Fifteen Minutes

chapter 2

Reese Weatherly had pictured many things for her and Zack after college, but she never imagined this. Zack trying his hand at fame. Now the day was here and she needed to handle it with grace. She loved him. He deserved her support, especially this morning when he was on his way over to say good-bye. They’d share a few words, a hug and a kiss as he drove off for the Atlanta audition.

And then what?

She sat in the dark on her parents’ front porch steps and tried not to shiver. The uncertainty of tomorrow was colder than the early morning. She hugged her ribs and stared at the stars blanketing the sky. He’s going to make it, right, God? This is going to change everything.

She waited. Sometimes she could almost hear the voice of God when she talked to Him. But not here, not now.

Maybe because she didn’t need an answer from heaven. If he survived the audition process and made it to the televised show, Zack could win the whole thing. He would win it. He looked like a young James Dean or Elvis, and his smooth voice captivated people. The struggle was this—Zack had never talked about being a singer. Like his dad and grandfather, Zack always planned to take over the horse farm. He’d stay in Danville, bring on a few thoroughbreds, maybe raise a Derby champion like his ancestors. Sure he’d write songs in his spare time, and maybe that would bring in a second income someday. But auditioning for Fifteen Minutes?

It was the financial crisis that had forced his decision. And that had led to his curiosity that maybe God had created him for the stage.

A shiver ran down Reese’s arms. If he won, he would need to live in L.A. or New York or Nashville, caught up in the madness of whatever that life looked like. And I’ll be here. She blinked back the sting of tears. Teaching special-needs kids to ride horses. Working with Zack’s sister.

Gradually, with the soft steps of sock feet and Sunday mornings, their beginning came back, the first time she met Zack Dylan. As a freshman, she had won a spot on the university dressage team. A week after classes began she was about to compete in her first event. She remembered the way her heart pounded as she walked with the team to the arena, how nervous she was to compete in her first collegiate competition.

As she’d reached the gates, Reese had felt her heart sink. She’d forgotten her gear bag back at the stable. She told the coach and then ran as fast as she could back to the school’s horse center. Darting through the door and down a dimly lit path covered in sawdust, she found the bag at the edge of the covered arena. But before she could turn back for the door, she heard a guy’s voice. Someone singing. Even out of breath and in a hurry to get back, she could do nothing but stop and listen. The voice came from one of the stalls. He was brushing down a horse, with sunlight streaming in from one of the windows.

Slowly she set her gear bag down. She couldn’t take her eyes off him. The fractured sunlight on his handsome tanned face, the silhouette of his muscled arms in the shadows, the sure way he had with the horse. The beautiful voice. Reese had gripped the wooden post. If he worked with the UK horses, how had she missed him?

He must’ve heard her; barely half a minute passed before he stopped and looked up. Their eyes met, and across the stable the connection was immediate. Like they’d known each other all their lives.

“Hey.” He set the brush on a shelf and dusted his hands off on his jeans. Then he walked over to her slowly. Curious. “You on the dressage team?”

His question jolted her from the moment. “I have to go.” She grabbed her gear bag and flung it over her shoulder. “Loved the song.”

“Thanks. Nice to meet you.” He chuckled. “I’m Zack.”

Already she was running toward the door. She was going to be late, and then the coach would bench her or kick her off the team.

“Hey,” he called after her. “What’s your name?”

She didn’t have time to turn around. Instead she raised her hand without looking back. “Later.”

That afternoon Reese had the best ride of her life. Halfway through the competition she caught a glimpse of the stands and there, near the top of the bleachers was the dark-haired boy. Sitting by himself and watching her. He waited for her after the competition and they walked together back to the stable. “You didn’t tell me your name.” He grinned at her.

She could barely think. The combination of the win and the guy beside her. “Reese.”

He nodded, thoughtful. “It fits you.”

“Thanks.” She allowed a light bit of laughter. “I think.”

“Yeah, it’s a good thing.” He narrowed his eyes. “Well, Reese. That was beautiful.”

“What?” She felt his eyes on her, felt the warmth of his gaze all the way to her soul.

“How you ride.” He shoved his hands in his jeans pockets. “I’ve been around horses all my life.” He stared at her. “The way you ride . . . that’s how it’s supposed to look.”

“Thank you.” She hoped he couldn’t see the heat in her cheeks. “And you? You’re a singer?”

“Nah.” He laughed and looked up at the sky. “Only for God and my horses.”

They reached the barn and he waited while she changed out of her dressage clothes. Afterward they walked to the far side of the university where the view of the hills was prettiest. They talked the whole time. She learned about his family’s horse farm and she told him about her dream of helping handicapped kids. They both were single. No time to date with the newness of college and the demands of the horses. Zack worked eighteen hours a week grooming, required for his major. She spent about that much time practicing dressage.

“Looks like we’ll see a lot of each other,” he told her as they walked back to the dorms.

“Yeah.” She grinned at him. “I know how to find you.”

“How’s that?” They’d reached her dorm and he faced her.

“Your voice. As long as you’re singing, I’ll find you. You’re amazing.”

“Thanks.” His eyes held hers. “It’ll be easy to find you, too.”

Reese liked the easy banter. “Do tell.”

“Simple.” His eyes sparkled. “I’ll look for the prettiest girl on campus.” He put his hands in his pockets again and smiled. “See you around, Reese.”

The memory dissolved in the early-morning quiet. Reese hugged her knees to her chest. She and Zack had seen each other the next day at the stable and after that they were inseparable. On their first date he’d told her something that stayed with her still. “I feel like I was born for this, for knowing you.”

She remembered his words because she had felt the same way. Then, and as their friendship turned to dating a few months later, and a year after that when the story of their grandparents came to light. Craziest story ever. Like something from a movie.

How could she not feel destined to love Zack Dylan?

At least before today.

Other memories swirled and danced in her mind. The first time she visited Zack’s church and watched him lead music at the beginning of the service. It wasn’t just his beautiful voice that captured her that day.

That afternoon they had gone to her house for dinner and afterward they walked through her neighborhood. “Have you thought about American Idol or Fifteen Minutes? You’re so good, Zack.” She wasn’t testing him. She only wanted to know.

His response had found a permanent place in her soul. “I could be a songwriter. But I don’t want a crazy life.” His smile had faded as he seemed to grasp for the right words. “I sing like I breathe, because it’s in me. I feel closest to God when I’m on that stage at church singing for Him.” He shrugged slightly. “I don’t need to win a reality show to be a singer.” He grinned. “I’m already one.”

She had liked his answer, not so much because it protected what they had but because it suited him. Year after year his answer remained. People would suggest he try out for one of the singing shows, but he would smile and shake his head. The fame thing wasn’t for him.

It didn’t matter whether deep down Zack’s money trouble or his curiosity led him to his decision to audition. Whatever had changed his mind, she was at peace.

Headlights appeared around the bend in the road. Reese shivered again and wondered—what if this were the last time they shared a morning like this? She had loved Zack for so many years, had felt herself destined to a future with him. The guy whose grandpa had been praying for her specifically since she was born. What if Zack left this morning and never came home? Enough, she told herself. She stood as he pulled up and parked. If God wanted Zack to audition for Fifteen Minutes so be it. He needed her support and belief, her encouragement.

She could break down later.

REESE FELT WARM the moment he embraced her. For a long time they didn’t say anything. It was enough, standing there wrapped in each other’s arms. Reese could feel the way their hearts beat faster than usual, the impending good-bye making even their bodies aware of the little time they had left.

“You’re cold.” He drew back and looked at her. “Were you waiting long?”

“Not really. I wanted to be out here.” She forced a smile. “I’m excited for you, Zack.”

“Know what I want?”

“What?”

He brushed her cheek with his thumb. “I want to jump on your horse with you and ride together till the sun comes up. Just forget the whole singing thing.”

“Hmmm.” She gazed off toward the horizon, already growing lighter. “Sounds beautiful.” She met his eyes again. “Why haven’t we ever done that?”

“We will.” He smoothed a piece of her hair blowing in the breeze. “Next week when I get back.”

Crickets played softly somewhere in the distance. She narrowed her eyes, seeing to the deepest part of him. “You really don’t believe it, do you?”

“Believe what?” His words came slowly, a whisper wrapped in the newness of the morning.

“That you’ll make it.” She refused her gathering tears. “That you’ll win.”

“It’s not humility. I’m realistic.” His grin came easily. “Guys who can sing are a dime a dozen.” He kissed her and their faces remained close. “Now, guys who sing to horses, maybe not.”

She was enjoying the moment more than she’d expected. “You know what I think?”

“What?” He swayed with her, the rest of the world forgotten.

“I think your days of singing to horses are numbered.”

“Speaking of which.” He walked back to his car and returned with his guitar. “I owe you a song.”

She felt tears in her eyes, but her smile remained. He pulled his guitar from the case and perched himself on the porch railing.

She had to admit to the possibility that she was hearing it for the first and last time. If things changed . . . if Zack never came back.

She focused on the words and the way Zack looked straight at her as he sang. The song was beautiful, every line a message from his heart to hers. She would never love anyone the way she loved Zack Dylan. By the time he reached the last chorus she had tears on her cheeks.

Of all I see through her blue eyes

What gives me my direction

Is always seeing my reflection

There in her blue eyes

He smiled at her, his own eyes shining with the good-bye ahead. The song played out, the words moving easily from his soul to hers.

I always want to see me there

Under a Kentucky sky

There in her blue eyes.

Lost in her blue eyes.

When it ended they didn’t move or speak. Finally he slipped the guitar back in its case and took it to his car. When he returned, his eyes locked on hers.

“After this you’ll have your answers.” She reminded herself to smile. “Maybe we both will.”

He took half a step back. “Both?” He searched her eyes. “What are your questions?”

“Come on, Zack.” She willed him to understand. “If God gives you answers, He’ll give them to me, too.”

“Like . . . ?”

“Not about you.” This was a slippery slope. She chose her words with great care. “About the future . . . London. That sort of thing.”

“I thought we were finished with London.” He took her hands in his, clearly troubled. “Please, Reese. I want to marry you. Don’t decide anything until I get back.” Fear flickered in his expression. “Okay?”

She searched his eyes. He didn’t understand. Once he was on the show he’d be busy. Too busy to come back to Danville until the ride ended. Whenever that might be. Of course she had questions. About London . . . about the two of them. About all of it. Again, she didn’t want to send him off worried or troubled. They’d have their answers soon enough.

She closed the distance between them, letting his body warm hers again. “Go audition. You have to. You’re the best.” She memorized the feel of his arms around her. “Go find your answers, Zack. Do it for your family and for God.”

Her words seemed to ease his anxieties. She felt him relax against her. “Remember what I told you?”

“It’s going to be okay.” She felt the compassion in her eyes.

“Exactly.” He released her hands and brought his lips to hers. And for the sweetest seconds they forgot everything except what it felt like to be together, to be in love. The kiss led to another, and the desperation built.

Finally he pulled himself away. “I’ll call you when I get there.”

She pressed her head to his chest, and he wrapped his arms around her. “Make me a deal?”

“The pre-dawn horseback ride?”

She giggled despite her sadness. “That, too.”

“Mmm, baby, I mean it. That’ll be us the first morning I’m back.”

She smiled, and hope waved a flag in her heart. If only she could hold on to that picture. “I like that.”

He chuckled. “What was your deal?”

She felt her eyes grow watery. When she was sure she wouldn’t cry, she looked up at him. “Prove them wrong, okay? Please . . .”

“Who?” He held her face in his hands and searched her heart, her soul.

“The world says fame changes everyone.” She found her smile. “Prove them wrong.”

Strength gathered in his eyes. “I will.” He kissed her again. “If I get that far, I absolutely will.”

She nodded and felt her heart fall in line. “I believe you.” No matter what lay ahead nothing could change Zack Dylan.

His lips met hers and the kiss lingered. “See you soon.”

“I love you.” She willed herself to remember the look in his eyes, the kindness and humility that set him apart. “I always will.”

“Whatever tomorrow holds, you’re a part of it. God made us for each other.”

She wanted to believe it. With all her heart she wanted to. She held his gaze, lost in his soul. “Go win it.”

“I’ll call you.”

He kissed her one final time, seeing to the places in her heart that belonged to him alone. He held his hand up in a frozen sort of wave. Then he turned and jogged to his pickup truck. He looked back at her as he drove away, as she stood there, watching until his taillights faded into the distance.

By then the morning sun had splashed light onto the day and Reese felt a peace that hadn’t been there before. Zack would survive the weekend auditions. His voice would catch the attention of the judges and the nation. He would win their hearts with a single song.

The way he had won hers four years ago.

He really could win it all, but even then she knew Zack. He wouldn’t change. Nothing could sway the feelings he had for God, who had given him the gift of song. He would make this competition about glorifying the Lord and helping his family.

And then he’d come back for her.