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

by Savage, Marie

  She knew this day would finally come. She desired nothing more than to be involved in choosing the songs and helping to create them, but she feared looking stupid in front of all of them. It brought back childhood memories when kids would pick on her for not being able to read and being put in special education classes.

  “Here’s another thing to think about. You could be like a spokesperson for people with dyslexia. You can write a great song and show them, and show the world, that you can’t let a disability hold you back.”

  Katie Lyn never looked at it that way. She could do this, and maybe do other things, to bring awareness to the disorder. Instead of feeling discouraged, she suddenly felt inspired.

  “Okay. Let’s get home and get started then.”

  9

  It was Saturday night and Alec was finally getting his date with Katie Lyn. He was able to get a haircut this afternoon and had just finished shaving. He splashed on some new cologne that the salesperson at the counter at Macy’s assured him was a favorite with all the ladies.

  The hardest part of the date was finding a costume. He begged Katie Lyn through text message to give him at least one more hint on her costume, but she wouldn’t budge. She told him he should already know the answer if he listened closely enough. He wasn’t sure what that even meant. He finally just googled the words bibbidi-bobbidi-boo and immediately a small animated clip popped up. She was right, he should’ve guessed it.

  Guessing which costume to buy was much easier than finding one. None of the local stores had it. He ended up waiting for Fed Ex to overnight the one he found online. He ended up paying more in shipping than the costume cost him, which was a lot. But she was worth it. He wanted tonight to be perfect.

  He wasn’t sure if he should have bought flowers for her or not, but he decided to take a chance and buy a corsage. While he was at the florist picking it up, he bought a bouquet of flowers for her mom, and a small bouquet for Madison, so she wouldn’t feel left out.

  He finally arrived at her house and was amazed when he stepped onto the front porch to ring the doorbell. She had been busy making subtle changes; a welcome wreath on the door, potted plants by the entrance, two rocking chairs and a porch swing with decorative pillows. When he owned the property, it was just a house, but Katie Lyn made it a home.

  “Hello Alec, it’s good to see you again,” Lynette said as she answered the door.

  “Good evening, Ms. Lynette. How are you this evening?”

  “Fine, thank you. Come on in, she’s still getting ready.”

  Alec looked around once he stepped inside. The house was cozy and feminine, but he didn’t mind. It suited her and he was so happy she was making it her own.

  Usually quite confident, at least nowadays, Alec suddenly felt nervous. He only remembered feeling this way years ago when he was patiently waiting for his prom date to come downstairs and hoped she didn’t take one look at him and run back upstairs. Fortunately for him she didn’t, but he wouldn’t say he found the love of his life, unlike now.

  “He’s here.” He heard Madison yell before she came running out of her room in a what looked to be a mermaid costume.

  “Hello, Madison.”

  She stopped and looked him up and down and then frowned. She didn’t seem happy to see him, making him wonder. Was she was expecting her father and was disappointed he was here instead?

  “What’s wrong?” he asked and waited for her to confirm his suspicions.

  “You’re the wrong prince,” she said and then pouted.

  “What do you mean?” He looked at Ms. Lynette, who shrugged.

  “You’re Prince Charmin not Prince Eric.”

  “Prince Charmin?” he said, wanting to laugh at the little girl’s name snafu.

  “She means Prince Charming.” He heard the sweet sound of Katie Lyn’s voice as she stepped into the room. She looked magical in the sparkling blue gown and tiara, just like Cinderella stepping out of a book and into the living room and into his heart.

  “I guess I chose the right costume after all,” he said.

  “It appears so.” She stepped up to him and his heart started pounding out of his chest.

  * * *

  Katie Lyn felt like a princess when she walked into the living room. From her bedroom, she overheard Madison say Prince Charmin and was pleased to find that Alec chose a matching costume.

  She had worn the gown for the CMT awards, but she doubted anyone would call her out on wearing it again. She found one of her mother’s old pageant tiaras to wear. It was the special added touch to make her look like a princess.

  “You look stunning,” Alec said as he took a few steps closer to her. For a moment it appeared he might try to kiss her, but she suddenly stepped away to avoid an awkward moment. She wanted to take this slow and kissing him was something she wasn’t ready for.

  “You don’t look so bad yourself.” She smiled as she started straightening up Madison’s toys, so he could sit down.

  “I think he makes a better Prince Eric!” Madison huffed and crossed her arms.

  “Don’t be rude young lady,” she scolded her.

  “I’m sorry,” she said and hung her chin down.

  Katie Lyn watched as Alec knelt in front of her child. She admired the fact that he didn’t want to appear superior and tower over her.

  “I’m sorry I didn’t dress as Prince Eric this time, but I will next time, okay. Here. These are for you.”

  “You brought me flowers? Look, Mommy, he brought me flowers.”

  “They’re very pretty, baby. What do you say?”

  “Thank you, Mr. Alec.”

  “You’re welcome and these are for you, Ms. Lynette,” he said as he handed a fall bouquet to her mother.

  “Thank you. These are lovely. I’ll get them in a vase.”

  Alec turned back to her again with a corsage in his hand.

  “This is for you. I hope you like it.”

  Katie Lyn stared down at the white rose corsage with blue-gray and silver ribbon. It matched her dress perfectly.

  “It’s gorgeous. Thank you. I wasn’t expecting flowers.”

  “Here, let me help you put it on,” he said, and Katie Lyn held out her hand as he delicately slipped the corsage on. She loved the feel of her hand in his. It felt right.

  “That was sweet to remember her, too. Thank you,” she whispered to him.

  He smiled and it grew bigger when she allowed him to continue to hold her hand.

  “The ball awaits, Cinderella. Are you ready?”

  “Yes. But one second.” She knelt to Madison. “You be good for Nana while I’m out, okay.”

  “Okay, Mommy.”

  “Kisses.” They shared one quick kiss on the lips. “Eskimo,” they rubbed noses. “Butterfly,” they got close enough to flutter their eyelashes together. She gave her a quick hug and rejoined Alec, who once again took her hand.

  “Your carriage awaits, my princess,” he said as they stepped onto the porch.

  For a moment she wondered if he really got a carriage, but noticed the limo parked outside.

  “A limo?”

  “Well, it’s twenty miles away. I didn’t think you’d want a real carriage, especially with the weather looking like it’s about to rain at any moment.”

  “Good point.”

  “Shall we?”

  “I’m ready.”

  Alec walked her to the limo where the chauffeur waited and opened the door for them.

  Years ago, she could only dream of riding in a limo, and this year she rode in them quite a few times. She still got excited about it.

  “I really appreciate you doing this. I really hate going to these charity events alone,” Alec said as they started down the road.

  “I’m sure you could have found someone to ask.”

  “Nah. To be honest, I wasn’t going to go.”

  “What? But why?”

  “I don’t know. I guess I’m more of a homebody. I’d just as soon be home watching the
game.”

  Suddenly Katie Lyn was embarrassed. Did she make a mistake in just assuming he was nervous about asking her? Maybe he only agreed to take her because he felt sorry for her.

  “I’m sorry. I thought you wanted to go. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have invited myself.”

  “I didn’t mean it to sound like that. I meant that I didn’t want to go alone. Things like this are meant for couples. So, thank you for agreeing to go with me.”

  Katie Lyn could feel her face getting warm.

  “So, Cinderella, huh? And Madison likes The Little Mermaid. It seems mother and daughter have an obsession with Disney princesses.”

  “You caught that, huh?”

  “I take it you like to believe in fairy tales.”

  “What girl doesn’t want to believe that Prince Charming will come and take her away from all her troubles and slay all her dragons?”

  “There’s dragons in Cinderella?” He gave her a funny look.

  “No, silly. I’m talking in general. It’s fairy tales, not reality.”

  “True, but it’s not wrong to believe in happily ever after, is it?” He looked her in the eyes and she suddenly felt uncomfortable about the topic of discussion.

  Katie Lyn looked away, feeling the need to break eye contact. It was if he could see through her and know what she was thinking. Just like sharing a kiss, she wasn’t ready for that.

  “I guess it’s not wrong, just unrealistic.”

  “How so?” he continued to press.

  “It just is. Don’t tell me you believe in fairy tales?”

  “Oh, I don’t know. I’d like to think anything’s possible.”

  “Well, I blew my shot at happily ever after because I was impatient and married someone on impulse.”

  “But you didn’t know that at the time, did you?”

  “Of course not.”

  “Are you only entitled to one happily ever after?” he asked her.

  “I guess not.”

  “Then I say there’s nothing wrong for believing in fairy tales.” He took her hand and brought it to his lips and gently kissed it.

  Katie Lyn was falling hard and falling fast. “Is this just a fairy tale?” she asked.

  “I guess we’ll have to wait and see.”

  10

  Katie Lyn was nervous as they made their way inside the Richland Country Club. Being a country music star, she should be used to large social gatherings, but the shy country girl was still there deep inside her and she was terrified. She squeezed Alec’s hand tighter.

  “Are you okay?” he leaned in to whisper in her ear.

  “Yeah, why?” she whispered back as she looked around the crowded ballroom.

  “Because, all of the sudden, I’ve lost sensation in my left hand,” he whispered again.

  She immediately let go only to find him taking it back and giving it a slight squeeze.

  “I’m so sorry.”

  “Relax, I was only teasing you. You can hold my hand anytime you like.”

  “Who are all these people?”

  “Well, it looks like the usual crowd is here. Doctors, politicians, businessmen . . . and lots of lawyers.”

  “And celebrities,” she added.

  “Yeah them, too.”

  “Oh my gosh, is that Tim McGraw and Faith Hill?” she whispered but didn’t want to point.

  “Where?”

  “The ones dressed as Danny and Sandy, from Grease. Over by the band.”

  “Looks like it. I’m sure there are a few musicians here.”

  “They’re not just musicians, they’re stars.”

  “So are you,” he said, and Katie Lyn looked at him and smiled.

  “My mother is standing over there.”

  “Which one?” Katie Lyn looked around the room.

  “The one dressed as Scarlett O’Hara.”

  “Let’s go say hi. I need to ask her about singing later, anyway.”

  “I just want you to know, it’s not too late to bow out.”

  “Do you not want me to sing?” She suddenly felt a little hurt that he kept trying to talk her out of it. Maybe he felt she was going to embarrass him.

  “That’s not it. I would love to hear you sing. I just don’t want anyone pressuring you to do it out of some sort of obligation.”

  “That’s sweet and I appreciate it, but I do feel obligated in a way. They were there for me in my time of need, it would be wrong of me to turn my back on them now that I’ve become successful.”

  “Do you know what you’re going to sing?”

  “I do.”

  “Do I get a hint?”

  “Not this time.”

  As they walked in, Katie Lyn got quite a few looks and smiles. Then they approached his mother and Katie Lyn suddenly felt nervous.

  “There you are. I was wondering if you were going to show up.”

  “Hi, Mom,” Alec said as he hugged his mother.

  “Katie Lyn, you look beautiful. You make a perfect Cinderella.”

  “Thank you, Ms. Claire. You look stunning as Scarlett.”

  “Thank you. Sweetheart, I have to tell you this, when I told the organizers that you were coming and agreed to sing, they were very excited.”

  “They were?” Katie Lyn still couldn’t believe it. She was filling in for the one and only Martina McBride. She was nothing compared to her.

  “Oh yes. They’ve read about you in magazines and know about how hard you struggled but kept pursuing your dream of making it country music. They said you give the other single moms out there hope. They look up to you and feel close to you, like they know you. It means so much to them, that you agreed to sing tonight.”

  Katie Lyn held back tears as she was getting choked up by Claire’s kind words. They felt close to her and looked up to her? Once again, she felt Alec take her hand and interlock his fingers with hers.

  “Where’s Dad?” Alec asked. “I want to introduce him to Katie Lyn.”

  “He’s around here somewhere, probably talking to Brad and Kim again.”

  “You mean Brad and Kimberly Paisley?”

  “Yes, do you know them?”

  Katie Lyn didn’t know what to say. Even now, with being successful, she could still be starstruck.

  “Mom, if you’ll excuse us, I’m going to take Katie Lyn out for a spin on the dance floor, before you steal my date for the night.”

  “Yes, of course. Please go dance and mingle. Have fun you two. I’m going to go hunt your father down.”

  Alec led her to the dance floor just as Neon Moon by Brooks and Dunn started to play. As he took her into his arms and swayed to the music, she tried to think about when she last danced with someone. It had been awhile.

  “I’m not sure who that smile is for, but I hope it’s for me?”

  It was the second time that he tried flirting with her, at least she thought he was flirting. It had been so long, that she wondered if she could even tell anymore.

  “You’re a pretty good dancer, counselor. Did you take lessons?”

  “Does dancing with my mom count?” He laughed.

  She leaned in and placed her cheek on his shoulder as they continued to dance. She didn’t want to tell him that the reason she was smiling was that she was enjoying the feeling of being in his arms. She felt safe there.

  “I’m really glad you came tonight. I thought maybe later you and I could talk. I’ve some things I want to say.”

  “About the case?” she asked.

  “No, about us. But not now. Right now, let’s just enjoy this dance.”

  * * *

  The time came for Katie Lyn to take the stage, which felt weird without the other girls with her. It had been awhile since she performed solo and she wasn’t sure how she felt about it. It was times like this she’d love to have her old guitar with her.

  She had asked the house band earlier if they knew Lee Ann Womack’s I Hope you Dance. The song meant a lot to Katie Lyn, her mother, and Madison. Lynette would sing it to K
atie Lyn as a child, and in turn, Katie Lyn sang it to Maddie. It was their song, especially during the difficult times. She felt it was appropriate for the event.

  When she started, the crowd gathered and many faces looked at her, but her eyes only found one face to concentrate on . . . Alec’s. She let the music bring back the times when Madison was learning to crawl and then walk. All those precious moments in her life that she was so lucky to be a part of.

  As she continued to sing, she watched as Alec made his way to the front of the crowd and when she was done, he led the applause.

  When she went to exit the stage, he was waiting for her at the bottom of the stairs, holding his hand out to help guide her down.

  “That was very beautiful. I think you caused a few tears, there.”

  “The song means a lot to me.”

  “I could tell,” he said, taking both her hands in his.

  “You’re pretty amazing, you know that?” He smiled at her and the butterflies were back. He began to lean in again and she decided that maybe this time she’d let him steal a small kiss.

  “You were wonderful, Katie Lyn.” Claire O’Donnell walked up with a man dressed as Rhett Butler, breaking up the tender moment.

  “Thank you,” she said.

  “Katie Lyn, this is my father, Liam. Dad, this is Katie Lyn Bishop.”

  “It’s nice to finally meet you, Katie Lyn.”

  “It’s nice to meet you too, Mr. O’Donnell.”

  “Please call me Liam.”

  “Oh, and Katie Lyn, I want to introduce you to my father, Malcom Winslow,” Claire said as an elderly gentleman stepped up beside her.

  Katie Lyn stood there stunned. She didn’t recognize his face, but that name was definitely familiar.

  “Malcom Winslow?” Katie Lyn whispered to herself as she was hit with a wave of memory at the mention of his name. Malcom Winslow, attorney at law for Waylon Bishop. That sick feeling she got when something bad was about to happen hit her out of the blue. She looked at Alec, and then his eyes. Those eyes. She remembered those eyes.