Father's Song

By Rhonda Hanson

Father's Song is book three in the "Father Series", and follows Father's Choice (book one) and Father's Wings (book two). Father's Song takes the reader once again into the lives of Nashville music mogul, Joel Etherid

• Language: English
• Publisher: Grace Under Pressure Publishing
• Release date: Dec 31, 2023
• ISBN: 9798218345433

Rhonda Hanson

Rhonda Hanson is one of a pair of twins, the youngest of ten siblings, raised on Black Bayou in Louisiana. For much of her childhood, she lived without the luxuries of indoor plumbing and electricity and, growing up without the Internet, devices, or television, she was left to discover the exciting worlds that can only be found within the pages of a good book. She is a collector of vintage children's books, and is not embarrassed to admit that she will reread the same book over and over, if it makes her happy. Her own imagination began to be challenged at an early age, and she would pen practically anything and everything that fermented in her mind, much of which is sadly lost or left back in her youth, probably in some old trunk, in someone's barn. Today, Rhonda is a novelist, recording artist, songwriter, musician and speaker, but her most crowning achievement is being "Grammy" to her two granddaughters. She spends her days in middle Tennessee, writing, convincing feral cats that the Hanson Hotel is open for business, bragging to anyone who will listen about her grandchildren, and tearing all her MacBooks apart and rebuilding them, because of her stubborn refusal to upgrade. Her first completed novel was recently published, (books two and three of the series are finished and soon to be released) as well as a children's book, containing a continuing bedtime story she told her granddaughters, that spanned a period of seven years.

Book preview

Chapter One

Meredith Etheridge smiled absently down at her wobbly little boy, as he tried to stand and hang onto Hook for support. Hook, the large, fluffy, gray, grouch of a cat, was having none of it and took himself off to the window seat, out of Kaylan's reach, settling into a ray of warm sunlight that looked inviting.

He's trying to walk, already? Hailey Decker opened her eyes wide with surprise. Wait, how long has he been standing up?

Meredith grinned at her best friend and lifted up her son, who had teetered back and forth wildly, after Hook had decided he'd had enough, and planted his seat firmly on the floor, with a wail of disappointment. My goodness, Hay, he practically came into the world standing up! Where have you been? She made a face at Kaylan and his tears magically morphed into laughter.

You're so good with him, Merry. Hailey's sister-in-law, Darcy McCallen, reached out a finger to touch his dark curls.

Oh, it doesn't take much, she returned, still causing him to giggle with just a grimace. He's easy. Like his dad.

Both Hailey and Darcy exploded with laughter at that one! Joel Etheridge was known for a variety of character traits, but being easy was certainly not one of them!

Meredith put her husband's little miniature into his walker and handed him the cup of dry cereal he had been working on, until Hook had wandered in to see what kind of kibble the little human was eating, and if it was anything he'd be interested in. Kaylan had forgotten about it, so his delight was now fresh and he was blissfully occupied.

Meredith found her comfort zone on the couch again and tucked her bare feet up underneath, giving her friends another one of her little grins. So, are you girls still up for running downtown with me, tomorrow?

Are we really going to the bus station? Darcy's face registered her surprise.

It's not the city jail, Darce, Meredith laughed.

Oh, I know, I didn't mean that, she hurried to clarify. "I just meant... why would someone take a long bus ride with strangers, all through the night, when she could just hop a plane, and be done with it? I took a bus from New Mexico, back to here once, and I swore never again! But if I did ever ride a bus again, I wouldn't let myself get boxed in next to a window, unable to get out. The woman next to me had me hemmed in good and tight, and she snored like a marching band!"

A marching band? Hailey and Meredith exchanged teasing looks, then aimed them at Darcy.

Yes! The tuba section!

The word tuba made Meredith smile, but she made no remark, and mentally reminded herself to tell Joel what Darcy said, when he got home. He would find that funny.

So, Missy, Hailey kicked off her shoes and imitated Meredith's couch nesting. As long as you and I have been friends, you've never said three words to me about Carlyn. How do you know her? I mean, you must know her pretty well, for you and Joel to invite her to come stay in your guesthouse.

It's more that I've known her for a long time, than I know her well, Meredith replied. The short story is that I used to stay with her family in Louisiana. Carlyn was just a kid, nine years old. She latched onto me, right off the bat, and became my shadow.

In New Orleans? Hailey looked puzzled.

"After that. When I left New Orleans, I was headed anywhere north, so I just kept driving that direction, up through the state. I made it as far as a little town called Grayson and blew a tire. My trunk was loaded down, so I was standing out on Highway 165, just piling everything onto the shoulder, so I could see if I even had a spare, and Carlyn and her dad, Pastor Blake, pulled in behind me and offered to help.

"It turns out I did not have a spare. Well, I did, but it was flat, too. So Pastor Blake threw all my stuff in the back of his truck and left my car on a jack stand, and we took both tires to a garage to have them fixed. By the time we got back to my car, it was almost dark and both Pastor Blake and Carlyn insisted I follow them to their house to stay the night."

Meredith broke off, and gave in to a yawn she had been trying to suppress. He had called his wife while we were waiting for the tires, and she told him to ask me and to tell me that she was insisting, so I ended up staying there that night.

You weren't scared? Darcy breathed, wondering if she could have ever done such a thing.

You'd have to have been there, Meredith said. Few people in this world are as guileless and as kind as Fred and Marcie Blake. Plus, the fact that he was a pastor and not the owner of some sleazy bar was definitely in his favor.

You could tell all that just by meeting him? Hailey asked. Her eyes were on Kaylan's happy little face, with a Cheerio stuck to his chin, but she directed her question to his mom.

It was mostly the way the people in that little town reacted to him. You could tell they liked him and respected him. Meredith stretched over and pulled the bit of cereal off Kaylan's chin but he reached for it, with a Daaa! and she gave it back. He promptly popped it into his mouth.

Did you hear that? She let out a little laugh. He just said he was gonna tell on me!

Was that 'Daaa', as in Daddy? Darcy laughed.

"It's the only word he knows, and Joel never lets me forget it. You better not tell Daaa," she reprimanded him, with a little shake of her finger.

Daaa!

Hailey beamed down at him in delight. I wish Ross and I could have a house full of these, she said, wistfully.

Is he not on board? Darcy was genuinely surprised. She would have thought her brother would want his own little boy or girl to brag about.

It's not that he's against it, but you know how he is, Hailey reminded her. Every little T has to be crossed before he thinks we're ready. She let out a sigh of longing. "Ross will probably be retired, before he thinks it's time. But my clock is ticking now."

Well, Meredith comforted, Kaylan wasn't planned or discussed. In fact, Joel never brought the subject up, I guess because of my first pregnancy. I think he had pretty much resigned himself to the notion that it would just be the two of us. But the day I told him we were having a baby, you wouldn't have recognized him! He immediately went from grim, scowling 'old man Etheridge' to this wild, giddy person who chased me up the stairs!

She reached over and patted her friend's hand. When Father decides you're ready, it'll happen, and Ross will shift his gears. I can promise you that.

She let her gaze wander over to Darcy, with a light of banter lurking in her eyes. What about you and Neil, Darce? Getting any ideas about starting your own little baseball team?

Darcy grinned and shook her head. I don't think either of us are ready for that. We haven't been married long enough to feel like we've had enough of each other's company, and need something more. She stopped herself, in embarrassment, and covered her mouth. Wait! Oh, wow, that completely came out wrong!

It sure did! Hailey agreed, winking at Meredith.

Nah... Meredith glanced back down at her son with a smile that he gave back to her. I know what you mean. Part of me wishes that Joel and I could have had more time alone together, but Father had other plans and now, we're glad it worked out this way. He always knows best. At least that's what that old fifties sitcom told us. Wrong father, but still...

She snapped her fingers and shook her head at Kaylan's attempt to fit a Cheerio into his nose, and he blew a spit bubble at her, in rebuttal. So, okay, we're officially still on for picking Carlyn up?

Both Hailey and Darcy nodded.

How long is she staying, Merry? Hailey asked. You didn't write her a blank check, did you?

We kind of did, she admitted. That's why we're putting her out in the guesthouse, instead of a room in here. But we both feel it's something we're supposed to do.

I guess I'm surprised, her friend confessed, with a troubled look. Who, in this world, is a bigger hermit than Meredith Etheridge? Are you sure you want to suddenly have that change? It might be okay for a few days, but I think that would get old, pretty quick.

Well, I haven't seen Carlyn since she was a little girl, Meredith conceded, "but I've had emails from her, off and on, over the years. She was a bit like a baby sister and, for some crazy reason, she was devoted to me. I remember her as having a shy, wallflower personality, very soft-spoken and humble. If that hasn't changed, I expect she'll keep to herself as much as she can, and go out of her way to not impose on us.

"She's a musician. In fact, more of the story is that when I agreed to stay at the Blake's house, I really did stay. They just moved me right in and made me feel like I'd always lived there. It was Father, because I hadn't really met Him yet, but I started going to Pastor Fred's church and that's when I prayed to receive Jesus, and my walk with Father came out of that.

Carlyn, believe it or not, was the church piano player. Nine years old, and her little legs were so short, she had to sit on the front edge of the piano stool to reach the sustain peddle, but she managed it. Once she found out that I played, she tried her best to draft me to take her place, but I knew she was meant to do it, clams and all.

Clams? Darcy was confused.

Clinkers. Bad chords she explained. They were there, but she played with a confidence that made up for it, and she just got better and better. I would expect she's really good, by now.

She picked up a huggable pillow and rested her arms on it. From there, I went on back up to Missouri for a little while, then got my mom's things out of storage and moved down here, to Tennessee, so we didn't stay in touch nearly as much as we should have. Plus, once I signed with Joel's label, he kept me pretty busy.

You've not heard from her since then? Hailey asked.

Meredith shook her head. Except for those emails, not for over fifteen years, probably more, if I did the math. I know that she did some recording, and she emailed, asking me to hear it, but that was right before I hit my head and ended up doing the long nap, so it never happened.

Hailey winced at Meredith's reference to her having been in a coma from a bad head injury. It was a nightmare of an ordeal, and one that threatened to take Joel's sweetheart and child away from him, and rob the rest of them of their beloved Meredith. Hailey shuddered, and Meredith touched her hand with a smile before finishing.

Carlyn's going to sit down with Joel and me after she settles in and explain the details of what's going on, but the gist of it is that she has an old record label in possession of some of her original material, and they're not so keen on letting her go. That's where Mr. Etheridge shines, though, so I'm not worried.

Well, I don't know anything about the music industry, but I do know that I wouldn't want to go up against Joel Etheridge, Darcy declared. And you would think that if that record label really knows anything at all about the business, they would feel even more strongly about that than I would! How can they even pretend they are legitimate, if they don't realize who they're dealing with?

Well, I expect they're sitting on a pair of twos and claiming to have a straight, Meredith said, leaning forward and taking the cup of cereal out of Kaylan's chubby little hand, just as he was about to upend it over his head. She took a few of Cheerios out and gave them to him, then put the cup out of reach. But you're right. Joel is no one to try a bluff on. He won't fold.

Hailey rolled her eyes and laughed. Listen to yourself! Did you take up gambling when you were in New Orleans? You sound like you belong on a riverboat.

She shrugged with a smile, and continued to monitor Kaylan's snack, one oat at a time. Let's just say I've tried a few bluffs on Joel Etheridge myself, over the years, and I've yet to win a hand.

She stifled another yawn, then reached upward in a high stretch. I guess I laid awake most of last night, thinking about Carlyn coming, to be honest. I'm not sure how much help we're going to be to her. But she's a good kid, so if we can help, we're happy to try.

She paused and wrinkled her pretty brow. I have no idea what condition the guesthouse is in. She'll be here tomorrow, and I haven't been out back since Joel's mom stayed in it, when she first moved here, while he was having all the carpet replaced in his old house.

I've never even seen it, Hailey replied. Is that where it is, in your back yard?

It's not out in the open, you have to go toward the pond and it's off to one side, in a grove of trees. It's really a cabin, so we're probably glamorizing it a little, by calling it a guesthouse. But it's cute. I used to write out there, when I first bought this place, but I eventually just gravitated toward the music room upstairs. I all but forgot it was still there, until Laura stayed in it. Joel sent a cleaning service out there after Laura and Gary's wedding, when they moved into the house, so I expect it's in pretty decent shape.

She reached out to the coffee table and pulled her laptop over. I think I have a recent picture of Carlyn, in an email. If I even still have that email...

The girls moved closer around her, eager to see what Meredith's new tenant looked like.

She swirled her finger around the track pad, clicked a few times and launched a browser, then logged into her web site's email.

Here she is. All grown up.

Hailey and Darcy leaned in.

Oh my goodness, she's as cute as anything! Hailey exclaimed. She reminds me a little of you, Darce.

"Wow, thank you for that, because she is cute! Darcy grinned at her, then looked back at Carlyn's picture. I wish I could get away with a short, little pixie cut like that. She's tiny and she's got the perfect features to wear it, and look at her green eyes, with that caramel-color hair!"

Hey! Hailey punched Meredith, her expression full of mischief. You know who else would think she's cute?

Meredith screwed up her mouth and thought about it. She mentally ran through the list of eligibles that both she and Hailey knew, thought of one in particular, then began to smile slowly.

Who? Darcy looked back and forth between them.

The more Meredith thought about it, the more likely Hailey was to be right. She rested her beautiful gray eyes on her friend and tilted her head to one side. Are you talking about my producer, by any chance?

Hailey nodded, clearly excited by the prospect.

Darcy sat up straight, with a big grin. Perry Mitchell? Oh my goodness, wouldn't they make the cutest couple? She stopped and thought about it. Are you sure he's not already taken, though? I mean, Perry's gorgeous!

And available, Meredith assured her. He dates, but there's no one serious. I'd know, if there was.

How old is Carlyn? Is she old enough for Perry to be interested in?

She'd have to be around twenty-six, I'm thinking, Meredith said. And Perry is thirty-something. He's close to my age, maybe a year or two younger. So, yeah, that's just about right.

She closed her laptop and laid it back on the table, nodding silently toward her baby, who had leaned his head over onto the tray of his walker and fallen asleep on his remaining Cheerios.

That's going to leave an interesting mark, she speculated, with a smile. I'd better chug him off to his bed, so he can get a real nap.

Hailey and Darcy got up with her and gave the sleeping Kaylan little kisses on his cheek, then let themselves out quietly, while Meredith gathered up her little man and carried him off to be tucked in and kissed.

Chapter Two

A ren' t you worried about people recognizing you? Darcy looked over at Meredith with concern, as they sat down in the bus station lobby to wait for Carlyn's bus to arrive.

Not so much, since my surgery, Meredith shrugged. My hair's only grown about eight inches, so when I have to be out in public on my own, I just wear it like this, instead of the wig. Really, I think since I'm a mom now, and not getting any younger, I may not let it grow back as long as it was. I may be too old for that. Have you ever stood in a check-out line behind an old woman with really long, dry, frizzy hair? I don't want to be that woman.

You're not even close to being old. But this long bob is really cute on you. Darcy decided. "Seriously, though, you'd look great in a Mohawk, so who are we kidding?"

Meredith reached over and rumpled Darcy's own hair with a grin. Thanks, sweetie.

It makes a huge difference, Hailey observed. Joel was so sweet to have the hospital save your hair to have the wig made, but when you don't wear it, you're like an entirely different person. I guess because your long hair has always been one of your trademarks. She stopped and narrowed her eyes, and really looked at her friend. But Merry, it wouldn't be hard to figure out who you are, if someone was curious enough about you. You still look very much like your billboards.

Nah, not nearly that put together. Meredith whipped out her dark glasses and put them on. How about now?

No, now you just blend in with everybody else. Hailey gave up and Meredith flashed her a playful look.

"I gotta wear... shades..." She comically sang the lyrics from an 80s rock song and drew a few stares from people seated close by. Meredith simply gave them the kind of friendly grin that made them feel they were all in on some kind of private joke, and they happily gave it back to her.

She made a silly face at a small toddler who hadn't quite finished staring at her, and the child's face broke into a sweet smile. She sighed and wished again that she could have brought Kaylan along, but Laura practically pleaded to babysit her grandson, and Joel sided with her. Kaylan was a beautiful child, and Joel kept close tabs on exactly where he was, at all times. Crowded bus stations were not an option.

She sighed and settled into a comfortable slump, and then began to people-watch for a few moments. The bus station was filled with all kinds of travelers: weary, sleepy, excited, wide-eyed, annoyed, timid seniors, disgruntled adults, bored children, sleeping infants, screaming babies. It was quite a show, and Meredith observed it all with a nostalgic smile. She'd boarded quite a few buses in her lifetime. She'd met some real creeps back then, but she'd also met some really sweet people. She took it all in with a sense of satisfaction.

Hailey compared her watch to the clock on the wall, then showed it to Meredith. Shouldn't be much longer, if they're on time.

They could roll in a little late, I guess. Nashville traffic, plus construction on I-40, out near Dickson. I expect Carlyn's bus would be coming from that way.

Meredith let her eyes wander over to the counter, where an irate woman was having a very loud and aggressive altercation with the ticket agent, who looked as if he'd been standing there, half asleep, all night. He appeared to not even be listening, since she left him no place to interject. Meredith suspected he'd tuned out of this exchange early on, and was placing his thoughts elsewhere, as the woman persisted in her barrage.

She grinned with delight, and her face lit up, as she spotted someone she knew. She waved until he noticed her, and motioned him over.

The thin, balding man looked around behind him, and back again, to make sure she meant him, then approached with caution. Meredith took off her shades and laughed.

It's me, Pockets!

He opened his eyes wide and flashed a mostly toothless grin at her. Miz Meredith! I didn't recognize you! What happened to all that hair?

I had to cut it, but it'll grow back. She didn't bother to remind him about her surgery. What are you doing at the bus station? Are you going somewhere?

I got a job here, he announced with pride.

You did! She was thrilled for him. That's awesome! What do you do?

Mostly loadin' luggage onto the dolly and gettin' it out to whatever bus it's goin' on, but they have me doin' other stuff too, between buses. He looked around and seemed to spot a chore that needed his attention. I guess I better keep workin'. It sure is good to see you, Miz Meredith!

It's good to see you, too, Pockets! Congratulations!

She gave him a little wave and he returned it with a pleased grin and hurried off to do his job. Meredith watched him go with a beautiful light in her eyes and a happy smile. Hailey and Darcy exchanged knowing glances and their own smiles. They knew how much this little moment had meant to Meredith. She dearly loved Pockets and the rest of the people from the homeless shelter.

Meredith looked upward and sent her Father a little wink. Thanks for that, she whispered. You're so sweet for that. She crossed her arms and relaxed into her seat with quiet joy.

Is that her bus? Darcy nodded out toward the windows, as a large coach crept to a slow stop, and the air brakes made a hissing sound.

Could be. Meredith kept her seat and watched the herd of passengers begin its descent down the steps and move off to one side, waiting for bags, looking for expected friends and family, or just wandering on into the station to wait for a connecting bus. She recognized Carlyn as she stepped down, clutching a guitar case, but said nothing. She continued to watch, as a middle-aged man seemed to hover close to her. He was saying something to her, and she was looking down at the ground, intent on continuing to try to make her way into the station, to get away from him. He seemed equally intent on following her in.

Meredith hopped up, with her friends on her heels, and intercepted the nervous, young woman. She made a great show of welcoming Carlyn with an intentionally loud exclamation of forced gaiety, designed to once again make all the people around them stare, then looked over at the man with wide eyes and asked Carlyn, in a loud stage whisper, that everyone could hear, Is he the father?

A look of fear and alarm swept across his face and he took himself swiftly away. Darcy and Hailey began to giggle, while Carlyn tried to smile at them, but was obviously confused about what had just happened. She couldn't disguise her relief, however, that the man had fled.

Meredith gripped her by the shoulders and looked down at her with genuine welcome, this time. Hello there, my little Carlyn!

Carlyn smiled up at her rescuer and mentor, and let Meredith wrap her up in a big hug. Hi, Merry! Thank you for coming to get me.

No big deal! Meredith turned her around gently and presented her to Hailey and Darcy. These are my friends, Hailey Decker and Darcy McCallen and this, she informed them, is my little Carlyn Blake. All grown up, she declared,