Grace Unplugged: A Novel by Melody Carlson Read Free Book Online Page A

Reynolds had gladly cleared his calendar to accommodate Mossy.
    But if Mossy could’ve delayed the inevitable for another day or two or three or ten, he would’ve gladly done so. To say he wasn’t looking forward to meeting with his friend and president of Sapphire was an understatement. However, as he rode up the elevator to his own office, just a few floors down from Sapphire, he reminded himself that Larry Reynolds was his friend and had been for years. But as the sleek chrome doors slid open, he remembered his old motto— Friends are friends, but business is business. And this was business. He had failed to deliver Johnny Trey to Sapphire. Period.
    He tipped his head to the receptionist as he passed through the lobby area on his floor. As usual, he kept up his bravado. No one would guess that his mission down south had been unsuccessful. At least not until after the one o’clock meeting at Sapphire. It wouldn’t take long for the news to leak out after that. By the time he went home from work today, everyone in the industry would know. And, unless friendship meant more to Larry than money—and Mossy doubted that, Frank Mostin’s name would be mud at Sapphire. And everywhere else too.
    He went into his office and closed the door. By this time next week, he’d probably have to start working out of his home again. And it wasn’t that he didn’t like working from home—the commute was a breeze—he knew that clients didn’t take him quite as seriously as when he had an office downtown where the action was.
    He sighed as he opened his briefcase and removed his laptop. Maybe he was getting too old for this business. Music was for young people, and he’d be sixty in a couple of years. Maybe he should look into something else, like real estate maybe. He was a natural salesman. But the real estate market was still in a slump. Kind of like his life.
    As his computer warmed up, he quickly checked his phone messages, flipping through them quickly, holding onto the slimmest hope that Johnny might’ve changed his mind and called. Of course, he hadn’t. Besides, if he was going to call, he would’ve used the cell phone number on the business card Mossy had given to him. When his computer screen lit up, he decided to check his e-mail too, just in case. Usually he let his assistant sift the posts for him—so much junk to wade through—but still hoping that Johnny might’ve come through after all, he carefully skimmed down the list.
    The name Trey immediately caught his attention, and with trembling hand and a heart full of anticipation, he clicked on the e-mail. To his surprise, it wasn’t from Johnny at all. It was from Johnny’s pretty blonde daughter. Curious as to why the girl was writing to him, he quickly read the e-mail and was completely floored to learn that she wanted a chance to record her father’s one-hit wonder.
    “Is it possible?” he said aloud as he grabbed his headphones, anxiously plugging them into the computer and opening her attachment. “Is it even possible?” A huge smile filled his face as he looked at the image of a girl who by all appearances had star quality. But then, when she started to sing, rocking out as she played guitar—and played it extremely well, he burst into laughter. Joyous laughter. “She’s got it,” he said to himself when he finally removed his headphones. “The little girl’s got it.” He read her name on the e-mail. “Grace Trey.” He shook his head in wonder. “I’ve been saved by Grace.”
    By the time he marched into Larry’s posh office, Mossy was flying high. Not only did Grace Trey have real star potential; she was even better than her old man. His plan was to play this for Larry like it was his intention from the start. “Johnny Trey is yesterday’s news,” he announced to Larry and his associates. “The next generation is where it’s at. I’d like to introduce you to Grace Trey, Johnny Trey’s daughter.” Without further ado, Mossy hit