She leaned in close and whispered, though there was no one nearby to overhear her, “Did you know that Jack bought us matching motorcycles? I told him I’d sooner ride naked down Lower Broadway on a horse than get on one of those. And what does he do? The fool buys me three months of motorcycle lessons.” She rolled her eyes theatrically. “And I’d always thought he was so sensible!”
Ruthanna might pretend she was scandalized, but AnnieLee could tell that she was thrilled—maybe not about the Harley itself, but about her relationship with Jack. It was a match made in country music heaven.
AnnieLee was thrilled, too. Back in Caster County, Officer Danver had built a strong case against D and put him in jail. As D awaited trial, AnnieLee gained the confidence she needed to recall her darkest days. Ethan listened to every word with patience, love, and understanding.
At that moment, the black curtain in front of them began rising into the air.
“Here goes nothing,” Ruthanna said.
Still holding hands, the women stepped forward into the blazing spotlight. On the other side of it, the entire Bridgestone Arena was packed, the front rows occupied by nearly every big name in the music industry.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” intoned the emcee, “Ruthanna Ryder and AnnieLee Keyes!”
The applause that greeted them was thunderous. When it died down, AnnieLee and Ruthanna looked at each other, smiled, and let go of each other’s hand. The drummer gave the count, and the band began to play. AnnieLee closed her eyes as the music filled her. The sound was so big and loud she could feel every note ringing in her body.
Ruthanna sang, “Put on my jeans, my favorite shirt…”
“Pull up my boots and hit the dirt,” sang AnnieLee.
Then their voices rang in harmony: “Finally doin’ somethin’ I’ve dreamed of for years…”
Even before the first chorus, the crowd was on its feet, singing so loudly AnnieLee could hardly hear the band in her earpiece. But it didn’t matter; the song pulled them along, weaving their voices together the way it had when they’d practiced it beside Ruthanna’s pool, in her studio, and even at the Cat’s Paw, late at night after everyone but Billy had gone home. It had become the song of their friendship, a symbol of the indomitable spirit they shared.
When the last notes ended, Ruthanna stepped forward and bowed gracefully. “It’s been so good to be with you tonight,” she said to the cheering crowd. “So good, in fact, that I might just have to do it again soon. But right now I’m going to let my little friend here take over.” Then she giggled. “Whoops. I’m really not supposed to call her little.”
Ruthanna blew her a kiss as she exited the stage. And AnnieLee, alone beneath those hot, bright lights, felt a sudden and exhilarating sense of gratitude—and determination.
She hadn’t planned on speaking, but the words came almost unbidden, and they came from her heart. “My name isn’t actually AnnieLee Keyes,” she said. “Even though that’s the name on my album, and it’s what you’ve all gotten used to calling me. My real name is Rose McCord. And I want you to know that it’s taken more than a handful of miracles for me to be here—and to even be alive. As long as I live, I will never, ever stop being grateful for this moment, and for every sweet, free breath I take.”
She glanced to the side of the stage, where Ethan, Ruthanna, and Jack were waiting for her to join them when she was finished. “I owe a lot of my success to my manager, Jack Holm. And I owe much more than that to Ruthanna Ryder—you all know her! But I also owe my life—and my happiness—to someone you don’t know. His name is Ethan Blake.” Then she held up her left hand, where a small, bright diamond sparkled on her third finger. “I figure you might get to know him, though, because unlike my fancy earrings, this isn’t a loaner.” She laughed in giddy amazement. “You guys, this has been a wild, wild ride. Anyway, enough of me talking. Let’s play some music.”
A stagehand ran out and handed her her guitar, and she looped the strap over her neck, relishing the instrument’s cool, familiar weight. She strummed the opening chords, and then Rose McCord did what she was born to do.
She sang.
Dark night, bright future
I’m on my way, I start today
I’m gonna be all right
Dark night, bright future
It’s darkest just before the light
And though it’s been a long dark night
Blue sky on the other side
Songbook