When Sparks Fly (43 page)

Doug clapped Blake on the shoulder.

“No worries there, man. You wanted the best. I’m the best.”

While Blake was finalizing set up, Renee was looking over the crowd, trying to find a familiar face. There was a children’s area was set up in one section of the park. Several food vendors, including a funnel cake place, occupied one side of the levee and craft booths the other.

Several older men had congregated at the horseshoe pit. Renee spotted her dad and Senator McIntyre among those watching the professional pitchers.

Renee noticed many of the families had already staked out their spots. Picnic baskets and blankets dotted the ground in front of the stage. Different dance troupes and local musicians would be entertaining the masses throughout the afternoon.

Blake placed his hands on Renee’s shoulders. She was so intent on finding her parents that she didn’t hear him come up behind her.

“Honey, it’s going to be fine. You’ll see. Have you spotted anyone yet?”

“Yeah, your dad and my dad are over there,” Renee pointed. “I haven’t spotted the moms yet, though.”

“Are you thirsty? I’m going to go to the lemonade stand, can I bring you one?”

“Thanks, yes. I’m going to continue looking for mom.”

“I’ll find you. Try looking up by the stage. Knowing my mom, that’s where she would want to camp out. She’s definitely a Manelli groupie.”

Blake kissed Renee and rushed off in the direction of the lemonade stand.

Renee walked through the crowd, greeting some who called her by name and smiling at the others. This was all so surreal to her. She shook her head.

Never in a million years.

Just as Blake had suggested, Renee found the moms up front, center stage. Sharon and her family had stopped by to visit for a while.

“Sharon, it’s good seeing you again.”

Renee embraced Blake’s sister.

“Please, join us,” Ann Manelli directed to the young woman with a child on either side of her.

“We’ll come over here for the concert and fireworks, but Dirk’s family and the kids are over by the jumping castle,” Sharon explained.

“Grandma, grandma, c’mon.”

Renee smiled down at the little blonde haired boy. His eyes were the same shade of blue as his uncle Blake’s.

“Guess I’ve been summoned. I’ll be back.”

Sharon, Sandy, and the two children took off in the direction of the kids’ games leaving Renee alone with her mom.

Renee sat down on the ground beside her mom.

“Mom, what am I gonna do?”

“What are you referring to, honey?”

“This whole mess with Blake and Frankie. What should I do?”

“Well, as I see it, this is between them. You just happened on a conversation that really was none of your business. You don’t know the facts surrounding it or anything else. I think you need to cut Blake some slack. He loves you, sweetheart, and I know he’d never do anything to hurt you. I do believe, however, that he would do anything to protect you from others who may want to hurt you. Remember, you can’t make good decisions if you don’t know all the facts.”

Ann reached over and stroked her daughter’s cheek.

“Let it go and enjoy the rest of this day. Trust Blake. Everything will work itself out.”

“I love you, Mom.”

“Hey, I see you found one mom at least,” Blake bent over and kissed Ann’s cheek. “Where’s the other one?”

“She and your sister and kids took off for the game area.”

Blake handed a lemonade to Renee and kissed her.

“I’m going over with the dads. I’ll be back.”

The afternoon sun was hot. Renee wished there was a pool because she’d be in it for a while. Thankfully there were a couple trees not far from where the moms had set up camp for the day.

Renee stood up and opened one of the chairs Blake had dropped off then the other and pulled them under the tree for shade. She was so excited for the concert to begin.

Ann and Sandy had become best of friends, so they were off playing bingo and the men were still watching the horseshoe competition. That left Renee alone for the first time today.

Renee looked at the makeshift stage. The 4
^th
of July committee had draped curtains forming a backdrop for those performing. There were portable steps on each end of the flatbed. Lighting had been installed as well as an incredible sound system.

Another local artist, Dave Michels, was on the stage right now. His voice lent well to the country music he sang. Renee knew the song he was singing and hummed along.

In three hours Renee would be center stage. She would do her thing for an hour, take a thirty minute break, do the second set, and usher in the fireworks. It really didn’t sound that complicated, but she was scared spitless. She was more nervous than she’d ever been.

Renee reached into the cooler and grabbed a peach and a bottle of water. She’d just bit into the peach when the men arrived. Juice ran down her chin onto her wrist and dripped from her elbow.

“Hi everyone.”

Renee poured water over her hands, mopped the peach juice from her face, and dried off on the blanket at her feet.

Tony greeted his daughter with a hug as did the senator.

“Are you getting excited, Renee?”

“That’s an understatement. I’m petrified!”

Blake put a reassuring arm around his lady and nodded to the women approaching them.

“Looks like the ladies are back from their jaunt.”

Ann looked up at her husband and then to the rest that had gathered.

“I don’t know about you guys, but I’m getting hungry. Sandy, will you help me get the food laid out?”

Tony and Ted set up the other chairs in the shade of the tree and began watching the Irish step dancers on the stage.

“Beautiful day. Couldn’t ask for better,” Ted remarked as he applauded.

“Indeed, Ted. Say, where’s that son of yours?” Tony asked.

Blake came walking up to them with his hands filled: two bottles of Provocation wine in one hand and glasses in the other.

“We have to celebrate.”

Blake opened, poured the wine and distributed glasses to everyone there.

“To the love of my life, Renee Manelli. May tonight be more than you ever imagined.”

They all clinked their glasses together and started feasting on what Sandy and Ann had put together.

A beautiful late afternoon led to a perfect evening, wonderful food, laughter, and wine. What more could anyone want?

Renee noticed Frankie and Don walking toward them.

Frankie was known for her flamboyant appearances at events like this. Today was no exception. The tall, lithe woman wore a bright red sundress with white stars woven in the fabric design. A navy straw hat with red and white plumes sat squarely on her head. She sported a matching straw handbag and oversized white framed sunglasses.

Blake choked on his gulp of wine when he saw her. Tony gave him a couple sharp slaps to the back.

“Sorry, went down the wrong way.”

Well, let it not be said Frankie Wellman is eccentric. She’s just plain crazy!

Blake’s thoughts must have been visible because Renee shot him an icy glance.

Frankie and Don made their rounds with hugs and greetings to everyone except Blake. When she got to where he was standing, she squared her shoulders and put her hands on her hips.

“Just remember, I’ve got my eye on you.”

“If you’ll all excuse us, I have to help Renee get things ready.”

Blake ushered Renee to where the vehicle was parked. He started laughing and couldn’t stop. Renee joined in.

“How could you in your right mind go anywhere dressed like that?”

“God love her, honey, she tries. I feel so sorry for Don, but this is what goes on all the time. They’ve been married for forty years and every now and again he has to rein her in.”

“Please, if you ever want to make a statement or a grand entrance like that you’ll warn me in advance.”

Blake hugged Renee who was still chuckling.

“Are you ready?”

“I am. Just promise me that you will be where I can see you.”

“Front, center. Not missing one beat of this concert, sweetheart.”

Yup, front, center, and on stage with you, baby.

Blake kissed Renee.

“I love you.”

“I love you, too. Now, go do what you do best. Give ’em all you got.”

People began moving forward with hopes of getting a better look at those performing. Dusk fell gently. Everything took on the rosy glow of the setting sun.

The dance studio finished their performances and the director of the Chamber of Commerce took the stage.

“Good evening! Welcome to the annual 4
^th
of July celebration. I want to thank those involved in the Fireman’s breakfast this morning. We served a record number, over 500 people. That’s a lot of pancakes and sausage.

“Without the support of this community and performers none of this could happen. So, I thank you so much for continuing with this wonderful tradition.”

The director paused as the applause quieted.

“We’ve seen some great dancers and heard some wonderful local talent today. It all leads up to this wonderful concert ushering in the fireworks over the lake. And, what a beautiful sight this is…tonight is perfect.

“I know you’re all anxious to greet this lovely lady, so I’ll stop talking. I introduce to you our friend, Renee Manelli.”

The crowd cheers were more than Renee could handle. She took an extra moment before walking up the steps to center stage. She shook hands with the director, grabbed her guitar, and stood at the microphone.

“Hello out there! Who’s ready to party? Let’s get this going, shall we?”

Renee was surprised when three other people walked up on stage…one sat down at the drums, one at the keyboard, and Blake strapped on the bass guitar just to her left. Her smile broadened and the mouthed I love you was met with a wink.

The concert was underway. Renee sang, laughed, and told stories for a good forty five minutes before ending the first set with
Crayon Butterflies
.

“We’re going to take a break so get up and stretch or whatever you need to do.”

Renee was almost to the stairs before a voice called her back.

“Miss Manelli, please, if I can have you back on stage.”

Renee turned around to see Ev Pinchert and her parents. She looked at them and over to Blake who was at the microphone. Her heart was pounding.

“Frankie Wellman, your suspicions were spot on. I was keeping something from you, but I had to because I wanted this to be a surprise for Renee. I knew if you knew, Ann would know, and there would be no way of Renee not knowing.

“I’m Blake McIntyre, Renee’s public relations director. To my left is Mr. Ev Pinchert and Tony and Ann Manelli, Renee’s parents. Mr. Pinchert has a very special presentation to make.”

Blake turned the microphone over to Ev and walked over to Renee who put an arm around him for support.

“Thanks Blake. It’s a great pleasure to be with you tonight. Most of you know that the last song Renee performed,
Crayon Butterflies
, was written for a very special young lady that we lost to cancer earlier this year, Allison Mortenson.

“Renee, when you performed this song for me at my office, I knew it would be a hit. I knew Tom Milligan had a copy of you singing it and asked him to take it to a few friends in the radio industry.

“Renee Manelli, it’s my honor to present to you this token of your hard work. To date,
Crayon Butterflies
has sold over a million copies, including electronic downloads. Congratulations.”

Tony and Ann unveiled the gold record that was framed and gave it to their daughter amidst the wild shouts of appreciation from the crowd.

Tears flowed down Renee’s cheeks and sobs violently shook her entire body. She held on to Blake so tightly that she didn’t notice he was walking them toward the award so she could see and accept it.

Renee hugged her parents then shook hands with Ev’s extended hand and gave him a hug. She approached the microphone.

“Allison was my butterfly angel. She was so sweet and so courageous. I will always carry her in my heart,”

Renee patted her chest and wiped the tears from her cheeks.

“I’m so humbled. Wow. I don’t know what to say. Thank all of you who bought this song. I was clueless to what was going on behind the scenes. Guess that makes for a good PR man, huh?”

Renee turned toward Blake as laughter rolled through the crowd.

“Ev, Mr. Pinchert, I don’t know how to do this, but I’d like a portion of the proceeds from this song to be given to the Children’s Cancer Center and request that a butterfly garden be constructed on their grounds in memory of Allison.

“I need to sit down after this…”

Renee made her way to the stool that Blake had pulled to center stage.

“Miss Manelli, we aren’t quite done yet. Blake, you may want to hold on to her.”

Blake did as Ev instructed. Renee’s parents had been helped down the steps and were back in their lawn chairs. This spotlight moment was all for Renee.

“Miss Manelli, it’s a great thing to find a talented artist such as you. Renee, I’d like to sign you to an exclusive recording contract with Pinchert Records. Blake has the paperwork and we can discuss the fine print later next week, as well as draw up the papers for your contribution to the children’s hospital. Welcome aboard, Miss Manelli.”

The crowd went crazy at this point. No one was sitting, all were cheering their appreciation of Renee’s accomplishments.

Renee didn’t know what to think or say. She felt like throwing up. She knew if she stood up she’d faint.

Blake was right. He was right about everything: the concert, the secrets, and the recording contract. All of it.

“Mr. Pinchert, I’m overwhelmed. Thank you so much. I graciously accept your offer. Phew. A gold record that wasn’t even a studio recording and then a recording contract. That’s a lot for this girl to process at the moment.”

All of this extra stuff had eaten time off of her break. Renee desperately needed to use a bathroom. She was sure her makeup was a mess, too.

“Blake, I need to walk around a bit,” Renee turned to the crowd, “Give me fifteen minutes and I’ll be back.”