned his neck to check in all directions.

“Look! Over there!” Philip yelled, pointing west of the park area. “Is that her?”

“Oh, my God!” Ryder yelled. “Who is that man? What is he doing?”

Samson cut the engine. “Gideon grab your gun. I think that idiot is trying to push Pepper off the cliff.”

Heath and the others scrambled out of the open door, each intent on making it to their sister before she was thrown to her death off Mount Bonnell.

…As Judah scrambled to the top of the cliff, the first thing he saw paralyzed him with abject terror. Pepper was struggling with the man who’d tormented him with talk of Pepper’s death. And now, here – before his eyes – the horrible scenario was coming true. Only it wouldn’t be by his hand, but by the stranger who’d tried to gaslight Judah at Ivana’s behest. “Oh, hell, no! Not happening! Pepper, I’ll save you!”

Digging her fingernails into the man’s wrists, she tried to resist his efforts to push her off the top of the precarious wall of stone. On her way up the trail, her gag had loosened and fallen off. At least she could scream, but where they were, she might as well be mute. The wind carried her voice away as fast as she could form words. Still, she had to try. “Help! Please!”

Frantically, she looked down the way to Mount Bonnell Park. People were gathered and some were looking her way, but no one was coming to her aid. She could see policemen, but they all seemed to be watching the other direction. Was she going to die here?

“Why are you doing this? What did I ever do to you?” she asked the man who kept forcing her closer and closer to the cliff’s edge.

The man gave her a maniacal leer, licking his lips in anticipation of what he was about to do. “You tried to steal my sister’s man. I won’t ask you if you can swim, I don’t think you’ll hit the water from here.”

“No! Please don’t, I want to live!” She wanted to see Judah again. She wanted to hold him. Pepper still didn’t understand what had happened with him, but if she could just touch Judah one more time, she knew everything would be all right.

“Sorry, you’re all out of time.” The man had her at the edge…and then he pushed.

“Judah!” she screamed as she stepped off into nothingness.

“No!!!!” Judah yelled as he made a dive for the cliff’s edge. Zion lunged for Pepper’s attacker as Judah fell to his knees and made a grab for Pepper’s arm. “Got you!” He let out a huge breath of relief as he stopped her plunge to certain death.

Pepper’s eyes and mouth was open wide in amazement. She was hanging off the side of Mount Bonnell, hundreds of feet above a mass of sharp rocks, and her only lifeline to safety was holding onto Judah’s hand. “I thought I’d never see you again. What took you so long?”

“Traffic.” Judah prayed for strength. He began to inch backwards, pulling her up a little at a time. “You know how congested 360 can be.” He did his best to tease, even as he fought for her life.

Pepper tried to laugh, then tears began to flow. Her arm hurt so badly. “I don’t think I can hang on, Judah.”

Judah reached down with his other hand. “Take this hand too, baby.” He could see the fear in her face. “I’ve got you. I won’t let you go. I’ll go over with you before I let go of your hand.”

“Oh, don’t do that, please.” She closed her eyes and made her left arm obey her mind. “I can’t lose you twice in one day.”

Judah groaned, then cried out in relief when he was able to get both of her hands in his. “I’m pulling you up, sweetheart. Just hold on.” As he tugged her gently over the jagged rocks, he whispered to her, “I’m sorry I hurt you. The crazy fool who pushed you off, he’s been following me, taunting me. I thought he was one of my stupid hallucinations. He kept telling me to kill you and I was afraid my mind was playing tricks on me. I was afraid I’d lose what little sanity I had left and do something to harm you.”

Pepper was too upset to follow his words completely, but she got the gist of it. “You should’ve just told me your fears. I could’ve told you that you’d never hurt me. You love me,” she said simply.

“Completely. Utterly.” He pulled her into his arms and stood up. “Forever.”

Behind them, the police and Pepper’s relatives converged on the scene. “What the hell?” Heath stared at his sister in the arms of Judah James. Another guy, who looked vaguely familiar, held a struggling man in a hard grip.

“Pepper! Are you okay?” Ryder ran up to her sister. “We saw everything from the air! Who was that man trying to kill you?”

“Someone Ivana hired, as best we can tell.” Zion relinquished his conquest into the hands of the police.

“He’s Ivana’s brother and I’m fine,” Pepper assured her. “Judah saved me.” She buried her face against his chest, taking comfort in the strong beat of his heart. “I didn’t leave when you told me to, Judah,” she confessed. “I knew there was something wrong. You love me. You’d just shown me how much when you made love to me.”

“I’m sorry, so sorry.” He kissed her temple and her cheek. “I need to trust myself more.”

“Yes, you need to trust yourself as much as I do,” Pepper told him.

Surrounded by McCoys and the Austin police, Judah knew he wasn’t off the hook. He still had some convincing he needed to do when it came to Pepper’s family. There was also the other little matter of resisting arrest.

“I’m sorry, but you all need to come down to the station. We’ve got to unravel this mess and we’re not going to do it on top of this narrow ledge.” The ranking cop pointed down the trail. “After you, Mr. James.”

Judah didn’t care what price he had to pay, he’d saved the most important thing in the world to him.

Pepper.

 

* * *

 “Come to bed, Judah. I’m lonely.”

Judah pushed away from the window, a smile on his face. “I was just thinking.”

“About what?” She stretched languidly in the bed, then threw back the covers. “About having your wicked way with me?”

All the thoughts in Judah’s mind flew straight out the window.

Worry about Ivana. Gone.

Concern about record sales. Gone.

The public service work in lieu of jail time. Gone.

His mental hang-ups. On hold.

For before his eyes, lay the woman of his dreams. Naked and soft and cuddly. And she was all his. “Of course, what else would I be thinking about?” He came to her, tugging off the lounge pants he’d donned after his shower. “Just look at you, Pepper.”

She gave him a serene, blissful smile. “I’m so happy. Everything’s going to be okay. Isn’t it?”

“Absolutely.” He would accept nothing less. “Look at those rosy little nipples. I want to suck them like candy.”

“Please do.” She arched her back and thrust her chest in the air.

He came over her and licked first one nipple and then its twin. She tried to clutch his shoulders, but he slid from her grasp, working his way down her body. “I want to eat you alive, angel. I’m going to go down on you and lick up all that wild, sweet cream between your thighs.”

Pepper trembled in anticipation and widened her legs in invitation.

“Then, I want you to go down on me. I want to watch those beautiful lips of yours stretch around my cock.” He licked a trail down her belly to tease the top of her mound, then back up to her breasts again. “Sound like a plan to you?”

“Oh, God, yes.” She craved anything he wanted to do to her. “I want you to fill up the aching emptiness inside me. I want your lips all over me and mine all over you.”

She almost levitated off the bed when his mouth closed over a tight, throbbing nipple. The contact of his tongue to her flesh was like being touching by a live wire. Pepper arched her back, seeking more.

Judah was so turned on - his whole body was on fire. He soothed his hands all over her, from her breasts to the paradise between her legs.

“Make love to me now, please,” she begged. “I almost lost you today. Don’t make me wait. We’ve got a lifetime to enjoy one another in many ways, but I need you now.”

Her pleas didn’t fall on deaf ears. He wanted the same thing, he needed to be high and deep inside of her. Buried to the hilt. Marking her. Claiming her. He wanted to brand her with his cum, tie her to him with a child. “I want this too, so much. I want to be whatever you need. I don’t want to ever let you down again.”

“You won’t, just love me, that’s all I ask.”

Judah kept his eyes on her face as he guided the head of his cock along the cleft of her pussy, nudging the swollen button of her clit, smiling when her breath hitched in her throat and her nipples drew up into hard little diamond points. He pressed in, groaning at the perfection. Taking short, hard jabs, he worked himself inside, loving how her muscles convulsed around him. God, he loved this, she was already coming.

 Holding him tight, Pepper wrapped her legs around his hips as he started plowing into her hard and deep. “Judah!”

The sound of his name on her lips was almost his undoing. “Take me, Pepper. Take all of me.” She raked her nails down his back, writhing beneath him. Her pussy grabbed onto him and clenched down hard, contracting around him as she flew apart in his arms.

Pepper floated away on an ocean of pleasure. This was where she belonged. In Judah’s bed. In Judah’s life. She held him tightly as he came, his hot cum filling her, becoming part of her. “I love you. I love you. I love you,” she whispered as she cradled him to her breast until his breathing finally eased. “Please don’t ever ask me to walk away from you again. I can’t do it.”

“I won’t. We’re in this together.” He pushed her golden hair from the side of her face. “I don’t know if it’s fair to you, but I can’t live without you.”

“This is the only life I want, one with you in it,” she assured him.

“Other than you, my world’s a mess, sweetheart. Rumors are going wild. Reese put out a press release, explaining what happened, but…” He gathered her close. “I’m tired of this. I’m tired of being in the public eye. The only people I want to worry about is me and you.”

“Judah, music makes you happy.”

“You make me happy.” He stroked the length of her hair. “My fans are probably tired of all this. I can’t keep asking them to ignore my problems. I’m sure they’ve moved on, found some other guitar man, some other singer to get excited over.”

“No one can replace you. You’re the best.”

Her unflagging support buoyed him. “I still intend to write music. I can write songs for other people to sing.”

“I don’t think writing songs for other people will satisfy you.” Pepper laid her head on his shoulder, her mind busy. What if she could show him how much his fans missed him? Could she do it? Could she pull it off? “Just give it time. The universe will give you a sign, you’ll know the right thing to do.”

And if she could give the universe a little push, so be it.

 

* * *

During the next six weeks, life was good.

Judah sat on his balcony with guitar in hand and wrote amazing music. His creativity didn’t abandon him, lyrics and melodies floated to him on the breeze. Even the episodes he endured seemed friendlier, the appliances were almost supportive of his efforts. There were a few voices in his head, but they came up with some great ideas, so Judah cut them some slack. His muse didn’t visit him in a vision, but she didn’t have to, he slept beside her every night.

As he strummed a few chords, Judah shut his eyes and thanked God he’d survived the storm he’d gone through. His parents had come for supper the night before and Pepper won Tala over by asking for her help in the kitchen. Judah knew Pepper didn’t need help, but his mother longed to feel necessary and he was glad Pepper cared enough to make her happy.

After Pepper’s ordeal, she’d postponed coffee with Loren, but Zion surprised them one morning when he showed up at the door with Loren on his arm. Pepper had fallen in love with her and Judah didn’t know if Loren knew it, but she’d just won a friend for life. There was one thing about Pepper McCoy, she was intensely loyal. Thank goodness. He ought to know, he’d tested the limits of her loyalty more than once.

He laid his head back on the chair and stared up into the clouds. The bats from Congress Street Bridge were flying through the night sky, looking like an undulating black veil against the red gold haze of sunset. From where he sat, he could see into the kitchen. Pepper was busy on her computer. After visiting the career center and job fair, she’d found something that intrigued her. When he asked what she was doing, she smiled and told him it was a surprise. He knew she wanted to feel like she had a purpose and if it took him the rest of his life, he’d convince her that she did. Pepper was essential to him. She was the cornerstone upon which his life was built and she was the compass that directed his path. She was more necessary to him than the air he breathed.

Unwilling to be apart any longer, he rose with guitar in hand to seek her out.

…Inside, Pepper checked the Facebook event page for Judah James – Comeback Special. Checking the number of likes, she felt giddy with excitement. Nearly a half-million people were coming to Zilker Park in Austin and there were ten other venues where the concert would be streamed live. She shot off a message to Desiree Holt and one to Reese Jerome. If she could pull this off, the sky was the limit. Maybe she’d found her calling after all!

“Whatcha doin, precious?” Judah kissed her on the neck and she slammed the computer lid down hard.

“Working.”

“Working on what?”

“A surprise.”

“What kind of a surprise?” he teased her. “Is it for me?”

She turned and wound her arms around his neck. “Yes, and you’re not going to get any information about it from me. No matter if you kiss me a thousand times and fuck me into next week.”

Judah barked out a laugh. “If that’s a challenge, I’m all over it.” He ran his fingers lightly down her sides, tickling her gently. “You know the only thing I need is you.”

“You’ve got me.” Pepper rested securely in his arms, determined to give him the world if she could.

 

* * *

 “God, I’ve never seen traffic so bad,” Judah complained as he maneuvered his car down the interstate. As far as the eye could see on both sides, every lane was full and almost at a standstill. “Where did all these people come from? Is the President in town or something?”

Pepper laughed. “I don’t think the President could attract this many people in Austin. There must be a big event of some kind.”

“I know I’ve been off the grid for a while, but there has to be something going on. To attract this many, they must be giving away thousand dollar bills.”

Pepper just smiled. She wouldn’t have to keep her secret much longer. In addition to Reese, Desiree, and Jimmy Dushku, Zion and the rest of the band was in on the plan. Samson and Gideon had also thrown their muscle and money behind the event. She knew she’d never be able to repay them all, but their family and friends wanted Judah to succeed as much as she did.

Almost.

Before the night was over, there’d be no doubt in Judah’s mind that his fans were loyal, enthusiastic, and numbered in the millions. She kept her fingers crossed, hoping nothing would go wrong.

“Zion wants to practice again tonight, if that’s all right with you?”

His considerate request warmed her heart. “Of course, it’s all right. I want your career to get back on track, I don’t think you’ll be truly happy until it is.”

Judah didn’t argue, he was beginning to feel more like his old self. He knew he’d never be like everybody else – but who wanted to be? The woman he loved seemed to think he was worth fighting for. “Well, I’ll tell you what. After the jam session tonight, let’s you and I have a romantic dinner.” There was a band of gold burning a hole in his pocket.

“Okay. Any time you say.” She knew a raincheck might be in order, since tonight was the Comeback Special. A wave of uncertainty swept over her, she hoped Judah wouldn’t be angry with her for presuming to take matters into her own hands. What artist wanted a surprise performance thrust upon them?

Oh, well. There was no time for doubts. Zilker Park would be full by dusk and a fireworks display would herald the event to the world. Live streaming had been set up everywhere from Times Square in New York to the Hollywood Bowl in California. If her calculations were right, there would be close to five million people gathered to show the musician they loved that he wasn’t forgotten. Tickets were sold out for every venue and after all who’d helped fund the effort was repaid, all leftover proceeds would be donated to the Brain and Behavior Research Foundation.

“Man, I can’t take any more of this.” Judah took the next exit, but found most of the downtown streets chock full of traffic as well. “If I ever make it back to the parking garage, I think we’d make better time walking.”

“Let’s just go home, I can make us a BLT, we don’t need to go out for lunch. Let’s wait until the crowd dissipates.” Pepper covered her mouth so he wouldn’t see her smile.

“Thank God, I thought you’d never make that suggestion.” He headed for home without hesitation.

Once they were inside the loft, she stayed busy in the kitchen while he went over a new song. This one was a surprise, he called it Dreamweaver, Mine. Like so many others, this song was about Pepper and would be dedicated to her the next time he performed.

His hand stilled.

Judah smiled, he was ready to perform again – if anyone wanted to listen.

In the kitchen, Pepper listened to him sing. His voice never ceased to thrill her. She was so happy. The last few weeks had been tough, but things were coming together. Her family would all be at the concert tonight, even her father and Olivia. The Tebow McCoys were coming, as was the Wilder clan. She’d reserved front seating for her whole family and for their friends as well. Loren was coming for Zion and Tanner and Desiree would be representing the Yellow Rose label who was sponsoring the event. As soon as Judah was ready, a contract awaited him with Desiree’s company. He could record at home and tour only as much as he felt led to.

Once the bacon was fried, she assembled the sandwiches and carried them to where he was working. Many nights they dined on the couch, or on the floor by the coffee table. Pepper was making a home for Judah. No, they weren’t married and he’d never mentioned marriage, but Pepper was happy and content. She didn’t need a piece of paper or a ring to commit herself to Judah James.

“Thanks, babe.” He took the plate and placed his guitar down. “Zion just called and he’s about ready to head over to rehearsal.”

Pepper nodded. “Okay.” She was familiar with the plan. The band had been practicing in what passed for Zion’s garage, it was actually an empty warehouse that he’d remodeled into an apartment, a studio, and a rehearsal hall. Pepper knew it killed Zion’s soul to think he had all that room and money and Loren might be living under a bridge. Even though they spent time together, she’d never breathed a word about her situation. Pepper didn’t know how far their relationship had advanced, but she knew Zion was head over heels in love with the woman.

“Dang, this is good.” Judah wolfed down the sandwich.

“I’m glad.” She wanted him to eat, he was in for a long, exciting night.

When they were through, he kissed her goodbye and took off. As soon as the door was closed behind him, she jumped up to change clothes. Jimmy Dushku had agreed to bring his copter and land on top of Zion’s building to whisk the band and Pepper to Zilker Park. She would be heading over to meet them as soon as she was dressed and ready.

…An hour and a half later, Judah held up his hand in triumph as they finished the new song, Dreamweaver, Mine. “I think we’ve got it. How’s our sound?”

Zion nodded. “I think we’re gold. In fact, I think it’s time we performed live, don’t you guys?” he asked Eric and Eddie.

Judah looked puzzled. “When? Do we have a gig lined up I don’t know about?”

Zion laughed. “You could say that.” He made a quick phone call. “All’s set. Pepper’s here and so is Jimmy. Let’s head to the roof.”

When Judah started off without it, Eric pointed to his guitar. “Don’t forget your instrument, Rock Star, you’re going to need it.”

Without a clue to where they were going, Judah headed to the roof. “I’m not sure I trust you guys.”

Zion pointed. “How about her? Do you trust her?”

When he stepped around a corner, he saw Pepper standing by Jimmy Dushku, right near a helicopter with an open door. “Yea, I trust her.” Judah smiled. “With my life.”

Once they boarded, the helicopter lifted off and he took Pepper’s hand. “Do you want to tell me what’s going on?”

She kissed him on the end of the nose. “Just wait and see. This is the surprise I’ve been working on.”

Now, he was really curious. In a few moments, his curiosity morphed into shocked amazement. Once the helicopter passed over downtown and the river, Zilker Park came into view. “Oh, my God, what in the hell is going on?” Judah stared down into a sea of people surrounding a huge performing area. Giant screens framed the stage and a dozen searchlights mapped the heavens above.

“This is for you,” she whispered. “All these people are here for you.”

Judah’s heart thundered in his chest. His eyes searched the face of the band and their smiles told him that they’d been in on this deal the whole time. “My God, Pepper, guys, how did you pull this off? And why are they here?”

“They’re here to hear you sing, Judah. They’re here to let you know that they stand by you and they love you just the way you are. You’re their inspiration.” Pepper knew what she said to be true, she’d been conversing with his fans for weeks on Facebook and Twitter.

“I don’t know if I can sing,” Judah mumbled. “I’m all choked up.”

“Ah, the ham in you will emerge,” Eddie said with a laugh. “I have no doubt about that.”

When the helicopter landed, the band stepped out first, then stood back while Judah emerged. He helped Pepper to the ground, then they bent low to run out from under the blades. As soon as they neared the stage, Desiree Holt’s voice could be heard.

“Welcome ladies and gentlemen to one of the biggest live concerts in history, the Judah James Comeback Special!” A roar of cheers swept through the crowd. “We are gathered here to welcome this man back to performing and making the music he is known for all over the world. We have an estimated crowd here of half a million and there are like gatherings from coast to coast and in three foreign countries. We, the Judah James Nation, are almost four million strong!”

Judah felt electrified, his whole body was tingling. He couldn’t believe this, he just couldn’t believe it.

“An event like this is not put together by one person, many of us pitched in. Me, for a selfish reason, I’m hoping to sign this man and his band ASAP. I can tell you one thing – this night wouldn’t be possible if not for the dogged desire and determination of one woman. This is her vision, her mission. Her quest to show the man she loves that he is beloved in the music industry. Pepper McCoy loves Judah James.” She held up her hands, in true diva style. “And so do we! Without farther adieu, welcome Judah James and Shiloh!”

Judah gave Pepper one hard kiss and ran onto the stage. There were chants of Shiloh! Shiloh! But soon those chants changed and became Judah! Judah! Judah! The massive crowd in Austin was joined by the other crowds all over the world. “Judah! Judah!”

Judah took his microphone in hand. “Thank you! This was a surprise to me. I couldn’t have dreamed up this night if I tried.” He laughed. “I couldn’t even have hallucinated it.” The crowd laughed with him. “I am blown away! I am humbled beyond words. I love you all. I thank you for believing in me. For taking the time out of your life to show me you care. But most of all, I love this woman.” He pointed to Pepper and her image soon was visible on every screen. “She is the light of my life. She is my guiding star, the reason I live. I want to thank her for her steadfast faith in me and her undying belief that I’m worthy of her love.”

Hearing his heartfelt words, Pepper cried. Heath came to her and led her to a seat of honor down front. And together, she and her family and millions of fans around the world listened as Judah James poured out his heart in song.

As the evening wore on, Judah felt like he’d never left the stage, like he’d never doubted his calling. When the time came for the last song, he held up his hand to quiet the crowd. “What an evening this has been! There are so many people I want to thank, so many people I owe so much to.” He named off all the ones responsible amid cheers and screams of adoration, especially when Desiree’s name was called. He asked her to sing, but she passed, saying the evening belonged to him. Holding out his hand, he invited Pepper to the stage. “I just finished a song called Dreamweaver, Mine. I wrote it for this woman. She is my muse. She puts the song in my heart and on my lips.”

When Pepper joined him, she expected him to sing, but what she didn’t expect was for him to go down on one knee. “Penelope Elizabeth McCoy, love of my life, joy of my soul. Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

Pepper melted, tears began to flow down her cheeks. She threw her arms around Judah’s neck and cried, “Yes, yes, a thousand times yes!”

He held her hand and placed a ring on her finger, then took the microphone and sang these words:

When I look into your beautiful face, I see the light.

You touched my blinded eyes and gave me sight.

I could search the universe through

And never find one who loves me more than you

You are my source of strength when I am weak

You are the answer to any question I might seek

You take my hopes and give them life, Dreamweaver, mine.

The song ended to thunderous applause as Judah swept Pepper up into his arms. Hugging her tightly, he whispered into her ear, “And this is just the beginning, my love. I’ll spend the rest of my life making your dreams come true.”