The Lead Guitar’s Whispered Promise

“Where is he?" The slender, young woman tossed her hastily-brushed red hair and adjusted her grip on the lead rope of a feisty, gray horse. The skies had opened and the wind blew the rain in waves over the competition grounds. A radio played softly in the background, calming nerves of both human and horse preparing for the day's event. With a soft snort, the gray horse pawed the ground. The woman looked at her watch again and began to prepare the horse to be ridden. She placed the saddle and wrapped the gray legs firmly before reaching for the bridle. “Hey! Aurelie!" A tall, smiling man, dressed immaculately in a white shirt, tan breeches and tall black boots, waved from the other end of the row of stalls. “Bring Chester over here. I still have to get my jacket on." “Jason doesn't deserve you," Aurelie rubbed the gray face. “He just doesn't want to get his boots dirty. Now be a good boy." The gray horse tossed his head as the patient horsewoman fastened each buckle on the bridle. As they approached the recently-arrived rider, Aurelie noticed his guest. “Anna, this is Aurelie Hawkins… my groom," Jason Whisman panted as he struggled into his willowy, yet muscular, shoulders into his dark blue jacket. “Aurelie, this is my girlfriend Anna Perrett." “Oh, we've met," Aurelie smiled briefly at the brunette beauty before her. “We've competed together before." Anna laughed gently. “Back when we started at the local shows. We've come a long way since then, haven't we?" Although Jason's girlfriend said the words kindly, Aurelie could feel the sarcasm behind them. She looked down at her already-dirty shirt and jeans. The announcement system crackled to life and began the countdown to the next class. Jason stood up and looked out over the show grounds. “It'll be a slippery ride," Aurelie began. “Chester is feeling good…" “We just need to be perfect like usual," Jason interrupted. “He knows his job, and I do too." Aurelie glanced at Anna, whose perfectly shaped eyebrows frowned slightly at her boyfriend's words before resuming their aristocratic arch. “Give me a leg up," Jason placed his helmet on his blond head and bent his left leg. “Aurelie?" Quickly, the red-haired groom stepped forward and lifted the rider as he bounced upward. Once in the saddle, Aurelie wiped Jason's boots and Chester's body with a clean rag. “Braxton will meet you at the ring," She called after the pair who had charged off into the rain. Anna stood quietly for a moment. “How is your show going?" She asked sweetly. “Were you ever able to get your own horse after your dad got sick?" Aurelie slowly turned from watching Jason and Chester in the warm-up ring. Taking a slow, deep breath, she smiled. “No, I've been working at Phil Braxton's training stable, where I've been lucky enough to exercise some of his show horses. I haven't had time to get my own." “Oh, so you're just here as a groom then? You get so much experience from doing that," Anna nodded. “Hey, I'm trying out a horse later today, maybe you can…" Anna suddenly paused and held up her hand to her heart. Aurelie looked around and opened her mouth to speak. Anna shushed her quickly. “I love this song!" she exclaimed. “Do you know it? …'Soul to Soul' by Select Hospitality?" Aurelie picked some hay from her shirt, rolled her eyes and said casually, “Who doesn't?" “Right?" Anna opened her eyes wide. “I heard rumors Select Hospitality is the surprise band playing at the closing party tonight!" “Oh?" Aurelie tried to sound interested, she had to get to the show ring before Jason and Chester went in. “Do you want to see the band that much?" Anna gave a short laugh and twirled her long, brown ponytail. “It's not just the band, it's the guitarist!" Aurelie stared at Anna, who rolled her eyes. “You can't tell me you have never heard of Tobin Moray?" With a shrug and a smile, Aurelie grabbed a nearby raincoat and stepped out into the rain. “I've heard of him, but I have to go, Anna. I'll dream about him later." Aurelie gave up trying to dodge the puddles and mud halfway to the warmup ring. She felt wet even under her bright yellow raincoat. As her muddy boots carried her closer, Aurelie could see the hunched form of trainer, Phil Braxton, leaning on the fence. His sharp, gravelly voice cut through the rumbling rain. “This isn't the Grand National! Stop taking off so early! Just trust the horse and let him do his job… Remember the weather, Jason." Aurelie came to a careful stop beside the trainer as Jason and the gray horse, Chester, headed to the show ring. Braxton acknowledged her presence with a nod and silent sigh, “You've done a good job training that horse, 'Aurie'. Jason should thank you for that." Aurelie smiled at the use of her nickname, and the fact that Braxton had acknowledged her hard work at his stable. “Aurie, run back to the stable and get the blue cooler. I have a feeling Chester will need the heavy one today." Without a moment's hesitation, Aurelie sprinted back to the barns. She passed the grandstands and noticed the doors were now open in preparation for the arrival of dedicated spectators. There was a clear and straight route right back to the barns. “Perfect," she thought to herself. “I can get out of this rain and get the cooler quicker." The sound of the rain softened as Aurelie jogged through the empty hallway. She had nearly reached the end, when suddenly a solid black wall blocked her path. “Oh!" Aurelie picked herself up slowly, wondering why she suddenly smelled like pine. She lifted her eyes and became suddenly speechless. A tall, black-haired man, dressed in faded black jeans and matching shirt, stared at her with the most concerned hazel eyes Aurelie had ever seen. His angular jaw was clenched, and there were raindrops still clinging desperately to the stubble on his cheeks, the faint smell of woodland aftershave hung in the air. The man blinked and looked around. “Where did you come from?" he demanded. “What are you doing in here? Who are you?" Aurelie stood in shock, not knowing which question to answer first. The hazel eyes flashed again as he shrugged in frustration. “What are you doing here? You better not be looking for a selfie or autograph…" “No," Aurelie frowned and snorted. “Why would I want a selfie with you? I was just heading to the barns." “Barns? Do you work here?" His intense, and mesmerizing, eyes demanded an answer. Aurelie glanced at her watch, “Yes, as a matter of fact. I'm sorry I ran into you…" “Tobin… leave her alone," a sandy-haired man popped his head out of a nearby room. “You have a job to do, let her do hers." The man gave Aurelie a one last look before shaking his head and ducking into the room. The sandy-haired man squeezed water out of his red shirt. “Introducing Select Hospitality," he said dramatically. “I'm Jace, the underrated keyboard player, and that…" He motioned over his shoulder. “That was Tobin Moray."