A Hero’s Haven

by Tessa Layne

  Travis snickered. “I assume you’re talking about Kate?”

  “Kaycee,” she corrected.

  That got Cash’s hackles up. Her damned name was Kate. “Kate picked up some recording equipment, if that’s what you mean. But no one here knows anything about a record label.”

  She scowled, her red lipstick closing to a pucker. “My daughter has it in her head that she can move to the middle of nowhere and turn an abandoned barn into a recording studio.”

  Was she off her rocker? What the fuck was she talking about? Kate hadn’t mentioned anything to him about a recording studio. In spite of his confusion, hope blossomed in his chest. Was there a place for him in whatever plans Kate had hatched?

  Travis grinned slowly. “So Kate’s going to buy the old Klein place? That’s great.”

  “Kaycee doesn’t know what’s best for her career,” Mrs. Montgomery snapped. “And when she returns for this little concert, I expect you to talk some sense into her.” She let her gaze rest on both men. “I’ll make it worth your while.”

  Outrage surged through him, protective instincts kicking in where Kate was concerned. No wonder she’d wanted some space to be herself. “Mrs. Montgomery, I believe Kate knows exactly what’s best for her. And in fact, I think a recording studio and record label are a great idea. And no one will run it better than Kate,” Cash bit out. “If you’re looking for us to stop her, you’ve come to the wrong place. Now if you’ll excuse us, we have to finish putting on this roof before sundown.” Without giving her another glance, he stalked back to the cabin, climbed the ladder and resumed hammering, hope pulsing more strongly in his chest with each strike.

  CHAPTER 30

  Cash scrubbed a hand across his beard as he paced outside Kate’s tent. She’d only been in town a few hours, but he hadn’t seen her yet. Between the re-opening of Main Street, which had taken place that morning, and helping Travis and Weston with security preparations, he’d been running since before sunup. Good thing too, because he’d been too busy to torture himself with visions of how a reunion with Kate might go.

  Doubt assailed him as he counted his steps, moving in time to the quiet strums of her guitar. He should just barge in there and sweep her into his arms, beg her to stay. But he held himself in check. Tonight was her night, and there would be plenty of time for discussion after.

  “Just wish her luck.” He stopped pacing and stared at the tent flap, pulse flying like a wild mustang on the run.

  “You look like you just swallowed a sweet-gum ball.” Sterling clapped him on the shoulder. “You okay?”

  Cash nodded. “Yep, just tryin’ to time my entrance just right.”

  Sterling chuckled, glancing at the tent. “I think anytime you enter is the right time.” He grew serious. “Don’t wait, man. You got something to say to her, say it now. Don’t wait.”

  There was an urgency to Sterling’s voice that resonated with him. A comprehension that they’d both seen things that couldn’t be unseen. A look of understanding passed between the two of them. We don’t run, Travis had said. The only place he was running was right into Kate’s arms. He gave Sterling a silent salute and marched to the door, rapping on the flap to announce his presence.

  “Kate?” He folded back the flap and peered in. Her back was to him as she bent to put away her guitar. Awareness shot through him at the view of her very fine ass encased in what appeared to be the softest denim.

  She rose and whirled with a gasp and he stopped breathing as he feasted on the vision before him. She’d changed her hair back to its natural blonde and it hung in soft waves, framing her face. His mouth turned to sawdust at the beauty of her. The glitz was gone. No sequins, no rhinestones or glitter. Just his sweet Kate, fresh-faced and utterly kissable. She wore a white off-the-shoulder top that made him want to taste the ridge along her neck, lay kisses across her collarbone.

  Her eyes roved hungrily over him from top to bottom, returning to hold his gaze. The air between them crackled with energy.

  A smile lit her face. “You grew back your beard.”

  She’d noticed. Warmth flooded him and he raised his eyebrows in acknowledgment. “You like?”

  She lifted her eyebrows too, a smile tilting the corner of her mouth. “Yeah. I do.”

  God, how he’d missed hearing her husky voice.

  The silence spun out between them as they stood grinning at each other. Could she hear the way his heart pummeled his ribs? He could hardly focus on what he wanted to say. “I’m meditating now,” he blurted, his prepared speech abandoning him.

  “Oh?” Her eyes lit with interest. “How’s that going?”

  “Great, actually. I feel more… settled.”

  “Great.”

  This was ridiculous. He ached to touch her, feel her soft skin beneath his fingers. Why was he still rooted to the spot? They both spoke at once.

  “Kate–”

  “Cash–”

  The tension between them snapped, and they moved as one, meeting in the middle of the tent. Cash dove his hands into her silky tresses, gently cupping her head as her arms looped around his neck, their mouths joining in a searing kiss. She opened to the probing of his tongue with a moan, eagerly responding in kind.

  This.

  This was home. His intensity of his relief, his love – everything – threatened to overwhelm him, and he dropped an arm down her back, molding her to him. Kate was everything, meant everything. His life was a shell without her. He poured his entire being into showing her how much. They were both breathless when he lifted his head a moment later.

  She giggled quietly. “I’m glad I waited to put my lipstick on,” she confessed.

  “I would have kissed it right off.” He lowered his head again, demonstrating exactly how. When they pulled apart, he brushed his mouth along her cheek, pressing a kiss to her temple, then her forehead. Her scent surrounded him, he couldn’t get enough of it. “Is now a good time to talk?” He’d wait if she asked, but everything in him shouted don’t wait.

  Eyes shining, she nodded.

  “I’ve had a lot to think about these few weeks you’ve been gone. And you’re right. I can be overbearing and overprotective. It’s because I’m terrified of losing the person I love more than anything.”

  She opened her mouth, but he stopped her with a finger to her lips. “Let me finish. You were right when you said that’s not a partnership. And more than anything, I want to be your partner. I want to be your lover, your supporter, your friend, and when you need one, yes – your protector. And when your mother came to–”

  “My mother came?” she squeaked, a look of horror coming over her face.

  “Yes. To ask us to talk you out of buying some piece of property here?”

  Her face reddened, and she dropped her face into her hands. “I’m so embarrassed,” she mumbled, shaking her head.

  Cash drew her into his embrace. “Don’t be. I told her exactly what I thought of her idea.”

  She bit her lip, eyes filled with worry. “There are things I need to tell you too, and I guess I should have mentioned something sooner…” She let out a sigh as her voice trailed off. “But I wanted to wait until after I survived the concert to tell you.”

  He tilted her chin, brushing his mouth across hers. As long as he lived, he would never get enough of her sweetness. “Then wait. Tell me later. Tell me whenever you’re ready.” His stomach turned into a bundle of nerves as he returned to the words that he’d rehearsed over and over for days. “And to continue what I’d started to tell you. If there’s even the slightest chance of you wanting a partnership, a lover, a friend-” He swallowed down the lump of emotion that lodged in his throat. “I love you Kate, more than anything, anyone. Hell, more than my own life. I don’t work without you. And if there’s a chance for us, I’ll wait. For as long as it takes. Let me be your champion.”

  Her lip trembled and she let out a rough breath, eyes glittering with unshed tears. “Oh, Cash.” She stood on tiptoe and pu
lled him in for a kiss. “I’ve missed you so much I ache, and I have so much to tell you. But first, will you watch me tonight?”

  He could hardly breathe from the hope pounding in his chest. “I’ll be watching from backstage.”

  She shook her head. “No. I want you out front. Please? Watch me?”

  For a second, fear for her safety shot through him. But the press hadn’t gotten wind of her presence here, and the key players involved had been tight-lipped. Even Dottie who ran the diner, didn’t know. And according to Travis and Sterling, she knew everything in town. He shook off the fear and drew his thumb across her pretty pink cheek. “Whatever you want, babe. I can trade places with Travis, you’ll have our eyes on you the whole time. I want you to go out there and enjoy yourself.”

  She gave him the sweetest smile. Filled with excitement, fear, and hope. “I want that too. Promise me you’ll meet me back here as soon as it’s over?”

  He couldn’t resist. He had to have another taste of her before he took his leave. He lowered his head, thrilling as she responded, pressing against him as they drank each other in. For as long as he lived, there weren’t enough words to describe his feelings for Kate. If she’d let him, he’d happily spend the rest of his life showing her how much he cherished her.

  She pulled away with a ragged sigh. “I have to put my lipstick on.”

  “Are you sure,” he growled, taking a final taste of her.

  She melted against him, then gave him a push. “Scoot. I need to focus. Meet me back here after?”

  “I’ll be right here, I’m not going anywhere.” He backed up, unable to take his eyes off her. When he reached the tent flap, he paused. “You’ve got this, Kate. Don’t doubt that for a second.”

  CHAPTER 31

  Cheyenne burst into the tent. “Was that who I think it was?”

  Kate’s body flushed. Heated straight up from her toes.

  “It was, wasn’t it?” Cheyenne crowed. “Well?” She could hardly contain herself. “Did he sweep you off your feet and profess his undying love?”

  Kate shook her head, unable to stop the burning in her cheeks. She wouldn’t let herself surrender to giddiness just yet, as much as she wanted to dance around her tent and laugh with the joy and abandon of a little kid. Cash loved her. Truly, deeply. In spite of her meddling mother, in spite of the press. Just her. He loved her. And she loved him too, without reservation.

  Anticipation swirled in her gut. Based on her conversation with Cash, she suspected he would be fully on board with her plans to open a recording studio here in Prairie. But she wished like heck her mother hadn’t stepped in the middle of it. “Cash told me that momma came to visit.”

  Cheyenne’s eyes grew round. “How did she know where to go?”

  Kate snorted. “She’s no dummy. It wouldn’t take a rocket scientist to show up and start asking questions. All she had to do was follow the paparazzi trail.”

  “So what happened?”

  “I don’t know the full story, but Cash told me she tried to get him on board with convincing me not to sell.”

  Cheyenne scowled and crossed her arms. “I hope he told her she was barking up the wrong tree.”

  “Sounds like he did.”

  “Good.” Cheyenne shook her head. “The nerve of her.”

  “Right? She’ll learn one way or another.”

  Cheyenne gave her a hug. “I’m sorry, hon. She’ll come to terms with everything someday. You know I’m in your corner, no matter what.”

  Kate hugged her back, the ache in her heart her mother had caused, still fresh. It would be a long time before Helene Montgomery came to terms with everything, but Kate wouldn’t give up. “Have I ever told you how grateful I am for your friendship? For bringing me here and for always being willing to tell it like it is?”

  Cheyenne’s eyes twinkled. “Are you sure it’s not just because of a handsome veteran?”

  “Oh hush, you.” She pushed Cheyenne away. “Just take your thanks. And I expect you to be a regular presence out here when I get myself sorted. I can’t imagine not working with you anymore.”

  “Count on it. I love making music with you, girlfriend.”

  A knock on the tent flap interrupted them. Emma Sinclaire stuck in her head. “You ready, Kate? If you are, I’m ready to announce you.”

  Kate shot a grin to the young woman. “Ready as I’ll ever be.”

  “Okay, grab your guitar and come with me.”

  Kate reached for Cheyenne’s hand and gave it a squeeze, butterflies suddenly rocketing through her body.

  Cheyenne squeezed back. “You got this, girl. Just go out and give them your heart like you always do. They’re gonna love the new you.”

  “I hope so.”

  “I know so.”

  Kate pulled her guitar out of the case. This time, for the first time ever, she’d decided to use the ’57 Martin onstage. She’d only ever used it for herself. It was too special to share with the masses. But now? With a different voice and a different sound? It felt right. A return to her roots of making music for the pure pleasure of it. For the joy of hearing a chord echo and a voice match it.

  She pulled back the flap of the tent and joined Emma in the warm night air – a perfect spring night for a concert. Too early for bugs, the air moved soft and sweet with the scent of fresh grass and wild violets. Emma stepped onstage, but Kate was too distracted to pay attention. All she could think about was Cash. He’d laid his cards on the table, it was time to lay down hers. Adrenaline pumped through her when Emma announced her name, but she didn’t hear the applause or shouts of excitement from the crowd. She kept going over the new lyrics in her head.

  Cheyenne gave her a little push from behind, and in a fog, she hopped up the stairs and stepped into the lights. It was a small stage, nothing fancy. But she didn’t need fancy, or fireworks and smoke machines. All she needed was her guitar, a stool and a couple of microphones. As soon as she settled herself, she scanned the crowd, squinting through the lights until she found Cash standing on the far right, a few rows back. Giving him a smile, she strummed her guitar, and the audience fell silent, their expectation palpable.

  For one brief second, panic flooded her, and she was overcome with the urge to run offstage. But then it passed, and she was just a woman with a guitar, sharing a few songs. Much like she did the first time she set foot on the Opry stage a dozen years ago. She gave a second strum and leaned into the mic.

  “Hi y’all.”

  She was bombarded with a chorus of hello’s, hi’s, and how are you’s.

  “Aww, I haven’t even sung yet. Are ya sure you’re ready?”

  More shouts from the audience.

  “Well, if you’ve listened to my EP that I released to help my friends here at Resolution Ranch, then you might have heard this.” She launched into the chord changes of Dance With Me, pulse settling as Cheyenne joined with a soulful fiddle. She lost herself in the sweet slow rhythm, heart soaring with the words. And even though the tempo was slower, more sultry, the audience sang along, making music with her in a communion of souls.

  When the last chord died, the audience sprang to their feet. Kate ducked her head. “Aww y’all are so sweet. Thank you so much. And thanks so much to the kind folks of Prairie who’ve been so good to me. More importantly, thank you for turning out in such big numbers tonight to support the mission of Resolution Ranch.”

  She searched out Cash, then scanned left until she recognized Sterling on the other side. True to their word, they weren’t leaving anything to chance. “I’ve had the honor of working here for the last four months, and I can tell you – this is such a special place. Resolution Ranch embodies the true meaning of family, where people care for each other, no matter what.” Her voice cracked as she spoke, but she didn’t care. She was too filled with gratitude to worry about her delivery. She wanted to convey how deeply she felt about the people here. “Here at the ranch, you’re given the tools and the space to heal. And most importantly�
�” She turned to where Cash stood, and waited until she held his gaze. “You’re showered with unconditional love and acceptance.”

  Even though he was twenty feet away, or more, his expression pulled at her like a tractor beam. Awareness zinged through her, lighting her nerve endings. It didn’t matter that she had three more songs to sing, including his special one, she wanted to hop off stage and jump into his arms.

  Dragging her eyes from his, she smiled across the audience. “Your support for this organization will allow more veterans to find healing and new life. Even new careers. So cheers to you,” she raised her guitar as the applause moved through the audience.

  The next two numbers passed quickly.

  Before the applause died, she bent and took a long sip of water, trying to calm the butterflies that rocketed through her belly for the umpteenth time. Hands shaking, she took a moment to retune and gather her courage, but even that did nothing to calm her nerves. Behind her, Cheyenne hissed. “You can do it, girl. Tell him how you feel.”

  Taking a deep breath, Kate leaned into the mic. “How many of you have found The One?”

  The audience responded with a smattering of applause and whistles.

  “Really? That’s it?”

  The applause and whistles grew louder.

  She laughed, shaking her head. “What about the rest of you? You know, the one person who’s it. Who you know if you don’t risk everything for, you’ll regret it until your dying day?”

  A few more claps and whistles.

  “Y’all.” She leaned into the mic. “I think you need some help.” She waited for the laugh, and sure enough, it rippled through the crowd.

  “So I wrote this new song last week.” She strummed a new chord, drawing strength from the sound. “And I want to say to all of you – don’t hesitate a second. Even when it seems crazy. If he’s the one, or she’s the one. Don’t let a second pass. Take a chance.”