Five years later….

It was a sunny Saturday afternoon in May and as usual, Laura was at the music shop, working her one weekly shift. She’d worked there every summer during college, and since graduating and taking a teaching job in Bozeman, she’d kept up the one day a week. Mostly because she loved playing music with Peter and running her new song ideas by him. She had a sizable stack of finished songs now and a dream of someday doing something with them. She enjoyed her job teaching music to elementary school children and spending Saturday afternoons at the shop. She knew her aunt enjoyed having her back home, too, especially since Harold had passed a year ago. It had been a difficult year for her, but she seemed to be doing much better now.

Laura had just finished playing her most recent song, which Peter pronounced her best yet, when the door opened with a whoosh and Tina flew in. She and Laura had quickly become best friends the first summer they worked together and had gone on to room together at college. She looked excited as she ran over to Peter and Laura.

“I got the job! Pack your bags, we’re moving to Nashville in two weeks!”

“What? Are you serious?” Laura was excited for her friend but a wave of terror washed over her at the thought of moving. She had a nice, comfortable life in Bozeman. Could she really give that up to follow a pipe dream? She didn’t want to perform—her goal was to sell her songs to others. She’d done plenty of research. Nashville was the place to go if you were serious about a career in country music. As much as Laura dreamed of it…the reality of moving was terrifying. It felt too sudden.

“You can’t back out now. You promised. You know you need to go there. You’re just scared,” Tina said. They had an agreement at Tina’s suggestion. If she got one of the marketing jobs she was applying for in Nashville, the two of them would move there together. Tina knew that Laura wasn’t likely to go on her own.

Laura nodded. Her friend knew her well. She said nothing, just sat quietly trying to take it all in. Peter got her attention by grabbing her hand and looking at her intently.

“You have to go. Seriously. This is your chance. You have the talent and now you have the opportunity. I’ll expect regular reports.” He smiled and Laura recognized the truth in what he said. It was time.

* * *

Aunt Helen took the news well. Laura felt guilty leaving her alone, but her aunt brushed her concern aside.

“Honey, don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine. It’s getting easier every day. I’m starting to do more on the weekends, too, catching up with friends. I have plenty to keep me busy.” That was true. Since Harold’s death, her aunt had her whole weekends to herself now and had recently started to go out more. She’d joined a women’s knitting group that met on Saturday afternoons. She’d had made some new friends there and was getting more involved at her church as well. Laura relaxed as it seemed that her aunt was genuinely excited for her.

“I’ve heard you playing that guitar for hours and heard you singing. I know you don’t like the attention, but you have a gift, honey. You could perform, you know?”

Laura shook her head. “The thought of that terrifies me. To get up in front of people and sing. No, I’m not looking to do that. But, I’d love to see if I can sell some of my songs.”

“Your songs are wonderful. I’m sure you’ll be able to do that.” She looked thoughtful for a moment and then asked. “Do all singers write songs, too?”

“No, though a lot do. I’ve read that there is always a demand for new songs. I guess I’ll find out.” Laura grinned and her aunt pulled her in for a tight hug.

“I’m thrilled for you, though I’ll miss you, of course. You’ll come home for the holidays, right?”

Laura smiled. “Of course.”

* * *

Cole was enjoying law school more than he would ever admit to his father. He’d just finished his first year. He and his father had worked out a deal. He agreed to get his law degree and, in return, his father paid for it and also agreed to let him go off to Nashville when he graduated and follow his dream. His father was sure it would only be for a year or two, but the agreement was however long it took and when Cole was ready, there would be a spot for him in his father’s company. There was also a trust fund that he would have access to upon graduation, which would be helpful for expenses in Nashville.

His father was the governor now and from all accounts, was doing a great job. The economy in Charleston had improved and he’d just been voted in for a second term. His father also approved of his latest girlfriend. Chelsea was the daughter of one of his good friends, and Cole knew that his father would love for him to settle down with her and give up the pipe dream of Nashville. He had to admit, Chelsea was an intriguing girl. She was unlike anyone that he’d dated before.

She looked like the rest. She was a pretty sorority girl with long blonde hair, blue eyes and a killer smile, but she was also ambitious. She was impressed with Cole’s father and admitted that she had political ambitions herself. When he shared that with his father one night at dinner, he lit up and a week later had arranged for a prestigious summer internship for Chelsea in the governor’s public relations office.

“Your father is such an amazing man!” she’d gushed when they had dinner together a week after she started. They were at the country club, and it was a gorgeous Saturday night in late June. Warm breezes wafted over them as they sat outside on the veranda sipping gin and tonics.

“I’m glad you like it there.” He’d never seen her this excited before. Chelsea was positively glowing as she told him all about her first week and all the important people she’d come in contact with.

“It’s an incredible networking opportunity. This could lead to something wonderful.”

“I’m sure it will.” He smiled and took a sip of his drink. And then he shared his big news.

“We got our first gig. Me and the guys. We’re going to play a set at Rusty’s Lounge in two weeks.”

Cole had been at a local karaoke night over the summer and at the end of the night, he’d been approached by three guys his age that were putting together a band and needed a singer. He started practicing with them that week.

Chelsea pursed her lips as if she’d tasted something particularly sour or distasteful, which wasn’t exactly the reaction he’d been hoping for.

“Rusty’s Lounge? Really? That place is a dive.”

She did have a point there.

“Well, yeah. But they pack them in and they’re paying us!”

Chelsea smiled and lifted her drink, “Well, congrats then!”

“Thanks. So you’ll come watch us? Get some of your friends together?”

Chelsea was non-committal. “We’ll see. I’ll try.”

Cole knew that meant chances were slim to none that she’d be there. But that was okay. He knew she hated country music and her friends weren’t fond of it, either. But fortunately, plenty of other people were and he looked forward to playing for them soon.