A Nashville Collection (70 page)

At Last
is intense but peaceful and moving, perhaps a reflection of James's life in the past year. Lyrics
like In the doorway, I waited for you / But as the day drifted toward night / The reality sank in / You were gone, This time for good / So I turned out the light, and climbed the old stairs
make us realize she's writing about more than a broken heart—a journey into life.

James triumphs with this album, picking the right time in her career and life to show us her heart and soul. You'll want this album as part of your collection for years to come.

—Grace Myers, All Music Guide

“Aubrey James announced her engagement today to Inside NashVegas on CMT cohost Scott Vaughn. ‘This is one of the happiest seasons of my life,' James said.”

—Inside Access

LINER NOTES

Aubrey James would like to thank:

Dave Whitestone for giving this project wings.

FRESH! for a great sponsorship.

Robin Rivers for the amazing songs.

James Chastain and Nashville Noise for welcoming me home.

Scott Vaughn for asking questions that caused me to look inside myself and reconcile my lifestyle with the deeper desires of my heart. I can't wait to marry you.

Peter James, my brother. I'm so glad we're family again.

My posse: Zach Roberts, Piper Cantwell, Connie Godwin, Gina Lacy, Skyler Banks, and everyone at AubJay Inc. Thank you for keeping me from drowning! Bonuses all around.

Melanie Daniels for doing what I should've done years ago: tell my story. I wish you well.

Jen, the best little sister, you are a true star!

Jesus, my Friend. You waited for me in the secret place, and when I finally arrived, You showered me with unconditional love.

LINER NOTES

Rachel Hauck would like to thank:

Aubrey James for introducing yourself to me, being difficult, then becoming my friend.

Ami McConnell for being a writer's friend, fabulous editor, and for believing in me.

Leslie Peterson for your great insight and encouragement in this manuscript.

Allen Arnold and everyone on the fiction team at Thomas Nelson for creating a launching pad for faith-based fiction.

Tony Hauck, my husband and best friend, for putting up with deadline craziness. I can't imagine a life without you.

Diann Hunt, Christine Lynxwiler, Colleen Coble, Allison Wilson, Susie Warren, and Tracey Bateman for the advice, critique, encouragement, and ideas during the process of writing this book. But mostly for your friendship.

Rebekah Gunter for your honest feedback when I was in panic mode, and for being the best baby sister. I love you.

Kim Hill for saying yes to lunch with a stranger. Your insight and wisdom were invaluable. Best of all, I loved meeting you and hanging out. I'm a big fan!

Matt Bronleewe for being my resident record producer.

Chris Oglesby for taking time to sit and talk.

Kelly Sutton at
Good Morning, Tennessee
for your insights and advice.

Molly Day at Fox 17 for a glimpse into the life of a producer.

Chelle Tapper for praying.

Denise Hildreth for dessert and information at Greenhills Grille.

Davis (and Mark) for Sun Shoppe talks.

Skip Rudsenske of JSR Law in Nashville for the great legal help and advice.

Sharon Hayes, my mom, for always loving and always encouraging. And my brothers, Danny, Joel, and Peter-John Hayes.

Saving the best for last, thank you, Jesus, for speaking to my heart that You would help me write this book. And You did. One day, we'll talk about it face-to-face. Isaiah 41:13

Nashville Dreams Reading Group Guide

1. Robin is a dedicated employee at Willaby's even though she knows she should be doing something else. Have there been times in your life where you struggled between being comfortable and being ambitious enough to go after your dreams?

2. Reverend Eli mentions that he had to pray hard to love his captors in South America. Do you grapple with loving your enemies?

4. Robin made many outward changes (haircut, manicure, pedicure), but remained the same person on the inside. When have you tried to mask the inside by recreating your outward appearance?

5. Robin wonders if Blaire is “for or against her”. “If I overcome, does she have to overcome?” Are there times in your life when you felt like you had to be the example to help someone else stay on track?

6. Robin knows she is still terrified to sing in front of people, but decides “to let God's love be my strength.” When have you taken a stand and made a true leap of faith?

7. There is a passage where Robin has an epiphany about why she moved to Nashville. Have you had times in your life when you realized there was a greater purpose to the things you were doing?

8. After meeting Robin and seeing how she faced her fears, Marty decides to face her own fear and go to college. When have your actions had an impact on the life of someone else? How did that make you feel?

Nashville Sweetheart Reading Group Guide

1. In the beginning of the book, Aubrey drove herself to the point of exhaustion. Have you ever become so involved in a project you've neglected your health?

2. Aubrey accepts Car's engagement ring. What was the significance behind her acceptance? Do you think she was really in love with him?

3. What signaled to Aubrey that Car did not really “know” her?

4. Piper said Aubrey was more than the collection of boxes left in the library. What did she mean? Is there “stuff” in your life you're clinging to?

5. What legacy did Aubrey's parents leave? What is the significance of the song Aubrey's mother sings to her in her dreams?

6. Why was Aubrey able to be vulnerable with Scott during the interviews?

7. What did Car's family represent to Aubrey? What did Scott's family represent? Which was more important?

8. Why did Aubrey lie to Jennifer about her name? Why did Aubrey want to use a false name for foster care then perpetuate the lie? Do you know anyone who is hiding behind a label?

9. Peter refused to acknowledge his sister because of his painful memories. Is there someone in your life you avoid because of the past? Do you consider seeking them out so you can reconcile?

10. The most common fear people share in America is the fear of public speaking. Nearly everyone has fears and phobias. In the novel, Aubrey won't drive. From where do you think her fear stems?

11. Melanie betrays Aubrey's friendship when she talks to the tabloids, yet at the end of the book Aubrey forgives her. Have you ever felt betrayed? How did you (or how would you like to) handle it?

12. We are a society of consumerism and convenience. We often think we need more. Aubrey appeared to have it all: success, fame, and fortune. What did she lack?

13. Did Aubrey remind you of someone in your life? Did this story compel you to take any action that you heretofore hadn't considered?

Excerpt from
Princess Ever After

O
NE

S
he'd found bliss. Perhaps even true love. Behind the wheel of a '71 Dodge Challenger restored to Slant-6 perfection.

Fishtailing into turn two of a west side Tallahassee dirt track, Reggie shifted into fourth gear and pushed the car to its max, the thrill of the race electrifying her entire being.

The engine rumbled with authority as the tires hummed over the track, churning up dust as if to truly bury yesterday. Firing down the straightaway toward pinkish-gold remains of twilight leaking through the tall pines, the last thread of Reggie's lingering doubt flitted away on the cool September breeze.

This was what she'd been born to do—restore junked-up, forgotten old cars to their original, classic beauty. And it only took her twenty-nine years to figure that out.

Ha-ha. Come on, baby. Show me what you can do.

The boys at the finish line—Al, Rafe, and Wally—flagged her home with their hats in hand.

This was amazing. Simply amazing. She should've done this years ago. Jump from the corporate CPA ship onto the barely floating life raft of “pipe dreams.”

In the last six months, she'd endured more than her share of sleepless nights since she traded her business suits for coveralls and entered into the car restoration business with Al, who was like a second father to her.

Restoring the Challenger was their first big job. And their first test.

Reggie checked the speedometer. The needle shimmied right at one hundred.

“Wa
hoo
!”

She sped past the finish line. An air horn sounded. Male voices rose with hoots and hollers. She'd done it.
They'd
done it. And without leaving a trail of car parts littering the racetrack.

Downshifting, Reggie aimed for center field, whipping the car in a series of donuts, mashing on the horn, gunning the engine, letting the 440 breathe and have its say.

Oh mercy, building and installing this engine had given them fits. Those days were the ones most filled with doubt, when Reggie considered dialing her old firm, Backlund & Backlund, and begging for her job back.

One last spin around the infield and Reggie stopped the car and hopped out, letting the engine idle. Rafe swooped her up, whirling her around. “We did it!”

When he set her down, Al embraced her in his dark, teddy bear arms. “I'm so stinking proud of you, girl.”

“No,
you
, Al. It was your idea.”

“But you were willing to take the leap.” Al, a retired Marine master sergeant, and her daddy's best friend all the way back in the '60s at Sullivan Elementary School, was the brains and brawn behind opening the shop.

When Al had approached Reggie with the idea six months ago, she had nothing to say but “Where do I sign?”

Then he hired Rafe, a Marine who served with Al right before he retired. Rafe left the Marines after three tours in Afghanistan and hitchhiked from North Carolina to Tallahassee in search of “Sergeant Al.”

Ole Wally arrived at the idling car last. “I do believe she's plum beautiful. Reg, you drive better than Danica.”

She threw her arms around the wizened old redneck with thin wisps of white hair sticking out from under his Jeff Gordon 24 cap.

“Wally, your engine work is the best in the business, and I'd bet my firstborn on it.”

“Reg,”—Wally spit, an old habit left over from his Red Man chew days—“don't go banking money on an account you don't have. Got to find a man, go on a date, get married so's you can have a firstborn.” Wally sauntered around the car. “Rafe, did you hear something pinging with the engine? Thought I heard it long about the eight cylinder.”

Wally—the car whisperer.

“Let's listen for it on the ride back to the shop,” Rafe said, leaning over the hood, listening for the ping.

The shop was an old red barn Al had found way out Blountstown Highway. It worked because it was big and airy with a solid roof. But mostly, because it was cheap.

“Say! Reg,”—a loud bass voice boomed across the infield with irritation—“what happened to seven o'clock?”

Reggie squinted through the long angles of light and shadow as Mark, her date for the evening, made his way toward her.

“Mark . . . hey . . .” Reggie tugged her phone from the pocket in her coveralls. Was it seven already? No, it wasn't seven. It was seven thirty. Seven thirty-one, to be exact. She was late. “I'm so sorry.” She met Mark on the other side of the car, glancing back at Wally and shooting him a goofy look. “We had to run the car one last time. Wally heard a ping in the engine.”
Well, he did.
“Danny Hayes is picking her up in the morning, and we have to be sure she's running at one hundred percent.”

“Wally and Al can manage a
ping,
Reg.” Mark swiped his finger across the dusty hood and made a grand gesture of checking his watch. “Because you and I are late.” He stared at her coveralls. “Is that what you're wearing?”

“Yes, it's all the rage in women's fashion this season in New York, Mark. Grease-stained coveralls.” Reggie raised her foot. “But I am changing into a pair of fancy boots. Won't that look smart?”

“That-a-way to give it to him, Reg.” Rafe nudged her in solidarity as he came around to slip into the driver's seat.

“Drive careful, Rafe. Get the car back to the barn and cleaned up, okay?” She unzipped her coveralls and stepped out. Underneath she wore jeans and a black, pleated V-neck top—perfect attire for a Wakulla County fish fry. Even if the guy hosting it was crazy rich.

Handing her wadded-up coveralls to Rafe through the window, she winced at the worrisome sound of “overbearing mother” in her words. Nevertheless . . . “White-glove the interior, the exterior, even the wheel wells.”

“Gotcha, boss.” Rafe grinned and gunned the gas while Wally hovered over the engine, ear cocked to the sound of the mysterious ping.