by Tessa Layne
“Yep. Unfortunately, the organization can’t do anything in an official capacity. Not this time, at least, although we should start talking about next year now.”
Emma let out a small sigh of frustration. It had been a long shot talking to Alex about getting the Kansas City Kings to come out on short notice. Now that they had back to back World Series wins, things had changed for the organization. “I understand. I appreciate you asking.”
“But there’s nothing in our individual contracts that prevents us from coming out on our own for a charity event.”
“Yeah?”
“So I talked to a bunch of the guys, and we’re all on board. We think it’s a great idea. My cousin Paul lost an arm to an IED in Iraq last year. Marki’s brother is overseas with the Marines right now, and Rock’s sister is an Army specialist.”
“I could hug you right now, Alex. This is great news.”
“I’ll settle for lunch when I’m back from Spring Training?”
Six months ago, she’d have jumped at the chance. But now, the only face she wanted to see was Sterling’s. Damn him for getting under her skin that way. “Only if you bring your manager so I can ask him about next year. I’d love for the team to develop a long-term relationship with the ranch.”
“For you, anything.”
“One more thing? Connect me with someone in your PR department so I can start working on materials, and then let me know who’s Army and who’s Navy. I’ll set up the rest.”
“You got it, sweetheart.”
Don’t let Sterling catch you calling me that. Emma gave herself a little shake. Sterling had no claim on her. And Alex was a friend. “’Kay. I’ve gotta run. Let’s be in touch.”
She drove to the ranch floating on air. There was nothing quite so exhilarating as seeing a plan come to fruition. Especially when it was helping people she loved. Rebekah, her photographer, was waiting when she pulled into the space in front of the ranch house. “Morning, Bekah,” she trilled, unable to keep the excitement from her voice. “I’m going to turn you loose today. Travis has offered up a horse if you prefer.”
Rebekah shook her head, tilting her chin at the bags sitting at her feet. “Not with all this equipment. I’ll be fine hiking around. Travis’s wife… Elaine?”
Emma nodded. “Yes, that’s right.”
“Elaine offered to take me around on foot today.”
“Great. Be sure you grab pictures of Travis, Cash, and Kate, too. We’ll want a variety of shots to choose from in the promotional materials.”
“Elaine said something too, about a Weston coming this afternoon?”
“Weston Tucker. He’s our new Police Chief. Served with Travis. Sure, grab pictures of him too. Just make sure he’s not in his uniform.”
“Got it.”
“And when we’re done here, I have an idea for a new project for you.”
Elaine, Travis’s wife, joined them, looking adorably pregnant in a soft blue sweater. “Are you ready?” she asked. “Travis and Cash are framing the foreman’s residence today. Some of the guys from town are coming to help.”
“Even better. Too bad it’s not warm enough for them to take off their shirts.” Rebekah answered with a wink.
“There will be plenty of eye-candy. But why don’t we start by walking the fence line? Then after lunch we can ogle the men.” Elaine turned to Emma. “Would you like to join us?”
She shook her head. “No, I’ve got other work to take care of, but thanks.”
The women ambled away, and Emma made a beeline for the foreman’s residence. She’d bet money that Sterling was irritated the men were working on his future home without him. The least she could do would be to send him a few snapshots of the progress. When she rounded the corner of the barn, she stopped short. Half the fire department was there. Her heart beat a little harder as she studied the framework.
“Wait, guys.” She hurried closer, searching for Travis. “Where’s the basement?”
Travis looked over, hammer poised ready to swing. “No basements. Too costly.”
Sterling couldn’t live there without a basement. No way. Not after last year’s tornado. “You can’t do that. Not after last year.”
Travis put down his hammer and came over. “It’s okay. We talked it through. Sterling is just across the yard from us. He can shelter with us if he needs.”
“But what about the tiny houses?”
“We’ve purchased a shelter. Same one as your brother put in by his tree houses on your ranch. It kept everyone safe in last year’s storm.” He put his hands on her shoulders. “Don’t worry, Emma. We’re not going to lose anyone to bad weather ever again.”
She nodded, worry slowly fading. Why was she worrying about Sterling anyway? He was fully grown. And had been in far greater danger than a freak tornado. “Can’t help it.”
Travis’s face shuttered. “I know. None of us will ever forget what happened. I’m going to get back to work. Want to help?” His eyes twinkled.
“No, thanks. But I’ll snap a pic and send it to Sterling.”
“Do that. He was pretty upset we were starting on his place first.”
“I can only imagine.”
Travis started back toward the building, then stopped, turning back. “Hey. I’m really glad you and Sterling have figured out how to work together. You make a great team.”
Something tugged inside Emma. “Yeah, we do. Thanks.” She stayed rooted to the ground, watching how the group worked together, hands and hammers flying, an idea for the perfect housewarming present forming in her head. She snapped a few pictures and sent off a quick text to Sterling. He wouldn’t see them until much later, but hopefully, he’d appreciate the gesture when he was able to check his phone.
Tucking her phone into her coat pocket, she wandered along the fence line before turning back and heading for the barn. The barn had always been her haven. It was the first place she visited when she came home to her brothers’ ranch. And now that she could take little Henry out to pet the horses’ noses, it was even more special. She slipped inside the barn door and paused, letting her eyes adjust to the dim light. Closing her eyes and leaning against a post, she let the warm smell of hay and horse settle in her bones. She couldn’t get this in the city. As much as she loved her loft, part of her deeply missed this aspect of country life. The smells, the quiet, the communion with earth and sky. If only she had enough clients to afford a little place of her own. She could see giving up city life someday far in the future.
The quiet sounds of guitar strings echoed through the barn. Her eyes flew open. The soundtrack in her head had either come to life, or someone in here was playing the guitar. She held her breath, straining to hear. Whoever it was had skill. She’d worked with enough musicians to know. Emma shut her eyes again, letting the music flow through her, but after a few minutes, curiosity won out as her mind began to race. Opening her eyes, she slowly made her way down the center aisle, following the sounds.
At the far end of the building, around the corner, sunlight streamed through a second story window, casting a dust mote filled beam on a stack of hay bales. There, perched on one of them, guitar in hand, sat Kate.
Her long brown hair caught in a low side ponytail that draped over her shoulder. And she played with her eyes shut, chin cocked, as if she were really listening to her fingers pluck the strings. The sounds coming from the guitar filled the enclosed space, ringing off the walls. Emma’s heart swelled as her body vibrated with the music. No wonder Kate liked playing in here. But Emma’s jaw hit the floor when Kate tilted her chin, opened her mouth, and the haunting melody of Shenandoah filled the barn.
Her voice was husky and sweet, with just a hint of a burr that would drive listeners wild and have them begging for more. There was such longing in Kate’s voice. Such sadness. Emma’s eyes welled up as the last note faded into silence. She should disappear. Leave Kate to her music. But she couldn’t. She had too many questions. And how could anyone leave the magic pres
ence of that voice? Kate’s voice begged for an audience.
The young woman fiddled with the tuning, and then started into the familiar strains of a song Emma knew by heart. Dance with Me by country music’s darling, Kaycee Starr. Late last summer, Kaycee rocked the country world when she’d suddenly canceled all of her concerts mid-tour and literally disappeared. Kate’s voice was perfect for the song, like she’d been born to sing it. Emma whipped out her phone and pressed record. Sterling would flip to learn his employee could sing like an angel. She had to share this with him.
But as the words of the chorus rang off the walls, Emma narrowed her eyes. There was something hauntingly familiar about Kate. The way she sat guitar in hand, knee thumping to the beat, eyes shut, inside the music. Emma’s heart kicked against her ribs as she gasped, puzzle pieces falling into place. “Ohmygod. It’s you. You’re Kaycee Starr.” What on earth was Kaycee Starr doing on Resolution Ranch?
CHAPTER 16
Kate’s eyes flew open and a look of sheer terror flashed across her face. “What?” Her eyes went from Emma’s face to the phone, and back again. “What are you doing?” She screeched. Only it sounded more hoarse. As if her voice wasn’t used to working.
Emma stuffed her phone into her pocket. “I’m right, aren’t I? You’re Kaycee Starr.”
Kate stood. “Ohmygod, you have to erase that. Right now.” She held out her hand. “Give me your phone,” she said hoarsely.
“What are you talking about? You’re amazing. I should have recorded that first piece.”
Kate’s eyes grew wide. “How long have you been here?”
“Long enough to know you don’t need to be communicating with pen and paper.” Emma crossed her arms. “What’s going on?”
“Nothing. I was just taking a break.”
Emma smelled a rat. While Kate hadn’t admitted it, she was sure the woman was Kaycee. “Why are you here? You don’t need this job.” She narrowed her eyes. “Is this some kind of a publicity stunt? I’m not going to let you take advantage of my friends.”
Kate’s shoulders drooped. “I swear that’s not it at all. I need this job.”
“No, you don’t. You have more money than everyone in town combined.”
“You don’t understand. Please.” Kate held out her hand. “Can I please have the phone? I’ll pay you.”
Anger flashed through Emma. “You think everyone can be bought? I don’t want your money. I want to know why you’re here at the ranch taking advantage of my friends.”
Kate held up her hands. “I know it looks bad, but I swear, I’m not.
“Start talking.” She’d dealt with high maintenance clients before. Half the time they manufactured their own drama.
Kate gestured to the hay bales. “Can we sit?”
Emma shrugged. “Sure.” She followed Kate, and settled herself on a bale, studying the young woman, who paused to pour hot tea from a thermos.
Kate lifted her eyes. “Before I tell you anything, I need to know you’re not going to go to the press, or sell my story to the tabloids.”
Holy crap. White fury poured over Emma like ice-water. “I know there are some slimebags in show biz, but this is Prairie. And if you believe that any one of us here would sell you out, then maybe you should sneak back to your castle in Tennessee–”
“Kentucky.”
“I don’t care where it is. I thought you were here to help the ranch.”
Kate looked pained. “I am. But it’s more complicated than that.”
Emma crossed her arms. “Try me.”
“I’ll need you to sign a non-disclosure.”
Emma’s heart went to the young woman. How lonely. The woman was what, only twenty-four? And already so suspicious and jaded? She waved a hand. “I sign them all the time in my line of work.” She reached into her bag and pulled out a folder and a pen. She rifled through it to find the right form and scrawled her signature. “Here. It’s Royal Fountain Media’s standard ND.”
She waved it in front of Kate, who took the form, scanned it, then carefully folded it and put it in her pocket. Kate took a deep breath. “How much do you know about me?”
“I heard you canceled a tour and disappeared from the public eye.”
The young woman looked at her sharply. “Anything else?”
She shook her head. “I’m sorry. I’m so busy I don’t pay attention to much superstar drama.”
“No one knows I’m here. My sister helped me leave my estate undetected. As far as the paparazzi are concerned, I’ve become a recluse at my estate.”
“You mean you never leave?” She shouldn’t sound so incredulous, but was fame worth all that hassle? Not for the first time, she was glad her life was more… anonymous.
“Rarely. And it’s fine. My property is well protected. I make it work. Or I did…” her voice trailed off. She took a drink and continued. “I- I… lost my voice. Ruined it, some people say.”
“That’s why the paper and pen?”
She nodded. “I had vocal surgery in October. And… and,” she sniffed, blinking hard, then shook her head. “It partially worked. But they basically told me I’d never be able to keep the schedule I had before… before.”
Emma gasped, covering her mouth. The poor girl. What heartbreak.
“I went back just before I came here, to see if by some miracle things had healed.” Her shoulders slumped. “But no change. The doctor told me I could continue to try to heal through complete vocal rest, but that it was likely permanent damage and that I should, I should, find a different career.” The last part came out in a whisper.
Silence filled the barn. A million questions filled her head. But none of them felt appropriate to ask just then. “But you sounded beautiful,” Emma said softly.
Kate laughed bitterly. “I can’t even tell. Everything feels so foreign. Broken.”
“Well if this is broken Kaycee Starr, I’ll take it. And so will a ton of other people, I bet. Question is, what do you want to do?”
Kate brushed a hand over her eyes. “I don’t know who I am without a guitar in my hands. That’s part of why I came here. I grew up around horses. And I figured if I could just make it through a day caring for the animals without breaking down, that maybe that was a start.”
“So you came here to start over?”
“More or less. I figured if it was a place for struggling veterans, that maybe it would be okay to struggle here too.”
“Has it helped?”
“Being here?” She nodded. “Yeah. Everyone’s been great. But they don’t know who I am. I’m just Kate here.” Kate narrowed her eyes. “And I want it to stay that way. I can go into town and there are no photographers, no reporters wanting the latest scoop.”
An idea formed in Emma’s mind. “I’m planning a concert here for the beginning of May. You should sing at it.”
She shook her head vigorously. “Are you kidding? I can barely talk. My voice hurts just from singing two songs. I–”
“But what if I could guarantee your privacy and security, would you consider it? Maybe it would help you feel better… singing a little?”
Kate’s eyebrows creased. “I’m sorry.” She shook her head, eyes full of regret. “My voice is ruined. I wouldn’t last ten minutes onstage.”
“I don’t believe that. The world needs to hear your voice, Kate. People would be thrilled to hear you. I’m no musical expert, but you sounded amazing just now. And having your name to bring attention to the ranch could mean a huge difference for Travis and Elaine.”
Kate grimaced, shaking her head. “You don’t understand. The ranch would be overrun with paparazzi. Everyone wanting a piece of me. Not to mention the crazed fans.” She shuddered. “Travis and Elaine have been so good to me, and I’m so grateful for my job here. But I’m sorry. I just can’t.”
Emma’s stomach sank. There must be a way to get her to change her mind. “Please consider it? The concert is two months away, you might have a whole new voice by then.”
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A tear dripped down Kate’s cheek and she shook her head. “I know you don’t understand, but I have to accept that part of my life is over. Please? I need your assurance you won’t give my secret away. I just want a quiet life away from the gossip and the media. Please let me have that?”
Disappointment ripped through Emma. “I won’t tell. But I think you’re making a mistake. You can’t hide here forever. What are you going to do when the other veterans arrive? Or when the press comes? Someone else is bound to recognize you.”
Kate crossed her arms, her chin jutting out. “I’ll stay in my house.”
A knot of frustration pulled on Emma’s shoulders. Some people could never see the forest through the trees. “So you’ll stay trapped here instead of your own home, but you’ll take everyone else here hostage to do it? How is that fair to Travis and Elaine, or the veterans they’re trying to help?”
Kate looked pained. “Then just give me a little more time? I’m not ready.”
Emma sat next to her on the hay. “Kate, the livelihood of the ranch will depend on its visibility. And I don’t mean to be insensitive, because I can see how devastated you are. But the veterans coming here have been through the wringer. They’ve put their bodies and souls on the line in service to their country. They’re suffering. Please think about how your actions will impact them.”
Kate’s face twisted and she hung her head.
“In some ways, we’re all wounded, Kate. Every single one of us. We’ve all experienced loss. Hardship. I know you’ve heard Travis talking about that we can let those moments be our story, or simply be a part of our story.” Emotion swelled through her as she thought of her parents, her brothers. So many in town who’d endured tragedy over the years. “Ask anyone in town. We’ve all lost something. Or someone. Some of us have come through better than others, but no one goes through life unscathed. We get through it by helping each other.” She sighed. Was any of this getting through to her? “Maybe you need to think of this differently. Maybe your voice, even ‘broken’,” she made air quotes, “could help someone.”
