Randa Read online

  Buck stood there in stunned silence. “Why didn’t you tell me these things Claire?” He asked in disbelief.

  “Buck, I did try to tell you in little ways, but you were no longer listening. Getting married doesn’t give you a right to stop doing all of the things that made the other person fall in love with you in the first place.”

  “On our wedding day, you committed your love to me for forever. Don’t you remember exchanging those vows with me?” Not waiting for a response, Buck continued, “We used to be so close. I just can’t believe this. We have lost everything. Have you thought about what kind of example you are setting for John?”

  “Do you honestly think that I did this on purpose, Buck? It has been so long since I have gotten real attention and love from you. I fought my feelings for as long as I possibly could with everything I had. I have been totally devoted and committed to you and John. I’ve spent my entire adult life making a comfortable home for you and raising John into a fine young man. In a few years, he leaves for college. Where is that going to leave me? You didn’t want to sell the company and move to Oklahoma permanently. Life in Anchorage with you coming home once a month wouldn’t work for me. Tom loves me and he wants to build a life with me. And a huge part of that life will be based on what I want to do. He puts me first and happily fulfills my needs. I am his priority.”

  “Claire, don’t you ever mention his name to me again, do you understand?” Buck shouted at the top of his lungs as he picked up a glass vase full of fresh flowers off the dining room table and hurled it with all of his might into the fireplace.

  Buck’s anger didn’t scare her. Claire easily understood his feelings. She looked at him and her heart sank. He appeared simply devastated.

  After a few minutes, Buck said weakly, “What are your plans? If you break things off with this man, I would like to work things out and stay married to you.”

  Suddenly feeling wistful, Claire was filled with deep regret for her actions, but she knew that it was too late. She bowed her head. Their marriage was like a fine piece of china. It was beautiful and flawless, but once that sole chip had harmed it, it would never be perfect again. It could never be the same. She believed that Buck could never forgive and forget.

  “If you plan to continue this affair, I want to know immediately.”

  Claire didn’t utter a word. She just couldn’t tell him. Buck looked at her and he knew what the answer was. He put on his cowboy hat, turned and walked out of their house. Claire could do nothing to stop the tears from coming. She had already grieved for the loss of their marriage, but it was while she enjoyed the pleasing distraction of falling in love with Tom. She cried for Buck because she knew that he was now experiencing excruciating heartbreak and his life would never, ever be the same.

  And after that night, John’s life would never the same either.

  Chapter Six

  2008

  Randa spied the ad in the Sunday edition of her hometown newspaper. There was going to be a talent show! Scanning down through the listed categories, she saw exactly what she was searching for, song lyrics. Excitement swept through her! Of late, Randa had been devoting her free time to turning many of the passages that she wrote in her journal throughout the years into song lyrics. She felt that with more work and lots of polish, she could have a real hit. The problem was getting the songs into the hands of a person who could make her dream of becoming a successful songwriter come true. Randa knew that it was not only important to have dreams and chase them, but to be able to live the life that she desired, she knew that she must catch her dreams too. An opportunity now presented itself, even if it was a small opportunity on the local level. Many people started at the bottom, so she would too, or so she thought.

  She called her best friend, Taylor, with the idea. After exchanging hellos and letting Taylor talk for 20 minutes nonstop, Randa began. “There’s a local talent show and one of the categories happens to be song lyrics.”

  “That’s fantastic, Randa! I’m guessing that means that you are going to enter a couple of your songs then.”

  “Yes, I am,” Randa replied, “but I wanted to ask you a favor Taylor.”

  “Sure Rand, you know I would do anything for you.”

  “Would you sing one of my songs in the talent show? You have such a beautiful voice and you would bring the song alive, as opposed to me singing it with my just so-so voice. And this way it could be entered into two separate categories, songs and lyrics.”

  Taylor was asked occasionally to sing for various functions, but she never pursued it professionally.

  “I would love to, Randa!” Taylor squealed.

  “Thank you so much! Come over this afternoon and we can look at what I’m working on and what I have finished. I’ll put the finishing touches on each one and then you can sing both and we’ll choose the best, so that you can start practicing it.”

  “Okay, see you then,” Taylor replied.

  Randa was on cloud nine. She presumed that Taylor would sing, but it was never wise to take anyone for granted. They had been best friends since Taylor had moved into Randa’s neighborhood the summer they both turned twelve even though they were almost opposites. Randa was tall and slender and had straight long dark hair and was a bit shy and introverted, whereas Taylor was shorter, blonde, bubbly, outgoing, and charismatic. She was always the life of the party and talked more than anyone Randa knew. They were fiercely loyal to each other and they easily made it through that age when some girls changed best friends as often as they changed boyfriends.

  Taylor arrived while Randa was still sitting at the desk in her bedroom working on the lyrics of one of the songs. She jotted it down for her to look at. Taylor read it and started laughing aloud.

  “You need something to rhyme with ‘globe’ right?”

  “Yes,” Randa responded curiously.

  “How about…

  Circling the globe

  While I’m nursing my Michelob

  As I unrobe”

  The two girls burst out laughing uncontrollably. Once they regained their composure and realized that the only other words rhyming with globe were lobe and probe, which weren’t usable or appropriate either, Randa scrapped that set of lyrics and used ‘Crisscrossing the planet’ instead. As she worked on completing the words, Taylor picked up her guitar and played around with the music a bit, fine-tuning it so that Randa’s lyrics were emphasized as opposed to the music grabbing the audience’s attention instead.

  Randa made the final changes on her songs. Taylor sang both. They unanimously agreed that she would sing “Hitching” at the talent show.

  Three weeks later, Taylor, looking adorable as always, was introduced at the talent show. She strolled to the center and of the stage and stood totally erect. Looking out into the audience, she just waited until the crowd grew silent in anticipation. Taylor inhaled deeply and exhaled. Then she began, tearing into the song with such vigor:

  I’ve climbed every mountain

  And I’ve swam every sea

  Where, oh where, oh where can you be?

  Finding you is what I must do

  Even if I have no clue

  So, I’m…

  Hitching my wagon to a star

  I’m looking for you near

  I’m looking for you far

  Shooting up through the sky

  Oh Giddy-Up, Giddy-Up, Giddy-Up I cry

  I don’t know how far I’ll have to go

  I only know how deeply you’ll touch my soul

  Searching high and searching low

  Once I find you, I’ll never let you go

  Wow! Randa thought exuberantly. The audience loved the song and were halfway dancing in their seats. Taylor was on fire, injecting passion into the lyrics and singing them as they were meant to be sung! They had both been extremely busy the past couple of weeks studying for their final college exams, so Randa had only seen Taylor practice the song once, but she had complete confidence in Taylor’s abilities. See
ing this performance was an incredible surprise. Taylor smiled profusely and continued:

  Crisscrossing the planet far and wide

  Knowing how very long I’ve tried

  But I’ll never give up until we ride

  I know you are out there

  Living on a dream and my care

  Our love is oh so truly rare

  So I’m…

  Hitching my wagon to a star

  I’m looking for you near

  I’m looking for you far

  Shooting up through the sky

  Oh Giddy-Up, Giddy-Up, Giddy-Up I cry

  I don’t know how far I’ll have to go

  I only know how deeply you’ll touch my soul

  Searching high and searching low

  Once I find you, I’ll never let you go

  Whirling all about

  There is never any doubt

  How we will soar

  Always reaching for more

  Whirling all about

  There is never any doubt

  We were meant to be

  Totally one and totally free

  So I’m…

  Hitching my wagon to a star

  I’m looking for you near

  I’m looking for you far

  Shooting up through the sky

  Oh Giddy-Up, Giddy-Up, Giddy-Up I cry

  I don’t know how far I’ll have to go

  I only know how deeply you’ll touch my soul

  Searching high and searching low

  Once I find you, I’ll never let you go.

  As she finished, the audience jumped to their feet, cheering wildly for Taylor, as Randa ran backstage. Taylor had brought so much energy to the song. Her incredible voice certainly did not hurt her performance either. Taylor bowed to the audience flamboyantly and flashed her dynamite smile at them. After blowing kisses and taking more bows, Taylor ran backstage and she and Randa started jumping up and down screaming. Taylor’s mom appeared backstage and she had to shush the two girls because the next contestant was about to be introduced and they were still bursting loudly at the seams.

  Finally, the emcee announced that there would be a 20-minute intermission and then the winners would be announced. Randa, Taylor and their families all thought that they had an excellent chance of winning the categories they had entered. While the girls were talking to their moms, a sophisticated and distinguished looking man approached them.

  “Hello, I’m Michael Marks, a producer with Blue Moon Records,” the man said as he handed each one of them a business card. Randa and Taylor’s jaws dropped! Blue Moon Records was a newer and lesser known, but growing record company who was known for signing artists who were fresh and spirited up-and-comers.

  “Taylor, I wanted to compliment you on your singing and your performance tonight,” Mike said.

  Somehow, Taylor managed to keep her composure. “Thank you, Mr. Marks!”

  “Please call me ‘Mike.’ Taylor, would you be interested in exploring a record deal with Blue Moon Records? You have such a beautiful and unique voice and you are quite the entertainer.”

  Taylor looked at her mom who nodded and smiled at her. “I would love to discuss that idea with you. Mike,” she added.

  “Wonderful then, please call my secretary on Monday to set up an appointment.”

  “Great! Thank you,” Taylor replied.

  ”I do have to ask you though, where did you come up with the song, ‘Hitching?’ It’s an original, isn’t it?”

  Taylor threw her left arm around Randa’s shoulder. “Yes, it is and my best friend, Randa, is the songwriter. She’s written other songs too.”

  Randa’s heart stopped as Mike studied her for a moment.

  “Randa, I absolutely loved the lyrics to your song and I want to buy it,” Mike said.

  Almost in a state of shock, it took a moment before Randa could say anything. Finally, she thanked Mike properly and agreed to make an appointment and meet with him the next week.

  The emcee resumed the program and was about to announce the winners. Everyone started taking his or her seats. Randa was still in shock over the record producer wanting to buy her song. Of course, she had thought about trying to sell some of her songs, but graduating college had been her priority for the past four years. She had finally graduated the previous Saturday and now she was going to be a professional songwriter! That was her true passion, but it had never seemed realistic, at least to her parents.

  “Randa Dean for ‘Hitching,’” the emcee announced. Everyone around her started clapping and cheering. She was lost in thought as she clutched her good luck piece, the Thunderegg half that she kept in her pocket. Once again, it had brought her good fortune Randa thought as she realized that her entry had just won the best song lyrics category. She stood up, walked up to the stage, and accepted the award and envelope, which held the cash prize. Everyone congratulated her and hugged her when she got back to her seat. A short time later, the best song winner was announced and ‘Hitching’ won! Both Randa and Taylor were called to the stage, since they both played important parts in bringing the song to the talent show. The very last category was overall talent winner/performer. Taylor’s name was announced. She was super excited and literally floated up to the stage. It was the biggest award of the evening and Taylor was the best performer by far and deserved to win it. The emcee asked Taylor if she wanted to say a few words. Obviously, he didn’t know what a talker Taylor could be. Randa could only laugh when a full ten minutes later Taylor was still giving her ‘acceptance speech’ and the emcee had to interrupt her, so that he could end the program.

  The girls’ parents took them out for a celebration dinner. Between the awards, the prize money that they won, and the potential lucrative contracts they both might be signing with Blue Moon Records, the night was unbelievable.

  Arriving home, Randa took the Thunderegg out of her pocket and put it back in the special keepsake box that her Mom had given to her so many years ago.

  Chapter Seven

  2010

  That joyful laugh! John was enthralled by it. The delightful sound felt like an appeal to his soul. When he heard it again, he slowly turned and looked. What he saw was a stunning woman whose raw beauty stole his very breath. Her flawless, porcelain skin was offset by her long, silky, cocoa-colored hair which was blowing ever so gently in the light wind. He simply couldn’t take his eyes off her. The man didn’t believe in love at first sight, but he knew that this must be the next best thing.

  The captivating brunette was still engrossing John when Fox walked toward him, handing him an ice-cold beer.

  “Aren’t you glad to get off of the Slope for a while Johnny?”

  John never took his eyes off the distinct beauty. “I sure am,” he replied. Fox followed John’s line of vision. He spotted his goddaughter, Taylor, and her best friend, Randa.

  “It’s been far too long,” John continued. “I always miss being on the ranch, but I don’t have to worry about it as long as you are here, whereas the Slope needs more of my attention, since Dad is spending less time there and more time in Anchorage.”

  “Buck deserves to slow down a bit, so that he can savor life.”

  “Yes, he does and I’m glad that he is. The sad thing is that when he and Mom were married, he was a true workaholic on the Slope, but since they divorced, he is realizing that there is more to life than work,” John said as he glanced at Fox and then returned his gaze to the perfect, heart-shaped face whose luminous radiance felt like velvet on his jagged soul, tenderly swaddling the rough, broken edges.

  “It’s not totally his fault. That’s the way life challenges you. You have to work so hard when you are young to build something for yourself, so that when you are older you will have some assets and be able to grow old gracefully,” Fox reminded him.

  “I know,” John replied solemnly.

  Fox looked over at him and changed the subject. “I see that you’ve spotted my special guests. Would you like to meet Tay
lor and Randa?”

  John grinned broadly and Fox thought that he detected a twinkle in the young man’s eye. Fox caught Taylor’s attention and signaled to her. She nodded enthusiastically.

  “Fox, how do seem to know everyone?” John asked in amazement.

  Fox just grinned. “You know I’m legendary in these parts Johnny Boy.” And it was true. Fox was a legend. Even though he was only 5’8” with a slight build, but a very confident demeanor, Fox was a huge man when it came to strength and character, though it hadn’t always been that way. He was one-quarter Cherokee Indian. His blue eyes were a standout from his dark coal-colored hair that he kept neatly cut right below the ears. His clothes were always immaculately pressed. Impeccable manners were his calling card and no one had ever heard a curse word come out of his mouth. He hadn’t always been polished though. Fox began riding bulls when he was ten. By the time he turned sixteen, he was winning rodeos all over the region. Once Fox graduated from high school, he hit the rodeo circuit full-time and his desire for women grew as strong as his drive to stay on bulls for eight seconds. No female could ever tame the wild cowboy though, no matter what feminine wiles were tried. Fox’s rodeoing buddy, Chris Taxen, married a girl named Michelle that Fox had slept with. Chris didn’t know about the incident. Six months after the wedding, Fox watched in horror as a bull named Freight Train threw Chris to the ground, turned, and stepped on his chest, stopping his heart from ever beating again. That is when Fox’s behavior and outlook changed for the better. He knew that it could have just as easily been him being crushed by the bull. He retired from bull riding after winning the regional championship for the third year in a row.