Read Online Gypsy Hearts by Lisa Mondello - Free Book Online Page A

long time," he
said quietly. "I knew it would come. Now that it has, it
almost doesn't seem real."
    "You can pinch yourself if it helps, but it's real. Hey,
Miles, turn it up a little louder," she called out.
    Brock listened intently to the music, a slight smile
playing on his face as his teeth clamped down on his
lower lip. "I didn't expect it would feel this good."
    She tilted an eyebrow. "You are allowed to enjoy it,
you know."
    Another smile split his face. This one bigger and
more of what she'd expected. In an instant, he was on his feet, picking her up and spinning her around. "I've
dreamed of this for a long time," he said again, his eyes
twinkling down at her.

    It felt great to be in Brock's arms again, Josie
thought. It seemed much too long since he'd held her
and kissed her. They'd been so busy, and so many eyes
had been on them that there hadn't been any opportunities for stolen moments like this.
    "Will talked to the station manager. He said they've
been playing it the last three days and started getting
calls about the show. It almost doesn't seem real."
    Josie nodded. "If you've been getting a lot of airplay,
then it should be a great turnout with people who are
coming to see you. It'll be a good show."
    "Hey, when we get settled at the fairgrounds, why
don't we take off?" she said, surprising herself with her
spontaneity. "We can check out the fairgrounds together."
    His expression faltered. "Will's got some interviews
lined up for me as soon as we get there. I don't think
there'll be any time."
    She nodded, forcing a smile to cover her disappointment.
    "Another time then."
    Much to Brock's disappointment, they both were
quiet the rest of the ride. As the bus rolled to a stop just
outside the staging area, he saw the mob. Reporters and
photographers wearing large VIP passes were already
assembled by the gate, waiting to get a story. Will had
indeed outdone himself this time. Smiling, Will
climbed off the bus to greet the crowd, then gestured
inside. Brock had no doubt he was making promises
with his time to meet with each and every one of them.

    "Looks like I'm on," he said to Josie, the pit of his
stomach burning as he stared outside the tinted window.
He was glad they couldn't see him or the apprehension
that suddenly clutched him, leaving him weak.
    Josie touched his hand and said, "Knock 'em dead."
Her smile, the gentle touch of her hand giving him confidence broke the spell that had consumed him just
moments earlier. He smiled and felt his fear turn to
excitement.
    This was it. He had their attention. It was time to give
them what they wanted.
    He squeezed Josie's hand and brought it to his mouth
for a kiss before walking off the bus into the mayhem.
    There had to be a hundred thousand people gathered
for the two-day summer festival, Brock thought as he
peered out the bus window. Few of the people who were
eager to come to the festival had heard of Brock Gentry,
but that didn't seem to matter to any of them. The number of people all gathered at the same time and the television footage of the outdoor concert with several other
bands was what Will had said was going to set the stage
for them to make the rest of the trip to Nashville.
    They needed to make a big splash in Galveston and
then continue on their way to Nashville riding on the
success of the show. Brock watched from the back of
the bus while Will worked the crowd of reporters. It
was a good plan. Why was he so apprehensive?
    Since they'd arrived at the parking lot of the fairgrounds, Will had been pulling him from one stop to
the next interview, and to yet another photography session until Brock didn't even know which way was up.

    Finally he was alone to enjoy his down time, the
short hour he'd begged off to take a nap or to simply
regroup on his own. He had come to value the privacy
that was so rare on the road.
    The rest of the band had taken this time to sightsee,
as Josie had suggested they