Page 49 of Love Is a War Song

Lottie’s place was packed. Cars and trucks lined the road.

It was like a mini fair, just as Lucas had envisioned.

He pulled it off with the help of everyone.

I’d never been prouder of anyone. Mary Beth led me through the crowds to get to the stage where Davey was reading off auction winners into the microphone.

I stood on my tiptoes trying to get a glance at Lucas.

It was to no avail. I spotted Red by a keg laughing with other older cowboys, and dozens of kids ran around looking at the horses.

“Come on, this way. We’re getting some looks. I think you’re being recognized,” Mary Beth said hurriedly.

I put my hand up to shield my face and started walking faster and came up short.

There he was. Lucas. Standing in front of the stage talking to a musician carrying a guitar case, surrounded by the crowd clapping at the auction winners.

With Lucas distracted, we sprinted to the side of the stage without him noticing just as Davey was getting down.

“Avery! Welcome back! Where ya been, loca?”

I laughed as Davey wrapped me in a big bear hug.

“Around the world and back. You have everything ready?”

“Keyboard is all set and you’re right on time. Don’t make a habit of that. We run on Indian time here, got it?” He jabbed a finger toward me in mock seriousness.

“Babe, we’re supposed to be breaking stereotypes not enforcing them. ’Sides, you better be on time for our wedding,” Mary Beth said in all seriousness.

“Scout’s honor, I’ll be days early for the wedding. Wouldn’t miss it for the world.” I smiled. “Davey, it’s showtime. Do your thing.”

“Okay, buckle up.” He ran back up the steps and spoke into the microphone.

“Attention, everyone. We have a huge surprise for y’all here today.

Can I ask that everyone make their way to the stage?

This next performer has toured the world, graced the cover of Rolling Stone —but we forgive her for that—and just flew back from across the pond to be here today and support her grandmother, Lottie Fox.

So please give me a nice, loud welcome for our very own Avery Fox! ”

The crowd cheered. I dusted off the ribbon skirt and took a deep breath.

“You got this—we all believe in you.” Mary Beth squeezed my hand in reassurance. I squeezed back.

I walked onto the stage, taking the microphone from Davey. “Thank you so much. Give it up for Davey, everyone. I can’t tell you how good it is to be back in Oklahoma. It’s cold and gray in London, where I just came from.”

The crowd was silent. Waiting for me to do something, entertain them. I walked to the keyboard and the folding chair in front of it. “As some of you may know, a photo shoot I did came out at the beginning of the month, and it was…not great.” There were a few laughs and boos.

“I deserved that. It was culturally insensitive and instead of uniting our people, the decision to pose in a warbonnet incited more division. Instead of fostering conversations around positive representation in media, I caused a media frenzy. I came here to learn about where I come from. I thought it would be easy to learn what it means to be Indian. Surely, I could learn how to be like the movies depict us—stoic, wise, and mystical.”

More laughs. My eyes found Lucas in the crowd, right in front.

Silver lined his eyes, and I smiled at him.

He was there, beautiful and encouraging in his turquoise ribbon shirt and black cowboy hat.

He blinked slowly as if I were a mirage and his eyes were deceiving him.

I looked into his eyes, letting him know that I was really there—this was real.

“But we aren’t that way. We are kind, tenacious, loud, hardworking, and a million other things.

The people I’ve come to know and love are amazing in so many ways, and this culture isn’t a costume I can take on and off as it suits me.

Someone really wise but not so mystical once asked me what I would do to help this community.

I know he is here today, and I finally have an answer for him.

The first step in helping this community is loving it.

This home I’ve come to know, I’ll protect it.

Which is why I’m matching all donations at one hundred percent until we reach our goal to keep this ranch away from developers.

We are so close to reaching one hundred and fifty thousand dollars.

If Lottie has helped you at all throughout the years, please consider donating.

” I would drain the last of my bank account to save the ranch, the Fox legacy, and invest in Lucas’s dream.

Cheers erupted, and I had to wait a few moments before I could continue.

So many phones were directed at me, and I had to get this right.

I drew in a breath as I sat down behind the keyboard, placing the microphone in the stand.

I kept my eyes on Lucas and only him. This part was for him and him alone.

He needed to know where I stood. The money was for them all to save the ranch and make his dreams come true, but I came back for him.

I had to be here in person for my message to ring true, for Lucas to believe that he was worthy of this dream and that so many people believed in it. That I believed in him, and in us.

“I learned so many things while working here, but the most important thing I learned was how to love. There is a man here who put all this together—Lucas Iron Eyes. I’m only good at delivering lines written for me, so the best way to say what I need to say is with a song.

This is a new one, and I want you all to hear it first. It’s called ‘Heartbeats.’?”

I played the beginning notes on the piano and let the music take over me.

My voice shook from nerves as I sang one of my songs for a crowd of thousands for the first time.

I had no costume to hide behind, no backup vocals—it was all me.

The song soared, with every note building on top of the next.

As I came to the bridge, I put all the love I felt for him behind my voice, urging him to feel the truth as I sang looking into his eyes.

I loved him. We were people who came from two completely different worlds with the odds stacked against us, but I didn’t care.

I could face anything so long as I could face it with him.

Love is not a perfect melody that only happens when all the right notes and rhythms present themselves.

Love is a war song, a battle cry. Something to fight for. And I would fight for us.

His gray eyes smoldered like coals.

My last belt trailed off and my chest was heaving as I tried to catch my breath. The crowd of thousands of people cheered. A cacophony of whistles, claps, whooping, and hollering.

“Thank you.” I bowed, and when I raised my head, Lucas’s eyes bored into mine as he worked his way through the throng of people around the stage.

When they realized his intention, they parted like Moses with the sea, clearing a path straight to the stage.

I kneeled as he stood, head barely reaching over it.

“You came back.” His eyes were bewildered.

“This is my home.”

Lucas reached up and took my face in his hands and kissed me. The audience’s screams were thunderous. Lucas pulled away laughing, waving them off.

“Come with me,” he said as he reached up. I flung my legs over the edge, bracing my hands on his shoulders as I let myself fall. Lucas caught me and set me gently on the ground. He took my hand in his and led me around behind the stage.

There he kissed me again. I let my arms snake around his neck and my foot popped. It was a kiss so beautiful, so pure it blocked out the world. I kissed him with everything I had, and his thumbs softly caressed my cheeks. I could feel his smile beneath our kisses.

Too soon, he pulled away. “You saved the ranch.”

“ We saved the ranch.”

“You sharing it in your stories set it all off.”

“My follower count had to do something for me. How did you get Lottie to agree to all this?”

“I put my property for sale, and I made her a contingent offer to buy the ranch. She first refused, but then the donations kept coming in. She agreed to let me sell my property and buy half the ranch and business. I’ll be a co-owner of Red Fox Ranch.”

“But that was your first real home!” I was shocked.

“No, Red Fox Ranch was my first real home. That property was just a house. I can get another one someday.”

I kissed him again.

Through the kiss he asked, “What happened to London? You were supposed to perform. You’re number one over there. I’m so proud of you.” He peppered me with more kisses.

“I had to be here for you.”

“Sweetheart, you can’t miss big moments like that for me.”

“I can do what I want. I don’t have to live in Los Angeles.

I can live anywhere and travel where I need to go for shows, but my home base can be Oklahoma.

Just like it is for Garth Brooks, Blake Shelton, and even Reba—yes, I Googled.

Also, it kind of has to be since I have to sell my Los Angeles home to ensure I have enough funds to cover the promise I made to match all donations.

” Lucas’s hard exterior cracked. His gray eyes were full of hope and awe, as if he still couldn’t believe this was real.

I caressed his cheek, and he leaned his face into my palm.

“I love you.” He pressed his forehead to mine.

“I love you too.”

“Get a room!” Davey shouted.

We turned to look at the small gathering of our friends and family who were watching with smiles and happy tears. Mary Beth, Davey, Red, Lottie, and Bessie.

Lucas wrapped his arm around my waist, and we walked to greet them.

“Welcome home,” Lottie said.

“Thank you.” I paused. “Lottie.”

“That’s Grandma to you.” She smiled at me.

“What? Really?”

“I was spiteful for suggesting otherwise. It would be my honor if you called me Grandma.” She wiped a loose tear away from her cheek. “Now g’won an’ git outta here. That display was embarrassingly romantic. No one will ever let Lucas live it down.”

“I hope they don’t. Avery Fox is my girl!” he shouted, and those nearby cheered him on.

Lucas squeezed my hand, and I squeezed his back. I was finally home.