Rayna, 1992

Colorado State Fair

What a way to jump back in feet first, Rayna thought anxiously as she stood off to the side of the main stage, surveying the crowd. It was one of the largest she'd ever played for, and a step up from the free stage, that was for sure. The crowd had bought tickets to see Wynona Judd, who was coming on after her, but it was her job as the opener to get them warmed up.

The fact that Watty White had managed to get her on this tour in the first place was somewhat of a miracle, but she knew what Edgehill was really doing: testing her to see if she could cut it. They'd taken a couple of her and Deacon's songs for their other artists, sent her out on some opening gigs, but so far the record deal she desperately wanted still seemed to be out of reach.

This was her chance to prove to them all what she was made of.

"You'll be fine." Deacon said, waiting at her shoulder with his guitar while the rest of the band warmed up behind them.

"I know," she lied. But truthfully, she was scared to death.

Rayna pasted a big smile on her face, and went out to greet the crowd. It was the third night of the fair, and most of these people had spent three days already in the sun on a beer and music high.

She wasn't even halfway through the first song, when an unexpected power surge cut power to half the stage and most of the band behind her, leaving her standing there under the spotlight. There was a mad scramble among the crew to figure out what the hell had happened, but the crowd was already jeering.

"Show us your boobs, that'll make up for it," some guy in the front row yelled, the beer in his hand wavering.

Behind her, Deacon was yelling directions at the crew.

"Don't worry y'all, I'm sure we'll get this fixed right up," she threw the crowd a smile, relieved to realize her microphone was still working at least.

They were having none of it.

"You know how to sing or what?"

"Get her off the stage!"

Feeling defeated and unsure of what to do, she turned to leave, but Deacon had unplugged his guitar.

"Ray, you can't walk off."

"They hate me," she said miserably.

"They're drunk. They just want to hear some music and we're gonna give em some." He put his hand on her shoulder and steered her right back to the spotlight, where he'd had a stagehand carry out two stools.

"Look at me," he said, his eyes meeting hers. "If you walk off this stage now, it's giving up. The Rayna Jaymes I know didn't come this far to give up."

"You're right," she said, feeling her confidence grow. "We can just do an acoustic set until they fix it, right?"

"Good girl. Now let's give these people a show."...

##############################

Maddie 2016

Three months later...

Maddie dropped her purse and jacket on the side table and fell onto the sofa face down with an exhausted sigh.

She'd worked a shift and a half at the restaurant today, filling in for someone else who called in sick. It wasn't all bad. The afternoon crowd left better tips, and she needed the money. Waiting tables wasn't great, but it was a job. The staff liked her, she could work all day and then they'd let her play a couple songs sometimes at night when there was gaps in the artist lineup. She was even starting to get her own little crowd of fans who came to listen to her play.

It was a good feeling. Just tiring. She wondered if she was ever going to get a damn break.

Then again, she thought as she sat up and brushed the hair out of her eyes, the one thing she'd definitely took notice of in the last three months was that there was a million other artists in this town right now doing the exact same thing as she was, playing whatever open mic and free gig they could get just to get heard.

They were all just trying to make it.

She glanced around the tiny apartment, and a feeling of pride came over her. The little furnished place Landon had gotten her was just one big room, really, with a bed, room for a couch, a tiny kitchenette, and a bathroom, but it was starting to feel like home. And she planned to stay when the six months was up.

She was making it. Sure, the deal with Sony had been a bust. But the emancipation had been granted with no fuss from her parents, thank god. She hadn't seen them, but she'd talked to them, just via text messages.

Sweetheart, we just want to know you're okay. And safe. We heard you were in California.

I'm fine, Mom. I'm back in Nashville and I have a nice place, and a job, and I'm okay.

With Cash?

She didn't answer that part.

There'd been a nice message from her dad on her birthday awhile ago as well.

Happy birthday sweetheart. Just wanted you to know we're thinking about you today, and we're real proud of you. Hope you'll stop at the house soon.

Thanks Dad. Soon. Tell Daphne I love her.

Daphne. As far as she figured, her little sister was probably never going to forgive her. She'd texted her a few times, and gotten no response.

And Cash, well, god knows what Cash was up to now. They'd hardly spoken since she got back.

She hadn't heard from Landon either. Didn't even know if he was still in town. There were rumors he'd been seen around town, but god knows if those were true or not. One thing Landon Hayes was very good at was not being found when he didn't want to be found.

Indeed she was making it on her own. Too bad it felt so damn lonely.

Her phone buzzed in her purse, and she reached for it.

She was surpised to see Landon's name pop up, and the little butterflies turned around in her stomach.

"Well speak of the devil, I was just sitting here thinking about you," she said lightly.

"Oh were you now? How's it going. Place working out alright?"

"Great. It's great. Did you just...call to check up on me?"

"Nope. I'm playing a pop up concert at Skulls Rainbow Room tonight downtown and my opener just backed out. Come down and fill in."

Maddie's heart jumped. "Are you serious?"

"Hell yeah. We're announcing the launch for the new album tonight. You aren't gonna want to miss this. The show starts in an hour. Get your guitar and get your butt down here Maddie Rae. This is gonna be a big night for you."

"Wait a minute," she said, feigning irritation. "You've been here in Nashville the whole time recording an album and you didn't bother to tell me? I think I'm kinda mad at you for that."

His laughter rang out through the phone, and she couldn't hold back her own smile. "Just get down here. You can yell at me later. You in?"

"Yeah," she said, feeling a rush of excitement. "I'm in."

#####################################

Deacon 2016

Deacon stood in the back of Skull's bar, half hidden in the shadows, with a ballcap over his eyes, waiting impatiently, glancing at his phone. Rayna was on tour in North Carolina, texting him like mad.

Did you see her? How does she look?

Haven't seen her yet but this place is packed.

In theory, they'd known the second Maddie was back in town. She might have been oblivious to all the people that had eyes on her, but there were definitely those keeping watching at a safe distance. Including his own business partner.

He'd been grateful tonight when Frankie hinted that his son was playing a big show at Skull's Rainbow Room tonight. You might want to check it out, Deac. The opening act especially.

Deacon hadn't laid eyes on Frankie's son in years, but knew the kid was making somewhat of a country music legend of himself, both as a songwriter and as a kick-ass guitar player. There'd been a lot of rumors around town lately that Landon Hayes was back to stay, and up to something big. What Deacon couldn't figure out, from the details he could drag out of Frankie, was how Maddie had ended up in the middle of it. Frankie would say nothing except Landon had brought Maddie back to Nashville a few months ago, and Cash was MIA.

And it was driving Rayna crazy not knowing.

I just need to know she's okay, babe. I need to see it. Like not living in an alley or doing drugs or getting drunk every night, hanging out with bad people.

He had almost laughed at that one. Ray, she has more common sense than that.

And like it or not, here was Maddie, coming out onstage looking more grown up than he'd ever seen her, and not just her looks. Her stage presence had matured a lot since the last time he'd seen her play. It hurt his heart a little. She shined up there, so damn happy just to be on a stage. And she was good at it. More talented than he'd ever be.

She was chasing a dream, alright, just like he had, and Rayna had. He remembered it. Those first audiences, the desperation of just wanting to get your songs heard, the thrill of the applause, that feeling like you were finally where you were supposed to be.

I see her, he texted Ray, and tried to inconspicuously snap a pic with his phone. She looks good.

Oh thank god, Rayna texted back. Keep me posted.

His eyes returned to the stage.

"I'm Maddie Rae," she said with a smile. "And well we all go through some tough times now and then. This song was about one of mine," and she started to play.

I been tryin

for a long long time

But no matter what I do

When I turn to leave

my heart stays behind

Cause I can't get over you

"Play something that ain't depressing!" a heckler in the front row called.

"Show us your boobs, that would liven it up!" Someone else called.

"Get her off the stage. We came here for Landon Hayes!"

Maddie faltered in her lyrics.

Deacon's chest tightened, and he felt his temper rise. Because once upon a time he had seen her mama go through those same things. And once upon a time he would have already been up there throwing that guy to the floor and dragging Maddie off the stage.

But maybe Rayna was right. Maybe they'd sheltered her too much, trying to make up for the past. Rayna had been the same age when she'd started playing shows just like this. And the jerks in the crowd sometimes hadn't been much better, even back then. He'd always done his best to try and protect her, and sometimes she'd gotten downright pissed and let him have it.

I'm a big girl, Deacon, I can take care of myself. I don't need you fighting my battles. Well he'd loved her enough to try to fight them anyway.

But Maddie was not built of steel like Rayna. And she was not him who would have just spouted off a bunch of comments to shut them up. She was Maddie. As pure-hearted as a girl could ever be. And liable to take it more personally than either of them ever had.

He could see her face crumble. She tried to keep playing, but the lewd comments were drowning her out.

"I'm sorry," she mumbled, and quickly unhooked her guitar and turned to leave, disappearing to the right until Deacon couldn't see her anymore.

He wanted to go after her so badly. To hug her and tell her it would be okay, take her home to her mama. But he didn't.

Come on, Maddie. Get back on that stage...

He waited, almost gave in and walked over there, but then realized someone else had stopped Maddie before she got to the exit. Landon.

He hadn't seen Frankie's son since he was knee-high, but the "kid" wasn't a kid at all. He'd known that theoretically, but it was different now, seeing him with Maddie, the way he put a hand on her arm, reached up and brushed the tears from her cheeks before he turned her around and sent her right back up on that stage.

No indeed. He didn't like what was going on there one bit.

And there wasn't a damn thing he could except watch it happen.

###########################################

Maddie didn't even get very far before Landon appeared, guitar in his hands, ready to go onstage after her, and stepped in front of her. She hadn't even seen him before the show, just been ushered on in a hurry.

Wait, where is he? She'd asked. Shouldn't I talk this over with him?

The manager gave her a smirk. Landon doesn't show up until he's good and ready. Just get up there and play.

And here he was now, grabbing her by the shoulders. "What are you doing?"

"Leaving." she muttered, tears blinding her eyes as she searched for the nearest exit sign.

Landon's hand on her arm was gentle but firm. "Get back on that stage, Maddie."

"They don't want me. You heard them. You're the big star, Lan. Go give them what they want."

"They don't even know you. And if you don't get back up there right now, they never will." He reached out and lifted her chin with one finger, and his blue eyes met hers.

Her breathe caught in her throat a little.

"I hate you."

"No you don't," he cajoled a smile out of her. "You just hate that I'm right."

With a sigh, she let him wipe the rest of her tears away.

"Good girl." he dropped an affectionate kiss onto the end of her nose. "Now get back up there," he repeated. "Don't make me carry you."

Heart pounding, Maddie reluctantly climbed the steps of the stage once again. Of course the hecklers immediately started back in. An empty plastic cup landed at her feet.

"Well if you wanted to buy me a beer," she said, mustering up some sass. "You might want to wait a few years." She picked up the cup and tossed it back.

A titter ran through out the crowd, and her confidence bloomed. I can do this, she thought. He's right. This is where I'm supposed to be.

"Don't listen to them!" A woman in the front row yelled. "Show us what you got, girl!"

So she played. And when the first song was over, they didn't boo, to her surprise. So she played another, and another.

She looked over and Landon was still standing there watching. The smile on his face said everything. He was damn proud of her. She was pretty damn proud of herself too.

"I'd like to invite my very good friend Landon Hayes out here now to sing a song with me we wrote together," she said with a smile. "It's called "Lost with You."...

######################################

After Maddie and Landon played a few songs together, he took over and she came off the stage, watching from the side, smiling as she listened to him announce the details of his next album and the U.S. tour he'd be heading out on in the fall. The crowd went crazy at the mention of this. She'd never felt such an adrenaline rush, this entire night had been like a dream. She stood there and watched his set with a permanent smile on her face, and every once in awhile he'd look over and give her a wink as if to say this is what it's like. Get used to it.

"You sounded great up there."

Maddie whirled around to see her dad standing there with his hands in his pockets. He looked like he was happy for her, but she could see the sadness in his eyes. She'd hurt them, all this staying away.

"I didn't even know you were watching," she swallowed hard.

"Didn't want to make you nervous or anything, you know?"

"Well...thanks for coming."

"Seems like you're doing real good and all."

"I am."

Deacon sighed. "Can we just not be weird about this and will you get over here and give me a hug at least?"

Maddie laughed, and flew into his arms, all the awkwardness gone.

"I'm real proud of you," he said quietly. "You know, we both are. Even if we don't say it in all the right ways. And your mama and your sister, they miss you so much. So don't...stay away because you feel like you have to. You've earned the right to your own life. But let us help if you need it too."

"Thanks, Dad." She hugged him again. "I'm glad you're here."

"Me too. Now you and that guy onstage," Deacon made a face. "We're gonna have to have a talk about that."

"We're just friends, Dad." she smiled. "Good friends. Landon's gonna have me up onstage for two more songs before he closes. Will you stick around for awhile?"

"I wouldn't miss it."

Deacon watched Landon come down off the stage and pass Maddie going up, and they hi-fived on the stairs in between.

"Hey there," Landon took the empty space next to him so they could both watch Maddie sing. "We meet at last. The infamous freakin Deacon Claybourne. I grew up listening to my old man's legendary stories about you."

"Your dad probably left out that he belongs in half of them," Deacon said dryly. "And the other half aren't true."

Landon grinned. "I'm sure."

"Good to see you back in town. Kinda bothers Frankie when you don't come around."

"Yeah well..." Landon shifted his feet. "Guess we all got our own lives to live, huh?"

"Sure do," Deacon agreed. "But ain't nothing more important than your family."

"I agree. Saw him just this morning, in fact. Nice the way you fixed up his bar."

"Good to hear. And thanks."

He had to give the kid credit, Landon held his ground.

"That's one talented daughter you have here, Mr. Claybourne," he said quietly.

"Can't argue with you there. She's somethin' else." Deacon said, unable to hide the pride in his voice. "Wish Rayna could have been here."

"She sure is," Landon said, his eyes only on Maddie as she sang. "I mean I kinda get why you wanted to hide her from the world. Keep her safe and all."

Something about the way he said it, the way he looked at her, had Deacon reeling in the deja vu of the whole situation.

He'd been there.

And now he was on the other end. The overprotective father end. Good god, he figured Lamar Wyatt must be rolling over in his grave laughing somewhere. Karma had a way of coming back around.

"I guess it's too late for that," he sighed. "You know as well as I do putting her on that stage just introduced her to the whole world. We just worry. Lots of people will try to take advantage of a girl her age."

Landon nodded. "She's ready, though. You saw tonight she is."

"Thanks for being there for her," Deacon conceded. "Guess your sister didn't turn out to be such a good role model after all."

Landon hesitated. "Nothing happened, you know. On that road trip or any other time. If that's what you're worried about."

"Because you wouldn't let it," Deacon confirmed. He believed him somehow.

"Because I'd never break her heart that way," he said quietly.

Deacon studied his face. Well damn, he thought. I've seen that look before. He'd worn that look on his own face more times than he cared to remember. "I appreciate that. She needs someone to look out for her." Then he held out his hand. "Makes me feel a little better that it's you."

Landon shook it, feeling the slightest bit guilty.

Deacon disappeared back into the crowd and Landon turned his eyes back to the stage, his conscience mocking him as he watched Maddie sing her heart out. That doesn't mean you haven't thought about it.

There was a million reasons him and Maddie would never happen.

But that didn't mean he couldn't do everything in his power to make sure she kept that smile on her face she was wearing right now.

He looked down at the phone in his hand and scrolled for his manager's contact info. Sam was around here somewhere, probably working the record execs in the crowd.

I want Maddie Claybourne opening on the tour, he typed. Make it happen.

A few minutes later, he smiled, satisfied at the response.

You got it boss. Done.