Cherished (33 page)

Her phone rang, and it took her a minute to find it in her purse. Kelli called every Sunday with news about the service, and Heather was especially eager to hear from her today and find out what had happened with Miles.

She blinked three times to make sure she wasn't seeing things. The name on the caller ID said
Ace
. Heather's heart hammered in her chest. Was it really him? Why? Should she ignore the call?

“H-hello?”

“Hey, beautiful. How've you been?”

His voice was smooth as ever. She closed her eyes, gripping the handle of the cart. “How have I been? As if you care.”

“Listen, I hated what happened. I had planned to spend the weekend with you, remember? I couldn't help that Angela showed up.”

“Ace, you slept with me, then put me out. And then sat in that conference the next day acting holier-than-thou. You're a hypocrite.”

“You're not judging me, are you now, Heather? You were right in that bed with me.”

She didn't know what to say.
I gave my life to Jesus afterward
?

Ace continued. “But seeing you the next day did tear me up. I'm telling you right here and now I'm sorry it had to go down like that.”

Heather pressed her lips together. “After all this time? Save it. What do you really want?”

“What I want is to make it up to you.”

She pushed her cart further aside and stood against it. “What do you mean?”

“I made you a promise. I said I'd introduce you to some artists and try to help you become a background singer. Didn't I?”

Her heart was still hammering. “Yeah. That's what you said.”

“And that's what I meant. Turned out it couldn't happen that weekend, but I haven't forgotten. I've got an opportunity for you.”

She needed to tell him she didn't want to hear it and hang up, but her adrenaline was pumping. “What?”

“My band's playing in St. Charles tonight, and Peyton Vine is on the ticket. She told me she's looking for two background singers for her upcoming tour. She said she'd be willing to listen to you.”

Heather's hand was shaking on the cart handle. She loved Peyton's music, often imitated her voice. She knew her stats too— from Alabama, a couple years older than Heather, got her start in country music with a gospel twang and moved over to CCM with her last album.

Heather shook her head, trying to make sense of what was happening. “Ace, I drove all the way to Indianapolis based on the last thing you told me. Now I'm supposed to believe this? I don't think so.”

“First of all, I wasn't lying last time. Things just didn't work out as planned. And second, what do you have to lose? You don't have to drive far at all. And Peyton
will
be there. You can look it up yourself on the Internet.”

“Doesn't mean she agreed to see me.”

“Hang on a sec.”

Heather stood straight. “What are you doing?”

“I'm getting her on the line.”

He clicked over, and Heather blew out a long breath. Was this really happening? Seconds later, she heard Ace and a female talking.

“Heather, you there?”

“I'm here.”

“Hi, Heather. This is Peyton Vine.”

Either Ace was a psychopath who already had someone on standby to impersonate Peyton, or this was really Peyton Vine. Heather had heard and seen enough interviews to recognize her voice.

“Hi, Peyton,” she said. “Pleasure to meet you, sort of.”

“Peyton, like I said, Heather doesn't believe you've agreed to listen to her sing tonight. Would you please confirm?”

“It's true, Heather. I'm looking for background singers to tour with me, and Ace said you're awesome. Honestly, it's not a big burden for me to listen for a few minutes. I'm glad to do it.”

Excitement began to course through Heather's veins. “Seriously? You're serious?”

Peyton laughed. “Girl, I'm serious!”

“Thank you so much.”

“No problem,” Peyton said. “I've got to jump off because I'm about to catch my flight into St. Louis, but I look forward to meeting you.”

“You too.”

Peyton hung up, leaving Ace and Heather. He made a point of clearing his throat. “You can thank me too.”

Her mind was racing. “Thanks, Ace. Really. This is huge. How do I meet up with you all?”

Ace told her the time and location and the name to ask for once she arrived. She'd have backstage access throughout the concert.

“Thanks again, Ace.”

“You're welcome. Look forward to seeing you.”

Heather could barely push the cart as she thought about the evening ahead. No way could she finish shopping. She had most of what she needed anyway, so she moved to the checkout line and called Kelli as she waited. Voice mail kicked in.

She couldn't call Logan because he was still in second service. Besides, she wasn't sure she wanted to. He'd be worried about her seeing Ace again—understandably—but this wasn't about Ace. This was about Heather finally getting a chance to live her dream. No wonder she'd been feeling the pull to sing of late. God had to be preparing her heart for this, letting her know it was okay to pursue it.

Somehow she got her groceries home and put them away. She double-checked the concert date online just to be sure, rummaged through her closet for the right outfit, and started cooking an early dinner, all while intermittently calling Kelli—where was she?—and playing her entire collection of Peyton Vine tunes.

Late afternoon her phone rang, and she almost broke her neck to get to it. “Kelli—finally! Where have you been?”

“I've been going since this morning. Some things happened with Miles, ended up having breakfast with Brian, then went with him to the youth picnic, so we were playing lots of games and I didn't have my phone. We're headed to the studio now, and I saw you called like a thousand times. What's going on?”

“I totally heard you say something happened with Miles and you spent the day with Brian, and you
know
I'm coming back to all that, but I've got to get this out or I'll burst. I'm auditioning tonight to be a background singer for Peyton Vine!”

“Are you serious?”

Heather laughed. “That's what I said.”

“Where?”

“She's doing a concert in St. Charles, and she said she'd listen to me sing. I actually talked to her.”

“Okay, girl. Back up. What were you doing on the phone with Peyton Vine?”

Heather hesitated. “I got a call from Ace. But before you say anything, he apologized for what happened in Indy and said he was keeping his promise to help me break into the business. He's the one who set things up with Peyton and got her on the phone.”

“Mm-hmm. How do you know it was her?”

“Kelli, have you heard her speak? She has a distinctive voice. I have no doubt. Plus I checked the website, and she's definitely scheduled to be here.”

“What's the venue?”

“Webster Family Arena.” Heather waited. “Kelli?”

“I'm here.” She sighed. “I want to be excited with you, but I just don't know. I have zero respect for Ace. What did he apologize for—putting you out or the fact that he shouldn't have had his mind set on plying you with alcohol and getting you into bed? He's sleazy, and I don't think he'd do this without something in it for himself. If I didn't have to be in the studio, I'd go with you. I think you should get Logan to go.”

“If I tell Logan, he'll advise me not to go at all.”

“Why would he do that? The opportunity with Peyton might be legit. Logan would just be there to make sure Ace doesn't try anything.”

“I'll think about it. I do wish you could go, but will you be praying for me?”

“Of course I'll be praying. Call me
the minute
it's over.”

Heather forced herself to take a catnap so she'd be fresh for the evening, but she woke up realizing she'd napped longer than planned. It was six o'clock. She jumped up, showered and dressed, and started the twenty-minute drive to the venue, her phone staring at her from the console. She knew she needed to call Logan, let him know what she was doing, but she didn't feel like being defensive about her plans. She wanted to stay upbeat. Better to tell him afterward, when—she hoped—they'd be celebrating.

The arena was more crowded than she thought it would be. She had to park far from the entrance and hustle to get inside before it started. There were three acts performing, the first a newer band she hadn't heard, but she wanted to be there to experience it all.

At the main door, Heather stood in line with no ticket, anxious about explaining that she should not only get in but receive backstage access. The first woman she spoke with looked skeptical, calling over a security guard. Heather explained again, dropping the name Ace told her to use. The guard mumbled a few words into his walkie-talkie, and next thing she knew he was opening a side door for her. Her heart did a leap as he gave her a badge, then took her down a back elevator and through a long corridor. She ended up in a big room with catered food and a few people scattered at tables, talking over the meal.

Heather felt silly when the guard left her standing there, but seconds later Ace appeared.

“Hey, you made it.” He hugged her like they were old friends. “Did you have any problems getting in?”

“No, it was all good.” Heather smiled, a little nervous. “Thanks again.”

“Absolutely. Come with me.”

She followed him back down the hall. He stepped into a room where some others were gathered. She recognized a couple guys as members of his band. Three women were there as well, sitting on the laps of three of the guys. They were watching a monitor of the act performing onstage.

Ace didn't introduce her to anyone. She stood against the wall next to him. After a few awkward minutes she whispered, “Is there any way I could watch the concert in person?”

“Sure.” Ace moved immediately, tapping one of the guys. “Be back, bro.”

He led Heather past a bunch of lighting and equipment, through a tunnel area, to a nice spot with a great view of the stage. The band was rocking out, the crowd going crazy.

“Where's Peyton?”

“Probably in her dressing room getting ready. She's on next. She'll listen to you after she performs.”

“Cool.” But her insides weren't. They were jumping like crazy.

Heather was able to grab an up-close seat during Peyton's performance. She watched every move and noted every song in the set, her eyes following the two background singers more than Peyton. She pictured herself up there, sitting on a stool for the slower songs, handling the dance moves on the faster ones. This was what she was meant to do. She just knew it.

The crowd roared when Peyton finished her encore. Heather eased out and found her way back down the hall, texting Ace.

He came out of the same room. “Good timing. I'm going on in ten; we just finished the prayer. I'll take you to Peyton's dressing room.”

Ace knocked on the door, and one of the background singers opened it. Ace seemed to know everyone. Heather couldn't believe it when she was brought face-to-face with Peyton. She was more beautiful close-up than onstage.

“Great to meet you, Heather. So glad you could come.”

“The pleasure is entirely mine. I'm grateful for the opportunity.”

Ace tapped her shoulder, and Heather turned a moment.

“I need to go,” he said, “but stick around when you're done. I'd like to say good-bye.”

Peyton got her background singers to help with the impromptu audition. They took her aside and taught her a part to one of Peyton's songs, a song Heather knew well. They practiced it twice, then told Peyton they were ready. Heather's heart was beating out of her chest. Peyton sang the lead, though not full-throated, and Heather joined in with the others. The nerves fell away and she could feel herself in the zone, hitting the notes exactly as she'd hoped.

Near the end Peyton was snapping her fingers, ad-libbing, and Heather was the lone voice remaining with her, feeling the vibe.

When it was over, Peyton grinned. “All right, girl! You go!”

They sang another song, a slower one, and Heather was excited because she'd practiced the background vocals to this one earlier. Might've been wishful thinking, but her sound seemed to complement Peyton's well. Members of Peyton's road team who'd left the room returned and stood near the doorway, watching them. When they were done, a rousing applause ensued.

Heather gestured toward Peyton, adding her own applause, but Peyton bowed to Heather.

“They hear me all the time,” Peyton said, smiling. “I don't get applause from them. They're applauding you.”

“Wow.” Heather got teary-eyed. “I really feel like I'm standing in somebody's dream. Thank you.”