Kiss Me, Katie (Crimson Romance)

by Tillery, Monica

  “Hello?” She tried to steady her voice, but was sure that she sounded as nervous as she felt. She looked down at the pair of glasses she was holding and saw that her hand was shaking.

  “Katie, it’s Blake.” His rich voice came through the phone line and Katie felt like her knees would buckle from underneath her. “Don’t hang up.”

  “I won’t.” Her voice trembled. She reminded herself to breathe. In and out. In and out.

  “I don’t know where to start, but I need to talk to you. Is now a good time?” He sounded hopeful.

  “Sure, it’s fine.” Katie put the glasses she had been polishing back on the rack and went to her father’s office for some privacy. She closed the door behind her and sat down at his desk. “I’m here,” she said.

  She heard Blake take a deep breath and let it out before he began. “First, I’m sorry. I’m sorry for how we left things, and I’m really sorry that I haven’t called. I don’t know why I didn’t. Everything you said about me was right, and you were right to leave me. I’ve been thinking about you every moment since you left, and I guess I was just too chicken. I’m sorry.”

  “Thank you for that.” Katie wanted to blurt out that she loved him, that she missed him, to tell him that she would take the first plane to wherever Blake was right now. It was time she let him do the talking for once, though.

  “I feel like such an idiot. I never should have let you go like that, and I can’t believe that it happened. I know that I haven’t shown it, but I still care about you. I’m crazy about you, and I’ve been losing my mind since you’ve been gone.”

  “I still care about you too, and I’ve missed you. Being back home and not hearing from you once has been really hard.” Her voice broke a bit on the last word. Saying it had been really hard was an understatement, but Katie couldn’t bring herself to tell Blake that he had crushed her. “I’m glad that you called, though. It’s really great to hear your voice again.”

  She heard Blake take another deep breath. “Wow, okay. So, here goes. I need a fiddler and I want to offer you the job.”

  “What about Chet?”

  “His mother is really sick and he needs to be with his family. I need to fill his spot, and I’m sure we could find someone else, but I don’t want anyone else. I want you.” Blake’s voice was like a balm to Katie’s frazzled nerves. It would be so easy to just say yes, to just follow her heart. She tried to remind herself how badly Blake had let her down, how hard it had been to put her life back together, but the pull she felt to him hadn’t diminished a bit since she had come home.

  “You need a temporary replacement?”

  “That’s where it gets tricky, and why you might not want to say yes. You know how my band is set up, the guys are hired to work and have no obligation to stay on after their contract ends. I’ve treated them like we’re in a band together, though, rather than handle them like hired musicians. He’ll probably expect to take a short leave and return when things are resolved with his family. In this case, I’d like you to take his place permanently, and I know that will bother some of the guys.”

  “You’d let him go for me?”

  “I don’t think you have to worry too much about Chet Wilson. He’s been in the business a long time, and finding another gig shouldn’t be a problem for him. It’s not like I’d be throwing him out in the cold without a second thought. There will probably be some damage to my reputation, and there’s a real chance that the band won’t welcome you with open arms.”

  “I see. So you think I should leave Sterling to work for you in some hostile work environment?” She kept her tone light, teasing Blake as her mood improved.

  “When you put it like that, it sounds pretty lame.” Blake sounded adorably crestfallen.

  “I’ll do it.” She surprised herself with the answer. Her rational side was telling her to hold out, to be practical, but her heart was the one that answered.

  “Yes? You’ll come?” Blake sounded so happy.

  “Yes, I’ll come. Where are you?” Katie smiled. Between now and when she arrived, she would have to get a hold on her heart, rein in her excitement, but for now she let the happiness wash over her.

  “Kentucky. I’m in Lexington tonight, Louisville tomorrow. You can take as much time as you need, but the sooner you get here, the better. Just decide when you can join us and we’ll let Chet go. He’s under contract until I say differently, so it’s up to you when you come on board. I’ll ask Caroline to call you, and she can send you the contracts and make all your arrangements. She’ll help you figure out what you’ll need and can work out everything. I’ll send Chet on his way just as soon as I know when you’ll be here.” Blake sounded like a kid on Christmas morning.

  Katie laughed, and it felt good to be happy again. “Have Caroline call me, and I’ll work it out with her. Thank you for the opportunity. I’ll see you when I see you.”

  “Great, that’s great. I can’t wait.”

  “Me neither. See you soon.” She ended the call and sat back in her father’s rolling chair. A framed photo of her with her parents caught her eye. She was probably eighteen or nineteen and they were beaming at the camera on either side of her. They were so proud of her back then. Katie hoped that she would make them proud now.

  Her real concern was leaving Sterling. She picked up her phone and dialed Charles’s number, shaking with tension as she waited for him to answer. Her leg bounced so hard that she bumped her knee on her father’s desk, and the framed photo of Katie and her parents fell over.

  “Hey Katie,” Charles answered.

  “Hey.” Katie had to tell them immediately; there was no time to waste if she was going to join Blake, but her throat closed around the words as she tried to tell Charles what she had decided. “I need to talk to you.”

  “What’s wrong?” He sounded alarmed, and Katie took a deep breath.

  “I’m leaving Sterling. I’m going to work for Blake. I’m so sorry.”

  Charles was quiet for a moment, as though digesting her news. “Well kiddo, this is a real surprise. I don’t know what we’re going to do without you. Are you sure about this?”

  “I love him,” she almost whispered. She cleared her throat and sat up straighter. “I’m sorry. I really am. I hope you find a new fiddler, someone even better than me.” She laughed a little, a sad sound.

  “You’re irreplaceable, darlin’, and I’m sorry to see you go. We can’t compete with true love, though. Wouldn’t even try.” Charles’s voice held a smile, its warmth reassuring Katie that their friendship wasn’t lost.

  “Thank you. I guess I’ll need to suck it up and tell the guys tonight. I’m afraid they won’t be as easy on me as you were.”

  “There’s only one way to find out, you know. Best to do it quickly, like ripping off a bandage.”

  “You’re right. I’ll see y’all tonight. I’ll try not to drive myself crazy worrying about it until then.” They ended the call, and Katie slumped in her father’s office chair.

  Charles had always been easier to talk to than the other guys. There was every chance that they wouldn’t let her off the hook as easily as he had. She was prepared for the worst.

  • • •

  Four days after the call from Blake, Katie was on a plane to Indianapolis, Indiana to join the tour. Caroline had faxed contracts, schedules, sheet music, and lists full of information to Katie at her father’s office. Katie’s family physician had given her a clean bill of health, and her parents were excited for her.

  She hadn’t exactly given them the whole story when it came to her whirlwind romance with Blake Jackson. All they knew was that he was generous, caring, and concerned about their daughter. Now he had offered her a long-term contract to work on a major tour, so he could do no wrong in their eyes. The McCoys had always been supportive of Katie’s attempt to make a living in the music industry, but they seemed especially relieved now that she had a job with such a big act.

  A flight attendant brought Katie the die
t soda she had ordered, and she sipped from the plastic cup as she looked out the window over the clouds. As she left Texas behind, Katie tried to distract herself from thoughts of reuniting with Blake. She would have to keep things as professional as possible when she got to Indiana. She’d ride on the band’s buses, she would attend rehearsals, she would do whatever she needed to do, but she would have to be much more careful with her feelings. Blake Jackson’s band was the real deal, and there was no easy way out if things didn’t go well between them. She would be on the road for six months with Blake and couldn’t afford to have her heart broken again.

  Maybe he was serious about wanting to mend things between them, maybe he would be ready to make everything right. All Katie knew was that she would wait to see what he did and said before she embarrassed herself again by wearing her heart on her sleeve. Sure, he was sorry that he hadn’t contacted her when she went home, but she had to remind herself that he could have. He just didn’t.

  Katie didn’t know if her heart could handle another dose of Blake’s inability or unwillingness to commit. Forcing herself to move on with her life was hard enough when she was on her own, miles away from Blake. This time there would be no escape back home. This time she’d be forced to see him every night on tour, mere feet away from her on the same stage.

  Katie looked down on her tray table at the beverage napkin she must have shredded. She took a deep breath and wished that she had asked for rum in the diet soda, or that she knew how to meditate or something. Why did she think that she could throw herself back into the relationship pressure cooker with Blake? Who was she kidding? And why didn’t she stop to think about what it would be like to be on the road with a brand new band? Would they even like her? Would they miss Chet and resent her? Could she even do this? Sure, Katie knew Blake Jackson’s songs, but she had never played them with anyone, only alone in her house. She slumped in her chair and groaned. So much for being rational.

  The flight attendants walked up and down the aisles collecting cups and napkins, and the pilot turned on the fasten seatbelt sign. Katie put her tray table up and returned her seat to the upright position. Now she was minutes away from seeing Blake again, from being reunited with the one who made her heart sing. Her knuckles were white from gripping the armrests and her heart was racing. She forced herself to let go of the armrests, slow her breathing and relax.

  Katie gripped her carry-on bag and forced one foot in front of the other as she made her way along the jet way with the other passengers and through the airport to baggage claim. She composed her features into what she thought was a neutral expression, squared her shoulders, and looked around for Blake.

  Hundreds of travelers bustled around Indianapolis International Airport, families reuniting, soldiers returning from duty, businessmen carrying briefcases, but Blake Jackson was nowhere to be seen.

  Katie stood with her luggage in the crowded baggage claim area and scanned the faces in the crowd, searching for Blake. Eventually she noticed a distinguished-looking man in a tailored suit holding a small placard that read “Katie McCoy”. They had sent a driver for her. Of course. Why had she assumed that Blake would meet her? Sure, Katie, the country’s biggest star is just going to take a little break from his busy day and come pick you up at the airport. Idiot!

  She made her way towards the chauffeur and introduced herself. He helped her with her bags and they made their way out into the parking lot. Katie looked at her driver and exclaimed, “Oh my gosh, what a gorgeous day!” He looked at her with amusement. “Well, it was a hundred degrees at home yesterday, so this is practically sweater weather. Y’all don’t know how good you have it here,” she explained.

  “Oh yes, you came in from Texas. Well then, I hope you’ll enjoy Indianapolis. Here’s your car, Miss McCoy.” He led her to a spotless black Lincoln Town Car and loaded her bags into the trunk after she slid into the backseat. Katie settled in for the ride as her driver merged into the traffic on I-70, and lay her head back on the seat and watched the scenery in silence as they sped towards Lucas Oil Stadium, relieved that her reunion with Blake had been postponed for the time being.

  Chapter Fourteen

  About half an hour later, Katie arrived at Lucas Oil Stadium and gawked at the huge venue in disbelief. Never in her wildest dreams had she ever played anywhere even half this size! Of all the stops for her to join the tour, this was by far the most intimidating. She spotted Blake’s tour bus in the lot and wondered if he was on board. Her legs went a little wobbly in her boots at the thought of being so close to him.

  She forced herself to gather her bags and look ahead when the memories of her time with Blake inside that bus crept into her mind, causing her body to tingle all over. Katie sternly reminded herself that it was time to rehearse like the professional she was if she was going to make it on this tour. She let assistants handle her luggage while she strode across the lot to meet Caroline Mathers.

  “Katie, hello. Welcome! We are so pleased that you could join us. How was your flight?” Caroline gave Katie a firm handshake.

  “Great, thank you. I’m glad to be here.”

  “Wonderful, well, I am sorry that you don’t have more time to get settled before you get started, but the schedule is very tight. I’m afraid you’ll just be thrown right in to the thick of it this afternoon. I’ll get someone to take your things to the bus and you can get settled in later. You’ll have enough time to get what you need before the show. The band has already set up for a rehearsal inside, and they are ready for you.” Caroline led Katie into the venue and on to the stage, where Blake’s band was set up and waiting.

  Katie gripped the handle of her fiddle case and swallowed her fear with an audible gulp as she made her way up the steps to the stage. You can do this. You’ve played these songs for years and you are a professional. She pasted a friendly smile on her face, hoping to hide her nervousness, and joined the band on the stage. “Hi everyone, I’m Katie McCoy.”

  Blake’s band greeted her with friendly reserve and she wondered if they had been told that Chet was not coming back or if they thought she was a temporary replacement. Were they unhappy to have her on tour? Did they resent that Blake was playing favorites? As if it wasn’t stressful enough to join such a huge act right in the middle of the tour, now there might be tension between her and the band?

  A door opened and Blake strode in, heading straight for the stage. Seeing him again brought a rush of emotion so powerful that Katie swayed on her feet for a second. He bounded up the steps and cleared his throat. “I see y’all have met Katie McCoy, our new fiddler.” He gave Katie a brief glance that set her heart racing before addressing the band. “Before any rumors get started, let me just tell you guys that Chet has gone back home to be with his family indefinitely. His mother is very ill, and he didn’t want to be on the road when he should be with her. He wanted to take a leave, he wasn’t fired, but I have chosen to terminate his contract altogether. He will not be returning, and you can consider Miss McCoy our permanent fiddler.” Blake gave the band a level stare as they grumbled, then continued on as though he hadn’t heard them. “Y’all might remember her from other shows. She used to be with one of the openers, Sterling. They were with us in Alabama, Tennessee, and Georgia. We’re all going to miss Chet, he was a great fiddler, but Katie is an excellent musician and will be a great addition to the group. I expect that you’ll help her get up to speed. Everybody got that?” He challenged them to object with a direct look to each man in the group.

  The men nodded and mumbled their welcomes to Katie. She smiled as enthusiastically as she could and said, “Thanks y’all. I’m really happy to be here and I’m looking forward to working hard.” She tried to catch Blake’s eye, but he was deliberately ignoring her.

  “All right, let’s get started.” Blake took his place at center stage and the band ran through the set list. Katie organized her sheet music and equipment around her and got to work with the rest of the band.

  The rehearsal w
as exhausting. Between the flight, Katie’s nerves over seeing Blake again, and working so hard to play as well as the rest of the band, she was ready for a nap by the time Blake dismissed everyone to get ready for the show later that night. Katie was thankful that she already knew most of the songs, but playing along with the radio and playing in the band were two different things. She’d also never played in a stadium before. This was probably the biggest show on the tour, and Katie berated herself for not delaying her arrival one or two more days so she could start somewhere smaller. She was packing up her gear when Blake approached her.

  “I’m so glad that you’re here, and it feels so good to see you again. I don’t have much time to talk right now, but I really want to meet with you later. Please be patient with me for a while. The guys are kind of upset about me letting Chet go, so I think it’s probably best that we lay low when we’re in front of everyone for now.” He looked around and, seeing nobody, dropped a tentative kiss on her cheek. “I missed you so much.”

  The kiss went straight through Katie, sending a zing of attraction right to her toes. “Me too.”

  He checked his watch and groaned. “Our schedule is tight today, so I gotta get moving. You sounded great in rehearsals, but just in case, I ordered a screen prompter for you. It’s like a teleprompter but it displays music. You’ll be able to see the screen but to the audience it looks like the rest of the stage gear. That way you don’t have to worry about messing up while you’re still learning the songs.”

  “That will be really helpful, thank you. I have never played anywhere near this size, so to be honest I was kind of wishing that I hadn’t come for this show. My nerves have been fried. This will make things a lot easier.”

  “I’m glad, sweetheart. I also just want to assure you that I’ll never let our personal situation affect your job with this band or on this tour. I know how important your career is to you, and I want you to know that whatever happens between us won’t affect your job here.” He shifted nervously and looked at her hopefully.