Cherished by Kim Cash Tate Page A

mad!” She laughed at herself.
    Kelli smiled. She liked the way Monica kept it real.
    â€œLast night I told y’all during the concert that I was still working on my album.” She took a breath, shaking her head. “I was supposed to be back in the studio next week to do the last song. Got a call thirty minutes ago that the song I thought I was doing was given to another artist, a secular artist. Excuse me?” Her hands flew up. “Is that legal? Can we sue? Those were my first—and second and third—thoughts.” She expelled a sigh. “I had planned to write all the lyrics for the album, but they approached me , and I happened to love the song. Now they leave me in the lurch?” She paused and pasted on a smile. “‘Heart of a Psalmist,’ that’s what we’re talking about, right? It’s times like these that really test me, and I know I have to keep my heart in the right place and trust—instead of going off on somebody.”
    Stephanie leaned over. “See, I like her, and she’s better than me . . . ’cause I would’ve gone off and then got my heart right.”
    Rita stood facing Monica. “Oh, that’s terrible, and yet it’s an excellent real-life illustration. Things will not always go as planned in this business. Sometimes it’s just plain wrong. It’s in those moments that we remember who we are as believers, and we have to ask ourselves how we will respond. Will we trust God? Will we believe that all things work together for good?” She looked back at Monica. “We’ll be praying for that to be resolved, dear heart. God’ll give you a song better than the one you had.”
    â€œAmen!” several people said.
    Stephanie looked at Cyd and Kelli. “This is our opportunity. The girl needs a song. Kelli’s got songs.”
    â€œMe and everyone else in the room, not to mention thousands more in the world.”
    â€œYou know what, Kelli?” Stephanie asked. “Just go ahead and thank God I’m in your life, ’cause somebody needs some bold faith around here. You just watch. I’m believing I’ll get Monica to listen to your songs.”
    Cyd was shushing her, so the three turned their attention back to the front.
    â€œWe’ve all heard tales of moral failure in this business—and by ‘moral failure,’ people usually mean an affair outside of marriage. But what about staying pure as singles? That’s a heart issue, isn’t it? Is it even possible to stay pure in this business?” She looked down the panel.
    â€œWe’ve got two good-looking single men right here—Logan and Ace. I don’t know how that happened.” Rita lifted her hands in an amused shrug. “Don’t mean to make you squirm, guys, but you signed up, so I’m putting you on the spot. Let’s start with Ace. You travel the country, play various venues. Tell us how you keep a right heart in the midst of that life.”
    Ace sat back in his seat. “I guess I’ll admit it’s not easy.” He stroked his chin, half smiling. “People are attracted to what they perceive as fame and fortune, and—we can be real, right?—women throw themselves at us all the time. So, for me, it’s important to surround myself with people who keep me accountable, like my band, and stay prayed up and in the Word.”
    Was it Kelli’s imagination, or was Logan staring down the panel at Ace with a funny look?
    â€œIt also helps,” Ace was saying, “to have a very special woman in your life, and mine is right there.” He nodded toward the front row. “When I think about her, no one else really matters.”
    Kelli heard the back door open and turned around. Heather was heading out, but the door didn’t close right away. She seemed to be holding it for someone else.
    Brian.
    Kelli felt the breath get sucked right out of her. Her head