Grace Unplugged: A Novel Read Online Free PDF

and, as far as she could tell, a newcomer to the church. But it was his slick GQ appearance that captured her attention. Her guess was that he wasn’t from Homewood.
    As the song ended, she focused her attention back on Dad, waiting for him to cue her to begin the next song. She continued to put her energy into playing and singing the worship songs—playing the part of the worship leader’s well-mannered daughter. She would make him happy, make him proud. She would give her best efforts, and maybe he would start to trust her again.
    After the worship ended, Pastor Bryant came up and took over the podium, and Grace went to sit where she usually sat, on the left-hand side of the front row. And there she pretended to be taking notes, but she was actually writing down some song lyrics that had just hit her. Then aware that her dad was probably watching, she tried to remember to open her Bible at the appropriate times. Before long the sermon ended, and it was time for the worship team to wrap things up.
    Once again she took her place at the piano and did her best to make Dad happy. Sure, it wasn’t how she would be running the show if she were in charge. But she was not in charge. Not of the worship service—and not even of her own life.
    Relieved that it was all over, Grace kept a pleasant expression pasted on her face as she gathered her music and notebook and Bible, shoving them into her oversized bag and preparing to make a quick exit. Dad gave her a subtle nod—as if to say she’d done okay—and then he turned to pack up his guitar. She was just leaving the stage when she heard someone calling out, “Johnny Trey!”
    She looked over to see the GQ stranger approaching the stage, waving at her dad like he knew him.
    “Mossy?” Her dad sounded genuinely shocked.
    “In the flesh, amigo.” The man came up to the stage with a look of quiet self-assurance and confidence—like he really knew who he was and could fit in anywhere, even a small church in Alabama.
    “Come here, man!” Dad hopped off the stage and met the stranger with a big hug. “Dude, what in the world?”
    “Let me look at you.” Mr. GQ gave Dad a quick head-to-toe then shook his head. “Man, you’re old.”
    Now Mom was coming over to check the situation out. She looked as curious as Grace felt. “Mossy?” Mom said with uncertainty as she got closer.
    “There she is,” the man said warmly to her. “Shelly, baby.” Now he hugged Mom too. Grace, remaining in the shadows, continued watching, trying to figure out who this was and what was going down.
    “You haven’t aged a day, sweet thing,” Mr. GQ was telling her mom.
    “I’ll take your word for it,” she said happily.
    “What are you possibly doing here, man?” Dad asked him.
    Now Mr. GQ nodded to where Grace was standing nearby eavesdropping. “Who’s this young talent?” he asked her dad.
    “That’s Grace,” Dad told him.
    Mr. GQ looked stunned. “What?”
    “Our daughter,” Mom explained. “Come here, Grace. Meet an old friend.”
    “This beautiful lady is baby Grace?” He extended his hand for a shake then pulled Grace into a warm hug. “Last time I saw you, you were in diapers.”
    “Grace,” Dad said to her, “this is Frank Mostin. He was my manager.” He chuckled. “He discovered your old man back in the day.”
    “Hi.” Grace smiled shyly at him.
    “You are absolutely gorgeous.” Now Mossy gave her the same head-to-toe he’d given Dad, only this time he looked pleased. “And you were brilliant up there.” He nodded to the stage. “A real natural.”
    With a grimace Grace shrugged then thanked him. Did this guy really think that was good? Compared to how she wished she could play, today’s worship service was nothing. Then, realizing this dude was really studying her, she started to feel uncomfortable.
    “Alright,” Dad said. “You completely got me. What brings you out this way, man?”
    “Well, I’m just so happy to see you both. I’ve missed