to car insurance.
But George waited until he had the attention of everybody in the backstage dressing area.
"I just got off the phone with Marty. Freestone is very impressed with what’s happened on tour so far. The shows have all sold out. More merchandise had to be ordered because we ran out in Richmond . The CD is getting serious radio play, and it’s moving up the charts quick."
"Yeah, George, that’s great news," Leo said.
The rest of Roadhouse nodded in agreement, backslaps and congratulatory comments flying among the men.
"But that’s not all. There’s more to it." George again waited for silence. "You’re being upgraded to a tour bus as of tonight. No more motor homes."
Tom thought of Beth. "What about the crew?"
The older man knew what was on his mind. Or rather, who. "Beth will be fine. She’ll be on a second bus with me and the other guys. Hotel rooms have been reserved for you for the remainder of the tour. They’ll be within walking distance or maybe a short drive away from the concert halls."
George waved and turned to leave. "No dawdling after the show tonight, boys. You’ve got packing to do."
Despite Tom needing to complete his preparations to go on stage, he hurried to catch up with George as the man crossed into the backstage hallway.
"George?"
The road manager turned, an inquisitive look on his face.
"Yes, Tom?"
"I need to talk to you. About Beth."
George’s eyes flicked past Tom’s shoulder. He turned to see his band mates unabashedly looking his way, listening in on his conversation.
Tom loved the guys like brothers, but he didn’t want any stories circulating about Beth that she herself didn’t tell in the first place.
He reached out and pulled the dressing room door firmly shut. "Sorry, fellows."
He turned to George once again, ignoring the "Oh, man!" and other sounds of frustration at his back.
"What’s up, Tom?"
He hesitated, unsure of what exactly Bethany had told her father about the police visit earlier that day. Or if she’d told him anything at all.
But fear for her safety was foremost in his mind, and he was willing to share her secret with the only family she had if it meant she’d be better protected.
"Did Beth tell you what happened earlier, during her break?"
George’s cheery disposition instantly disappeared. "I know the police were here, and that Eric Sharpe is running around free, possibly intending to hurt my daughter. I assume that’s what you’re referring to?"
"Yeah, that’s it exactly." Tom was happy Beth hadn’t kept the news from her father. He felt better knowing he had help in looking out for her. "I’m real glad to hear about the bus situation. Especially now. If Beth still had to stay with Hannah and Liz in their motor home alone, with no real protection, I’d go nuts. This change couldn’t have come at a better time."
"Tom, don’t worry so much. If that creep ever tries to come near Beth, he’ll have to get through me and the rest of the crew first. All the concert halls have top-notch security, and the hotels do, too."
"But to be on the safe side," George continued, "I’ll get a picture of Sharpe faxed to the scheduled venues, to put them on watch ahead of time. If he shows up, the cops will get ’ em ."
Understanding radiated from the man’s blue eyes. They were a shade darker than his daughter’s, but just as expressive. After a short hesitation, he went on in a softer tone.
"I know you care for my daughter. And I know she cares for you, too. I’ve seen how you two look at each other. Hell, anyone who’s been in the same room as you guys has seen it."
"But don’t let those feelings get in the way of the music. You won’t get this opportunity again. There are plenty of bands waiting to take Roadhouse’s place."
George placed a hand on Tom’s shoulder. Gave it a quick, firm shake. "Don’t get me wrong. I’d be damn glad to have you as my son-in-law. But I’ve been in this business longer than you’ve been
But George waited until he had the attention of everybody in the backstage dressing area.
"I just got off the phone with Marty. Freestone is very impressed with what’s happened on tour so far. The shows have all sold out. More merchandise had to be ordered because we ran out in Richmond . The CD is getting serious radio play, and it’s moving up the charts quick."
"Yeah, George, that’s great news," Leo said.
The rest of Roadhouse nodded in agreement, backslaps and congratulatory comments flying among the men.
"But that’s not all. There’s more to it." George again waited for silence. "You’re being upgraded to a tour bus as of tonight. No more motor homes."
Tom thought of Beth. "What about the crew?"
The older man knew what was on his mind. Or rather, who. "Beth will be fine. She’ll be on a second bus with me and the other guys. Hotel rooms have been reserved for you for the remainder of the tour. They’ll be within walking distance or maybe a short drive away from the concert halls."
George waved and turned to leave. "No dawdling after the show tonight, boys. You’ve got packing to do."
Despite Tom needing to complete his preparations to go on stage, he hurried to catch up with George as the man crossed into the backstage hallway.
"George?"
The road manager turned, an inquisitive look on his face.
"Yes, Tom?"
"I need to talk to you. About Beth."
George’s eyes flicked past Tom’s shoulder. He turned to see his band mates unabashedly looking his way, listening in on his conversation.
Tom loved the guys like brothers, but he didn’t want any stories circulating about Beth that she herself didn’t tell in the first place.
He reached out and pulled the dressing room door firmly shut. "Sorry, fellows."
He turned to George once again, ignoring the "Oh, man!" and other sounds of frustration at his back.
"What’s up, Tom?"
He hesitated, unsure of what exactly Bethany had told her father about the police visit earlier that day. Or if she’d told him anything at all.
But fear for her safety was foremost in his mind, and he was willing to share her secret with the only family she had if it meant she’d be better protected.
"Did Beth tell you what happened earlier, during her break?"
George’s cheery disposition instantly disappeared. "I know the police were here, and that Eric Sharpe is running around free, possibly intending to hurt my daughter. I assume that’s what you’re referring to?"
"Yeah, that’s it exactly." Tom was happy Beth hadn’t kept the news from her father. He felt better knowing he had help in looking out for her. "I’m real glad to hear about the bus situation. Especially now. If Beth still had to stay with Hannah and Liz in their motor home alone, with no real protection, I’d go nuts. This change couldn’t have come at a better time."
"Tom, don’t worry so much. If that creep ever tries to come near Beth, he’ll have to get through me and the rest of the crew first. All the concert halls have top-notch security, and the hotels do, too."
"But to be on the safe side," George continued, "I’ll get a picture of Sharpe faxed to the scheduled venues, to put them on watch ahead of time. If he shows up, the cops will get ’ em ."
Understanding radiated from the man’s blue eyes. They were a shade darker than his daughter’s, but just as expressive. After a short hesitation, he went on in a softer tone.
"I know you care for my daughter. And I know she cares for you, too. I’ve seen how you two look at each other. Hell, anyone who’s been in the same room as you guys has seen it."
"But don’t let those feelings get in the way of the music. You won’t get this opportunity again. There are plenty of bands waiting to take Roadhouse’s place."
George placed a hand on Tom’s shoulder. Gave it a quick, firm shake. "Don’t get me wrong. I’d be damn glad to have you as my son-in-law. But I’ve been in this business longer than you’ve been
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