Holding Out for Christmas (The Christmas Tree Ranch #3)(58)

“Or just another bar gig. Be straight with me, Tucker.”

“I am. It’s a big auditorium concert. We’ll be opening for Rascal Flatts. We could get another singer, but you were our first choice. Come on, this is too big for you to turn down.”

“How soon do you need an answer?” she said, thinking of Conner.

“Soon,” he said. “I’ll call you back in fifteen minutes. If you can’t do it, we’ll have to scramble for a replacement. We’ll be rehearsing tomorrow morning. It would be best if you could catch a red-eye out of Amarillo tonight. That way, you’d be here in time to run through the songs with us.”

“I understand. I just need to check on something.”

Megan ended the call and scrolled to Conner’s number. There was no way she could turn down this once-ina-lifetime chance. But Conner had asked her for honesty. She didn’t want to accept the offer without letting him know.

As his phone began to ring, she could feel doubt creeping in. Wouldn’t it be better to tell him about her singing career when they could talk face-to-face? But, no, she couldn’t put this off any longer. Not when he’d made it clear how vital it was that he trust her.

The phone rang again, then again, and again, until his voice message came on. Megan sighed. She couldn’t tell her whole story on voicemail. “Conner,” she said, “I need to go back to Nashville for a couple of days. Call me and I’ll explain.”

That was the best she could do. Now she could only hope that Conner would get the message and call her back.

Bringing up her computer, she searched for, found, and booked a late-night flight. Amarillo, the nearest major airport, was almost two hours away by car. That meant she would have to leave soon. But Conner should still be able to call her.

She wouldn’t have to take much. There’d be plenty of clothes and other necessities in her Nashville apartment. The only things she really needed to pack were Lacy’s.

Laying the wig, the makeup box, the jeans, boots, jacket, and Stetson on the bed, she began arranging them in Lacy’s suitcase.

*

Conner stood in the ranch driveway, cursing as he stared down at his cell phone. He had just climbed out of the Jeep when he felt the phone, which he’d silenced for the movie, vibrate in his deep pocket. As he’d pulled it out, his fingers had lost their grip. The phone slipped out of his hand and had sunk into a deep mud puddle. By the time he’d fished it out and wiped it with a handkerchief, it was as dead as the proverbial doornail.

Could it be salvaged? He’d heard of tricks like leaving the phone in a bag of rice to dry it out. He would try that, but meanwhile, whatever the call had been about, he’d lost it. He could only hope the call hadn’t been important. Until he could either fix the phone or buy a new one, he was out of touch and out of luck.

*

Like a Christmas tree with ten million dazzling lights, the city of Nashville glittered in the darkness. Crowded into the van with the rest of the band and their gear, Megan, dressed as Lacy, could feel her heart slamming against her ribs. The adrenaline rush, coupled with an aching sense of anticipation, was as heady as a drug. Tonight could make or break her music career. If the right people noticed her, she could be on her way to stardom—or this could turn out to be just another night, and another show.

The day’s rehearsals had gone well. Everyone in the van was primed to walk out on that stage and perform their hearts out for ten thousand people. Megan wanted to do well, not only for herself, but for her friends in the band. She was nervous, but she felt confident and hopeful. Only one thing was troubling her.

She hadn’t been able to reach Conner.

When she’d failed to hear from him, she’d called from the airport. Nothing. Was he all right? Was he angry at her for some reason?

She’d tried again this morning, with no luck. After that, she’d had to turn off her phone and focus on the rehearsal. During the break, she’d checked again. No messages. Nothing. By then, she was really getting worried. She’d even called her mother. No, Dorcas hadn’t heard from Conner. Yes, if he called, she would give him Megan’s message.

Now all Megan could do was put him out of her mind and give her all to her performance, which was as important to her friends in the band as it was to her. She couldn’t let them down. Even her worries about Conner couldn’t be allowed to distract her.

They parked at the rear of the building and came in through the stage entrance. While the Badger Hollow Boys set up on the open stage, Megan loosened up in the wings and watched the seats fill. The Christmas-themed concert was a sellout. Rascal Flatts were superstars. But the Badger Hollow Boys and Miss Lacy Leatherwood would be new to most of the audience. They would have less than thirty minutes to make a lasting impression.

She checked her watch. Almost time. She could feel the sweat beneath the leather jacket and silk blouse. Her pulse was racing. She took a deep breath, heard the drumroll and announcer’s booming voice over the PA system. Then, as the band exploded into its intro, Lacy Leatherwood strutted onto the stage.

The next half hour was a blur. Only when it was over did she realize the audience was cheering and the crew was hastily clearing the stage for the main act. She made it backstage before her knees began to shake.

Leaning against a wall for support, she willed herself to breathe, willed her galloping pulse to slow. Had she forgotten any of the lyrics? Had she hit any sour notes? Heaven help her, she couldn’t remember.