Page 34 of Forever Country (Forever Bluegrass #24)

M organ had already gone to her seat. Dallas smiled as he shook hands with Cody and Annaleigh was relieved that there seemed to be no hard feelings between the might-have-been boyfriend and the about-to-be-official one.

The auditorium was filled with guests mingling in the aisles. She had hoped she’d get to her seat without seeing her parents, but she wasn’t that lucky.

“Annaleigh,” her mother snapped just before hearing Maddie curse under her breath.

Aiden already moved to intercept her mom who was walking toward them with Benton and Saxton at her side.

“What happened to his face?” Cody whispered to the group.

“Me,” Holt said proudly.

“What the hell is this absurd rumor about you and Maddie opening your own agency?” her mother hissed with a smile. Her eyes were narrowed and threatening, but the smile was in place for show.

Annaleigh felt Holt’s hand move to the small of her back. His thumb gently brushed her spine in a silent show of support. Maddie, on the other hand, looked ready to be anything except silent. Steam was practically spouting from her ears like a teakettle.

“It’s not a rumor. You, Dad, Benton, and Saxton didn’t want to take me seriously, so I found someone who would. I honestly didn’t think you’d notice I was gone, or is it because I’m suddenly in the press and you’re not?”

Annaleigh could see by the flare of her mother’s nostrils that she’d found the answer.

Suddenly a warm hand reached hers from behind.

Annaleigh turned to find Holt’s parents, and brother standing there.

“There you are, Annaleigh,” Taylor Everett said, smiling as if cameras were flashing—which, of course, they were.

Every attendee within twenty feet was also recording this interaction. “Don’t you look stunning!”

“You look just as beautiful as my wife,” Trey Everett said, before his gaze turned to her mother, brother, and Benton and narrowed. “Some people are even more beautiful on the inside. Others, not so much.”

“There’s my bro’s girl.” Knox kissed her cheek before turning to Benton. “Wow, looks like someone taught you a lesson. Maybe you should heed it.”

Annaleigh was speechless as emotions tightened her throat and tears began to threaten. This family had known her for a week and they already had her back.

“Annaleigh”—her mother reached for her and grabbed her wrist so tightly she flinched—“you ungrateful—” Her mother didn’t get a chance to finish.

While Aiden and the entire Everett family moved to separate them, Annaleigh pulled out the lipstick tube Sophie had given to her and pressed it to her mom’s hand.

Her mom gave out a little squeak and froze. Then her eyes rolled back and she fell backward into Benton and Saxton.

“Oh my gosh!” Annaleigh gasped. “I thought it would give her a little shock, not knock her unconscious.”

Brrrrrrruuuuuummmph!

Everyone stopped and stared down at Mary Kathryn Astore now propped up by Benton and Saxton and farting. Loudly. There was absolute silence for a moment, then laughter and then nearby phones all turned to record the moment.

“Sophie’s weapons are never little . They might be small in size, but they make a very big point,” Holt said with amusement as her mom let another one rip. “Gentlemen, it appears Mrs. Astore has overindulged this evening. I think it would be best if you would take her somewhere to recover.”

Saxton was staring at his mother in horror as if he had no idea women actually farted.

It took a kick from Benton to snap Saxton out of his stupor.

Together they hurried Mrs. Astore from the lower arena as the auditorium lights flashed.

The announcer stated that they’d be live in five minutes and asked people to take their seats.

Holt applied a bit of pressure to her back and that was all it took to get her to turn and head to where an usher was standing waiting patiently for them. Suddenly three white heads popped up. “Yoo-hoo! Over here, Annaleigh, dear!”

Annaleigh didn’t think she could fight back the tears as she placed a hand over her heart and a smile so large that it almost hurt spread across her face. “The Rose sisters came?”

“That’s not all,” Holt said with a smirk as others stood and turned her around as three rows of people from Keeneston stood.

“When they heard you and Holt needed some support, we had to have a lottery to see who could get the remaining tickets,” Taylor told her as they walked toward the group together.

“Evie and Jackson, Sloane and Gabe, Cassidy and Warrick,” Annaleigh rambled as she took in person after person from Keeneston.

Besides the Rose sisters and Holt’s family, there were also Kori, Dylan, Abby, Sophie, Nash, Cy, Gemma, Ahmed, Bridget, Aniyah, DeAndre, Riley, and Matt.

Henry sat next to Miles and Morgan wearing a shining purple suit, but the matching shiny fringe along the arms and chest was the real highlight. Even Father Ben was in attendance.

Annaleigh gave up trying to control her emotions and a sob broke free as she rushed down the aisle and into Evie and Sloane’s arms. “What are you all doing here?”

“We came to support you,” Sloane answered with a smile as they hugged. “You’re part of Keeneston now.”

“And Keeneston always shows up,” Evie added with a nod. “Just ask the maternity ward at the hospital.”

“Annaleigh,” she heard her brother hiss. Apparently, he was back after taking their mother who knows where. “What the hell are you doing embarrassing—ow!”

Annaleigh turned to see Miss Daisy wielding a wooden spoon as her brother rubbed the back of his head. “Where are your manners, young man?”

“Mind your business you old—” Thwack. “How did you get a spatula in here?”

“You ought to be glad it’s not a switch,” Paisley said as people around them began to nod their heads and whisper about Saxton. Several were taking video of the incident. “That’s what my gran made me go get when I was actin’ a fool.”

Murmurs of agreement sounded all around them.

“You need to learn to be respectful to your elders,” someone else in the audience called out to Saxton.

“Mind your business you ass—” Thwack. “Was that a broom? Where did that come from?”

Miss Lily huffed. “It’s a cane that I decorated. Just felt right to have it look like a broom.”

Annaleigh stood back as Holt leaned down and whispered something to Saxton, which resulted in the blood draining from his face. “Do you understand?” Holt asked very seriously. Saxton nodded and Annaleigh desperately wanted to know what Holt said to her brother.

“Can we get a move on or do I need to ruin you even faster than you’re already damaged yourself?

” People gasped as Sebastian Abel sauntered up looking deadly handsome in a tux, his attention focused escorting his wife down the aisle.

Visibly pregnant, Greer was lethal elegance personified.

“I see you’ve met my business partners and mentees. ”

Now people were really paying attention.

Saxton’s pale face was turned red. “That’s what I was trying to talk to my sister about. She can’t start her own company. You’ll be part of Astore Entertainment. We’re pleased to work with you, Mr. Abel.”

“Boy,” Henry said, standing up. “Do you need me to give you something to put in your mouth to keep you from talking anymore?” Then he winked.

Annaleigh blinked at the sexual innuendo. So did Saxton. Especially when Henry reached into his pocket and pulled out... a packet of gum. Then Annaleigh laughed aloud.

“Saxton, everything I did was legal. My team looked over it. Sebastian’s team looked over it.

And frankly, I’m tired of all of you holding me back.

You never cared what I did when I was with Astore Entertainment.

You never cared about my work to foster positive change in our industry or encourage the next generation of singers and songwriters.

So, why do you care now? Because you’re finally realizing I do a better job than you do?

It doesn’t matter. Just go to your seat.

Sit down. You do your thing. I’ll do mine and we’ll stay out of each other’s way. ”

“Annaleigh,” Saxton began to say.

“No, your time is up. You need to leave my girlfriend alone now,” Holt said, the threat clear in his voice.

“You heard Holt, shoo.” Miss Lily used her cane to mimic a broom and people around them began to cheer.

Saxton stormed off and Annaleigh couldn’t wrap her head around the fact that the whole town seemed to support her more than her family ever did. “Hey, where did Cassidy go?” Her seat was suddenly empty. “And Cy?” Strange, they didn’t pass by her. How could they just disappear like that?

“I’m sure they’ll be back soon. It’s kinda their thing,” Evie told her with a shrug. “Now, come and sit down. It’s about to start. How are you two holding up? How’s your arm? Are you nervous about performing, Holt?”

Annaleigh let the conversation flow around her as they took their seats. Holt took the aisle seat, then Annaleigh, while Holt’s family filled in the next seats. Keeneston filled in the rows behind and in front of them.

The lights dimmed, music began to play, and the show was on.

Annaleigh was drawn into the show and the musical performances, but Aiden kept his head on a swivel, and every time Annaleigh leaned back to say something to Evie or Sloane, she noticed Aiden wasn’t the only one.

Jackson, Abby, Dylan, Miles, Kori, even Sophie and Nash, all kept their attention on the crowd and the shadows around the stage.