Walking on Sunshine

by LuAnn McLane

  He hesitated and then said, “Go on, then.”

  “You have to go out onto the back deck with me and finish our drinks.”

  He looked relieved and gave his bottle a glance as if he’d forgotten he was holding it. “Fair enough.”

  “And then you have to kiss me.” Mattie watched the look of surprise pass over his face, closely followed by hesitation.

  “No,” he answered barely above a whisper. “Hell no,” he said more firmly.

  “Why?” Mattie clung to the edge of the sink, not sure where she was channeling the bravery to do this, but she lifted her chin. “Give me one good reason.”

  “I just gave you a whole list of reasons.”

  “I said a good reason.” She pushed away from the sink. “Because I’m sorry, but they were all bullshit.”

  “They were all valid!” He took a step backward as if needing to put distance between them, but Mattie quickly closed the gap.

  “Really? Go on. What were they again? Oh, right, that I’ll get bored with you. You’re really not a boring person.”

  He looked at her as if trying to remember the reasons he’d given her.

  “It’s just one little bitty kiss.”

  “No . . . a kiss needs to be spontaneous, not something we’re walking out there thinking about doing.”

  “That’s funny because I’ve been thinking about it all day long. I want to know how it feels.”

  “You already know.”

  “You’re right. I do. And that’s why I don’t want to kiss Colby. I want to kiss you. But just forget it, okay?” Mattie brushed past him, feeling angry and all twisted up inside. She didn’t want to go to Sully’s. She didn’t want to flirt with Colby. And she sure as hell didn’t want to be a wingman for Garret.

  “Mattie!” Garret said, but she didn’t turn around.

  Mattie walked almost blindly out to the deck and stared unseeing out over the lake. The sun, now a big orange ball, sat low in the horizon, sending streaks of purple and red dipping into the water like finger paint.

  Mattie set her bottle down and leaned against the railing. She waited to hear Garret’s footsteps and she hoped he would come out onto the deck so she could kiss some sense into him, but when he failed to appear sadness washed over her in waves.

  She heard the sound of his car start and knew he was gone. She’d done what she’d feared the most and had chased him away. A fat tear slid down her cheek and she slashed at the wetness, angry with herself for ruining their friendship. And now she felt silly for trying to force him to kiss her. “God!” And now she felt . . .

  Exposed.

  Empty.

  Lonely.

  And pissed!

  Mattie thought about calling Laura Lee but didn’t want to ruin her night. Later she’d text her to say that she wouldn’t be coming to Sully’s after all. But at least she knew now that Colby was just a longtime crush. She didn’t want to give him a shot or a chance. Colby wouldn’t want to shop in thrift stores or listen to her collection of old vinyl records. He would find her white bedroom frilly and chuckle at her claw-foot bathtub. And he wouldn’t be caught dead reading a romance novel even as a dare. Colby was like a clone of her brothers . . . a great guy . . . and Mattie supposed she was drawn to him because he felt safe. Familiar. Colby would always hold a special place in her heart.

  But she wasn’t in love with him.

  And she didn’t need to kiss him to know it. Mattie blew out a sigh. Yes, it was like letting go of a dream, but truthfully this knowledge gave Mattie a sense of freedom. She could at least thank Garret for that and move on with her life. She loved this town dearly. She loved her family and working at the marina.

  But she’d felt restless lately. She wanted . . . more. Something fresh and exciting. Something challenging. But what?

  Mattie stood there for a few minutes hovering between clarity and confusion, and the night she’d been anticipating all week long now seemed endless and dreary. After a few more minutes she decided to get out of her special outfit and pull on some sweats. Maybe she’d read more of the Stephen King novel just to take her mind off Garret. But then the scary clown popped into her mind and she shivered. Okay, maybe not.

  Perhaps she’d just climb into her cloud of a bed, pull the covers up to her chin, and have a good ol’ noisy cry. She sniffed when her nose already tickled with tears. Or maybe she’d take a long soak in her big bathtub with a giant glass of wine and a steamy romance novel. No, that would just be depressing. Ah, she’d dig through her favorite movies and find a funny one to watch. No . . . she didn’t feel like laughing. Mattie waited for at least one of those suggestions to grab hold and capture her interest. But nothing sounded remotely appealing. There was only one thing she wanted and he’d walked out the door.

  Mattie lifted her shoulders and let out a long-suffering sigh. She picked up her beer and then walked over to a lounge chair and decided that for now she’d finish drinking it even though it had grown rather warm, but she didn’t care. She’d watch the last of the sun dip beyond the trees while she sat there and brooded.

  “No!” In the end, however, she decided she wasn’t one to cry in her beer like the lyrics of one of Shane McCray’s much loved songs. “Oh, hell no!” Mattie declared so loudly that nearby birds took flight from the trees. Nope, she’d head on over to Sully’s anyway and at least try to let friends and music lift her spirits. And Laura Lee was expecting her.

  Mattie looked down at her red boots and had to admit that it would be fun to watch the reaction when she entered Sully’s all dolled up. Ha! Maybe she’d flirt up a storm and then stick her nose in the air at all the guys who’d ignored her over the years. “How do you like me now?” Mattie said, and then nodded. Yeah, she liked that plan the best of all. She stood up and brushed herself off.

  Now it was high time to put the new plan into action.

  16

  Crazy

  LAURA LEE TAPPED HER TOE AGAINST THE HIGH-TOP chair while she listened to Myra Lawson belt out a pretty darn good rendition of Patsy Cline’s “Crazy.” The once-a-month karaoke night at Sully’s always drew a big crowd, and tonight the honky-tonk bar was hopping. Myra, always a big ham, stood up from the stool where she sang, grabbed the mic, and raised one hand up in the air while she brought the song home. As she drew out the word you she pointed to her husband, who watched with a huge smile on his face. When the last drawn-out note ended, Owen put his fingers to his mouth to give a shrill whistle of appreciation while Myra took a deep bow.

  Laura Lee had to smile when Owen jumped up to give Myra a big hug when she returned to her table, causing the crowd to erupt with a second round of applause. Although Myra was a bit older than Laura Lee, they’d been friends for as long as she could remember and it did her heart good to see Myra so happy. Myra, who was a generous soul, took in her niece Jessica when she had been a pregnant teenager. The entire town watched sweet little curly-haired Madison grow up to be a respected playwright and teacher at the nearby college and she was now happily married to a local boy. Jessica started her life all over again, eventually married baseball superstar Ty McKenna, and had beautiful baby Ben.

  Myra and Owen had married just a few years ago and Myra didn’t have to tell anyone that Owen adored her, because it showed plain as day on his face. Mattie spoke the truth. Love could happen at any time and at any age. Laura Lee just didn’t know if she was brave enough to risk heartbreak a second time in her life. Now that she had the amazing job with Shane McCray, she reminded herself again that she didn’t want to do anything to mess things up. But as soon as she thought of Shane she got a fluttery feeling in her stomach and wondered if he was really going to show up tonight.

  And would they dance?

  She shouldn’t.

  People would talk.

  But she’d promised.

  Laura Lee looked over toward the fro
nt door when it opened, but it was Colby who looked over and spotted Mattie’s brothers playing a game of darts. They waved him over and handed Colby a beer from a silver bucket. Laura Lee looked down at her cell phone, hoping to see a message from Mattie saying that she had arrived. What would everybody think when Mattie walked in with Garret? With her new look she was sure to turn heads. Laura Lee took a sip of her lemon-drop martini, thinking that her little town sure did have some drama going on and tonight could kick some local gossip into high gear.

  A moment later Laura Lee’s cell phone pinged and then showed a text message from Mattie stating that she had just arrived. Laura Lee replied that she was at a high-top table near the back of the room across from the main bar. She took another sip of the tart martini and then licked some of the sugar from the rim. Pete Sully mixed a mean martini and if she had another one she’d have to use the shuttle that Pete’s son, Clint, provided on the weekends. The only other taxi service was Bubba Brown and he fell asleep early, failing to respond enough to cater to the late-night crowd.

  A moment later Laura Lee saw Mattie walking through the front entrance and she watched with interest when Colby looked over and spotted her. His jaw, bless his heart, dropped, along with the jaws of several other men who looked Mattie’s way. Mason elbowed Danny and it was funny because Laura Lee could see the sudden look of brotherly pride, followed by a quick glance around at the guys who were staring. Mattie waved their way but kept walking with an air of confidence that Laura Lee hadn’t seen before. After pausing to buy a beer, Mattie made her way toward the table, and every guy she passed turned around for a second lingering look.

  Well, good, Laura Lee thought. It was about damn time!

  When Mattie reached the table Laura Lee scooted from her chair and gave her a quick hug. “Don’t you just look simply gorgeous? I simply love that peasant blouse! Did you get it at Violet’s?”

  “I did. Don’t you just love the lace sleeves?” She plucked at one and smiled.

  “I do! Tongues are hanging out, let me tell ya.”

  “Oh, go on with you. . . .”

  “I’m serious, Mattie. And Colby is one of them, girlie. In fact, don’t look but he’s craning his neck your way right now,” she said, but when Mattie failed to show much interest she had to ask, “Is everything okay, sweet pea?”

  Mattie shrugged and then slid onto the chair. She took a swig of her beer and set the bottle down with a solid thunk that spoke volumes. “That’s a loaded question.”

  “Well, then unload on me.”

  “In a minute.”

  “I was beginning to worry when you were gonna get here. And where is Garret, by the way?”

  “I dunno,” she answered glumly.

  “I thought he was coming with you tonight.”

  “We kind of had a . . . I don’t know. I guess a fight.”

  “Oh, sweetie.” Laura Lee put her hand on Mattie’s and squeezed. “About what?”

  “Garret thinks I’m in love with Colby.”

  “Are you?”

  “No.” She shook her head firmly. “Laura Lee, all I do is think about Garret. But he has this stupid notion that he’s just a passing thing for me and once the novelty wears off he thinks I’ll go back to wanting to be with Colby.”

  “His theory does have some merit if you think about it.”

  “I’m not thinking. I’m tired of thinking! I’m feeling and I know what my heart is telling me, just like you said.” She tapped her chest. “But for the sake of argument I guess I’m going to sashay over there and flirt with Colby and see where it takes me. I’m gonna prove Garret wrong once and for all.”

  Laura Lee leaned closer and lowered her voice. “So, did Garret indicate that he has feelings for you?”

  “Yes! Isn’t it so damn crazy for him to want me to throw myself at another man? I mean, what is he thinking?”

  “Um, that he might get hurt. Everybody envies the rich and famous and in truth I think that they are the most fragile people of all.”

  Mattie picked up a couple of peanuts from the dish of mixed nuts. “Weren’t you the person that said that you have to risk getting your heart broken? That broken hearts mend but opportunities are lost forever?”

  “Yes,” Laura Lee said softly, and Shane popped into her head. She wished that she could be brave and take her own damn advice. She took a sip of her martini. “They surely do.”

  Mattie groaned. “So, then, what should I do?”

  “Well, fate is helping because I think Colby is trying to make it over here your way.” She watched Mattie crunch the peanut and swallow hard. And then her eyes widened. “What?” Laura Lee asked.

  “Well, what are we gonna do if Shane and Garret show up here tonight? Let the girls have at ’em?”

  “Oh boy. I don’t know. Could get interesting.”

  “Yeah.” Mattie nodded slowly. “It would indeed. And he sure looks fine in Wrangler jeans and cowboy boots. Add the accent and the girls are going to be tripping over themselves getting to him. I’ve created a sexy British beast.”

  “Well, I say that if they come in here we should stake our claim on our men.”

  “Is that the lemon-drop martini talking?”

  “Most likely.” Laura Lee shrugged. “But hey, why the hell not?”

  “Do you think we’re out of our league with these guys?”

  “Of course.” Laura Lee nodded but then straightened her spine and grinned. “But I like a good challenge. Don’t you?” The thought snuck into her brain that she would be risking the job of a lifetime, but she shoved it aside. “We might get shot down at the stroke of midnight, but for now let’s get our Cinderella on. Are you with me, Mattie?”

  “You’re some kind of crazy.”

  “I know. I don’t know what’s gotten into me.”

  “It’s called vodka.”

  “Well, it feels good. I’m tired of living life on the sidelines. Let’s get into the game. What do you say?”

  “Just how are we going to stake our so-called claim?”

  Laura Lee tapped her fingernail against the rim of her glass. “I haven’t thought that far ahead. I guess we need a strategy.”

  “Well, think fast because Colby is walking this way. Now what do I do?”

  “I don’t know! This is all new territory for me,” Laura Lee tossed back the last of her drink but then grabbed Mattie’s hand. “But I’m willing to blaze some new trails. Hurry, let’s go to the ladies’ room and talk this thing out.”

  “Girl code. Good idea. Let’s roll.”

  17

  Fame

  SHANE PULLED HIS TRUCK INTO ONE OF THE FEW VACANT spots in the parking lot of Sully’s Tavern and then killed the engine. He tried to remember when he’d last been out on the town on his own and couldn’t. While he never really had what he could call an entourage, he was always surrounded by people centered on the music business. Being out on his own felt like a fresh taste of freedom.

  Shane hoped that when he entered Sully’s he’d be left alone to go and locate Laura Lee, but he doubted that would be the case. By staying out of the limelight his fame would eventually fade at least somewhat, though being a celebrity would follow him around for a lifetime. Shane gripped the steering wheel and blew out a sigh. Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea after all, because if he went inside and found Laura Lee dancing with another man he didn’t know how he was going to handle it. But not knowing really sucked too. “Damn. This is a fine pickle you’ve gotten yourself into.”

  What would Laura Lee do if he was honest and told her that he was falling for her? Shane groaned and hit his hand against the steering wheel hard enough to smart. He kept going over the same ground in his head and came up with the same damn answer. He should go slow and not risk pushing her away. He just couldn’t stand waiting any longer! Screw the whole two-week waiting period! He rem
oved the keys and opened the door. It was time to make a move.

  After getting out of his truck, he heard the sound of gravel crunching and looked over to see Garret Ruleman walking his way. “Hey there, Garret. What’s up?” Shane extended his hand to the young man.

  “Not much, Shane.”

  “Been in the studio much this week?”

  “Not really. I’ve been mostly listening to demo tapes with my dad. Oh, and Jeff Greenfield is thinking about cutting a Christmas album with Cat and we’ve been discussing with them what songs to choose.”

  “They are such an amazing duo, but I respect that Cat wants to take a backseat to Jeff’s career so they can start a family. It helps that she’s such a talented songwriter, so she can fill that creative void while she raises her children. I’m sure she’ll be happy to be part of Sully’s South too. She’d be amazing at a roundtable.”

  Garret nodded. “Yeah, it’s a tough business to be in and have a family. I think I would rather stay in the studio than go out on the road. My dad was gone all the time and it sucked.”

  “It can be damn draining and a grind. You’re a talented musician. All the good stuff happens in the studio anyway. I wish you’d been around when I was still recording.”

  “Thanks. I would have been honored. Do you miss it yet?”

  Shane mulled that over for a moment. “Yeah, I miss the music and the fans but not the long hours or constant touring. I’ll come out of hiding here and there for a special event or charity work, but for now I just want to kick back and enjoy the rest of my life. And I’m looking forward to being a part of Sully’s South. I’m glad you’re on board with it too. It must be rewarding discovering new talent, especially when it comes to songwriting.”

  Garret nodded. “I have to say that it is.”

  “Oh, and hey, did Mattie tell you I want to have you two over for a barbecue and a swim at my place?”

  “Yeah, she did,” Garret replied, but then fell silent, making Shane curious as to why he suddenly seemed so sad.

  “Mattie is such a sweet girl,” Shane said, and looked at Garret to see his reaction.