The crowd had given me their undivided attention, including Blake. I was nervous as hell, but I was ready. If there was anything I learned over the past couple of months, it was to get over my fears. Today was the perfect day to start.
I took a deep breath and turned my body toward the crowd. “For years, I’ve performed in front of thousands of people, in different cities across the country, but never have I gotten on stage and sang something new. The song I will sing today is something I wrote a couple of months ago. It’s about a very special person in my life. If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t be here today.”
Strumming my fingers down the strings, I glanced over his way. “It’s called My Gray-Eyed Cowboy.” Felicity jumped up and down and grabbed his arm, but he didn’t even notice her pulling on him. Drawing in a deep breath, I blew it out slowly and began. Music always came so easy to me, it was part of my soul. I wanted to look out at the crowd, but I couldn’t take my eyes away from Blake.
He loves me, he loves me not.
Oh, how I wish I knew.
We haven’t known each other long,
But when I’m with him,
I feel like I belong.
He loves me, he loves me not.
My gray-eyed cowboy, I want to know. (Please tell me)
Your heart may never be tamed,
But I am not afraid.
Will you love me if I leave, will you love me if I stay.
Dear gray-eyed cowboy, please show me the way.
Time has passed, a new life upon us.
So many things to see, so many things to do.
I want to stay in your arms,
And never let go.
My gray-eyed cowboy, I want to know. (Please tell me)
Your heart may never be tamed,
But I am not afraid.
Will you love me if I leave, will you love me if I stay.
Dear gray-eyed cowboy, please show me the way.
You may love me now, but can you promise me forever.
If there’s one thing I can say,
It would be this . . .
I promise to love you, I promise to stay.
Never again will I leave you.
My heart is yours, your heart is mine.
My gray-eyed cowboy, thank you for showing me the way.
The whole room was silent. A tear fell down my cheek and I wiped it away quickly before turning my gaze to the crowd. I didn’t know what to do or what to say, so I sat there waiting, as if I was on trial. I guess I kind of was. No one had ever heard the song before and now my fate rested on what the audience thought of it.
They jumped to their feet in applause, screaming and hollering my name, and I released the breath I hadn’t realized I was holding.
“Wow,” Helen exclaimed, “That was amazing. I could feel your emotions in it. I know that’s what we all love about your music. You put so much heart and soul into it.”
“Thanks. I like to write music about the people I care about. It makes it special.”
Helen smiled and gazed out at the crowd. “I know I’m not the only one who can’t wait to hear more. Why don’t we make things a little more interesting and bring out this gray-eyed cowboy? What do you say people?”
The audience went crazy, clapping their hands and whistling. Eyes wide, I turned to Blake, knowing he was going to hate coming out there. Instead, he winked at me as one of the producers hooked a microphone to his button down shirt. What was going on?
He walked out on stage and waved at everyone as he took the seat beside me. Leaning over, he kissed me and whispered over the loud applause, “Love the song. Thank you for singing it to me. You need to do it more often.” He put his arm around me and I snuggled into his side.
“I will,” I murmured, winking up at him.
Helen reached over and shook his hand. “Blake Evans, it’s good to have you on the show. I know a lot of people in the world want to meet Hadley’s hero, or better yet, her gray-eyed cowboy. Where’s your boots?”
“Soon to be burning in a fire the second we get home,” he joked. “I think I need to get Hadley a pair to wear at her next concert.”