Perfect Harmony

By Taylor Dawn

Marlee Mitchell only wanted three things in life: to fall in love, to see her dream of singing on stage come true and to heal from the wounds of her past. As a recent graduate of the University of Memphis, things weren't really going according to plan. That was until one audition changed her life. Marlee must now choose between her dreams and leading man, Colt Gibson. Can Marlee find perfect harmony in the world of country music or will she walk away from everything when things get tough? Follow Marlee and the Willoughby Ramblers in this novella by International Bestselling Author, Taylor Dawn.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Princess Press
• Release date: Aug 29, 2016
• ISBN: 9781536536003

Book preview

Chapter 1

POUNDING FROM the front door echoed across the room, drowning out the sound of the rain pelting against the window. Marlee Mitchell clutched the crinkled slip of paper in her hand like it was her lifeline, just as she’d been doing the entire week. The knocking persisted but Marlee refused to answer the door. She knew exactly who was standing on the other side—more than likely drenched from the insistent rainfall that’d been streaming from the sky for more than six hours now.

I swear if you don’t open this door right now, I will go all S.W.A.T team on it and bust it down! she heard the familiar female voice say.

With a deep breath, Marlee decided there was no use in hiding any longer. How could answering a door cause so much stress? Hell, even finals during her last semester in college didn’t make her want to throw up as much as this moment. With one more deep breath, she grasped the knob and yanked the door open—a gust of wind ripping the paper from her fingers sending it sailing across the small living room of her one-bedroom apartment.

Finally! Jeez, I was about to build an ark and call all the animals from the tristate area to join me. Fawn had been her best friend since they’d met freshman year at the University of Memphis. Each day since, they’d been inseparable. Marlee needed someone like Fawn. After all, she’d moved to Memphis from Arizona and it was quite the culture shock to say the least. Having an outspoken friend who knew her way around the Music City was a relief. Why aren’t you ready? Fawn stared at her with frustration dripping from her voice.

I’m not going, Marlee plopped down on the scuffed arm chair and crossed her arms over her chest.

Yes you are! You can’t back out now, it took forever to even hear back from them. There’s no way I’m letting you back out! The sassy brunette grabbed her hand and all but yanked her out of the chair.

It’s not like it’ll happen anyway. There’s no point in going there and wasting my time.

How will you know if you don’t at least try? Fawn softened her voice.

I have tried, I wasn’t good enough. Besides, I need to find a real job. Something that guarantees a paycheck.

Do I have to get mean with you? Doing this is all you’ve talked about since I met you four years ago. I can’t believe you’d just give it up. This could be your shot.

Or I could go and make a complete ass of myself in front of these people.

Or you could go and be amazing. They could fall in love with you and decide you’re what they’ve been looking for. Fawn grabbed Marlee who was now standing and pulled her into a girl hug, I believe in you. It’s about time you start believing in yourself. After letting her go, Fawn grabbed the wooden object sitting by the door and shoved it into Marlee’s hands. Now, take this. Get your cute little ass in my car, and let’s do this.

Maybe Fawn was right. This was her shot. The least she could do was show up and try. It wouldn’t kill her if they said no. Sure, it would sting a bit, but death by rejection wasn’t really a thing. No one ever made a dream come true by standing around hoping. You had to go out and make it happen. Tonight she’d do just that.

***

Name? Marlee stood at the registration table in the small theater. Everything was so menacing like it was waiting to come alive and burn her to a crisp like a fire breathing dragon. Uh, name? The short haired woman behind the table asked again in an annoyed tone.

Oh, sorry. Marlee Mitchell. She smiled, hoping she didn’t blow it with her lack of focus already.

Here’s your number. Peel the backing off and stick it where the guys can see it when you’re on stage. Bathrooms are that way if you need to throw up and just have a seat in the back row with the rest of the people auditioning.

Thank you. Marlee did as the woman said and stuck the number on her jeans, near her upper thigh. She hoped they could see it plainly there.

Fifteen minutes. It really wasn’t that long in the expanse of time but right now, it felt like an eternity. All she wanted to do was get up there, do what she did best and get this over with. After that, she could go home and soak off the rebuff in a nice hot bath. Because ultimately, another rejection was inevitable.

Only two others went before her on stage and when they were asked to leave before their song was over, Marlee’s palms began to sweat and a sinking feeling fell in her stomach. This was a terrible idea. Fawn was wrong, there was something wrong with trying. It was called ‘the possibility of failing’.

Number Twenty-Seven! You’re up! Marlee heard her number being called by one of the men seated in the front row. It was time to face the music.

She grabbed her acoustic guitar by the neck and began the long journey toward the front of the theater. Mentally she kept telling herself it would be okay when they asked her to stop playing early. That it would be just fine if they booed her off stage and she left in tears and shambles. But really, it wouldn’t be okay. This was what she’d wanted since she’d been five years old watching Reba