by Ciana Stone
Nashville was her past. It was over. Done. Deke was in prison and couldn’t hurt her. That chapter in her life was closed. She was in Cotton Creek now and she and Lily were doing really well.
Just stop fretting and enjoy this time.
“Enjoy it, dumbass,” she said to her reflection.
Her reflection didn’t look entirely convinced. With a snort of annoyance, she left the bathroom and nearly collided with Jayce.
“Well, hey there beautiful.”
Her entire body suffused with warmth and relief at his smile. She’d not seen him since her “episode” in his truck and was starting to think he was avoiding her.
“Hey yourself.”
“Big crowd tonight.”
“Yeah. Cody and Hannah are hoping this karaoke thing will take off.”
“Well, you get enough beer in some of these folks and they’re likely to put on a show. Now whether it will make your ears bleed is a whole other story.”
Callie laughed. “So, are you going to get on stage?”
“Nope.”
“Aww, come on.”
“No, no and oh hell no. I can carry a bucket a whole lot better than a tune. You gonna do it?”
“Yeah. According to the boss, I’m up after Jimmy Ray.”
“Who is crucifying Waylon Jennings?”
She grimaced. “He’s not exactly hitting all the notes, is he?”
“Oh, he’s hittin’ ‘em all right – with a sledge hammer. So what you singing?”
“I don’t know. The songs are picked at random. I won’t know till I get up there.”
“Nervous?”
“I wasn’t. Until I ran into you.”
“Me? I make you nervous?”
“You make me a whole lot of things, Jayce. Including nervous.”
“Well, sugar.” He reached out to take her hand and pulled her to him. “Me and you need to explore some of those things.”
His face was only inches away, so close she could feel his breath on her skin. She longed to close the gap, to press her lips against his. Breathe him in. Taste him. Feel his body against hers.
Just then, Jimmy Ray finished and to cheers, boos and laughter he left the stage.
Cody stepped up to the microphone. “Okay then, next up is our own Callie Williams. Callie? Where are you, girl?”
Callie threw up her hand, then cut Jayce a quick look. “Wish me luck?”
“You got it, beautiful.” He kissed her cheek.
Callie’s gaze connected with his and for a moment, she could not even breathe. Was it possible to fall in love with someone you’d only known for seven weeks? Someone you’d never dated or kissed or spent more than an hour with at a time?
“Callie!” Cody’s yell had her jerking back to attention.
“I’m coming.” She made her way to the stage.
Cody dipped her hand into a box on the table and withdrew a piece of paper. “Oh girl, we’ve got one for you. This song was originally written and performed by Dolly Parton, but we’re gonna let you jump on the version made famous the world over by Whitney Houston. Ladies and gents, I give you Callie Williams singing ‘I Will Always Love You.’”
Callie hung her head for a moment. Of all the luck. No one could ever do that song justice after Whitney had performed it. Had it been the original background music, it would have been much easier.
Well, damn, here we go girl. Sink or swim.
Jayce thought he saw panic in Callie’s eyes and he tensed. He’d sure as hell hate to have to try and sing that song. Two of the best singers in the world had recorded it and that was no easy act to follow, even if it was just in a small bar with a couple hundred people.
He felt bad for Callie. Until she opened her mouth. Then all pity fled and amazement blossomed. His reaction must have been shared because the entire bar went silent by the time the first line of the song passed her lips.
He looked around the room, noting the rapt expression on the people’s faces, then moved to her. Their gazes locked and for the life of him, it felt like there was no one else in the room. It was just him and her.
And she was singing only for him.
A jolt of realization had his body tensing. This wasn’t possible. He’d seen her around town. Had lunch with her, talked with her at the bar and played on the playground a couple of times with her and Lily. The only time he’d been alone with her was the day she’d had the episode and told him about her mother. But they’d never really been alone, never held hands or hugged or shared a kiss. He couldn’t be falling for her. Not this fast.
Jayce tried to shove those thoughts aside, but damn if he wasn’t lost in her eyes and the song that poured from her. There came a break in the music, a space where only instrumentals came from the speakers. Callie stood there, swaying to the music, her eyes half closed.
Without thinking, Jayce rose and stepped onto the stage, taking Callie in his arms. She tensed at first, then relaxed. God, she fit. She fit against him as if she’d been made for him.
When she pulled back, she held onto his hand as she stepped up to take the microphone from its stand. He held her hand as she looked at him and sang. Damn, if he couldn’t feel it – every single word, he felt it. And he saw it. In her eyes. There was something happening between them and she was as scared as he.
Impossible as it might be, love was catching him and he didn’t know if he could run fast enough to escape. Or if he wanted to.
And he wasn’t going to have the chance to explore that now. The crowd exploded when the last note of the song fell from her lips. People cheered, yelled, clapped and whistled.
Callie waved and smiled, then hurried from the stage, pulling Jayce with her.
“That was…” Jayce shook his head. “Incredible.”
“You’re just being kind.”
“No, I’m not. You’re amazing. You do know that, right?”
She shook her head. “I’m just a good mimic.”
“If that means you sounded more Whitney than Whitney, then hell yeah.”
Callie laughed. “Flattery will get you everywhere.”
Jayce couldn’t stop himself. He’d waited too long and needed to do this too much. He pulled her into his arms. “Callie.”
Callie heard her name fall from his lips and dear god, but it had that sound – the sound of a man speaking the name of his beloved. It undid her, obliterated all her defenses. She was stripped bare and vulnerable, his for the taking.
When he kissed her, it was like falling. Falling into fantasy, into the depths of the most powerful dream or yearning of your life. She could no more resist it than she could stop the planets in their trek around the sun. Nor did she want to. She wanted it to last forever.
Forever lasted only moments, however. Callie was shocked to hear the people in the bar chanting and shouting her name.
Then Cody’s voice came over the speakers. “Callie! Get up here, girl. These folks want an encore.”
Callie looked up at Jayce and he smiled. “Knock ’em dead, beautiful.”
She gave him a smile and walked back up onto the stage to thundering applause. How many nights had she dreamed of this very thing? How many rundown bars had she performed in, hoping to experience such a moment? It was close to a dream come true, even if it was just in a small-town bar.
Callie walked up beside Cody.
“So”—Cody drew another song title from the hat—“well, this one is a duet, so we’re gonna need…” She looked out over the crowd. “Riley Morgan. Get on up here Riley.”
She felt fain when Riley Morgan walked up on stage. Sure, she knew that was his real name, and she’d seen him around, but she’d never actually spoken to him. All she could see was the film star Nate Bridges standing beside her. She’d seen every movie he’d ever starred in and never dreamed she would meet him in person, much less sing a duet with him.
“So, Riley, how about teaming up with Callie in this song made popular by the great Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers. ‘Isla
nds in the Stream.’”
Riley looked at Callie. “You game, Ms. Callie?”
“I’ll give it my best shot.”
“Then let’s do it.”
Cody exited the stage and started the music. Callie was surprised when Riley started to sing. He was really good. She had no trouble with the words, or harmonizing with him. In fact, to her ears, it sounded pretty good. And goodness knows, it was no hardship looking at him and singing.
When they finished, the crowd cheered as loudly as the first time. Riley put his arm around her shoulder, gave the crowd a final wave and escorted her offstage. “You have an amazing voice, Miss Callie.”
“Callie, please, and the same goes to you. That was…surreal.”
“Surreal?”
“Yeah, for me. Thank you so much.”
“Actually, thank you. You know we have a little band that plays here now and then. I’d be purely pleased if you’d consider singing with us.”
“Really?”
“Absolutely. We’re getting together Sunday afternoon while the bar is closed to try out a few new tunes. I’d like to add some duets to the line-up. If you’re free, join in.”
“I’d love to.”
“Well, good. Two o’clock work for you?”
“Yes, sir.”
“None of that,” Riley said and extended his hand. “Nice to have you on board, Callie.”
“Thank you. Thank you so much.”
“My pleasure. Now I better get on back to my lady.”
“Thank you again, Mister—”
“Riley.”
“Riley.” She gave him a smile and watched him walk away.
That was when she noticed Jayce, watching from where he sat. She motioned toward the bar and he nodded. By the time she reached the bar, he had two beers waiting.
“Girl, you’re something.” He handed her a beer and raised his own to tap it against hers.
“I can’t believe that just happened. Nate Bridges. I mean Riley Morgan to all of you, but Nate freaking Bridges.”
Jayce chuckled. “You really are amazing.”
“And you’re really sweet.”
“You working till closing?”
“No, just until eleven. I have to pick Lily up from the Sweets’. KC is baby-sitting.”
“Need a ride?”
“I don’t need one, but I’d sure like it.”
“Then I’ll hang around.” He reached out to take her hand.
Callie smiled and gave his hand a squeeze.
Tonight was quickly becoming one of the best of her life.
Chapter Seven
“Oh shoot.” Callie realized her mistake when Jayce pulled up in front of the Sweets’ home.
“What?”
“I forgot to get Lily’s car-seat out of my car.”
“No problem. Give me your keys and I’ll run back to the bar and get it. I’ll be back by the time you’ve gotten Lily up and are ready to ride.”
“Are you sure?”
“Positive. Keys.” He held out his hand.
Callie fished her keys out of her bag, place them in his hand and, on impulse, leaned over and placed a kiss on his cheek. “Thank you.”
“I’ll be back in a shake.”
“Okay.” She got out of the truck. Jayce pulled away from the curb as she started up the sidewalk. There were still lights on in the house, upstairs and downstairs, but Callie still tapped lightly on the door.
Stella opened it. “Callie, hi. Come in. How did it go tonight? Was the karaoke a success?”
“It was still going on when I left. I hope Lily didn’t give anyone any trouble.”
“Lord no. She’s such a doll. KC has her in the living room watching TV. Come on back.”
Callie followed Stella to the back of the house. Sure enough, Lily was snuggled up on the sofa with KC. “There’s my sweet girl,” Callie said.
Lily looked up and smiled. “My mommy back.”
She scampered off the couch and ran to Callie. As Callie scooped her up, KC rose. “Were you a good girl for KC and Mrs. Stella?” Callie asked.
“My good.” Lily nodded.
Callie looked at KC and KC grinned. “She’s always good. But she didn’t eat much and she wasn’t as energetic. Maybe that’s normal, I just wanted to let you know.”
“Thank you, KC. I so appreciate you taking such good care of her.” Callie dug out her billfold and paid KC.
“Thanks.” KC walked over to give Lily a kiss on the cheek. “See you soon Lily.”
“My be back.”
“I sure hope so.”
“Okay, let’s get your stuff together, Miss Lily.” Callie spotted Lily’s bag and knelt to pick it up.
“I think everything’s in there,” KC told her.
“Okay, great. Thanks again. And thank you, Mrs. Stella, for letting KC babysit for me. I hope it’s not an inconvenience.”
“Not at all. In fact, we all look forward to it. Even Billy. She’s taken to sitting on his lap while he watches the weather report and he gets such a kick out of it. Makes us miss having little ones in the house.”
“Well, I’m sure you’ll have a house full of grandchildren one day.”
“At the rate my girls are going, I’m not so sure.”
“Yeah, I’ll be the first one married with kids,” KC said and laughed.
“Hush your mouth,” Stella said without any heat to the words.
“You never know,” Callie said. “Okay, well let us get out of your hair. Thank you all again. Say bye bye, Lily.”
“Bye bye.” Lily waved, then blew a kiss to KC and one to Stella. “My wubs you.”
“We love you, sugar,” Stella said and walked Callie out. Jayce was just pulling up in front of the house when Stella opened the door. She waved when Jayce called out a greeting then smiled at Callie. “Ya’ll be safe going home.”
“Yes, ma’am. Thank you.”
Callie hurried to Jayce’s truck. Since he had a double cab, he’d put Lily’s seat in the back. Callie got her all strapped in, then climbed into the front seat.
“Ready to go home, Lily Belle?” Jayce looked back at Lily.
“My go home.”
“Well, all righty then. Here we go.”
For the first few minutes, there was silence. As they left town and headed for Cody’s ranch, Callie looked back at Lily. She was sound asleep.
“She must’ve been tuckered out,” Jayce commented.
“She normally falls asleep by eight. When she’s with KC she’s just so excited to be with her girl that she fights to stay awake.”
“Her girl?”
“Yes.” Callie smiled. “She calls KC ‘my girl’. We’re working on the word friend.”
“She’s a really beautiful girl. Almost as beautiful as her mama.”
“Why Jayce Weathers, you smooth talker.”
Jayce chuckled. “It’s not a line, just the facts. And honey, when you were up on that stage…” He shook his head and blew out a breath. “Damn, that was something.”
“Thanks, but I told you, I’m a good mimic.”
“No, don’t pass it off like that, Callie. I’m serious. You’re amazing. That whole place went silent and people couldn’t take their eyes off you. It was…well, it was amazing. A voice like that doesn’t happen often, but you have it. I’m surprised someone didn’t offer you a contract when you were in Nashville.”
“I guess it just wasn’t in the cards.”
“Well, selfishly, right now I’m a little glad.”
“Oh?”
“Well yeah. If you were a big singing star, you’d never have come to Cotton Creek.”
“You have a point. I just hope the thing tonight does as well as Hannah and Cody hoped.”
“You’re getting to be pretty tight with them, aren’t you?”
“They’ve been so good to me. And to Lily. Like Cody letting me stay at her place and them giving me a job. And then Stella and Billy letting KC babysit for me and introducing m
e to Mrs. Branch. You know Billy even paid the first week of Callie’s daycare for me? Honest to god, it made me cry. They’re such wonderful people.”
Jayce reached over and took her hand. “You talk like someone who hasn’t had a lot of kindness in her life.” Callie tensed at the comment and he must have felt it. “Honey, I’m not trying to pry and you don’t have to tell me anything about yourself or your life that you don’t want to. I’m just making an observation.”
She felt ashamed at her own reaction. “It’s not that I haven’t had people in my life who were kind. My parents were wonderful. My dad was the kind of man that would take half the groceries we bought to a neighbor who didn’t have any, or go without a new pair of shoes when his had holes because a kid in the neighborhood didn’t have a coat. He was a good man and always kind. So was my mother. I can’t count the number of meals she fixed for people who were sick or down on their luck, or all the cans of vegetables she’d put up every summer and take around to folks who were in need. They were good people and I was lucky to have them as my parents.”
“Yes, you were.”
Both of them fell silent for the rest of the drive. Callie thought about the evening. About singing on stage and how much she enjoyed it. About Riley Morgan asking her to join his band. And about the kiss. The. Kiss. She couldn’t stop thinking about that. It popped up between every other thought.
When they reached the ranch house, Jayce carried in Lily’s bag while Callie took her upstairs.
Lily never blinked as Callie changed her into her pajamas and tucked her into the bed.
When Callie went back downstairs, Jayce was sitting on the sofa.
“Want something to drink?” Callie asked.
“No, I’m good. Come on over here and sit down with me.”
Callie took a seat beside him and he pulled her closer. “Can I ask you something?” she asked.
“Sure, what?”
“Tell me about your family.”
“What about them?”
“Well, I know who your father is. I’ve met him a couple of times and he seems like a really nice man. But what about your mother?”
Jayce shrugged. “She’s a nice woman, but wasn’t happy with my father or life on a ranch so she left. She’s happy with her life now, so that’s good.”
