Magic of Music - Excerpt inside

I've always loved music. It was a huge part of my life growing up. My mom was a country music fan who raised me on Conway, Loretta, Patsy, and George. All the greats of the time. I of course had my own taste in music as I grew older but classic country never left my soul. Country music gets a bad rep at times from being so "redneck" (I.E. She stole my dog and my truck and left me for my brother jokes) but country music tells a story. Makes you feel something. Some are a little wonky, yes. But most of them tell wonderful stories.

I have to listen to music while I write and it's usually country if I need to be inspired. Sometimes it changes depending on the scene I'm working on. Feeling a little stumped and blocked on visualizing this novel I'm working on, I listened to some Miranda Lambert on the way home and sang along at the top of my lungs. Doing these little car karaoke performances always makes me feel better.

Right away, I started picturing my story and what would happen next. I watched it play out like a movie and it was amazing. It may seem like a small thing to you, or not as interesting but to me it was a big deal. This part of the story doesn't seem important but it is. I'll even gift you a glimpse at this - unedited and raw - version of the scene I watched unfold in my mind. Please don't be too harsh on me. HAH

**It had been years since she went down to the spot - a patch of land near the west end of the property where it meets the Steele property line. Faye and Lee Steele were also sugarcane landowners and their property adjoined the Preston property.

Beau chuckled when she exited the house and tossed her a set of keys. “Keep up, country sunshine.” He winked.

Adalyn narrowed her eyes at him and caught the keys he tossed her way. She hurried her way down the steps to the awaiting four-wheeler.

Beau took off on his and shouted. “Come on slow poke!”

She climbed onto the four-wheeler and started it. The machine rumbled to life and roared with noise. Adalyn laughed and began to drive in the direction Beau went. The sun was beginning to drop in the sky but the day still had a few hours to go, considering it was daylight savings time.*

A beautiful horizon was on the edge of the treeline in the distance. She missed this open space and fresh country air. Louisiana was miserable when it was hot because of the humidity, but it was truly a magical place to live. She drove through the path of canefields, following in Beau’s tracks as she caught up to him. This was one of her favorite activities growing up and she knew with the soft dark brown mush that the dirt had become, the rain from yesterday would still be near the pit. They had simple names for their hangouts. The spot - the big patch of open area where they often held bonfires. The pit - the area with lots of dirt and mud - perfect for muddin’. As the canefield opened to the entrance of The Spot she watched Beau accelerate and drive into the muddy patches, spraying mud all over himself and the four-wheeler. She squealed when her tires hit the slippery mud and laughed as it sprayed her. Thankful she’d pulled her hair into a ponytail under a baseball cap, she continued on and ran the track just like back in the day.

Beau spun the four-wheeler in figure eights as he leaned into his turns, causing the mud spray from his tires to hit Adalyn. She screamed and laughed as she chased after him to get him back. Other four-wheelers joined them in the clearing and she recognized the male as being Ridge, Tucker’s older brother. Two other four-wheelers entered the clearing and it didn’t take long to realize the petite brunette was Emma. She drove in and hopped off her four-wheeler in a haste, running towards Adalyn.

“Oh, My GOD! Addi! Addi!” Emma screamed in excitement as she ran.

Adalyn laughed and shut her four-wheeler off to hug Emma. “Sorry, I’m covered in mud.”

“You’re here! You’re really here! AHHH I saw you sing with Keith Anderson! Addi!!! You’re famous!”

Adalyn pulled back and shook her head. “Still the same ole Addi, Emma. I promise.”

“Omigosh! Are you going to be able to stay for the wedding?”

Adalyn’s smile grew. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world!”

Emma screamed and jumped up and down, wrapping her arms around Adalyn’s neck and hugging her tight. “Oh! This is Cal. Babe, c’mere!”

A tall man with a beard and short, but ruffled brown hair approached them. “Hi, I’m Cal. Emma’s fiance.”

“Hey there. I’m Adaly-”

“Adalyn Jasper.” Cal finished for her. “I really like your music.” He smiled.

“Right. Adalyn Preston formally. Jasper is my stage name. Friends call me Addi or some of the band guys call me AJ. Addi is fine.” She smiled nervously. The center of attention in small groups made her feel slightly anxious. “And thanks, by the way. I’m glad to hear you do.”

“Addi it is then. I didn’t believe Emma when she told me she knew you.” He chuckled. “Guess the joke’s on me.”

“Cal, she’s gonna stay for the wedding!” Emma squealed again. “Ahh! I’m so excited! I didn’t get a chance to see you last time, finals and all. I heard the tour went amazing! Oh, man Addi, I’m so jealous and happy for you.” Emma’s lips curved up into a smile.

Adalyn chuckled. “Livin’ the dream.”

“Let’s go get muddy!” Emma insisted with a devious smirk.

Once everyone was back on their four-wheelers, the rumble of the engines filled the silence. Adalyn laughed every time she felt the spray of mud hit her, loving the feel of just getting dirty. The sun was nearly gone in the sky when they all took a break to start the bonfire.

“Still a fan of Michelob?” Ridge asked as he extended her a can of her favorite beer inside a koozie.

“Oh, you know it.” She took it and hugged him. “Good to see you again, Ridge.”

“You, too, Addi.” Ridge was a man of few words, but she accepted that. He barely spoke and it was an inside joke between all of them. The only time Ridge was talkative was when he was drunk. He towered all of them with his height. There were similarities to him and Tucker, although Ridge resembled their mom more. Ridge was taller. Tucker was fitter. Ridge had a rounded beer gut and thick beard. His eyes were the same color as Tucker’s - chestnut brown.

“Got some mud right . . . here . . .” Beau said as he swiped his hand on Addi’s face, smearing mud on her cheek.

“BEAU! You shit!” She yelled out.

“Ooooo little sister mad?” He ran in the other direction and she narrowed her eyes.

“I’ll get you back, Beau James! I swear it!” She threatened.

Lifting the can to her mouth, she took a swig and enjoyed the taste. Beau and Ridge worked on starting the fire and Emma and Cal sat on lawn chairs near it.

The rumble of a four-wheeler approaching caught her attention and she turned. It was getting difficult to see as the sun was disappearing. She swallowed her beer and watched a tall man walk towards her.

“Guess I missed the invite?” A deep voice said as he came into the light of the burning fire.

“Bubba!” Emma said as she popped up from her chair to greet her brother. “I told mama to tell you we’d be back here.”

Adalyn gulped as she took in the sight of Tucker - her childhood best friend. She hadn’t seen him in three, maybe four years. Damn, why did he have to look even better than before?

“He-hey.” Adalyn managed to mutter out softly.

“Hey, Songbird. Been a while.” Tucker said before offering her a grin.**