“What’s that?” Max’s mouth opened wide.
Charlie stepped forward, touching Storm’s elbow. “No, Storm. You have to go,” she said.
Max’s gaze dropped to where her hand was on Storm’s arm. “Yes, listen to the kind woman, Storm. This isn’t up for debate.”
Storm blew out a long breath, his gaze remaining on her. “Go back to the car, Max.” The other man stammered an inaudible word, but Storm held up a hand. “Go to the car. I’ll talk to you when I’m finished here.”
Max growled and left, giving the door a loud slam on his way out.
“I don’t think he’s too happy,” she said.
“Max is never happy. Disregard anything he said while he was here.”
“He was courteous. And worried about getting you where you need to go.”
“Charlie—”
She shook her head. “You can’t promise to go with me to a party when you have fans counting on you.”
“I can cancel, Charlie. That’s why I called Max.”
“That can’t happen.” She took several steps back and he started to reach for her, but she moved away from him. “No, Storm. There’s no other way.”
Several emotions flickered across his face. “I can come back after the concert. I can be here on New Year’s Day.”
“And then what? You don’t belong here. We are from different worlds.” She steadied her backbone, not faltering to the ache in her chest.
“After last night…after what we shared…it’s not impossible to have more. We can try.”
Did his voice shake? Her insides were trembling.
“There will always be another concert. Another event. A commitment.” Her gaze blurred.
“There’s an answer to this, Charlie. Come with me. Spend the rest of the holiday with me,” he pleaded.
She blinked. “Come with you?” Had she heard right?
He nodded, forcing a hand through his hair. “You won’t make your friend’s party, but you can come with me to the events I have scheduled. There will be more lights and glitter than you can imagine. We can get you a dress. Not just any dress, but one with lots of train and glimmer. I know that’s the thing now. I know I want you by my side. I want to spend my holiday with you. I want you to stay with me.”
“This is my home.” She moved her hands through the air. “This is where all of my memories are.”
“We can make new memories.”
“We don’t even know each other,” she muttered.
“We’ll get to know each other. I know enough to recognize that’s what I want.” His voice made the soft hairs on her arms stand erect.
“I can’t, Storm.”
“Or won’t?”
“Is there a difference? I don’t belong in your world any more than you belong in mine. Let’s not kid ourselves into believing something that isn’t there.” With each word her knees grew weaker. Her palms were clammy and she thought she would be sick.
His shoulders slumped. “I’ll have Max make arrangements for a plane ticket in case you change your mind. I hope you’ll change your mind.”
She couldn’t look at him another second. She turned her back to him, hiding the tears streaming down her cheeks. Why was this so hard? She barely knew him. Yet what she did know meant everything in the world.
And when he came back from grabbing his things from upstairs, she still stood with her back to the door. If she said anything to him, she would be too weak to follow through. He had to leave. That was the answer.
CHAPTER TEN
“Are you okay?” Brent asked as Charlie pulled off her apron and placed it on the hook.
“Pops, if you ask me one more time if I’m okay I think I’ll do a flip.” She rubbed her temples where a headache threatened to come full blown.
“You know, it’s not too late.”
She gazed at her father, narrowing her eyes. “What’s not too late?”
“Getting on that plane and spending New Year’s Eve with Storm.”
“We’ve been through this. I’m spending my evening at Clorissa’s party. I have the dress. I even have an appointment to get my hair done.” Why didn’t she feel excitement inside?
“Oh come on, honey. It’s a party. There’ll be hundreds of those to come, but finding someone who makes your toes tingle and your heart sing is once in a lifetime.” Brent wiped down the counter.
“What chance do we have for a future?” She couldn’t imagine getting close and losing again.
“The same chance that everyone else has I suppose. Love comes with risk. Sometimes we lose and our heart breaks. But love heals it with the strength of superglue. Take the chance on love, Charlie. Grab the memories while they’re available.”
A tear fell from her eye and she wiped it away. “I’m afraid, Pops. I’m afraid to love again. To trust in fate.”
He dropped the towel and came to her, dragging her into his arms for a bear hug. “I love you, but if you don’t smarten up and go get your things and make that plane, I’m going to have to throw you into the truck and drive you myself. Make this easier on an old man.”
She pulled back. “What about you?”
He shrugged. “I’ll be fine. What you don’t know is that I’ve been doing some thinking myself. I asked Sabrina to dinner and she said yes. I hope you don’t think your pops is too old to date.” His eyes twinkled.
“No, Pops, you’re not too old.” She stood on tiptoes and kissed his cheek. She rushed to the door.
“Where you headed?”
“I have a New Year’s Eve cowboy to catch.”
****
“Are you sure you sent the ticket to Charlie’s house?” Storm sat on the couch in the dressing room backstage at the venue where his opening act, Gavin Taylor, played his first song.
“You should be concerned about the fans right now, Storm. Listen to the crowd. Columbus is rocking the roof off this place.” Max checked himself in the mirror, adjusting his neon blue tie.
“Just answer me,” Storm growled.
“Relax.” Max eyed him through the reflection. “I sent it to her certified mail. She signed for it yesterday.”
“And you left her a concert ticket at the box office and a VIP pass?” He rubbed his forehead.
“I had all of those instructions in black and white.” Max sighed and turned. “If she doesn’t show, are you going to rethink your decision?”
“To retire? Nope. It’s time, my friend. This is my last year.” Instead of feeling disappointment, a heavy weight was lifted off his shoulders.
“You think leaving all of this and living in a small town is better?”
“I think if Charlie will have me, I could live in the dessert with only a sip of water daily and I’d be happy with her.” Now if only she would give him the time of day.
“I hope this lady realizes what you’re giving up for her.” Max rolled his eyes.
“It’s for the best. You know I’m losing my thunder. I’m getting tired and that’s never good. I want to go out with a roar, not a meow.”
Max’s cell beeped and he picked it up, bringing it to his ear. “Max here. Yes. That’s right. Give me a few minutes.” He hit end and shoved it into his pocket. “If you’re sure…?”
“More than sure.” Storm rubbed his stiff neck, wishing he could relax. He’d been as tense as a race horse since he’d left Palms, Tennessee.
He laid his head back, closing his eyes, and an image of Charlie came to his mind. Always did. He didn’t know what his future held, but he had to believe she had feelings for him too.
Minutes passed and the door came open. Storm lifted his head. Max was smiling ear to ear. “You ready?” he asked.
“For the show?”
“No, son. For company.” Max pushed the door open wider and Charlie stood in the hallway.
Storm jumped up, but didn’t make a move. “You’re here.”
She stepped into the room, her hands clasped tightly at her waist and Max shut the door. “I
was hoping I wouldn’t be late.”
Storm smiled. “I would still be here waiting.”
“I hope I’m not overdressed.” She smoothed her hands down her red satin covered hips.
He skimmed his gaze down the close-fitting dress that showed off her firm breasts and ample hips. The hem ended at her knee, exposing her slender legs down to the three inch heels. “You’re beautiful.”
“So are you.”
He tugged at his designer black jacket. “I thought it was fitting for the holiday.”
She took a step closer, moistening her lips. “Storm, I’ve been foolish. When it comes down to it, I don’t care what you do for a living. You could rustle up pigs and wallow in the mud for all I care. I pushed you away because I was scared. Opening my heart isn’t easy, not when there’s a chance I’ll get hurt.”
He moved across the room and stood several inches in front of her. “Love isn’t easy, sweetheart. I’m scared too.”
“Love?” She looked up at him through the veil of her lashes.
“I’ve written many love songs over the years, but for the first time I’ve written my own. I never thought it would be possible to fall so quickly.”
“I love you too, Storm.”
He reached out, grabbed her waist and tugged her against him. He bent his head, but a rap on the door stopped him. “Yes?”
Max poked his head around the door. “Sorry to interrupt, but five minutes until you’re due on stage.”
“Do you have the best seat in the house set up and ready?” Storm asked.
“Do you doubt me?” Max sighed. “Now come on.”
“Best seat in the house?” Charlie questioned.
He entwined his fingers with hers. “For you, my love. Right next to the stage so when I sing my newest song to my most precious inspiration, she’ll hear every word. Not to mention, it’ll be easier for you to get onto stage this way.” He brought her hand to his mouth and kissed her knuckles.
“That is lovely…wait! What did you say?” Her skin paled.
“I need you on stage with me while I sing Charlie’s Eyes.”
She stopped. “I can’t.”
“Why not?”
“I have stage fright,” she mumbled. Her bottom lip trembled and she lowered her gaze to the floor.
“I do too. We’ll do this together.” He lifted her chin with his finger. “I’m here for you, always.”
THE END
From the author:
Thank you for reading. Please leave a review and let others know your thoughts. Like my author page. http://www.amazon.com/Rhonda-LeeCarver/
Hugs,
Rhonda Lee Carver “Writing Men Who Love to Get Their Hands Dirty…”
At an early age, Rhonda fell in love with romance novels, knowing one day she’d write her own love story. Life took a short detour, but when the story ideas were no longer contained, she decided to dive in and write. Her first plot was on a dirty napkin she found buried in her car. Eventually, she ran out of napkins. With baby on one hip and laptop on the other, she made a dream into reality—one word at a time.
Her specialty is men who love to get their hands dirty and women who are smart, strong and flawed. She loves writing about the everyday hero.
When Rhonda isn't crafting sizzling manuscripts, you will find her busy editing novels, blogging, juggling kids and animals (too many to name), dreaming of a beach house and keeping romance alive. Oh, and drinking lots of coffee to keep up with her hero and heroine.
For other titles by Rhonda Lee Carver, please visit: www.rhondaleecarver.com Find me on Facebook, too! www.facebook.com/rhondalee.carver
Other books by Rhonda Lee Carver
Diamond in a Rose
Double Dare
Delaney’s Sunrise
Second Chance Cowboy (Book 1, Second Chance Series)
Second Ride Cowboy (Book 2, Second Chance Series)
Second Round Cowboy (Book 3, Second Chance Series)
Second Dance Cowboy (Book 4, Second Chance Series)
Second Song Cowboy (Book 5, Second Chance Series)
Second Burn Cowboy (Book 6, Second Chance Series)
Second Hope Cowboy (Book 7, Second Chance Series)
Second Sunrise Cowboy (Book 8, Second Chance Cowboy Series)
Castle’s Fortress
Dreaming Ivy
Friends With Benefits
Sin With Cuffs
With Honor
Wicked Pleasures (Book 1, Wicked Wolves Series)
Wicked Lust (Book 2, Wicked Wolves Series)
Fighting Flames
UNDER PRESSURE (Book 1, Rhinestone Cowgirls)
PRESSURE RISING (Book 2, Rhinestone Cowgirls)
PRESSURE POINT (Book 3, Rhinestone Cowgirls)
SECRET PRESSURE (Book 4, Rhinestone Cowgirls)
RESISTING PRESSURE (Book 5, Rhinestone Cowgirls)
Under the Mistletoe
Cowboy Paradise (Cowboys of Nirvana)
Leather for Two, Wings of Steel MC
An Unexpected Hero (Buttermilk Valley)
Watch for Ropin’ Trouble (Book 2, Cowboys of Nirvana) in November!
A New Year's Cowboy Page 10
