Prologue

PROLOGUE

AUSTIN—TWO YEARS AGO…

T ucker Young pulled his wife into his arms and gave her a tender kiss. Then he rested his hand against her protruding belly. Josie was over six months along now, and they would be having a boy right around Christmastime. He only wished his dad could be here to meet the baby and get to know his first grandchild.

But Travis Young had passed away suddenly two months ago from a heart attack. At least his dad had known they were having a boy. The couple hadn't settled on a name at that time, but once Tucker lost his dad, Josie had suggested they name the boy Travis after his father. The suggestion had touched him, and he hoped that a part of his dad would live on in this baby.

"Are you sure you should stay for the show?" he asked. "There'll be a few people smoking I don't like you to be around that. It's bad for the baby."

Josie cupped his face with her hands, kissing him lightly. "If someone is smoking nearby, I'll simply get up and move, Tucker. I want to be here tonight for you. You're going to be playing your own songs for this crowd. I want to support you in every way I can. Once the baby comes, I won't be able to come out and see your shows."

Tucker was a songwriter. In fact, that's how he had met Josie. Her older brother had gained a small but loyal following in the country music world, but he hadn't had a breakout song.

Until Tucker wrote him one.

He had contributed three songs to Matt's second album, and all three had charted. Two had cracked the Top Ten, while one had gone to Number One for six weeks. Tucker had been writing songs for several years for minor country acts, as well as performing every now and then in small clubs in and around Austin. Josie had encouraged him, though, to strike out on his own as a performer. Tonight, he was playing a small but popular club on the outskirts of Austin, hoping the songs he would perform would have the crowd itching to dance— or cry in their beer.

She smoothed his hair lovingly. "I know you wish Travis were here tonight. But he is here— in spirit." Josie rubbed her belly. "And this Travis is going to start moving and grooving when he hears his daddy playing up there."

He regularly sang to her belly, hoping his son would learn to recognize his dad's voice. Josie had read a lot about that and believed it would be the case. She also knew their baby would know her voice because she talked a lot each day in her job as a Pre-Kindergarten teacher in Austin. Josie worked with ESL students and loved what she did. She would take her maternity leave after Travis' birth and then return to the classroom.

Tucker wondered whether he really wanted to make it in country music or not. At least as a performer. He had grown up around the industry. His dad had managed several music acts. Travis Young was forever on the road. A manager had to be there with his band, stroking egos, heading off trouble, and making sure all musicians and their equipment made it to the next venue in one piece. It was a life spent on the road, away from home, and Tucker wasn't certain that was what he truly wanted. Maybe he could continue his songwriting and simply play in places in and around Austin. Josie loved her job so much. He couldn't see asking her to leave it. Besides, being on the road was no life for a kid. He knew that better than most.

His mom had died when Tucker was only five years old. She had been a heavy smoker from the time she was fourteen, and it caught up to her. Gloria Young died of lung cancer at only thirty-five, looking like a shell of herself.

That was when he began traveling full-time with his dad. They were gone throughout the school year. His dad supposedly home schooled him, but that was a joke. Fortunately, Tucker was a curious kid about a lot of things. He read widely and was an ace in math. He taught himself Spanish by listening to and then conversing with many of the roadies.

A nice chunk of time, though, had been spent in Lost Creek, Texas. His mom's sister Shelly lived in the small Hill Country town with her husband Shy. They had one boy, Ry, and his cousin was Tucker's favorite person in the world. They had been more like brothers than cousins, and he looked forward to those summer months each year. Staying in one place. Sleeping in one bed. Having meals at regular times. Just being a typical boy, not one who lived out of a suitcase and had no friends.

Thanks to his outstanding math skills, Tucker won a scholarship to the University of Texas in Austin and earned a business degree. Those four years of college had made him feel like a normal person. When he graduated, he didn't join his dad on the road again. Instead, he worked a day job at a bank and wrote songs at night. Josie was urging him to give up his loan officer job and take the plunge into music full-time because she believed in his talent. He had told her he would consider it. For now, though, he was hanging onto the job to keep his insurance until after the baby was born.

"Go find yourself a seat out front," he urged his wife. "You know I'll be singing every song for you."

"Here's a kiss for luck," she said, pulling his mouth down to hers.

Once Josie left the tiny dressing room, Tucker went over his set list again. He would only be playing seven songs. He was the warmup act for the country rock band which would follow him. The owner had told him if he liked what he heard, he might give Tucker a regular gig at the club.

A knock sounded on the door and it opened, the owner sticking his head in. "You're on."

Picking up his guitar, he moved down the narrow hallway and stood to the side of the stage while the owner introduced him.

"You may know the songs " Another Beer, Dear " and " I Lost My Love Today ." Well, the guy who wrote ‘em is here tonight, and he's gonna play you a few songs. Here's Tucker Young!"

He took the stage to a smattering of applause. He wished he had an entire band backing him up, but there was no money for that at this point in his fledging career. He would need to wow the audience with his voice and guitar alone.

Slipping the guitar strap over his head, he clutched the mike. "How's everyone doing tonight?" he called.

A few people answered, but most were chowing down on their burgers and sipping beers, conversing with friends or dates. He knew not to let that affect him.

His gaze connected with Josie's. She nodded encouragingly at him.

Tucker began with an upbeat song, which got the notice of the crowd. By the end of it, many of them were clapping along.

He moved into his second number, another fast song, and by the time the last note sounded, he had the crowd eating out of his hand.

"This next one's a bit slower, but I wrote it for my wife Josie. Here's to you, Honey."

The crowd continued eating, but as he sang and played, looking out over the room, Tucker saw many of them were listening to him. To his lyrics. His music. He felt the power of the connection between him and the people present at the club. Other than Josie, no one had heard this song, and he could see it moved the audience.

Tucker received resounding applause when he finished. He was flush with success now and returned to a fun song with a fast beat about a one-night stand gone wrong. The audience stayed with him for it and the remaining songs.

When he announced his last song, he was pleased to actually hear a few groans. As he finished, the applause was deafening. The sweet rush of adrenaline ran through him as he slipped off the guitar strap, waving to the crowd, saying, "Goodnight!"

The owner was standing just off-stage and gave him a pleased smile. "You're really good, Young," the older man praised. "The crowd responded well to your songs. If you're interested, I think we can talk about booking you long-term as a warmup on weekends. Come in early tomorrow night. We can talk terms then."

"Yes, sir," Tucker said enthusiastically, heading back to the small dressing room.

Josie joined him moments later, throwing her arms around him, squealing. "You were amazing!"

He gave her a deep kiss. "I couldn't have done any of this without your support. Your love and encouragement means the world to me. I love you so much."

Happiness filled her face. "I love you, too, Tucker." She paused. "I'll bet you've worked up a thirst."

"And I'm also starved," he told her. "I was so nervous, I didn't eat much today. Now, I think I could eat a whole cow."

"Let's get you burger and beer," she said, taking his hand and leading him back to where several people slapped him on the back as he passed, telling him how good he sounded tonight.

"I'd download anything you put up," one guy told him.

They took seats in an empty booth. Tucker rested his guitar next to him. The server came by, and they ordered two cheeseburgers with grilled onions and basket of fries to share. Josie requested water, while he ordered a beer.

After the server left, his wife said, "You really should think about putting up your songs online. Think about acts which got started on social media. Ed Sheeran. Justin Bieber. Shawn Mendes. You don't need a recording contract these days, Tucker. You can make it without the suits."

He had been toying with that very idea. "We'll have to think about that. In the meantime, the owner wants me to come in early tomorrow night. He liked the crowd's response and wants to talk about me playing here regularly."

Her eyes lit up. "That's fantastic! I'm so proud of you."

He downed his beer and signaled the server for another one. He drank a third when their cheeseburgers arrived.

"Good thing you're driving us home tonight," he said.

His car hadn't started before work this morning, and he had it towed to a garage. The mechanic had told him it was a faulty alternator, and they would work on the car today. He'd gotten a message it was ready to be picked up while they were on their way to the venue tonight. He would have Josie drop him off tomorrow since it was Saturday. It was hard to get around anywhere in Texas unless you had a car.

They asked for the check, but the server told them, "The manager said it's on the house tonight."

"Thank him for us," Tucker said, leaving a generous tip for the server.

He had worked his fair share of jobs during college to supplement his scholarship. Waiting tables had been one of them. He always made sure a server was taken care of.

Going to Josie's car, she climbed behind the wheel as he got into the passenger's seat, a nice buzz making him feel a little sleepy now.

His wife said, "I'd like to hope there wouldn't be much traffic on a Friday night at ten o'clock, but it's Austin. There's always traffic."

She maneuvered them through the streets until they hit the two-lane highway leading them back into Austin and headed toward their apartment.

"The girls at school are going to throw me a baby shower next month," she said, happiness radiating from her. "They asked if you wanted to come. I told them I'd check with you to see if you could the time off."

"Just let me know the day and time. I can get someone at the bank to cover for me. My boss likes me. Hell, she likes you more than me, so I'm sure she'll give me a few hours off so I can attend."

Suddenly, glaring lights blinded them. Josie screamed and tried to turn the wheel, but something slammed into them with such force that Tucker knew they were going to die.

The car spun and then flipped once. Twice. It came to rest upside down in a gulley beside the road.

He could hardly breath. Realized the airbag had exploded, pressing against him. Tucker tried to push it away. Somehow, he reached into his pocket and retrieved the pocketknife he always carried with him. He jammed it into the airbag, and it deflated.

"Josie!" he hollered, seeing her face buried in her own opened airbag.

Panicking, he worried about the force of the bag exploding. If it had affected the baby.

Once more, he rammed his knife, seeing the airbag deflate. Josie blinked a few times and weakly asked, "What happened?"

"Someone hit us. Hard." He ached all over, especially his leg and head. Tucker figured out they were upside down, but he couldn't think clearly enough to figure out how to right them.

Her eyes fluttered a few times a shut.

Tucker grabbed her hand. "Josie? Josie? Wake up!"

He could hear people talking outside the car, and a man appeared next to the window.

"We've called 911," the man yelled. "We'll try to get you out."

Noise surrounded him as he clutched his wife's hand, kissing her fingers, urging her to open her eyes.

Tucker must have passed out because the next thing he knew, he was out of the car, being pushed along the ground on a stretcher.

"My wife," he croaked, trying to sit up.

An EMT nudged him back. "We've already gotten her out the vehicle, sir. Just take it easy."

The ride in the ambulance was a blur, as was everything that happened in the ER. His leg ached something terrible, and heard a doctor say it was broken. He kept asking about Josie and the baby, and one doctor assured him she was being cared for. That she'd been taken into surgery.

"Put us in a room together," he begged.

That was the last thing he recalled.

When he awoke, he was in a hospital room. Quickly, he glanced over and saw the other bed unoccupied.

Immediately, Tucker yelled at the top of his lungs. "Josie! Josie! I want Josie!"

A nurse rushed in, saying, "You need to calm yourself, Mr. Young. I know you're upset, but getting all excited isn't good for you."

"Where the hell is my wife?" he demanded, his head aching.

One of the doctors from before appeared at his bedside. One look at the man's face, and Tucker knew the worst had happened.

"No," he moaned. "No. No. No. No. No."

"I'm sorry, Mr. Young," the physician said. "We did everything we could to save your wife and the baby. The trauma from the accident was simply too much for either to survive."

"I'll kill the sumbitch who did this," he growled. "I'll kill him."

Tucker tried to climb out of the bed, but the doctor and nurse held him down.

"He did that to himself," the doctor shared. "The other driver was drunk. He's dead, Mr. Young."

Anger swelled within Tucker. He screamed then, the pain of losing his beloved Josie and little Travis more than he could take.

As they gave him an injection, he drifted off to sleep. Tucker wished he would have died with them.

Without Josie and their baby, his life was over.