Page 19 of Tracing Holland

“Should I be worried that you’re trying to hunt me down again?”

“Only if you were lying about that ’43 J45.”

I laugh and push myself up from the couch.“I wasn’t.Hang on.”

I retrieve the case from the back lounge and place it on the table in the main space.She’s already exploding with excitement, and I love that she practically forgets about me the second it comes into view.Her eyes are glued to the case like I’ve just returned with the crown jewels.

I open it and step back so she can access the treasure inside, and she approaches with a solemn reverence.Her eyes are huge as she touches the dark wood, running her fingers along the smooth surface, gently as if it might disintegrate if she’s not careful.I love everything about this moment, and I’m filled with a strange pride that she’s able to appreciate the magnificence of the gem before her as much as I do.

“May I?”she asks, gazing at me with almost childlike awe.

I grin and nod.“Of course.I promised.”

“It’s nearly flawless!”she whispers, lifting it from its case.“Almost perfect condition.”

I smile.“Yeah, I paid for that, believe me.Everything is original.Bridge, frets, pick guard, even the case.It’s the Banner model with the maple.”

She shakes her head, still staring at it in wonder.“Um, ok.Can we just get married now so I can adopt her?”

I laugh.“I guess I’ve had worse offers over the years.Wouldn’t that conflict with your rule though?”

She meets my gaze with a quick grin before focusing back on the guitar.“Ugh.Damn rules.Alright, enough stalling.I have to play this thing.”

She drops to a seat and balances the guitar on her lap, her arms wrapping around it with a casual grace.She passes a few tentative strums, and I can almost sense her shiver.I know what she’s experiencing.I remember the first time I held it and introduced our present to this beautiful piece of history.

“It needs to be tuned, but I’m afraid to touch the pegs!”she cries, glancing at me again.

I shake my head with a grin.“Want me to do it?”

She laughs.“No, I got it.”When she finishes, she glances back at me with a sincere expression.“Luke, I’m serious.This is amazing.Thank you.”

“You haven’t even played it yet.”

“I know, but…”

“Here.”I reach in my pocket and pull out a pick.“It’s a 1mm.Hope that’s ok.I think I have other gauges in the case.”

“This is fine,” she assures me.“Seriously, I’d play with a soda can tab right now.”

“Um, not on my baby you won’t.”

She giggles, then seems to forget about me again.I’m fine with that, loving every second of watching their connection.

When she starts to play, I almost catch my breath.

“Flying high as you watch me fall.

Twisting in your beautiful lies, bravo.

Hats off to your elegant show.

Take a bow, my acrobat.

You’ve won the crowd, it’s yours now, sweet acrobat.”

I’m captivated by her voice, her fingers on the strings.The effortless flow of her music.I love that even though she’s playing my guitar, it belongs solely to her in this moment.When she finishes, I have to fight the urge to tell her just to keep the damn thing.It clearly belongs to her.I take a deep breath and force a smile, not at all sure what to do with the sudden storm raging inside me.She’s in love with that hollowed-out piece of wood, that much is clear, and it’s turned her face into a masterpiece.

“One day,” she whispers, staring down at the instrument, tracing her fingers along the smooth surface.She glances back up at me, as if remembering my presence for the first time and gives me an electrifying grin.“She’s gorgeous, Luke.Seriously.Just stunning.”