Where There's Smoke (30 page)

“We agreed!” Hunter’s voice joined in.

“Then I am already dead.” Chance dropped to his knees as his energy drained. He knew he wouldn’t be able to survive a day without Destiny, let alone an eternity.

“I can’t do it,” LeAnn said, her face turning a sickly gray color. “You’re asking too much.”

Destiny gritted her teeth, reminding herself that she had no choice, and LeAnn was making this all way too difficult! “If you don’t, then what I’m giving up will be all for naught!”

LeAnn frowned. “What are you talking about?” Her eyes narrowed as she studied Destiny. “What are you not telling me?”

“Nothing,” Destiny quickly told her. “It’s just that I want the best for you.”

“But this might not be the best thing for me,” LeAnn sadly shook her head. “And I don’t think I’m worth this much trouble.”

Destiny was going to kill the girl. Absolutely fucking kill her! No, she only needed to convince LeAnn this was the only solution.

Now, deep breath.

And exhale.
Whoosh.

Better.

She looked up as a man and woman walked past, then went inside The Stompin’ Ground bar. The place was packed, but then Destiny had made sure it would be. She looked at LeAnn again.

“If you don’t go up on that stage when Duncan introduces you, then you’ll be throwing away your opportunity for everything you’ve dreamed about.” Her words were calm and soothing.

“But—”

“No buts!” Destiny stomped her foot and glared at LeAnn.

LeAnn hung her head. “If you could’ve seen me earlier tonight, you wouldn’t be trying to talk me into this. I was a dismal failure.”

Destiny grabbed LeAnn’s shoulders and gave her a gentle shake. “It wasn’t you. From everything you’ve told me, that place was a dive. This time will be better. I promise.”

Besides, Destiny had made sure there would be a record producer who would just happen to make a wrong turn and get lost on his way to Billy Bob’s. And if Destiny’s timing was on the mark, then he would walk inside the bar in the middle of LeAnn’s performance to ask for directions. Getting a man to ask for directions would be a feat in and of itself.

And LeAnn stood here and argued?

Grrr!

Deep breath.

Exhale.
Whoosh.

Better.

She couldn’t make the producer fall in love with LeAnn’s voice, but Destiny would at least be giving her a chance, except the window of opportunity was quickly closing.

“Please, do it for me.” Destiny begged, holding her breath. “I know I let you down once, but I swear, this time I won’t.”

LeAnn glanced toward the bar, conflicting emotions warring across her face.

“You know it’s your dream. Can you walk away from it? Forever?”

“I’m scared.”

“I’ll be with you.” For as long as she could. Destiny hoped it would be long enough.

“Okay, okay, I’ll do it. Just stop badgering me.”

The tension finally eased inside Destiny. “Great. Let’s go.” She grabbed LeAnn’s hand and began pulling her toward the bar, but LeAnn wasn’t budging. “What?”

“We’re just going to meet the owner, right?”

“No, you’ll be singing tonight.”

She shook her head. “I don’t have my guitar.”

“There’s a band. You won’t need it.”

“A band! What about rehearsal?”

“No time.” Then more firmly. “You promised.”

“Fine! I just don’t know why you’re being so persistent or why it has to be tonight.”

For a teeny-tiny moment, Destiny thought about throwing fire beneath her friend’s feet, but that might be a little hard to explain. Thankfully she didn’t have to, as LeAnn reluctantly moved forward.

Once inside the bar though, LeAnn pulled against her hand. Destiny could feel the trembles that flowed over LeAnn and felt some of the other woman’s fear.

“I swear it will be okay. You have a fantastic voice. Look, Charles and Beulah are already here.”

LeAnn groaned. “To see me crash and burn again.”

Charles and Beulah turned as if they knew they were being talked about. They got up and hurried over.

“This is a lot better place,” Charles told her. “You’ll do fine here.”

Beulah’s usually pursed lips softened to a smile. “You have a beautiful voice, dear. You’ll have the whole town talking before this night is over. It’s not going to be like the last time.”

“And if it is, my Beulah will kick their asses,” Charles said, then grinned.

“I told you that was an accident.”

“Yeah, your fist landed against her jaw.”

“Well, she had it coming.” Beulah straightened, smoothing the front of her green dress with the palms of her hands. “We’d best get back to our table so LeAnn can get ready.”

“Nice dress,” Destiny commented.

Beulah preened. Funny, Destiny didn’t think the woman had it in her to preen.

“I was getting tired of the dreary. It’s not like I’m always going to a funeral or anything.” She shrugged. “And maybe it’s past time I started living.”

“I can’t do this,” LeAnn muttered.

Great, here we go again!

“You must be LeAnn,” Duncan said as he joined them.

Destiny glanced over her shoulder. Thank goodness, reinforcement. “Duncan, hi. This is the friend I was telling you about.”

“You’re Duncan?” LeAnn asked.

“And you’re hot.” His gaze slowly roamed over LeAnn, then met her eyes once again. “Destiny told me you could sing, but she didn’t tell me just how beautiful a singer I would be getting. My bar dims in comparison.”

“Thank you.” She blushed to the roots of her hair, smiling shyly.

Destiny looked between the two of them. Who would’ve thought? This might work out even better than she hoped. But then she always knew the guy had potential.

“You don’t know how I sound. You might not like my voice,” LeAnn said.

“She sounds great,” Destiny jumped in. LeAnn was too damn modest for her own good.

“You’ve only heard a few notes!”

“But they were really good notes.”

“I’d love to introduce you if you’re ready.”

“She’s ready.” Destiny was still holding LeAnn’s hand and could feel her begin to shake.

“Right now? I need a few minutes, or maybe tomorrow night would be better.” LeAnn shook her head. “I don’t think I could stand to flop twice in one night.”

Destiny wasn’t about to let LeAnn’s nerves destroy everything she’d pulled together just for tonight and in such a short amount of time. Besides, Destiny knew that she wouldn’t get another opportunity to help her friend.

“Now, it has to be now,” Destiny urged.

“Please, do it for me,” Duncan said, taking her hand.

“I… I…” She couldn’t seem to look away from his mesmerizing eyes.

Destiny decided to strike while she could. “Go introduce her.”

“You got it,” Duncan said, but kissed LeAnn’s hand before he released it, and then walked toward the stage.

“I’m not ready,” LeAnn frantically whispered.

“Yes, you are.”

Duncan jumped to the stage in one smooth leap, rather than taking the two steps on the side, and then made a motion for the band to stop playing. As soon as the room was quiet, he grinned at Destiny and LeAnn. Destiny forgot just how cute the guy was, in a good ol’ boy, country way. He and LeAnn would make a perfect couple.

“I can’t do this,” LeAnn whispered.

“Yes, you can.” Destiny slipped behind her and maneuvered her toward the side of the stage as Duncan began his introduction.

“It’s my great pleasure to introduce a brand-new voice on the country music scene. Y’all give her a warm welcome because this little lady’s star will soon be on the rise.”

“Oh God,” LeAnn moaned.

Duncan moved to the steps and held out his hand. Destiny bit her bottom lip. A second passed, then two. LeAnn grudgingly took his hand.

Destiny let go. She knew then what it felt like for mothers to send their children out into the world for the very first time because that was exactly what she felt right now.

But rather than rush to the stage and shield LeAnn from the hardships life might toss her way, Destiny did what all mothers know to do: she stepped back into the shadows and prayed LeAnn had the courage to follow her dreams, to be the person she was meant to be.

LeAnn moved to the microphone as Duncan left the stage. Her trembling hands grabbed the microphone stand. It jerked to the side. She grabbed it tighter, and a shaky laugh erupted from her. “I guess I’m just a little nervous.”

The crowd was silent.

Her sigh came over the microphone. “Maybe a whole lot nervous.” She looked around until her gaze found Destiny.

Destiny smiled and nodded.

“I wrote a song about my brother. Actually, I’ve written a lot of songs, but this one is my favorite, and I’ve never gotten the chance to sing it for anyone. Well, not all of it at once.”

She turned slightly toward the band and began to hum the tune. There were two guitar players and a drummer. One of the guitar players began to strum. LeAnn smiled and nodded. The other guitar player joined in, then the drummer.

“Yeah, just like that. Nice and easy. That’s the way my brother was. Nothing seemed to bother him. He was my hero and I was the little sister who tagged after him.” She looked out over the crowd. “Any of you have brothers or sisters that you tagged after?”

Destiny looked around. Nearly everyone nodded their heads and smiled. The door opened and a sliver of light crept in. A man who looked totally lost glanced around, giving LeAnn a cursory look before he moved toward the bar. Duncan took his place behind the counter again, but was intently watching LeAnn.

Destiny smiled. Everything was going according to plan.

LeAnn began to sing, her voice as pure as an angel.

You were the one I cherished most,

Walking side by side.

You were the one that I admired

With hero worship in my eyes.

There was a short pause. The room was so quiet that you could hear a pin drop.

But no one told me heroes die.

But no one told me heroes die.

LeAnn closed her eyes and began to hum. She didn’t see the tears that formed in people’s eyes. Or the men who were suddenly reaching for their beers just to have something to do. Then she began to sing again.

You taught me to ride my bike,

You threw me in the pond.

That was when I learned to swim,

When we formed the bond.

But no one told me heroes die

No one told me heroes die

Although you’re not with me now

I never walk alone.

These are the memories we still share,

Since the angels called you home.

Heroes only die if you let them go,

Never let them go.

Destiny sniffed. LeAnn really had a fantastic voice. Either way, her plan couldn’t have worked out any better if she did say so herself. She focused on LeAnn as she finished.

LeAnn looked at the band and gave a little nod.

Never let them go.

Her words trailed off, her voice cracking on the last note. The band stopped playing except for one guitar that slowly faded.

The room was silent, then pandemonium erupted. Everyone jumped to their feet clapping their hands. A few of the women openly cried. LeAnn looked at Destiny and smiled as a tear slid down her cheek. She quickly wiped it away.

“More, more, more!” the crowd shouted.

Charles and Beulah were on their feet clapping with the rest of the patrons.

LeAnn spoke briefly with the band, then began to sing a lively tune. The producer was still standing at the bar. He began a frantic search in his pockets before pulling out a cell phone.

Duncan nodded at Destiny, then grinned.

“I guess you feel pretty proud of yourself,” Vetis said behind her.

Destiny jumped as though someone had stuck a hot poker deep in her heart. So this was it then. Vetis would exact retribution for her actions. But then, nothing really mattered anymore. Eternity would be the same as life. Why should she have expected anything less?

She turned and faced the demon. “I do feel proud of myself.”

Anger, like a match being struck, flared in his eyes. “I’ll make you regret not giving me her soul.”