39. Echoing Melody

CHAPTER 39

Echoing Melody

LIAM

T aking in the sights and sounds of the fundraiser, the ranch had been transformed - colorful banners fluttered in the breeze, the smell of barbecue wafted through the air, and laughter echoed across the grounds. It was everything we'd hoped for and more.

"Holy shit," I muttered under my breath. "They really pulled it off."

My eyes landed on the pony rides, where a line of excited kids waited their turn. To my surprise, there was Jimmy, helping a little girl with pigtails onto a spotted pony. He was grinning from ear to ear, looking more relaxed than I'd seen him in years.

"Well, I'll be damned," I chuckled, shaking my head in disbelief. Who would've thought Jimmy "city slicker" Rodriguez would take to small-town life like a duck to water?

I felt a twinge of regret, wishing I'd been here to help with the preparations. But New York had been… well, New York. A whirlwind of meetings, legal jargon, and barely concealed family drama. I pushed the thoughts away, determined to focus on the here and now.

"Liam!" A warm, familiar voice called out. I turned to see Caleb's mom, Emily, making her way towards me, a bright smile on her face.

"Hey, Emily," I grinned, accepting her warm hug. "This place looks amazing. You guys did an incredible job."

Emily beamed, her eyes sparkling with pride. "Thanks, sweetie. It's been non-stop chaos, but seeing everyone here makes it worth it. How was New York?"

I groaned dramatically, rolling my eyes. "Don't ask. Let's just say I'm glad to be back in the land of normal people and actual oxygen."

She laughed, then lowered her voice conspiratorially. "So, have you seen him yet?"

My heart did a little flip. "Caleb? No, not yet. Is he around?"

"Last I saw, he was over by the barn, dealing with some logistics," Emily replied. "You should go find him. He's been like a lost puppy without you."

I felt a rush of warmth at her words, but before I could respond, a commotion near the entrance caught our attention.

"Oh boy," Emily muttered. "Looks like we've got gate crashers."

I squinted, trying to make out what was happening. A group of rowdy-looking guys were arguing with Jake, his sheriff's uniform glinting in the sunlight.

"Oh great," I muttered, my feet already moving towards the scene. "Looks like Jake's got his hands full."

Emily jogged to keep up with me. "He's been doing a good job, you know. Really turned things around."

I nodded, still getting used to the idea of Jake as the town sheriff. It had been a shock when I first heard about it, but I guess people really could change. "Yeah, I've heard. Still weird to see him in that uniform though."

As we approached, I could hear Jake's firm but calm voice. "Listen, fellas. This is a private event. You're gonna have to leave."

One of the guys, a burly dude with a scraggly beard, poked Jake in the chest. "Or what, pig? You gonna arrest us? "

I felt a familiar surge of adrenaline. Before I could think better of it, I was stepping forward, inserting myself into the fray.

"Hey, assholes," I called out, my voice carrying across the entrance. "You deaf or just stupid? The man said leave."

Emily hissed behind me, "Liam, what are you doing?"

But I was already committed. The group turned to face me, and I could smell the beer on their breath. Great. Drunk idiots. My favorite.

Jake's eyes lit up with recognition. "Liam! Glad you made it back for the fundraiser."

"Just in time for the party, apparently," I quipped, not taking my eyes off the troublemakers. "Come on, guys. Don't ruin a good thing. There's plenty of other places to be jerks. Why don't you try one of those?"

The leader of the group, Scraggly Beard, took a menacing step towards me. "Who the fuck do you think you are?"

I stood my ground, even as my heart raced. "I'm the guy telling you to take a hike. This is private property, and you're not welcome."

For a tense moment, I thought it might come to blows. But then, to my surprise, Jake stepped up beside me, his hand resting casually on his holster.

"You heard the man," Jake said, his voice carrying an authority I'd never heard from him before. "Time to go. Don't make me ask again."

The group glanced between us, clearly weighing their options. Finally, Scraggly Beard spat on the ground and muttered, "Whatever. This hick party probably sucks anyway."

As they skulked off, I let out a breath I didn't realize I'd been holding. Jake turned to me, a mix of admiration and exasperation on his face.

"You always did have a knack for pissing off the wrong people," he said, shaking his head. "Thanks for the backup, though."

I shrugged, feeling a bit sheepish now that the adrenaline was wearing off. "Yeah, well. Old habits die hard, I guess. Nice uniform, by the way. Suits you."

Jake actually blushed a little at that. "Thanks. It's been a journey, getting here. But I'm trying to do right by this town. Make up for past mistakes, you know?"

The sincerity in his voice caught me off guard. I found myself nodding, a grudging respect forming. "Yeah, I get that. We've all got some ghosts to lay to rest, I guess."

Emily, who'd been watching the exchange with wide eyes, finally spoke up. "Okay, now that the excitement's over, can we please get back to the fundraiser? Liam, you should really go find Caleb."

"Right," I said, suddenly feeling antsy. "I should go do that. Jake, thanks for you know. Keeping things under control."

Jake nodded, a small smile on his face. "Anytime. And Liam? It's good to have you back."

As Jake and Emily walked away, I felt a mix of relief and lingering adrenaline. Damn, I'd forgotten how much small-town drama could get the blood pumping. I ran a hand through my hair, trying to shake off the tension from the confrontation.

Suddenly, a pair of strong arms wrapped around me from behind. I tensed for a split second before catching a whiff of that familiar scent - hay, leather, and something uniquely Caleb. My whole body relaxed, melting into his embrace.

"Miss me?" Caleb's deep voice rumbled against my back, sending a shiver down my spine.

I couldn't help the grin that spread across my face. "Nah, barely noticed you were gone," I quipped, turning in his arms to face him.

God, he was a sight for sore eyes. Those warm brown eyes, the laugh lines at the corners, that smile that still made my heart skip a beat.

Caleb's eyes roamed over my face, like he was drinking me in. "You ready for tonight? It's gonna be quite the show."

I felt a flutter of nerves in my stomach. The concert. The big reveal. The media circus that was about to descend on our little town. "As ready as I'll ever be," I shrugged, aiming for nonchalance. "Jimmy's on media duty, right? He better keep those vultures in line."

"He's got it handled," Caleb assured me, his thumb tracing soothing circles on my lower back. "But that's not for hours yet. Right now, I've got something to show you."

I raised an eyebrow, curiosity piqued. "Oh yeah? What kind of something?"

Caleb's eyes twinkled with mischief. "It's a surprise. You'll just have to trust me."

I groaned dramatically. "You know patience isn't my strong suit, cowboy."

"I'm well aware," Caleb chuckled, taking my hand. "Come on, city boy. Live a little."

As he led me away from the bustling fairgrounds, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of anxiety. I was damaged goods, after all. A mess of neuroses and bad habits wrapped up in a somewhat attractive package. What if Caleb had finally realized he could do better?

"Hey," Caleb's voice cut through my spiraling thoughts. "Where'd you go just now?"

I blinked, focusing back on his concerned face. "Nowhere," I lied. "Just you know. Thinking about tonight."

Caleb's expression softened. He squeezed my hand. "It's gonna be okay, Liam. We're in this together, remember?"

I nodded, swallowing past the lump in my throat. God, what did I do to deserve this man?

As we walked deeper into the woods, I started to notice something odd. "Caleb," I said slowly, "why do I smell cherry blossoms?"

He just grinned, tugging me forward. "You'll see."

And then, like something out of a dream, we stepped into a clearing. My jaw dropped. Cherry blossom trees. Dozens of them, their delicate pink petals dancing in the breeze .

"Holy shit," I breathed, taking it all in. "Caleb, how… where did you even find cherry blossoms in the middle of nowhere?"

Caleb shrugged, looking entirely too pleased with himself. "Let's just say you're not the only one with connections, Mr. Big Shot Musician."

I laughed, shaking my head in disbelief. "You're something else, you know that?"

As we walked further, the path widened, and I spotted a gazebo in the distance. It was decked out like something from a fairy tale - twinkling lights, flowing fabrics, the works. And there, standing by the entrance, were two familiar faces.

"Sarah? Mark?" I called out, my pace quickening. "What are you guys doing here?"

Sarah's face lit up. "Liam!" She rushed forward, enveloping me in a tight hug. "God, it's good to see you."

Mark was right behind her, clapping me on the back. "Welcome home, man. About time you showed up."

I felt a warmth spread through my chest. These people, this place… it really was home.

"Alright, alright," Caleb's amused voice cut through the reunion. "Let the man breathe."

He guided me towards the gazebo, and out of nowhere, produced a chair. "Have a seat," he said, a hint of nervousness in his voice.

I quirked an eyebrow at him. "Okay, what's going on? You guys are being weird. Well, weirder than usual."

Sarah and Mark exchanged glances, barely suppressing grins. Caleb just shook his head, that maddening smile still on his face.

"Would you just sit down?" he said, a hint of exasperation creeping into his tone. "For once in your life, Liam, just go with it."

I held up my hands in surrender. "Alright, alright. I'm sitting. Happy now?"

As I settled into the chair, I couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and anxiety. What was all this about? My mind raced with possibilities, each more outlandish than the last.

Caleb stepped onto the small stage in the gazebo, and my breath caught in my throat. He looked different. Nervous, but determined. He picked up his guitar - the same one he'd had since high school - and cleared his throat.

"So, uh, I'm not great with words," Caleb started, his voice a little shaky. "At least, not when it really matters. But Liam, you… you've always mattered. More than I think you know."

I felt my heart start to race. What was happening?

"I wrote this song a while back," Caleb continued, his fingers absently strumming the strings. "After you left. I never thought I'd actually get to play it for you, but well, here we are."

He nodded to Sarah and Mark, who I suddenly realized were holding instruments of their own. When did that happen?

And then, Caleb started to play. The melody was soft, achingly familiar yet completely new. And when he started singing, I swear the world stopped spinning.

"Broken strings and shattered dreams, We were young and so naive, Thought our love could conquer all, But pride, it made us fall…"

His voice, rough and real, washed over me. Every word, every note, it was us. Our story, laid bare in melody and verse.

"Years apart, but never far, Your memory, my guiding star, Hoped someday you'd find your way, Back to me, back to stay…"

I felt tears prick at my eyes. God, how long had he been holding onto this? How long had he been waiting, hoping?

"‘Cause baby, you're the song I sing, The reason my heart takes wing, Through the dark and stormy night, You're my beacon, my guiding light…"

The chorus hit me like a punch to the gut. I was vaguely aware of Sarah and Mark harmonizing in the background, but all I could focus on was Caleb. His eyes, locked on mine, pouring out years of love and longing.

"We've both changed, grown apart, But you still hold my heart, Second chances don't come free, But baby, will you sing with me?"

As the last notes faded away, I realized I was crying. Not just a few tears, but full-on, ugly crying. Caleb set his guitar aside and stepped off the stage, kneeling in front of me.

"Liam," he said softly, taking my hands in his. "I know we've been through hell. I know we've both got scars and baggage and a whole lot of shit to work through. But being without you it's like missing a part of myself."

I tried to speak, but my voice wouldn't cooperate. Caleb pressed on, his thumbs tracing soothing circles on my palms.

"I'm not asking for everything to be perfect. I'm not even asking for forever, not yet. But I am asking if will you be mine again? Will you give us another shot?"

For a moment, I just stared at him, overwhelmed. Then, because I'm me and I can't help but deflect when things get too real, I blurted out, "Did you seriously write me a country song?"

Caleb blinked, then burst out laughing. "That's what you're focusing on? I pour my heart out, and you're critiquing the genre?"

I shrugged, grinning through my tears. "What can I say? I've got standards."

"You're impossible," Caleb said, shaking his head fondly.

"Yeah, but you love me anyway," I shot back.

Caleb's expression softened. "Yeah, I do. So what do you say, city boy? You in?"

I took a deep breath, looking into those warm brown eyes that had always felt like home. "Caleb Winchester, you enormous sap," I said, my voice thick with emotion. "Of course I'm in. I've always been in."

And then I was kissing him, pouring years of longing and regret and hope into it. I could taste the salt of our mingled tears, feel the rapid beat of his heart matching mine.

When we finally came up for air, I became aware of Sarah and Mark cheering in the background. I buried my face in Caleb's shoulder, feeling a mix of embarrassment and pure, unadulterated joy.

"Oh god," I groaned. "We just had a rom-com moment in front of an audience."

Caleb chuckled, the sound rumbling through his chest. "Get used to it, babe. Small town, remember? Everything's a spectator sport here."

I pulled back, meeting his gaze. "You know this isn't going to be easy, right? I'm still pretty messed up."

"Join the club," Caleb said, brushing a strand of hair from my face. "We've all got our demons. But I'd rather face mine with you than alone."

"When did you get so wise?" I teased, even as I felt a warmth spread through my chest.

"Must be all that fresh country air," he quipped. Then, more seriously, "I mean it, Liam. Whatever comes next, we'll face it together."

I nodded, feeling a sense of peace settle over me. "Together," I echoed. "I like the sound of that."

Sarah's voice broke through our little bubble. "As adorable as this is, and believe me, it's nauseating levels of cute, we do have a fundraiser to get back to."

Reality came crashing back. Right. The fundraiser. The concert. The big reveal of my secret identity. Suddenly, it all felt overwhelming again.

Caleb must have sensed my tension because he squeezed my hand. "Hey," he said softly. "One step at a time, okay? We've got this."

I took a deep breath, nodding. "Yeah, okay. One step at a time."