Page 125 of Knox

Knox took a breath. Then followed his instincts and nodded.

Kelsey opened her eyes and raised her gaze to the audience. The applause thundered around her, but for a moment, she’d forgotten them all. Just listened to her song, rising lonely into the rafters.

Hold on, lean in.

Only it wasn’t her voice in the final notes, ringing through her.

Something deeper, in her bones, in her soul.

Hold on. Lean in.

Yes.

She breathed it in one last moment, then let out a smile, raising her hand. “Thank you!”

She put the guitar away and called Dixie and Glo forward. “We’re so glad to be here tonight. It’s my first appearance after the bombing in San Antonio. We’re thanking God that no one was seriously injured. And we thank you for your support tonight.”

More cheers and she launched into their sing-along song, something fun and upbeat. But even as she pasted on a smile and led the crowd in “Let him go, go go, bye, bye,” she stared out into the darkness and…

Knox was right. It wasn’t enough. Sure, she was grateful for the fans, the following, but…the music, the applause was just a taste of what she truly longed for.

Hold on. Lean in.

She pumped the air, grabbing the mic, but inside heard the words of the woman back at Benjamin King’s house.

There’s… only one thing that will satisfy. And that’s God’s love.

Oh, she could not—would not—start weeping onstage. But she wanted it. All of it—yes, Knox and the life she’d tasted, but even more, the love she’d seen from him, from his family, from…maybe even from Hamilton when he’d shown up all those years ago to stand by her. And Dixie and her family, and Glo and…

Yeah. God had shown up, over and over again, through the people who loved her.

She finished her song, the truth welling through her, nourishing her.

The crowd applauded, and she stepped back, introducing Glo and her amazing song.

Then nodded at Glo to take the mic. Picked up her guitar.

Glo blew out a breath, smiled, and lifted her voice.

She met him on a night like any other

Dressed in white, the cape of a soldier

He said you’re pretty, but I can’t stay

She said I know, but I could love you anyway

Kelsey’s eyes filled, the song finding her cracks, so much want, so much hope.

Glo unsheathed the mic from the stand and walked to the middle of the stage.

So they started their own love song

Found the rhythm and tone

He said he’d never found anyone

Who made him want to come home