Garland Roses III

By Kathryn L. M. Reynolds

Garland Roses III

When Amanda Parks literally slammed into Adrian Russell on the backstairs of Shadow Creek Memorial Hospital, she’d slammed straight into his heart and life.

Amanda can’t believe who she ran into, for the rock star had unknowingly given her the strength and courage to carry on with her life after she’d survived a crash that had killed her family, critically injured her body, and left her life in ruins.

She never imagined she’d ever actually get to meet him in person, or that he’d step in to help her when she opened her home to five orphaned children. But he did and altered the course of their lives forever...

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kathryn L. M. Reynolds
• Release date: Feb 19, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215047545

Kathryn L. M. Reynolds

A little bit about myself. I'm an author & artist, and my nickname both online and off is Chatty Kathy...with good reason. I love reading and writing, spending time with family and friends, cooking, and watching disaster movies with my husband. I’m not overly fond of parties, unless they are casual dinners or barbeques with close friends and family.I love animals both real and stuffed toy ones - much to my family and friends’ amusement, for they love to tease me about my penchant for purchasing stuffed animals, especially ones that are damaged and earmarked for the trash bin, to add to my ever growing collection of teddy bears and other stuffed animals. I cannot stand those creepy little Easter Marshmallow candy Chick Peeps. The only things creepier than peeps - in my opinion, are spiders and snakes.Usually this is as much as people would like to know about me; however, I suspect you, my readers, would appreciate having a little bit more information than this about me...so here goes.Growing up, my best friend and I loved to play make believe and let's pretend games. Upon reflection, I believe that this is where my imagination first began to take root and grow. Oh the fun we had making up all sorts of pretend scenarios...from opening our own restaurant, with a menu of Oak Leaf Soup, Mud Pie Ala-mode, and Acorn and Pine Needle Pudding; to pretending to be secret agents and detectives like Nancy Drew or Charlie’s Angels; to imagining a car’s radio buttons being everything from food and beverage dispensers, to secret launch levers which would magically turn an ordinary car into a spaceship bound for outer space.As we grew up, our imaginary friends and pretend scenarios were replaced by boyfriends, parties, and teenaged fantasy. Then our teenaged dreams gave way to real life romances and experiences. After graduating from High School, I spent several semesters studying at a local community college, with no real desire to be there. Subsequently, the courses I took were eclectic and quite diverse. Ironically, it was only after I quit college, and took up various interests, such as Bible Study, Square Dancing, Painting, Sculpting, Skiing, and Culinary Cuisine, that I earned an actual diploma, besides my high school one.Had I known at the time, that the square dance classes I was taking were actual certified classes through the state of Colorado, I might not have done so well. I’d signed up for these classes, because the singles square-dancing club I belonged to, offered them, and they were conducted at the club’s location. I wanted to learn all the ins and outs of square-dancing, so I could better enjoy the club’s dances.However, I was oblivious to the fact that these classes were bona~fide real ones, and so I just had fun with them. I honestly think it’s because I had no idea these classes were affiliated with the local colleges, which allowed me to relax and just learn with no pressure. I graduated at the top of my class. It wasn’t until the night I graduated, that I learned that the classes I’d taken were actual college elective courses. In fact, even when I was given my diploma, I still had no clue that it was an authentic one.I was simply impressed with how “real” it looked, for I mistakenly thought is was just a fun, commemorative memento, the kind which are given out to put in scrapbooks as a keepsake. Imagine my shock, when I learned that I had actually earned an honest-to-God REAL diploma, the kind you frame and hang on office walls. LOL You could have blown me over with a feather, so stunned I was by that intelligence!While I enjoyed square dancing and other various pastimes, the other side of my life back then, was work.From 1983 to 1989 I was a highly sought after nanny. I carved a unique niche out in this field, for instead of working for only one family, I actually worked for a number of families. By not focusing my time and dedication on just one family, I was able to work 60-70 hours a week, and had the freedom to take whatever time I needed off to follow my own pursuits. It was a wonderful situation for the families I worked for as well, because they did not always need full time childcare. This allowed them to have solid and caring childcare for their kids.I actually had to turn down job requests, for there are only so many hours in a day. The families I worked for, knew their kids were not only safe and well cared for, but that I was strictly adhering to how they wanted their children cared for and raised. This was the one thing I insisted on. Parental involvement. It was important to me that the children were being given consistent care, by me and their parents.Being what I laughingly termed a “Time-Share Nanny” provided a ton of perks and opportunities for me as well. Whenever one of my clients had to travel, and wanted to take their kids along, they took me right along with them. I traveled with them on business and vacation trips in and throughout the United States. They always made sure I had plenty of free time in which to do as I wished on those trips. This allowed me to enjoy and explore all the places I traveled to with them. To play tourist, and to make use of and enjoy any and all of the various perks and activities offered.I was given the rare opportunity to travel to places, to do things, and to meet people I normally would never have had the chance to see, visit, meet, or do had I not been their nanny. From these travels and unique experiences, I gained a wealth of skills, memories, and useful information, which have not only enriched my life, but have provided a countless number of scenarios or story ideas I have interwoven into my manuscripts.Those were good times, and I led a relatively carefree life back then. I was happily single, financially sound, and had a good social and work life. I was at a point in my life where I was simply content not only with my life, but with myself as well. I had no expectations of my life changing, nor did I have any desire to change anything.Then one warm June night in 1989, I attended a Bible Study class, and met the love of my life there. It was the very last place I’d ever dreamed of finding love or romance, and in fact at that point in my life, I’d given up on romance altogether. Having watched various friends and family members suffering in troubled marriages or getting divorced, and having one failed relationship myself, I had no interest nor desire to fall in love, let alone get married. Then I met Mike.Mike swept away all my doubts and fears, and within a year, we were married. The most mind-boggling aspect of our romance is the fact that he never proposed to me, nor did I propose to him. We just knew we were meant to be together. I had an inkling I was falling in love with him, when I gave up the opportunity to meet Prince Albert of Monaco, in order to go on a date with Mike. However, I think the true deciding moment for me was when after having dated for a few weeks; Mike invited me to go camping with him. This was not jus any kind of camping trip either - but his family’s reunion campout.I’m not overly fond of camping or roughing it, and at the time Mike invited me to go with him, I didn’t like camping at all! He was going. His family were expecting him, and he’d invited me along to join him. I had to make a choice. Either go two weeks without seeing or being with Mike, or go on a camping trip and meeting his entire family, including some of his cousins, aunts, and uncles, in less than auspicious circumstance. I elected to go camping, and the rest is now happy history.Mike and I have been happily married for almost twenty-three wonderful years now, and we have two sons, whom we adore. Our oldest son recently joined the United States Navy, and I am officially now a very proud NAVY MOM!! Our youngest son, is fifteen years old, and is interested in NASCAR, electric guitars, girls, and goofing around with his friends - not necessarily in that order!My life is full of lots of blessings and lots of love...all thanks to my husband, who is MY very own hero, and the light and laughter of my life! He is not only the love of my life, but my very best friend. He has not only encouraged my writing, he’s now actively taking part in helping me to make my long time dream of becoming a successfully published author, come true. To know my family, is to know me. It’s as simple and as complex as that!

Book preview

GARLAND ROSES III

Written By Kathryn L.M. Reynolds

Published By Kathryn L.M. Reynolds

Copyright ©2023 by Kathryn L.M. Reynolds

Cover Art by Judy Bullard

License Notes

This eBook/book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook/book may not be resold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with.

If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return it to amazon.com or barnesandnoble.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

GARLAND ROSES III is a work of fiction. Though some actual towns, cities, and locations may be mentioned, they are used in a fictitious manner and the events and occurrences were invented in the mind and imagination of the author. Any similarities of characters or names used within to any person past, present, or future is purely coincidental.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission from the author. Brief quotations may be embodied in critical articles or reviews.

PREFACE

I apologize that it’s taken so long for book three in my Garland Roses series to make its debut on the market. Due to circumstances beyond my control it’s taken me a very long time to publish Garland Roses III.

Several years ago, shortly after I’d published Garland Roses I, my computer crashed BIG TIME and destroyed years’ worth of work. It not only wiped out everything that was on my computer, but also everything I’d backed up on my external drive and a flash drive because they were both connected to the computer when it crashed.

Subsequently ALL my manuscripts were lost, and I have to rewrite them. Rewriting them is slow going. Even though it’s taken a long time for Garland Roses III to be published, it is a story I think you will feel has been well worth the wait.

***

In Garland Roses III you will be introduced to some new and heartwarming characters whose lives will pull on your emotions and capture your heart as you read about them. These new characters will not only appear throughout the rest of this series, but will also be crossover ones in my C.O.P.S. Agency series.

In addition to these new characters you will also be reunited with the characters from Garland Roses I & II. In this story you will not only be reunited with them, but you will discover how their lives have progressed since Garland Roses II.

Garland Roses III is a story that I hope you will enjoy reading as much as I enjoyed writing it. And on this note I will simply say – let the story begin… Happy reading everyone!!

Kathryn L.M. Reynolds

Garland Roses III

(Adrian’s Story)

By Kathryn L.M. Reynolds

Prologue:

The Concert Hall of Shadow Creek’s

Liberal Arts and Entertainment Center

Shadow Creek, Washington

Present Day - Friday Afternoon 1:30 p.m.

(Early-November)

Glancing shyly around her Amanda Parks settled into her seat, and eagerly waited for the afternoon concert to begin. This was Garland Roses’ last performance for the year. Since their concert tour was ending in their adopted hometown of Shadow Creek, Washington the band had created a special afternoon concert for their community. The main concert would take place later that night. They were doing this so more people would have the opportunity to attend one of their concerts in Shadow Creek.

The rock group was performing the two concerts back to back. The afternoon concert tickets were sold at half the price they normally cost in order to allow those with limited means the chance to purchase affordable tickets. The matinee priced concert gave fans the opportunity to attend a live Garland Roses performance which they might otherwise have been unable to do at the regular cost of concert tickets.

There were also some free afternoon tickets available, but these were primarily given to kids and teenagers who were in foster care or halfway homes, as well to those who were dealing with illnesses or special needs. The band had provided the reduced and free tickets as a way of saying thank-you to their fans, while paying special tribute to their adopted hometown.

The first concert was scheduled to begin at 2:00 p.m. and end around 5:00 p.m. while the second performance would begin at nine o’clock and last until well after midnight.

Garland Roses was Amanda’s favorite rock group, and she’d been extremely lucky to get a ticket to their concert at even half the price they normally cost. She’d have to skimp on food for the next month because she’d purchased the concert ticket, but being able to attend today’s performance was worth the sacrifice. Unlike the other concert goers and fans around her, Amanda didn’t care if hers was the cheapest and worst seat in the house, she was just happy to be there!

To hear Garland Roses perform live was a dream come true for her! She not only loved their music, she loved everything about the rock group! Amanda sincerely liked and admired the seven sexy rock stars, but she especially admired Adrian Russell the band’s second-lead guitarist and base player. However even though she adored this rock group Amanda wasn’t a typical Garland Roses fan, nor was she a fan in the traditional sense of the word.

Her admiration for Adrian Russell and his friends stemmed from something far deeper than a starry-eyed infatuation of the rock stars, or an appreciation of their musical abilities. The very root of Amanda’s admiration stemmed from sheer gratitude; for the Garland Roses (and Adrian in particular) had unknowingly given her the courage and strength to carry on with her life at a time when she’d least expected or wanted to…

***

Shadow Creek Memorial Hospital

Shadow Creek, Washington

Seven Years Ago

It happened so suddenly. One minute she’d been driving to her younger brother’s graduation ceremony, and in the next a drunk driver was slamming into the side of their van. In a matter of seconds it was all over. The van spun out of control, crashing into and flipping over an overpass barrier and hitting the blacktop below.

As the van crumpled into the freeway below Amanda could remember the horror of hearing her family’s terrified screams, suddenly silenced. The last thing she saw before blacking out was the blood-smeared windshield of the van smashing into a million pieces…as did her life.

When she came to Amanda found she was lying in a bleak hospital room surrounded by a tangle of intravenous tubes and beeping machines while strangers examined her mangled body. The frightening images caused her to black out again, but when her consciousness returned Amanda awoke to an even worse nightmare.

The accident which had caused her extensive injuries had also claimed the lives of her parents and younger siblings. Amanda was suddenly completely alone in the world, for earlier in the year her older brother Tony had been declared MIA (missing in action) and presumed dead by the military. The rest of her family had perished in the crash on the way to her younger brother’s graduation ceremony.

While hospitalized, she’d had to come to grips with the devastating knowledge that with the exception of a distant uncle and a couple of cousins she didn’t know and had never met, she had no living relatives. Her family was dead and gone forever from her life. While lying in a bleak hospital bed with her arms and legs in traction and grieving the loss of her family, Amanda received yet another devastating blow. Due to the extent and severity of her injuries the doctors and specialists handling her case declared it was doubtful she’d ever walk again, let alone skate.

With her ice-skating career in ruins, along with any chance at becoming the next Olympic Gold Medalist in solo or paired figure skating, Amanda had felt shattered. But worse was yet to come. While coping with these devastating losses, she received a third blow. Her skating partner Charles Bradshaw, who was also the man she’d loved and had expected to marry; abruptly broke off their engagement because he couldn’t cope with her disfigured and disabled body.

To compound this betrayal less than a week after he’d broken his engagement to her, Charles began dating Sylvia Minturn. Sylvia was not only a trouble-making bully Amanda intensely disliked and avoided whenever possible, but the other woman was also her biggest rival as a contender to compete in the Winter Olympics figure skating championship.

Then only a few weeks after her fiancé dumped her, Amanda discovered (via the media) that Charles had not only teamed up with Sylvia for the Winter Olympics’ paired skating, but that he had married the other woman in Las Vegas. Even more brutally cruel was the fact that their marriage took place on the same day Amanda was supposed to have married Charles herself.

Amanda was devastated. Everything and everyone she’d held dear was gone, and something inside her died with this knowledge. The trauma of these tragedies made her lose what little will she had to live. She probably would’ve lost her life altogether had it not been for the timely intervention of one determined nurse, Sally Winchester, and a chance heard television talk show whose host was interviewing Adrian Russell at the time.

That interview had been the pivotal point in Amanda’s recovery. She’d been lying in her hospital room, desolate and unresponsive to everything and everyone around her, when the patient in the bed next to hers had flipped on the room’s television set which was located on the wall at the foot of their beds. With deadened eyes Amanda had stared unseeingly up at the screen, and listlessly listened to the interview taking place on it.

At first she’d been uninterested in the conversation, but then Adrian Russell began to talk. The soothingly deep and steady cadence of his voice had reached out to her on a level beyond her comprehension, and compelled her to listen to what he was saying.

During that interview Adrian candidly discussed his life and some of the challenges he’d faced along the way which included some of the hardest and most painful moments of his life. He talked about the death of his cousin when he was a teenager, and how devastating that time had been for him because he and his cousin had been best friends growing up.

This discussion led to further revelations about Adrian’s life, some happy and some sad, as he and the show host chatted about the turning points in Adrian’s life and career.

The rock star and show host cracked a few jokes and chatted for a while about a charity event Adrian was promoting, which was the primary reason he’d appeared on the talk show in the first place. The charity was in aid of helping homeless children and families.

As Adrian discussed the fund raising event he was actively promoting, he’d expounded on the plights which these children and families dealt with every day. He’d hoped to promote an awareness of the homeless crisis in order to instill compassion in others for these unfortunate people.

He’d compellingly discussed what should be done to solve this problem, and what people could do to help the homeless, while current steps were being taken to get them off the streets and back on their feet. It was a cause close to his heart, and it was also one his former fiancée Olympic Skiing Champion, Shelby Annette Taylor had been deeply involved in, before her death.

At this point in the discussion the focus of the conversation shifted to Shelby, and all she’d accomplished in her life before she died. The show host asked a few probing questions about her - expecting an evasive response. He’d appeared visibly and considerably surprised when Adrian actually answered them.

He was further astounded when Adrian began to openly talk about his former fiancée and their life together. Since this was a subject the rock star normally avoided and refused to talk about especially in a public forum, it was little wonder that the talk show host had been considerably taken aback by Adrian’s candor.

Regaining his composure, (and tamping down his elation - for this was quite a media coup he’d achieved) the TV host continued on with the interview, but without his customary lighthearted savoir-faire. Instead he sat back, and aside from an occasional question, he quietly listened to what the rock star had to say. By doing so the TV interviewer gleaned even more personal information about the Garland Roses rock star than had previously been known or revealed about him.

As Adrian Russell talked about Shelby he revealed that she’d not only been his childhood sweetheart, but the love of his life. The two had been inseparable. They’d planned to marry and start raising a family when Shelby officially retired from professional skiing.

She’d made good on this promise when she retired from professional competitive skiing after she won the Olympic Gold Medal for the second and last time in both the Alpine Downhill and Slalom skiing categories. They had both been ecstatic about her wins and retirement, for it meant they could finally marry and settle down together. However they never had the chance to do so.

A few weeks before their wedding they’d decided to spend a romantic weekend getaway together at a mountain ski resort in Colorado. It was there that the tragedy struck. Shelby had been skiing down one of the resort’s trickier slopes when massive banks of packed snow and ice on the precipice above her cracked, and went crashing down the mountain in a freak avalanche. In spite of her skiing expertise and abilities, she’d been no match for the deadly cascading snow. Within seconds Shelby had been swept up in this wall of snow and was instantly killed.

Unlike the death of his cousin whose long battle with terminal cancer had given those who’d loved him the time to come to terms with the disease’s ultimate outcome, Shelby's death had been unexpected and sudden. Adrian had been beside himself with grief when she died, and it had taken him a long time to come to grips with his loss.

As the interview wound to its conclusion Adrian openly talked about his grief, and his daily struggle to live his life without Shelby in it. It was at this point in the interview that Adrian explained how it was because of Shelby that he’d taken on the crusade to save the lives and improve the living conditions of homeless children and families.

Shelby had devoted so much of her life to this cause that when she died Adrian had created the ‘Shelby Taylor Homeless Families Foundation’ (STHFF) in her honor. He’d continued on with this crusade for her sake as well as for sake of all the lives he was helping. What Adrian didn’t mention was that he’d been just as involved and dedicated to improving the lives of the homeless as Shelby had been, when she’d been alive…

Listening to this interview Amanda learned of the terrible losses the rock star had suffered in his life, and how he’d struggled to deal with his grief. As she listened to Adrian talk, Amanda began to feel connected to him in an intangible way.

The knowledge that he too had suffered the devastating loss of loved ones, like she was experiencing only strengthened this feeling of connection to him. She latched onto his voice. The soothing timbre of his tone had comforted her as nothing else had done, and it made her feel a little less alone in the world.

However listening to Adrian talk had also caused tears to form in her eyes, and for the first time since the accident occurred, Amanda began to cry - really cry. Her tears were not silent ones either but deeply felt, heart wrenching sobs. The sound of her sobbing reached the nurses’ station, and brought Sally Winchester running to her bedside.

Within a matter of minutes the night nurse had discerned that her patient’s distress wasn’t being caused from physical pain or duress, but were the gut wrenching sobs of pure grief. They’d been tears which Amanda had needed to shed before she could begin the healing and grieving process, and come to terms with her losses. A fact the nurse well understood.

Sally, who’d recently lost her twin sister to breast cancer, knew to some extent what Amanda was going through. She’d comforted her patient as best she could, and spent a good portion of the night quietly listening to Amanda’s broken and disjointed outpourings. In order to help Amanda through this trauma, Sally had shared some of her own personal loss with her. In their shared grief, a lifelong friendship was forged between the two women.

That night was the turning point and first step towards Amanda’s lengthy and painfully difficult recovery. Throughout the following and agonizingly painful months of physical and emotional therapy, Sally was there to proffer encouragement and support.

She’d also given Amanda a couple of Garland Roses CD’s for her to listen to after learning how Adrian Russell had triggered the crying spell her patient had undergone. She’d given them to Amanda the very next day. Seeing what just listening to their music did for her patient, Sally not only encouraged Amanda’s interest in the group, but brought round more of their albums along with books and magazines featuring them.

Adrian’s interview along with listening to the group’s music had compelled Amanda to learn more about the seven famous rock stars whose lyrics and voices soothed her battered soul. She was especially interested in Adrian. From her hospital bed, she’d gathered and read every scrap of information about the rock group she could find, and the more she learned about these men (and Adrian in particular), the deeper her interest and admiration for them grew.

When she discovered that Adrian Russell and his friends had generously donated money and much needed medical equipment to Shadow Creek Memorial and other hospitals in the surrounding area (equipment which was helping her to regain the use of her limbs) - Amanda’s fledgling feelings of connection to the band solidified.

The knowledge that the equipment which was helping her to regain the use of her legs had been donated by the band, combined with everything else she’d learned about the rock stars, had given Amanda something tangible to hold onto as she underwent the painful physical therapy she’d had to endure in order to be able to walk again.

Throughout her extensive physical therapy and hospital stay, Amanda had listened to every album Garland Roses ever recorded. Their music, especially Adrian’s solo performances, soothed her aching and broken soul. It gave her something constructive to latch onto whenever her thoughts strayed towards memories of her family, and all she’d lost in the accident.

The comforting inspiration and strength Adrian and his friends had unknowingly engendered, combined with Sally’s oftentimes tough encouragement, had given Amanda not only the incentive to overcome her injuries - it had also given her the courage and determination to live again.

The progress she’d made in overcoming her injuries had amazed and astounded her doctors and surgeons. They’d seen firsthand the damage her body had sustained from the accident. They couldn’t fathom how she’d managed to survive them, and beat all the odds against her the way she had. She was a medical marvel to them.

Only Sally knew the secret to Amanda’s amazing medical success. She’d witnessed firsthand the heartache and painful struggle Amanda had undergone to reach this victorious point. She alone knew how much the music and men of the Garland Roses rock group meant to Amanda. She knew how much they had inspired her patient, for she’d had a front row seat in Amanda’s recovery and rehabilitation.

Sally was also aware of the fact that while Amanda had physically recovered from the injuries she’d sustained from the accident, aside from a permanent limp, that not all of her friend’s wounds had healed.

Sally knew Amanda Parks had not truly come to grips with the death of her family. It was a heartache and inward battle Amanda still struggled with. Her grief was compounded by the survivor’s guilt syndrome she suffered. Amanda had not learned how to cope and deal with this issue, for she’d refused to seek grief counseling or professional help for it.

On the day Amanda walked out of Shadow Creek Memorial Hospital for good, she’d fervently vowed to never step one foot inside its hallowed walls ever again! The place was too stark and painful a reminder of all she’d lost and could never regain. It was an oath Sally was privy to, for Amanda had made this avowal in her presence. Subsequently, the nurse was very much aware of just how much her friend feared and hated hospitals (especially Shadow Creek Memorial) - to almost phobic proportions.

In the years following that bittersweet victorious day, Amanda’s friendship with Sally solidified until the two women became best friends. Amanda’s ambiguous but very real feelings for Adrian and the Garland Roses rock group solidified and deepened as well. She followed the lives and careers of the seven famous men and their families and friends with gratitude and friendship in her heart.

From the moment she’d heard Adrian’s television interview, Amanda’s life became entwined with his and with the rest of the Garland Roses stars on an emotional level, if not a physical one. The lives and backgrounds of Joel Garland, Robert Falkner, Rick Rustwood, Luke Van Duke, Kirby Hunter, Keith Mitchell, and especially Adrian Russell became as familiar as her own.

Even though she’d never personally met these men or their families, and realized she never would, Amanda came to know and love these seven men and their friends and family as dearly as she had her own. The Garland Roses and Adrian Russell in particular, had unknowingly filled the empty hollowed void in her life which had once been filled by her family. They made her feel a little less alone in the world, even though she had no interaction or a personal relationship with them.

Chapter One

The Concert Hall of Shadow Creek’s

Liberal Arts and Entertainment Center

Shadow Creek, Washington

Present Day

With mounting excitement Amanda sank back into her assigned seat, and simply absorbed the atmosphere of the concert arena. She listened to the happy chatter and bustle taking place around her, and smiled blissfully. She was content just to be there, and eagerly waited for the concert to begin.

After years of yearning to attend a Garland Roses concert, Amanda could hardly believe she was actually at one. Until now she’d never had the opportunity or the means to attend one of their concerts before, therefore she fully intended to enjoy this one to the fullest!

Turning in her seat so she was sitting in a more comfortable position, Amanda discovered the empty chair beside hers had been filled by a petite and obviously pregnant woman. The dark haired woman seemed vaguely familiar, but Amanda couldn’t place her. Deciding it didn’t matter she exchanged a friendly smile with the woman and introduced herself. She learned the woman’s name was Kathy Smith, and within minutes the two were chatting away like old friends.

You are probably wondering why a woman in my condition would be attending a rock concert. Kathy commented with wry consternation. At Amanda’s encouraging and curious expression, the other woman continued.

Would you believe it’s because I’m rebelling and hiding out from my family?! They’re driving me bonkers with their over-protectiveness! I’ve wanted to attend this concert for months, and when they told me I couldn’t come because I’m pregnant, I rebelled. Had they made their advice sound more like a suggestion and less like an order I would’ve probably adhered to their suggestion. However they didn’t and so here I am.

You mean you’re here without anyone knowing you’re here? Amanda exclaimed.

Yes; well except for my husband of course and my sister-in-law Janice. Both our husbands have to work tonight and after discussing it with them; Jan and I decided to come to the concert together. We’d planned to sit together, but we somehow got separated. Since Jan has the backstage passes and the concert is due to begin soon, I wound up sitting here.

I see. Don’t you think she and your family might be worried about where you are?

Nope. Both my husband and Janice know I’m here, and Jan knows exactly where I am, for I sent her a text message. Having been through four pregnancies herself; Jan completely understands my need to be on my own for a little while. As for my family they know I’m with Janice and assume I’m either at her house, or relaxing somewhere else with her. And if they have a problem with that, then tough!

Seeing Amanda’s concerned and questioning expression, the woman continued on with her narrative. "My family has been driving me crazy for days now. They’ve been constantly hovering around and badgering me, and I’m not even due for another two and a half months yet! My entire family acts as if they are the ones who will be giving birth to twins and not me…"

"You’re expecting twins?"

Yes. Twins run in both my family and my husband’s family, so we weren’t surprised when the ultrasound found two babies instead of one growing inside me.

Is this your first pregnancy?

Yes.

Aren’t you nervous about being here in your condition?

No not really. What makes me nervous is having my parents and family hovering around me while we wait for the twins to be born. They are absolutely driving me nuts!! I feel like I’m being pampered and cosseted to death!!

Your family must love you very much to be so concerned about your welfare. You are lucky to have them. Amanda quietly commented unaware of the wistful quality in her tone as she spoke these words.

Kathy studied her thoughtfully. Sensing the other woman’s scrutiny, Amanda quickly changed the subject. "So when are your babies due?

They’re due at the end of January.

Do you know if you’re having boys or girls or one of each?

My husband and I want our babies’ gender to be a complete surprise, so we’re going to find out the old fashioned way - when the twins are born! Kathy intoned good-naturedly and continued. My sister Susanne is just dying to know and thinks we’re being horribly backwards in wanting to wait… She chuckled delightedly.

And if you knew Susanne, you’d understand why I find her attitude very amusing, if somewhat annoying as well.

Sounds like you love her.

Kathy looked surprised. You know what? I do. I really do, even if she is the biggest pain in the butt! Actually I adore all my family. They drive me to the brink of insanity at times with their good intentions, but I love each and every one of them, even Susanne.

Families have a way of doing that. Amanda commented. "They might drive you crazy, but you love them just the same! It’s a special bond, because there is also no one else in the whole world that loves and understands you as much as they do. No one…" Her voice trailed softly away, as she unexpectedly recalled some of the outrageous things her own family had done, before they’d been torn from her life.

A haunting sadness crept into Amanda’s expression when her fond memories inevitably lead to the painfully bitter reality of having lost them, and she mourned anew the loss of her family.

Grief briefly shadowed her eyes, before she shook her head to dispel these poignant and painful memories from her mind. She wanted nothing to mar her enjoyment in tonight’s concert. With determined cheerfulness Amanda tried to think of a way to change the subject entirely, and was relieved when her newfound friend did this for her.

Though Amanda was able to quickly mask and set aside her grief, it lingered long enough for the other woman to catch a glimpse of it. With an intuitiveness she was well known for, Kathy (who was really Kathy Garland in disguise, for she was attending her husband’s concert incognito), eased the conversation into a different direction.

What do you think of the Garland Roses’ latest album?

Gratefully Amanda latched onto this topic. "I love it! It is perhaps one of their best albums ever. I especially love Garland’s Girl which is the ballad Joel composed for his wife, and then sang to her at their wedding."

You can feel the love he has for her in that song. I heard that Falcon co-composed a love song and sang it to his wife on their wedding day too. However since the song was co-written by the groom of the other bride and sung as a duet to both brides at their double wedding ceremony, he’s elected to keep that song a private one for now.

"While I would love to hear that song, I can understand and indeed applaud his decision not to publish it. I am glad that Joel’s love ballad, ‘Garland’s Girl’ is on their new album though! It’s one of the most beautiful songs I’ve ever heard, and I love listening to it." Amanda finished her tone one of heartfelt sincerity as she’d spoken.

"I agree, Garland’s Girl is one the most beautiful songs in the world. Kathy replied in a musing tone as she watched and observed the other woman’s reaction to their conversation. I hear Joel’s planning to sing it at both concerts today."

He is?

Yes. At least I think so. Kathy answered.

I hope he does sing it today, for I love that song! It would be great to hear him perform it live. The way he sings that song on the album gives me goose-bumps! It’s also soothing to listen to, for it brings me a sense of joy just listening to it.

"The love he has for his wife reverberates in his voice as he sings that song, and it is underscored in the lyrics he composed for her. To know that he loves his wife so deeply is both reassuring and wonderful. Hearing the love in his voice as he sings Garland Girl is probably why I love listening to it so much."

Reassuring? What do you mean? Kathy queried, much surprised. This was the first time she’d ever heard anyone talk about the song Joel had written and dedicated to her - without an undertone of envy or cattiness in it. Nor had she ever heard anyone describe her husband’s love for herself as being reassuring.

She was intrigued by the other woman’s words, and was curious to learn just why Amanda Parks had said this. She didn’t have long to wait, for Amanda was more than eager to explain her unusual remark.

"Well, it’s comforting to know such a love can really exist in today’s society. Garland’s Girl is an outward reflection of the very real love Joel Garland has for his wife. You can hear how much he loves Kathy in that song."

"It’s a beautiful song in of itself too. Garland Girl never fails to make me smile whenever I listen to it, for its so uplifting." Amanda’s voice trailed away for a moment, and then in a more thoughtful tone she continued.

"I think the reason I love Garland’s Girl so much is because of the strong and lasting love it represents. That song underscores the very real love Joel Garland has for his wife."

"What’s even better is the fact that Kathy returns his love just as deeply. You can visibly see the love they have for each other in every photo or video or news clip that there is of them. It’s reassuring that such a love still exists in today’s society."

Unaware she was talking to Joel’s wife, Amanda continued. She didn’t recognize the other woman simply because she never expected to encounter or meet her or any of the Garland Roses’ family or friends (or any of the rock stars themselves for that matter) in person. --

The possibility that this could even happen, even at one of their concerts, had never occurred to her! This is why Amanda had no idea she was conversing with Kathy Garland even though the dark haired woman looked vaguely familiar to her.

A love like theirs is precious and rare in today’s society, and they are both lucky and blessed to have found it with each other. As she spoke Amanda didn’t see the startled and speculative look the other woman gave her, nor did she hear the odd inflection in her tone, when Kathy exclaimed…

Don’t you mean Kathy Garland is the lucky one, because she’s the one Joel fell in love with and married?

"No. They are both incredibly lucky to have the love they share. Honest love is something very rare in this day and age, and I think it’s absolutely wonderful that Joel and Kathy Garland have found it with each other."

"Honest love? Don’t you mean true love, like the kind written in romance stories and fairy tales?"

No, I mean honest love. Honest love is based on more than physical attraction and desire, or on the fluffy, fairytale kind found in fiction. Honest love is based in reality and commitment. It’s anchored with respect and shared values, in addition to physical and other attractions. Unlike most Hollywood couples or regular couples too for that matter, Kathy and Joel honestly love each other. You can see it in their body language and expressions, and it is reflected in the way they live and lead their lives together.

Their love is the kind which will stand the test of time no matter what life throws their way, because it’s built on a strong foundation of shared and solid values and commitment. It’s my belief that their marriage is not only a very strong one, but one which will last a lifetime.

Why do you say that? From what I’ve heard, odds are that their marriage won’t last longer than two years max. Kathy intoned wryly, her voice mimicking one of Hollywood’s biggest gossip mongers.

Then I’d say you’ve either heard wrong, or it’s tabloid speculation. It’s obvious they’ve made a lifelong commitment to one another. The Garland’s marriage is a very real and strong one, because their relationship has depth, meaning, and substance to it.

Unlike other celebrity relationships which are shallow and full of media hype, Joel and Kathy’s marriage is a deep-rooted one because it’s based on their shared and solid beliefs and values, in addition to the inherent love they have for each other.

This is why I believe their relationship will not only prosper and grow even stronger throughout their lives, but is one which will prove to be a long-lasting one as well. Anyone who says otherwise is either simply jealous or not very discerning.

Personally I think it’s pretty wonderful they found each other, and have such a well-grounded marriage. It is reassuring to know such a love and strong relationship can exist in today’s society.

Wow! You sound as if you know them personally. Do you?

No. I don’t, not really.

Then how come you know so much about their marriage? How do you know that their love is the real thing and not just Hollywood fairytale hype?

"I can tell by their values and the way they live their lives together. You can visibly see the love and devotion they have for each other too, for it’s in their expressions and body language."

More importantly, in spite of the glamorous circle they live and work in, both are truly caring people with real and solid personal values and principles. These are principles which are reflected in their lifestyle, their relationship with each other and with others, as well as in how they live their lives.

Interesting theory. Most people see only the outward trappings of Joel and Kathy’s marriage, and cynically think it’s a fairytale story doomed to fail! You have a refreshing outlook on their marriage. Everyone else who talks about them derisively predicts their marriage will go the way most Hollywood marriages go…to divorce court!

Then those people are not very discerning. They are either jealous, or are pitiful gossips who thrive on the misfortunes of other people if they seriously think Joel and Kathy Garland’s marriage won’t last!

Of course nothing is ever a for sure thing in life, but if any couple can make their relationship work and last a lifetime then Joel and Kathy Garland are two such people!

Wow. You really are a Garland Fan!

Not a fan. Amanda corrected reflectively. More like a friend.

"Ah-Ha! So you do know them personally!"

No, I really don’t know them at all. I wish I did though. They are good people, the kind you can feel comfortable with and respect. The kind you could easily become friends with, given the chance.

Unlike other famous people, they aren’t conceited or puffed up with their own importance. They have solid and down to earth values. They cherish and respect their families and friends and they care, really and truly care about other people too.

They reach out to children and people whose lives are in turmoil, crisis or need, and render comfort as well as assistance wherever it is most needed. All the Garland Roses stars are like that. They are all compassionate, caring, and well grounded people…

"All of them?" Kathy asked curiously. She’d noted the wistful tone which had suddenly entered the other woman’s voice as she spoke about the band. Tilting her head to one side to better see the woman seated beside to her, Kathy studied Amanda more closely.

What she saw was a young woman about her own age whose features were average in appearance, and yet not so average. Amanda had dark brown hair with golden highlights, and it was tied back into a French braid. Her hazel colored eyes were framed by a pair of tortoise-shell glasses which blended nicely with the color of her hair. She was almost nondescript in appearance at first glance, but there was a quality about Amanda which was far from ordinary.

Kathy Garland detected something else about the dark-haired woman beside her, which most people overlooked or didn’t notice. There was a haunting sadness hidden behind and in her gentle smile and quiet demeanor. She hid her inner pain well. Only those with a discerning eye, like Kathy, sensed or saw through her outward mask of friendly neutrality to her inner torment of loss and grief.

Amanda Parks was obviously a woman of great depth and compassion, but she was also someone who was haunted by painful memories and personal sorrow. Not knowing Amanda’s history Kathy didn’t know the cause of this heartache, but she knew it was there. Something tragic had happened in this woman’s life, something so traumatic it completely overshadowed her life and was heavily imprinted on her soul.

Unaware of the pregnant woman’s discerning thoughts about her life and person, Amanda continued talking about the seven sexy Garland Roses rock stars and their families. As she spoke her voice had a wistful quality to it, but whenever she touched on Adrian Russell’s name or life, her tone unintentionally changed and deepened.

It soon became apparent to Kathy that her companion had a definite interest in this particular member of the band, and having learned as much as she had of Amanda’s character so far, she intuitively knew there was more behind this attraction than mere infatuation.

What imp caused her to test this theory Kathy couldn’t say, but test it she did. Listening to you, I can tell you really admire these rock stars, and perhaps Adrian Russell in particular. Unconsciously Amanda’s head nodded in concurrence. Curious to know why she had picked Adrian over the others, Kathy couldn’t resist pressing the other woman for more details.

I can tell you seem to like Adrian Russell the best, but I’m curious. Why Adrian? He is attractive I’ll grant you that, but he isn’t nearly as handsome and sexy as Joel or Kirby or Rusty or any of the other guys. In fact of the entire group I’d say Adrian Russell, handsome and sexy though he is, is not the most attractive one of the bunch…

Embarrassed and somewhat flustered that she’d unknowingly betrayed her secret admiration of Adrian Russell to the woman beside her Amanda blushed, but gamely rushed to his defense.

"That’s not true! Adrian is just as good