Katie Lyn’s Guarded Heart: Sweethearts of Country Music, Book 4

by Savage, Marie

  Katie Lyn shook those thoughts instantly. The one good thing that came out of her short marriage was batting her eyes and asking to be a mermaid for Halloween.

  “Fine,” she sighed. “I guess it’s two against one. Ariel it is.” Katie Lyn gave up and put the Cinderella costume back on the rack.

  “You can be Cinderella, Mommy. Then you can find Prince Charmin and live happily ever after,” Madison said as she threw her arms up in the air, the same way Katie Lyn would do anytime she told her a bedtime story.

  “It’s Prince Charming, baby, not Charmin. Charmin is a brand of toilet paper.” Katie Lyn tried not to laugh at her daughter’s mispronunciation. She’d allow her daughter to still believe in fairy tales and happily ever after, like she once did. There would be plenty of time to realize later, that dreams just don’t happen. You have to work hard to make them happen. Just like her mama taught her, she would teach her daughter the same. Most of all, she’d make sure that the mistakes that both she and her mother made when they were younger would end with them. Madison would never have to dream of a prince to come save her. She would already have it all.

  Katie Lyn kept scanning the crowd as she pushed the cart to the self-checkout. She had Maddie safely in the cart and her mother walking closely beside her. So far, they had been able to sneak into the store and mix in with the crowd unnoticed. Luckily, Walmart didn’t carry Country Music Times magazine at the check stands, or maybe they had sold out. These last few months had been a whirlwind of touring, interviews and Lipstick Outlaws on every cover. As the lead singer for the group, her blonde locks and blue eyes got her lots of attention. The next Carrie Underwood they liked to tag her.

  She had learned, however, to be incognito with her golden tresses in a ponytail, and wearing her pink ball cap. In the busy store, she looked more like a kid in high school, than a country music sensation.

  She loved being in the band, but the one thing she hated about being a star, was the interviews. Some were easy and they would ask about their music and touring. That’s where Clarissa Walker, who preferred to be called Rissa, would take the lead. She was the guitarist for the band and along with Val, Lipstick Outlaws manager and founder, they would explain the band’s history. After that, they discussed what was going on with tours and new releases.

  But as their stardom grew, the questions got more personal. When it was discovered by one of the reporters that Katie Lyn was a single mom, she started getting bombarded with questions. She was asked if she was still married. How did her ex feel about her music? Who was she dating now? Then one time a reporter dug a little a deeper and started questioning her about her last name of Bishop, which was coincidentally the last name of famous bad boy country legend Waylon Bishop. Putting together her talented voice and his and asking if she was the famous singer’s daughter.

  She denied it, stating it was just a huge coincidence and then she’d joke that, “It would be nice to sing with him one day, though.” She hoped it was enough to pacify everyone’s curiosity for now.

  Val had warned them all, but especially Katie Lyn, about how fame came with a price. The price being their privacy. As the Lipstick Outlaw fan base grew, more and more questions would pop up about their personal lives. “You better get a thick skin quick,” Val would remind them.

  Katie Lyn was willing to do what it took to keep her private life, private, especially when it came to Madison. She loved being the lead singer, but her daughter came first. She was so relieved that Val allowed her daughter and mother to join them on tour. She understood all about being a single mom, as she was to her son Jake, who happened to be Rissa’s boyfriend. Val could appear rough around the edges at times, but she had a heart of gold, and besides her own mother, was one of Katie Lyn’s biggest supporters.

  They had been touring for months now and had a little break before their concert next week. As much as she loved singing for a crowd, she was looking forward to some downtime with Maddie. The holidays were approaching fast and she couldn’t wait to celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas in the new house and with the Ariel costume in hand, she looked forward to trick-or-treating this Halloween.

  “Have you decided where you’re taking her trick-or-treating?” Her mom asked as she started loading the merchandise on the self-checkout.

  “I’m sure one of the local churches here will have something going on, or maybe the park will have trunk-or-treat or something.”

  “Speaking of church, I was talking to a lady while I was waiting in line at the pharmacy. She mentioned her church. Maybe we should check it out this Sunday.”

  “You know I want to go, but we have to pack for the tour in PCB and then as soon as we get home, we have to move into the house. Val is already irritated that I decided to buy a house in the middle of touring.”

  “I didn’t get that impression from her at all. Val understands that you’re just trying to make a stable life for Madison. She knows all about trying to raise a child by yourself. You need a home base. Even Carrie Underwood has that.”

  “Oh, not you, too. When I get to finally meet Carrie, she’s probably going to hate me. The media won’t let it go. Maybe I should dye my hair pink or something. No, then they would compare me to Pink. Never mind, I just can’t win.”

  “Oh, boo hoo! Poor you. You can’t handle being so popular.” Her mother smiled as she teased her.

  “It’s still all so new to me . . . to us.” She quickly corrected herself. “First the hit song and then the album and now we’re buying a home. I still can’t believe it. I’m afraid I’m going to wake up one day and find it was all a dream.”

  Katie Lyn, remembering her days of living in low income apartments with her mom, trying to make it month-by-month, week-by-week, and day-by-day. Sometimes when things were really tough, hour by hour.

  Having a full-time day job, then working nights singing in clubs all while trying to raise Madison with only her mother and her best friend Cinnamon, robbed her of precious moments with her daughter. Now, she was becoming successful with the band and was determined to spend some quality time with Madison. Something she rarely had as a child.

  She knew her mama did all she could, but unfortunately Katie Lyn ended up spending more time with sitters than with her mama. She’d watch tv sitcoms and dream of having a life with both a mommy and a daddy. Doing family things like going camping, joining Girl Scouts, having holiday gatherings, going to Disney World.

  But that wasn’t in the cards for Katie Lyn back then. From a very young age, she realized that not all dreams come true, like the fairy tales that she and Madison would watch. She was determined now, to change that. It was too late for her, but not for her daughter.

  Except for the birth of Madison, joining Lipstick Outlaws was the first dream in her life to have ever come true, but it took hard work and a little luck to get there. Right place at the right time, she’d often think to herself and would comment on that when reporters would ask how she came to be the lead singer of the band.

  It was a dare, in fact a double dare, that led Katie Lyn to the stage that night. Her friends at the Tin Roof bar, where she’d sing on occasion, told her about the band auditions and Cinnamon dared her to go. Of course, the night she decided to accept the dare, her mom had to work, and Madison’s babysitter was running late. She was thankful that Rissa had convinced Val to let her sing that night for the audition.

  She showed up late at the Turquoise Horse with her new guitar in hand, hoping to get the spot of lead guitar, or maybe even a shot at playing piano. Her heart sank when Val turned her away for being late. She owed Rissa a lot for insisting Val that she audition to sing. Katie Lyn enjoyed the spotlight, but she doubted her ability to sing as well as someone like her idols, Miranda Lambert, Kelsea Ballerini, and especially, Carrie Underwood. Her mother and Cinnamon both had told her time and time again, that she had an incredible voice, but she continued to be content with playing either her guitar or a piano. Those two instruments helped her when she was learning
to cope with her dyslexia and continued to be a source of comfort in times of struggle.

  When she started singing Carrie Underwood’s Blown Away to Val and Rissa, she sang with all the hurt and pain she had felt all those years. It paid off, when they chose her to be the lead singer of Lipstick Outlaws. To quote Jake, “She knocked them on their butts.”

  Singing came naturally to her, in fact, you could say it was in her blood. The rumors the reporters were relentless about and wouldn’t drop, were true. She was Waylon Bishop’s daughter. She didn’t want to admit it and denied it at every turn. She wouldn’t use his name to make it in this industry. She either did it with her own talent or she was out. Besides her mother and Cinnamon, no one knew the truth, not even the other girls in the band.

  Now, with a hit self-titled album climbing the charts, a recording contract with Storm Music, and a countrywide tour, she was beginning to see her dream become a reality. But always the pessimist, she knew if she didn’t work hard, she could be back to stocking shelves at Walmart again.

  2

  Attorney Alec O’Donnell smiled after speaking with the realtor. He was happy to find out Katie Lyn Bishop’s escrow was about to close. As the owner, and soon to be seller, of the three-bedroom, two bath country home, he was happy that it was almost finalized. His boss would also be happy to know that his daughter, granddaughter, and ex-wife would soon have the home they’d been dreaming of, the home they deserved. Thinking about how Katie Lyn must be so happy, made Alec happy, too.

  Staying hidden in the background and only observing Katie Lyn’s life through the paperwork and updates from the security team, had been hard on the attorney. He missed the days seeing her in person, even if it was from the shadows. His heart never felt more alive than when the talented songstress stepped into his life.

  “Here you go. One Grande Pike’s Place with heavy whipping cream. I’m so happy that the new office has a Starbucks across the street. Very convenient,” his mother said as she stepped into the office from a coffee run.

  “Thanks, Mom,” he said as he took the hot cup of coffee. He carefully removed the lid from the hot beverage, adding some of the MCT oil he had conveniently tucked inside his desk drawer.

  “What exactly does that stuff do?” his mother asked as she sat down and sipped on her regular black coffee.

  “The medium chain triglycerides are the good fat in my diet. It helps with my metabolism and improves energy and brainpower,” he said as he quickly stirred his drink before replacing the lid and taking a sip.

  “So, that’s the secret to you being the best attorney in Nashville and here I thought it was because you got your smarts from your mom.” She winked.

  “I don’t know about the best attorney in Nashville, but I thought you said I got my good looks from you. Doesn’t Dad get any credit?” he teased her back.

  “Okay, you got me there. Speaking of your father, where is he this morning?”

  “Reagan case is today.”

  “Oh yes. That’s the big one. No wonder he took off very early this morning. What about you? Any big cases today?”

  “No, not today.”

  “Good. Maybe you should take it easy this weekend and go out on a date. You remember my friend Elizabeth, from church. Her niece, Samantha, is in town and she’s a charming young woman.”

  “I’m sure she is, Mom. But I have plans.”

  His mother sat up straight in her chair. Alec knew she was always ready to hear any news about his personal life. She had been trying to set him up on dates for years and was always disappointed when he refuses.

  “You do? Is she blonde, single, and the mother of a three-year-old adorable little girl?” she teased.

  “I didn’t say I had a date. Just plans.” He smiled.

  “Well, I hope it’s a date. You’re such a nice, successful and good-looking man, but you’re not getting any younger.”

  “You’re just saying that because you want grandbabies.” He laughed. “Ever since Ms. Elizabeth announced that her daughter was having a baby, you’ve been jealous.”

  “I’m not ashamed to admit it. I would love to have some grandbabies around. Your father and I were just talking about that the other day.”

  “I’m sure one day you will. Just not today.”

  “Of course, if you’d quit being so stubborn and try to reach out to a certain young country music star you’ve been pining for over the last few years . . .”

  He came around his desk and offered his mother a hand. She gently took it as she stood.

  “I take this is your cue that you’d like me to leave.”

  “Yes, ma'am. No disrespect, but I have some files to look over. Thanks for the pep talk and the coffee.” He pulled her in for a quick hug.

  “A mother knows when to take a hint, I suppose.” She gave him a quick kiss on the cheek and headed toward the door.

  “Sweetheart,” she said, stopping at the doorway.

  “Yes, Mom,” he responded as he returned to his chair. He should’ve known she wasn’t quite done with the lecture.

  “If your plans this weekend would like to come to the charity costume party in a few weeks, don’t forget to invite her. I still need your RSVP, by the way.”

  “Bye, Mom,” he said as he picked up his phone ready to dial.

  “Bye, dear.” She gave him that look before closing the door. That motherly look she was famous for, according to his father. It was the look he was sure she knew would make him feel guilty enough to attend a function he couldn’t care less about attending.

  He wouldn’t mind so much attending, if he could escort the beautiful Katie Lyn on his arm, but she was so busy touring with the band, he doubted she’d have time to attend. Besides, he knew she’d probably want to just move into her home and have some quiet time with her little girl.

  His mother was right. He was pining for the country music star and had been for years. How could he not, when it was his job to watch out for her well-being. His weekend would be spent at home, keeping tabs on the security detail, and watching the beautiful singer and Lipstick Outlaws performing live on CMT Saturday night.

  He pulled up the Lipstick Outlaw website just to see her face and read her brief bio. It was a very basic biography mentioning her hometown and being raised by her mother. It mentioned her brief marriage and her daughter, but no names. It was clear that she wanted to keep her life private, and his job was to make sure that nothing interfered with that. He stared at her picture taken at one of their concerts. Behind the microphone stood a confident young woman who he had watched transform over the last four years. She was no longer the shy and desperate eighteen-year-old he first met in 2015.

  It began innocently enough when she showed up unexpectedly at his grandfather’s office one November afternoon. Alec had graduated from college and was in his second year of law school. He was helping his grandfather and father by filling in as an intern. It was Veterans Day, and everyone took the day off. Alec had decided to stop in and help his father get caught up. He heard the door chime go off and was ready to kick himself for forgetting to lock the door. It was too late as he got up and walked to the counter. He stopped dead in his tracks at the sight the gorgeous blonde with the sweet smile, wearing an oversized sweatshirt and leggings. Her smile, and then her sparkling blue eyes, caught his attention first, but when she turned to shut the door, the silhouette of a protruding stomach distracted him.

  He was too familiar with this old game. Being a lawyer in Nashville meant his grandfather had quite a few celebrity clients. He wondered who she’d be claiming was the father of her baby. He felt sorry for her; she seemed so young and for once he prayed he was wrong.

  “Hello,” she said with a voice of an angel. She was soft spoken and extremely shy as she stepped further into the office.

  “Can I help you?” he asked as he stepped away from the counter to greet her.

  “Yes, I was wondering if I could speak to Mr. Bishop. Waylon Bishop.”

 
He really hated that he was about to have to shoo her away. She was pretty and something inside of him wanted to help her.

  “He’s not here. This is Malcom Winslow’s law office.”

  “Yes, I know. Mr. Winslow is my father’s attorney.”

  Father? Alec thought to himself. And for some strange notion he was relieved.

  “Waylon Bishop is your father?”

  “Yes. Could I speak to Mr. Winslow? It’s important.”

  “Well, I’m sorry, but he’s not here right now. What’s your name?”

  “Katie Lyn.”

  The name was familiar to him. He had been filing away some folders, and if he wasn’t mistaken, her name was on one of them. A name like hers stood out. Maybe she was telling the truth.

  “Can I take a message? Is it misses or miss?”

  “It’s Ms. I’m no longer married.”

  He wasn’t sure why that fact pleased him, but it did.

  “Why did you need to see my grand . . .” He paused, holding back letting her know he was his grandson. “Why did you need to see Mr. Winslow?”

  “Please, I really need to talk to my father. I don’t want to talk to his lawyer, but I didn’t know who else to turn to. I just need an address or phone number.”

  “I’m sorry, but I just can’t give you the whereabouts of Mr. Winslow’s client.”

  “Please, I won’t tell them you gave it to me. I’ll swear on a stack of Bibles I won’t.”

  “I believe you. But I’m sorry. I can’t do that.”

  “Never mind. This was so pointless. I should’ve known better.” She started to tear up. Alec felt his heart breaking for her.

  “I’m sorry. Can I help you some other way?” He reached in his back pocket for his wallet and was willing to give her whatever he had on him.

  “I’m not here for charity.” She shook her head and started to head to the door.

  “I didn’t mean any disrespect.”

  “Ugh!” She moaned as she stopped in the lobby and grabbed her stomach. She reached her hand out to grab the chair for support.