The Perfect Ten Boxed Set

by Dianna Love

  Cody shrugged and leaned back. “I have that effect on all the girls.”

  “I bet.” Kasey laughed and continued, “He married me even though I was pregnant with another man’s child. He loved that baby as if he were his own, with never so much as a word that he wasn’t.” A thoughtful smile curved her mouth. “We were the kind of couple that never had to say a word to know what the other was thinking. Nick gave my life meaning.”

  “You were lucky.” Cody’s voice was gentle. “Smart to recognize such a rare blessing and hang on.”

  She turned to him. A look of sadness passed over his features. “That sounds like experience talking.”

  His brow wrinkled. “I’ve made some mistakes in the past. Left some pretty special people behind in my pursuit of a music career.”

  “Sounds like you didn’t leave the memory behind.”

  “Memories.” The beginning of a smile tipped the corners of his mouth. “They won’t keep you warm at night.”

  “You got that right.” Her reborn zest for life comforted her. “They say people come in and out of your life for a reason. Thank you for being here for me now.”

  “It works both ways,” he said. Their eyes locked, but neither of them moved. Cody reached up and clicked off the overhead light. “We better get some rest. Tomorrow’s another big day.” He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and let it out slowly.

  She couldn’t take her eyes off him.

  This man, who shouldn’t have a burden in the world, was helping carry hers.

  An angel. A guardian angel. I pray Jake has one, too.

  New York City whooped it up big with the country band. Who would have thought a bunch of city folks could get down country-style? But they did. Since the band wasn’t leaving town that night for the next show, they treated the sold-out crowd to a good old-fashioned jam session as the encore. Kasey wasn’t sure who was having more fun, the band or the fans.

  The band was in good spirits from the impromptu jam, and Annette was thrilled that Cody had come to her about doing a couple extra guest spots while they were in town—something he rarely did. He wasn’t big on self-promotion, preferring his music to stand on its own. Yet he seemed to think that helping Kasey was a worthwhile way to use his celebrity. He did all three morning shows for the networks, and even two late night shows.

  The next morning, Kasey sat across from Cody watching for his reaction to the latest set of proofs.

  “You gonna get that?” he asked.

  “Oh. It’s me?” She dug in her purse for the phone. “I never get calls in the morning.” Kasey’s heart pumped as she flipped open the phone.

  “Hello?” Please be a lead, she prayed.

  “Your grandmother is in a hell of a tizzy.” Jeremy spit out the words like pellets. “You better call and explain to her soon, else I’m liable to just leave. She’s driving me crazy.”

  “What’s going on?”

  “Nothing, until your grandmother picked up those gossip papers at the grocery store. There you were, right on the cover.”

  “Me?”

  “Well, you all tucked down in the arms of that rock star.”

  “You’ve got to be kidding me.” Oh. My. God. She mouthed to Cody.

  “The picture was bad enough, but the article all but has you cheating on Nick while you were married, and offing Jake to be with Cody Tuggle.”

  Blood pounded in her temples. Was this Grem just trying to get attention again? “You better be kidding, and if you are your joke is not funny.”

  “You haven’t seen it?” His tone made it clear that he wasn’t kidding.

  “Which one?” Her jaw tensed.

  Cody’s eyebrows rose.

  Kasey pressed the speaker button on her cell and held the phone so Cody could hear.

  The sound of papers shuffling came from the other end, then Jeremy said, “The one I have here is The Insider. She has another one in the other room. Does it matter?”

  “If The Insider is running the story, everyone else will have it by the end of the week.” Kasey’s temper rose, and Cody’s nostrils flared with fury to match. “Tell Grem to quit reading that trash. You know none of it is true.”

  “Yeah, like that will happen,” Jeremy said. “You know how she loves that celebrity gossip.”

  He was right. “Tell her the story’s not true. I’ll call her when I cool down. I appreciate the heads-up.” She threw the phone in her purse and dropped her head into her hands.

  She glanced up at Cody. His lips were thin with anger. They exchanged a knowing look, a been-there-done-that-and-this-t-shirt-sucks kind of look.

  Kasey said, “Houston, we have a problem.”

  Chapter Twelve

  “What should we do?” Kasey hoped Cody would have an answer.

  Cody reached for his phone. “I’ll call Annette. She’ll know who to contact.” Before he could dial her number, she called him to tell him the same news. They spoke while Kasey lugged out her laptop and brought up the internet to search for the article.

  It was easy to find. It splashed the front page of their website.

  Unfortunately, the angle of the photo used on the cover of The Insider made Cody and Kasey appear a bit snuggly. It was just the other night. Cody had been shielding her from a heavy crowd of screaming women as they ran to the limo after the show in New York.

  She twisted the laptop screen toward Cody who was still talking to Annette.

  He winced.

  The article was pure smear—anything to hike sales. Cody’s reputation made profitable news, only this time she was caught right in the middle. She called Von to warn him and see if he could help insure it wouldn’t hinder the investigation.

  Annette ran damage control, and Von tried to keep the investigation from getting sucked into the mayhem. At noon, the Southampton County Sheriff was scheduled to make a statement to the press on Kasey’s behalf. She was thankful for their willingness to publicly support her and dispel the nasty rumors. The focus could then return to their quest to find Jake.

  The morning was supposed to have been leisurely, but they’d spent just about the whole time doing damage control until the driver came and whisked them away to the airport to head to the next city.

  On the plane, Kasey second-guessed joining the tour and every move she’d made.

  Once they were in flight Cody stepped behind her seat and rubbed her shoulders. “Don’t worry. The crisis will blow over before we land in Connecticut. If it doesn’t, I’ll clear the air in the next interviews. Annette is a miracle worker when it comes to stuff like this.”

  “I’m so sorry. If I’d just taken the bus with the guys, this wouldn’t have happened.” Kasey put her laptop aside.

  “Don’t be silly. Besides, I like having you with me.” He squeezed her shoulders, then came around and sat next to her. “You’re a special lady.”

  “I think you’re pretty special, too,” she said. “I don’t know what I did to deserve such a great friend, but I sure am thankful for you.”

  “No, I mean really special.” He held her gaze. “I’m so relaxed around you. I can be myself. You don’t even seem impressed by me. I like that.”

  Kasey laughed. She was impressed all right. Impressed he could be this down-to-earth with women falling at his feet every day.

  “Seriously,” he said. “Not just anyone can adapt to this kind of lifestyle, or fit in with this group of assorted nuts I consider family.”

  “It’s not hard. I feel like a princess,” she admitted, but reminded herself that this wasn’t her lifestyle.

  “I know it’s crazy timing, but I had to tell you how I feel.” He held a finger to her lips before she could respond. “Don’t say anything. I just wanted you to know.”

  It was true that being with Cody was easy, but her heart wasn’t open to those kinds of thoughts. He was a welcome distraction and he’d saved her when she didn’t think she could bear to go on, and a wonderful man, no argument there, but....

 
“Don’t get me wrong. I can see us being great friends—lifelong friends, but my life is a mess. I married my one true love and my heart is in a million pieces. I’ve been so worried about my little boy I’ve barely grieved for Nick. I won’t say I’ll never be in a relationship—because never is a risky test—but I can tell you right now I can’t even imagine it.”

  Did I just turn down Cody Tuggle? They’ll certify me crazy for sure.

  “You don’t have to explain,” he said.

  “My only priority is my son. Being a mother to Jake was the best thing I’ve ever done. I have to find him. I appreciate your help. If he’s out there, it’s your help that is going to bring him back.”

  “I’m glad I can help you.”

  She cocked her head. “My turn to change the subject.” She wiggled her brow trying to lighten the mood. “Have you ever been close to getting married?”

  “Close? Sort of.”

  “So there was someone special. What happened?” Kasey settled in for the story.

  “It was a long time ago. She was ready. I wasn’t. She found someone who was. End of story.”

  “Ouch.”

  “You can say that again.” Cody recoiled like he’d been slapped. “Guy swept in while I was doing a string of bar gigs. He owned an Italian restaurant. Stuck the ring right in the middle of a plate of spaghetti. Didn’t sound so romantic to me, but she went for it.”

  “You should hear how Nick proposed to me.”

  “No spaghetti, I hope.”

  “No. He slipped a rubber fishing worm around my finger. I wore it for a week until we had time to get a real ring.”

  “I’d love to have seen that.”

  “It was sweet.”

  “Guess you had to be there.”

  “Yeah. Like I said, when it’s right you know it, and even something hokey like that comes off like Prince Charming.” She smiled. It was nice to remember the good times with Nick. “Any of those early hit records about her?”

  “Just about every one of them. Damn near broke my heart, but I wanted to perform. Music is in my blood. She just couldn’t wait.”

  “Sorry.”

  “Yeah. Were y’all married a long time?”

  “Nope. I must have gotten a dozen proposals over the years. Riley teases me that I could have a charm bracelet from all the rings guys insisted I keep. Things just never felt right until I met Nick. I knew the day I met him that he was the one.”

  “That’s how I felt about Lou,” Cody said with a nod. “I know exactly what you mean.”

  “Lou? That ought to have stirred up a few rumors.”

  “Hey, don’t laugh. Her name was Bettie Lou. We just called her Lou for short. Bettie was too prissy for her.”

  Kasey twisted in her seat and belted out a verse of Bettie Lou’s Got a New Pair of Shoes.

  “Funny. Do you think that’s the first time I’ve heard that?” Cody laughed and shrugged it off. “Be nice.”

  “Sorry. Have y’all kept in touch?”

  “No.” A big grin spread across his face. “We didn’t part on the best terms. She probably has two kids and a dog. I blew it. Why bother?”

  “You never know. Marriages don’t last. People change. She could’ve been your one true love.”

  “You believe in that crap?”

  “Sure.” Kasey folded her hands in her lap. “I do. Mine was perfect.” She shrugged. “You ought to look her up sometime. It might be fun to catch up, live in the past for a little bit.”

  “Maybe I will—if If you don’t think I’m your one true love.” He said it playfully, but there was a glimmer of hope in his words.

  “You’ve been a wonderful distraction, but I could never live in this world, and you could never live in mine.”

  With that, he tipped her nose. “Never say never. That’s risky.”

  “Touché.”

  “I’ll let you get back to your work,” he said.

  She shifted her laptop back into her lap and tried to concentrate on the behind-the-scenes pictures she’d shot. This tour had stolen America’s heart, and by being on tour with them, Kasey had the chance to show the real man behind the music and provide fans a peek behind the scene. This group, the band and crew, really seemed like an extended family—Cody at the center. That came out in the pictures. Fans would love them. There was no trail of half-dressed groupies in his life. He poured every ounce of his energy into his performances. A positive vibe came through in all of the pictures. She was excited to be the one behind the camera to share this aspect of Cody with the world

  Kasey smiled at the shots of the band and crew cooking burgers and eating off paper plates—far from the glamour people would expect to see from such a successful band. And even though Cody was the reason they all were on tour, he acted like one of the gang. The guys and gals enjoyed the simple things and the meaningful things. The few band members who were married had wives and children in tow. Unlike a mechanic who never turns a wrench when he gets home, or the landscaper whose yard is full of weeds, the band members jammed almost every night into the wee morning hours. It wasn’t work but rather what they truly loved.

  But the group’s creativity didn’t stop at music. They’d rigged a basketball net on the back of the bus. It probably wasn’t regulation height, but no one seemed to care. They played hard, cutthroat to the point of needing a designated referee for their games.

  There were touching moments too, like when Cody visited the children’s hospital to say hello to some of the young patients and brighten their stressed parents’ days. Kasey let children take pictures with her big camera and promised to email their shots to them. The children were elated. The smiles and tears in the parents’ eyes, as they watched their sick children glow with the excitement, was a reward she wouldn’t soon forget. Cody’s schedule had been tight, yet no one would have known. He moved at a leisurely pace and gave one-hundred percent to those folks. The children and their parents had been his priority at the time. Everything else had to wait.

  At the end of each week, she completed proof sheets so Arty and Cody could choose favorites along the way. That helped her make sure the shots encompassed the diversity they needed for the book. It was already being hyped.

  Kasey posted the top three blooper shots on the bus bulletin board after each concert. It was quickly becoming a tradition. She easily picked up on some of Cody’s quirks, like his love for barbecue. Barbecued chicken, ribs, pork, beef, goat, even potatoes and corn. If someone barbecued it, he’d eat it. Not only did he love to eat barbecued anything, he also loved to grill. They had a fancy one loaded right there on the bus, and Cody spent a lot of time grilling for the gang.

  Kasey had captured dozens of pictures of Cody in different barbecue eateries, big and small, across the country. It was in a small barbecue shop in Texas that they’d teased about Cody becoming the next Bobby Flay and having his own barbecue cookbook. Arty Max grabbed that idea like a pit bull on a steak. He’d already pitched it to a New York publishing house, and they were thrilled with the idea. Kasey and Cody agreed to go to the famous Annual Texas Goat Cook-off over Labor Day weekend to kick off that project.

  The tour was successful—from the west coast across the Midwestern plains, and now working its way up and down the east coast. Sometimes they hit four cities in as many days with little down time in between. The tour had been well organized, yet there were a few times that Kasey wasn’t sure which city they were in. Itineraries posted on the plane and buses helped everyone stay on course.

  Kasey was exhausted, but it felt good to have control over something again. She had plenty of sad nights, but more often than not, she was so tired she didn’t have time to think. She thanked God that Cody had turned up when he did and offered her this escape. The photography work was mindless. She got lost in the creativity, and no one needed or wanted anything from her. What a relief.

  The busy schedule relieved her from making any major decisions and of the emptiness at home. She just followed alon
g. Even in the hurried pace of it all, she knew that Christmas was around the corner. She hated to think of facing it alone.

  The whole Tuggle clan and all of their family members would gather at Cody’s ranch for a three-day Christmas celebration. They’d invited her, but she didn’t want to bring anyone down so she’d declined.

  “You can’t skip Christmas,” Cody insisted.

  “I can try. I know I can’t wish it away, but the holidays are going to be hard and I don’t want to drag anyone else’s down with me.”

  “You won’t. You have to come.”

  She shook her head. “I—”

  “I happen to know you don’t have anything better to do. You may as well join us. You can get more pictures. Who knows. You might just have some fun while you’re at it.”

  “Okay, okay. I’ll come. But if I get weepy, you have to promise you’ll send me to my room.”

  “It’s a deal, but I plan on making sure you’re fine.”

  On Christmas Eve, they’d sung Christmas carols into the wee hours of the morning, then everyone exchanged gifts. Kasey had created collages for each of the band members and road crew to commemorate their role in the big tour. Everyone loved them. It was what she did best, and the project had kept her mind in a good place.

  She got gag gifts from the road crew, and her obsession with red licorice garnered her more of the stuff than she could eat in a lifetime. The drummer had even taken the time to weave hundreds of red licorice ropes into the shape of a cowboy hat.

  The break for Christmas proved to be fun and relaxing. As much fun as the break was, the band and crew, including Kasey, were all ready to get back on the road.

  * * * *

  The first show after Christmas was in Raleigh, North Carolina. A buzz filled the air as over eighteen thousand fans piled into the arena. Once the opening band cleared the stage, Kasey took her place down in front. Tonight she’d take the final pictures. Tomorrow morning she’d head home.