Free Westward Holiday by Linda Bridey Page A

it!” Joe shouted and the fiddle players started playing.
                  At the appropriate place, Jake began dancing again and the crowd clapped along with the beat.  The tempo increased until it seemed impossible for Jake to keep up, but keep up he did.  Luke’s arm gave out before Jake’s legs and he stopped playing.  Seth went on for only a little while before he had to stop, too.
                  Jake laughed and took a sweeping bow while the audience stomped and hooted.  Then the bartender ran back behind the bar and began accepting congratulations from the patrons.  A poker game turned violent and a lot of fighting was heard.  Rebecca looked at Jake, but he kept serving booze as if there was nothing happening in the main barroom. 
                  Then Sammi came through pushing a guy ahead of her whom she slammed into the closed door.  “Oh, sorry about that!  I didn’t see that the door was closed,” she told the man which made Jake laugh.  She picked him up while Gus opened the door.
                  “Thank you, Gus,” Sammi said.  “You’re a true gentleman.”  She quickly dispatched the man outside and came back in.  She no sooner entered the barroom when she shouted, “Who wants to be next?”  Things quieted down a little after that.
                  Jake looked at Rebecca and said, “See why I hired her?” and winked.
                  Rebecca suddenly saw the humor in the situation and began laughing, which pleased Jake.  He didn’t want her to be afraid.  Jake ran back to his office and returned with a wine glass which he handed to her.  “Drink up, sweetheart.  You’ll be on soon.”
                  Rebecca looked at the white wine in the glass and sniffed it.  It was a wonderfully dry bouquet and she marveled again that Jake knew fine liquor.  Then she cocked her head as she watched him and thought who better than a master bartender to know such things.  She took a sip and knew that the wine had to be very expensive.
                  Jake looked at her and she nodded her appreciation.  His grin caused her stomach to flutter.  She drank more of the wine and then sat the glass down.  Jake spoke into Gus’ ear and the older man disappeared.  When he came back, he motioned for Rebecca to follow him. 
                  “Go get ‘em,” Jake said with a smile to Rebecca.
                  She smiled and went with Gus.
                  Joe banged on the piano and the room grew quiet.  “Folks, we have someone in our midst who will add a touch of class to our humble lives.  She comes to us all the way from Georgia.  This Southern Belle will delight your hearing and thrill your soul with her musical ability.  I now present to you the ravishing Rebecca Walker!”
                  Rebecca smiled at Joe’s introduction as she walked to the piano.  He gave her a nod and a smile and went to sit down.  After seating herself on the piano bench, Rebecca closed her eyes and centered her mind on the melody flowing through it.  Jake came out from behind the bar to watch her play. 
                  He quietly pulled up a chair so he didn’t disturb her and sat back in it as her fingers began to move over the keys.  The music began to crescendo and soar and Jake closed his eyes and let the notes roll through him.  He had no idea what the songs were and he was betting that not many people in the audience did, either.  What he did know was that they evoked strong emotions within him.
                  Jake opened his eyes as the first song ended and he was mesmerized by the euphoric expression on Rebecca’s lovely face as she began playing another song.  Much as the crowd did whenever Jamie sang solos, they stayed quiet and didn’t interrupt.  Every time Rebecca played she was drawn into a place where all else ceased