Blood of the Rainbow (46 page)

“If you’d introduced him to me a little sooner….”

“I’m sorry Honey. I didn’t know you had been looking for a relationship.”

Donna rolled her eyes. “I’m always looking Gary. I just haven’t had the time. For Jared, I would have made time. God, he gave me such a tingle when he looked at me. And his voice was just so….”

Gary held up his hand. “You know I love you D, but honestly, do you have to have this conversation with me. I’m not into all that girl talk. Seriously, if I’d known. Look at it this way. He’s not married yet. You never know what the future might hold.”

“No, that’s true, but I wouldn’t hurt Sara that way. She seems like a sweet person. Maybe I’m not meant to meet anybody. I mean, really, I’ve got my career and my music. Maybe I should just concentrate on that. You could always talk to that doctor you were telling Jared about.”

Gary laughed. “No, I won’t try to fix you up with Sam. According to what Richard tells me, Sam would only break your heart. And, after seeing how Jared has affected you, I don’t want to see you get hurt. I will consider talking to Richard about you though.”

Donna laughed nervously. “Gary, I was kidding.”

“I wasn’t D. I’ve got your email address. I’m going to give it to him, and we’ll see what happens. You shouldn’t be alone D….”

“Gee thanks. Now, do you suppose we could talk about something else? Like what’s going on with you and Juanita?”

Gary sighed deeply and concentrated on driving. “That’s easy – nothing.”

Donna raised her eyebrows. “Oh really? You could have fooled me….”

------------

Lucy came bursting in, full of excitement and nearly knocked Sara off her feet when she embraced her. “So what’s this all about,” she said, slipping her guitar strap over her shoulder, and tuning in with them.

“We have to be at HMC by eleven tomorrow to rehearse, and get adjusted to their sound system for the gig on Saturday.” Jared informed her. Sara gulped.

Lucy squealed. “That’s wonderful – oh wow. Sara you must be
so
excited,” she said smiling at Sara.

“Oh yeah, I’m just tickled pink,” Sara said sarcastically.

“Oh, Hon- ey,” she said, comforting Sara. “Don’t be scared. You’re gonna be great! We’re all gonna be great – right guys?” Lucy said, holding up a high five to Jared.

Jared slapped her hand. “You bet we are Luce,” he said, putting his arm around Sara’s shoulder and giving her a squeeze of encouragement. “And this sweet voice here is going to take this band… straight to the top!” he said enthusiastically, motioning with his hand.

Sara rolled her eyes. “Thanks, Jared,” she said, tightening her jaw.

Lucy started plucking her strings at random. “What was that song you were doing when I came in?”

Jared handed her a copy of the words and chords they’d been working on, while they waited for her to get there. “It’s Sara’s creation. She wrote it while we were on a mountain in Arizona with nothing but a notebook and one of my old guitars I left at Mother’s.”

Lucy took it and scanned over it. “I like it! Let’s do it. I’ll twin backup for you on the chorus, and twin about a third above Sara on these parts, here,” she said, pointing. “Is that ok with you, Sara?” she motioned with her eyes.

“Yeah,” Sara replied. “That’s fine.” Lucy had no way of knowing how relieved Sara was to have someone else helping her with the high parts. She wasn’t sure of the key. Jared had told Sara this new key was better for her voice range, but Sara was still a little uncertain about the high notes. Knowing that someone was singing just a little higher up the scale than she was might help her reach her notes on cue.

Sara started to make a chord on her guitar, and the light caught her unusual engagement ring. Lucy’s mouth dropped. She walked over to Sara and picked up her hand. She studied Sara’s eyes. “Is this what I think it is?” She glanced from Sara to Jared.

Sara smiled as tears glossed her eyes. “Yes Lucy. Jared and I are getting married.”

Lucy looked as if someone had knocked the wind out of her. She blinked rapidly and glanced at Jared. She studied his eyes for a few minutes, and then looked back at Sara’s. “Wow – that’s – ah – that’s great news. I’m – ah – I’m happy for you. Guess you’re going to be part of the family after all.”
Just not the part I’d expected you to be.

“Thanks Luce,” Jared responded. “You sure you’re all right with this?”

“Yeah – sure – why wouldn’t I be?”
You didn’t want me. Why shouldn’t you have my niece? God help me get through tonight. Lucy fought off stinging tears. She glanced at Steve.
“I’m not the one you need to be worrying about,” Lucy said, glancing at Sara.

Steve shook his head knowingly.
I can feel another sandwich session coming on….

Lucy replayed her guitar part. “Come on. Let’s get this song sorted out.”

They tried what Lucy had suggested. “Well?” Sara said looking from Lucy to Jared, and then from Steve to Carl and back to Jared. Carl and Steve gave Sara the thumbs up.

Lucy swallowed the lump in her throat. She rolled her eyes and shook her head. “Wow!” she said. “I’m going to hand in my resignation. Jared is right. You
are
going to take us to the top.”

Sara smiled. “Really?”

Jared lifted Sara’s chin and kissed her. “Really, Angel.”

Maybe they were right. Maybe Sara could get through this. As long as she knew Jared loved her, and would always be by her side, she could get through anything.  

That night when he made love to her in their bedroom for the first time, he left her breathless and with no doubts in her mind.
God,
I’ve never felt so alive in my life! What could possibly go wrong?
As they were just about to walk in the coliseum, Sara found out. Only one person could ruin her happy disposition.

Chapter 19

Sara’s cell vibrated. She glanced at the name on the display, sighed deeply, and accepted the call. She spoke softly in hopes they wouldn’t hear. “Hi Mom.”

Kaye was fuming. “
Oh, so you finally decide to come home. What is it with you Sara? You run off with this stranger to Arizona - of all places. You don’t call. All Lucy would tell me was that you’d gone with Jared - whoever the hell he is - to see his sick grandfather, and that’s the last I hear until now. I’ve tried to call you at least ten times since Lucy said you’d left. What did you do – turn off your damn cell?
”

“Mom, calm down. I’m fine. Jared wouldn’t do anything to hurt me,” Sara managed to get in edgewise.

“
Maybe he would – maybe he wouldn’t. You’ve not known him long enough to be able to answer that truthfully Sara. I don’t understand you. I didn’t raise you to sleep with the first man that gave you the eye.
”

“Mother! I love Jared!”

“
Of course, you do
,” Kaye retorted sarcastically.

Sara was getting furious. Jared walked beside Sara. “Is that your mother?” Sara nodded. He reached out. “Give me the cell – let me talk to her.”

At that point, Sara didn’t think she had anything to lose. Kaye wasn’t going to accept Jared anyway, so there was no real reason for them to get along. Jared pressed the mute button. “What’s her name?”

“Katherine. But she goes by Kaye.”

Jared took a deep breath and smiled. “Hello Kaye. This is Jared Thundercloud. I’m the one that’s been stealing your daughter’s time.”

Sara imagined her mother ranting on to him.

“No Ma’am, Sara and I haven’t known each other long. Yes.... I agree…. You’re right, Sara
is
very young, but I can assure you,” he said, looking directly into Sara’s eyes. “Sara knows
exactly
what she wants.” Jared listened a few minutes. “Yes, Ma’am, my intentions toward your daughter are nothing but honorable. I take her reputation
very
seriously. I’d like to meet you and Mr. Foster. Would it be possible for me to bring Sara down for a visit?”

Oh God, No Jared!
Sara started waving her hands and shaking her head.

Jared smiled and ignored her. “Well, we have the gig for this Saturday. Yes Ma’am, were playing at the HMC…. The Louisiana Hayride Reunion. Yes, she is. Sara is our lead female vocalist. You and Mr. Foster should come up and listen to her sing. She has the voice of an angel.”

“Yes Ma’am, I’m
sure
you’re aware of how your daughter sings, which is why I think it would do her good if you came out and supported her. She’s a little nervous about getting up in front of all those people.”

Sara’s stomach started making buttermilk. She couldn’t take Kaye’s negative attitude.

Jared grinned at Sara. He could tell she was getting worried. “Why don’t you and Mr. Foster come and stay at my house? I’ll have my cook prepare a meal. I’ll take care of your tickets and transportation to and from the coliseum. That’s right. You don’t have to pay for anything. I’ll even arrange it, so you and Mr. Foster are given backstage passes.”

Sara was close to tears. She knew, if anyone could ruin this for her, it was Kaye. She would build up Jared’s confidence. Make him think she was an ally, and then fill his head with her thoughts. He would be telling Sara goodbye after five minutes, if her parents
came
to the performance.

Jared smiled. “There’s no reason for you to stay at a hotel. Wisteria Hall – yes Mrs. Foster – that’s the name of my home. You and your husband are welcome to stay with me. I have more than enough room.”

Jared listened a few seconds. “No Mrs. Foster, it’s not that hard to find. Shall I text the directions to your cell? Great, if you’ll just hang on – there, sent. I’m looking forward to meeting you too. Would you like to speak to Sara again? All right, hold on just a second.” He passed Sara her cell.

Jared smiled innocently, proud of his accomplishments. Sara wanted to strangle him.

“Hi Mom, it’s me…” Sara was prepared to be yelled at again. Surprisingly, Kaye’s voice was softer.

“
Why didn’t you say you’d be singing in public?
”

“Mom, you don’t normally want to hear anything about my music. I didn’t think you would consider coming.”

“
Sometimes, I think you exclude us deliberately to hurt us because we’re so strict on you
.”

Sara was shocked. Here, was her mother,
Kaye
, of all people admitting to Sara that
she
had been too strict on her! Sara could hardly speak. “No, Mom, I honestly wasn’t doing it to hurt you.”

“
Then, you’re all right with us being there – at your performance?
”

Sara was dumbfounded. “Well, yeah, sure,” she said, her tone a little more relaxed and brighter. “Of course I’d love to have you there.” She glanced at Jared.

“
Ok, then, tell your boyfriend
,
I’ve given the directions to your dad, and I guess we’ll see you at the gig,
” Kaye emphasized the word, ‘boyfriend’. “
Take care of yourself Sara. We love you,
” she said, fighting tears.

“I love you too Mom.” Sara ended the call. She furrowed her brow and turned. “Jared, what in the hell did you do to my mother?”

Jared looked innocent. He grinned. “What do you mean?”

“You’ve just spent about ten minutes on the phone with my mother. You’ve convinced her
and
Dad to come to the gig
and
stay with us! Are your eyes the
only
special things about you?”

Jared smiled and wrapped his arm around Sara’s waist, guiding her. “Let’s get inside, and get this over with.” Sara frowned and sighed deeply. Jared had said all he was going to say on the matter.

------------

They all walked into the coliseum. Sara still hadn’t convinced all her butterflies to go away, but at least they weren’t all in full flight. While she and Jared walked up to the booth and let management know they were there and ready to rehearse, the rest of ‘Raging Storm’ sat in the waiting area.

A heavily made-up blonde, with shoulder length hair, dressed in business clothes and carrying a clipboard, quickly took their names and passed out ID tags. She also gave them some bottles of cold water. She introduced herself as Andrea. She said she’d been assigned to ‘Raging Storm’, and would ensure they got everything they needed.

Andrea told them, while they were in the building; they would need to wear their ID tags at all times. The tags were their ticket to getting back inside the building, if they needed to go out for something to eat, or to their cars. Then Andrea asked them to take a seat with the others. She said she would come get them when it was their turn.

Jared passed out their ID tags. Sara was so nervous she couldn’t sit still. Jared finally sat her on his lap, and wrapped his arms around her to try and calm her down. It helped a little, but she was still upset.

Somewhere between ten and fifteen minutes later, Andrea came back and escorted them to the stage.

Jared and the band all took their places on stage, and after they’d gone through several sound checks, they turned on the overhead spotlights and adjusted them, keeping a record of their settings to be used the night of the gig. Sara was thankful for the light. It practically blinded her and prevented her from seeing how vast the coliseum was. Sara didn’t like to think of all the empty seats that would be filled during the show.

Jared turned to Sara and smiled. Then he turned to the rest of the band and counted off the lead-in to their first number. They would be opening with an instrumental he, and Lucy had written. After that, the band went straight into Jared and Sara’s duet numbers.

Steve kept glancing at Lucy. After the news about Jared and Sara’s engagement last night, he could see Lucy was barely holding it together. Lucy somehow believed, as long as Jared was obsessed with this ‘dreamgirl’, she still stood a chance with him. If things didn’t change – and they didn’t look as if they would be – her niece had turned out to be that ‘dreamgirl’. Now Lucy had two choices. Either be happy for Sara and keep her mouth shut, or finally, tell Jared how she’d felt about him,
before
it was too late. As far as Steve could tell… it was already too late.