Rodeo Song

by Shannon Taylor Vannatter

“I want you to see your doctor as soon as the tour is over. He’ll run tests and we’ll see what the problem is. It could be strain.”

  Garrett squeezed his eyes closed. “I hope so.”

  “I’m praying so.”

  That touched him, more than he could say. “Promise me you won’t tell Jenna I still love her.”

  “I already told Jenna you still love her, but I won’t tell her you said it. You need to tell her.”

  Fireworks went off in his chest. “You told her? What did she say?”

  “She didn’t believe me. Back to my question. What if your throat turns out fine? Will you keep touring?”

  “Probably. But maybe not as long. Maybe Jenna and I could be together if I were home more.”

  “I’ll tell you one thing—you can’t have groupies and Jenna.”

  “I haven’t been with anyone in a year. Honest.”

  “Wow.”

  “It got old.”

  “I actually know the feeling.” Silence for a few seconds. “Well, you’re gonna have to get it straight with God before Jenna will even think about seeing you again.”

  Could he do that? If he’d never accepted Christ, it would be different. But he’d known the truth and turned his back on God. Could God get past his past?

  “Let me know what she says about the video. But I wouldn’t hold my breath. We’ll wait on scheduling until you see your doctor, and in the meantime, I’ll start looking for actresses.”

  “Will you help me talk her into it?”

  “I can try. But she doesn’t listen to me. Especially where you’re concerned.”

  Why should she? He’d abandoned her.

  Just like he’d abandoned God.

  * * *

  In her element, Jenna hummed as she led a client down the aisle of shelves stocked with ready-made comforters bearing her name, the Wentworth Collection.

  Two weeks since the press conference and life was back to glorious normal. Except, dagnabbit, she missed him.

  “I didn’t realize you had your own line.” The woman sounded impressed.

  “Everything you see in the store is my own design.” She gestured to the lamps, sculptures and wall art.

  “It’s all very nice. But I was hoping for something less...cowboy inspired.”

  “Actually, I’m the same way. I have a more elegant line over here.”

  The lady ran her hand over a luxurious cream-and-gold brocade comforter. “I like this much better. But I think I’d like something unique. The sign outside said something about exclusive designs.”

  Stay calm. Jenna’s breath caught. Don’t let her know she’s making my day. “Yes, I have a custom-made service. You can pick your fabric swatch. We do curtains, comforters and design accents to go with whatever you choose. We also recover furnishings.”

  “That’s what I want.”

  This was where she usually lost them. Jenna handed her a catalog with pricing. “Of course, custom is more expensive and it depends on the fabric you choose.”

  The woman flipped a few pages. “Very reasonable for custom. How long will it take?”

  Jenna did a mental happy dance. “It depends on what you order, but two weeks at the most.”

  “I’d like to see the swatches.”

  “Of course.” Jenna’s smile went heart deep as she led the woman to the back of the store.

  Over the next half hour, they picked fabric and lining for a comforter, curtains and recovered love seat. After selecting accessories, the woman paid the deposit. “I’m sorry I kept you after closing.”

  “No problem. I’m glad you found what you were looking for.” Jenna unlocked the door and let her out, then slid the dead bolt back into place.

  “Yes.” She let herself do the happy dance for real this time.

  The clock gonged six times, then clanged softer for the half hour. She closed the blinds and hurried to tally the register.

  With the drawer balanced and a deposit ready, she started turning off lights.

  A knock sounded at the front door. Jenna frowned. Caitlyn? Or maybe the custom-order lady needed something else.

  She hurried to the door and peeked through the blinds. A cowboy peered back at her. She jumped.

  Even though it was dark outside, he wore sunglasses. A chill crawled over her skin.

  “I’m sorry. We’re closed.”

  “I know.”

  Garrett? No sign of his hair under the cowboy hat. And Garrett didn’t wear cowboy hats anymore. Her ears were only wishing. Despite her brain.

  The man lowered his sunglasses a bit. Enough for her to get a glimpse of those gorgeous green eyes.

  Chapter 6

  “What are you doing here?” Her voice sounded high.

  “Let me in before someone recognizes me.”

  She unlocked the door and he hurried inside, then she slid the bolt back in place.

  “Do you always work after dark?”

  “I got caught up with a client. I usually close at six o’clock during the week and eight o’clock on the weekends.”

  “You should close the blinds before dark.” He removed his sunglasses and uncustomary cowboy hat. His hair fell free and her heart took a tumble with it. “Anybody can see inside. See that you’re alone. I watched your little celebratory dance and everything.”

  Her throat constricted. “You were watching me?”

  “I had to make sure no one else was here.” He shrugged. “So what were you celebrating? Good day?”

  “A great day. I’m drowning in a sea of ready-made cowboy couture, but I’ve been getting a lot of custom orders with nothing cowboy in sight.”

  “I must admit I was surprised to learn you had a store here. The Stockyards doesn’t fit your style.”

  “The Galleria Dallas is my dream.” She smoothed her hand over a crushed-velvet fabric. “But it’s so expensive. Caitlyn has a clothing store three spaces down and told me this spot was available. Natalie thought it would be a good place to launch Worthwhile Designs.”

  “But if you don’t like cowboy, why design it?”

  For a lot of the same reasons you ended up singing country love songs instead of country gospel. “I tried my elegant line and custom designs. I had a few sales, but not enough to keep up with the overhead.”

  She shrugged. “Natalie, the marketing whiz, pointed out the problem—my store didn’t fit the Stockyards brand because people come here looking for cowboy. My Western line pays the bills.” Why was she standing here answering his twenty questions while he hadn’t answered hers? “Why are you here?”

  “I flew in a day early for the Hall of Fame ceremony. I thought I’d come see your store. Have you show me around and tell me all about it.”

  Her heart tugged in his direction. “I started my own ready-made line. I have cowboy and elegant, but in the past, the cowboy has outsold by far.”

  “You have your own line?”

  “Of bedding and bath, curtains, accessories, throw pillows, kitchen linens. Everything you see in the store is my design.”

  “Very impressive.” He ran his hand along the side of his face.

  His scruffy beard made her want to do the same. Or better yet, rub her cheek against it.

  “You know, I might have an idea on how you could launch a store at the Galleria.”

  “I’m not using my trust fund. I haven’t so far and I won’t start now.”

  “That’s not what I had in mind. Natalie called me today with a great idea.”

  Great. Her cousin was conspiring with Garrett against her. “I knew her being your publicist would come back to haunt me.”

  Garrett grinned and her heart took flight. Right out of her chest.

  “She thinks I should re-cr
eate our concert run with an actress in a video for ‘One Day.’”

  Her heart thudded on the floor. Why should it bother her for him to act out their memory with some beautiful woman?

  “But I think it would be better with the original star.”

  Me? Her gaze collided with his. She shook her head. “Absolutely not.”

  “Why?”

  “We had to do a press conference to get the media off my trail. I don’t want to stir that up again.”

  “But think of all the publicity. How has business been since the concert?”

  “Crazy. I’ve got more custom orders right now than ever before. I may have to hire more help.”

  “Do you think that would have happened without the concert?”

  She turned her back on him. “I don’t know.”

  “I’m not saying you couldn’t be successful on your own. You’re extremely talented, Jenna. But publicity definitely has its perks.”

  “I won’t lose my life again.” She hugged herself. “Everything just settled down.”

  “We put the romance rumors to rest and this doesn’t have to stir them up.” He turned her to face him, his hands resting on each of her upper arms. “Natalie can set up an interview for me. I’ll let the video concept out of the box and explain how our concert run caused such a buzz, it seemed the perfect setup. And how we originally planned to use an actress, but since we’re friends, I asked you to play yourself.”

  She focused on the third button down from his throat. “I’ve never done anything like that. I can’t act.”

  “Think about it. Think about oceans of satin and velvet in an upscale store with marble pillars in the Galleria.”

  “No fair using my dream against me.”

  “Let me make your dreams come true, Jenna.”

  Her gaze met his, but his dropped to her lips.

  The opening notes of “One Day” played.

  A welcome interruption. But did it have to be that song? Jenna stepped back. And where was the music coming from?

  With a sigh, Garrett dug his cell phone out of his pocket. Oh—his ringtone.

  “Hey, Mom.” He ran his hand through his hair, pushing it away from his face. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to worry you. I stopped to see Jenna’s store.” He nodded. “Sure. I’ll ask her. See you in a bit.”

  He stuffed the phone back in his pocket and caught her gaze again. “She wants you to join us for supper.”

  “I can’t do that. Your whole family will think we’re...”

  “They won’t think anything. I told them after we reconnected at the concert, we became friends. Come with me. My folks always loved you.”

  And Jenna loved them. She’d once expected them to be her in-laws. But every time she’d seen them since the breakup, it had been awkward and she hated that. Visiting them with Garrett would be even more awkward.

  “I’m not hungry anyway. Tell her thanks for the offer, but I had a big lunch.”

  “You’re sure I can’t convince you.”

  If she kept looking into his beckoning green eyes, she’d do whatever he wanted. She straightened a pillow on the shelf. “I’m sure.”

  But she wasn’t sure of anything. Not since Garrett’s concert.

  “Think about the video.”

  “I will.” She’d dreamed the video. Over and over.

  “Let me at least walk you to your car.”

  “I’m parked out back in the alley.”

  “I’ll have my driver come around there.”

  “That’s not necessary.” She double-checked the lock on the front door. “I’ve left after dark countless times.”

  “I distinctly remember Mom telling me about some stalker harassing a business owner here last year.”

  “That was actually Caitlyn. But it turned out he’d been married to her aunt who’d been missing for thirty years and he thought Caitlyn was her. Long story.”

  “Sounds like, but I’d prefer walking you out.”

  She sighed. “Tell your driver to turn between the Hall of Fame and the Hyatt Place Hotel.”

  “Maybe I can convince you to do the video on the way.”

  That was what worried her.

  Lord, I need every bit of strength You can send my way.

  * * *

  The brick street of the Fort Worth Stockyards in front of the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame was strangely still. Fort Worth officers and Fort Worth Herd drovers lined each side on horseback as Garrett’s limo driver stopped. He tucked his ponytail down the back of his shirt and lowered his cowboy hat as he exited the limo.

  Two security men flanked him and drew attention. The last thing he needed was some overzealous fan spotting him.

  But his disguise seemed to work.

  Should he salute the officers or something? He waved before entering.

  The lobby stirred with guests. Was Jenna here yet?

  “Mr. Steele.” A museum employee greeted him, warm and professional. “I’ll show you to your table.”

  His security detail faded into the background as he followed his escort.

  The museum floor had been cleared of the wagon display. Round cloth-covered tables with programs and settings lined the space while folks milled about wearing cowboy hats and Western attire from casual to formal. His tuxedo jacket and dark jeans fit right in.

  Inductees lined the front tables near the stage and he spotted Clay. Had Natalie wrangled him a seat at Jenna’s table as they’d discussed?

  “Here we are.” His escort stopped and he scanned the faces at the round table. Lane and Natalie, Mitch and Caitlyn. And a lady with her back to him.

  Jenna.

  But she was between her two cousins, leaving Garrett’s seat between the other men. Too far apart to speak easily. At least he’d get the chance to look at her.

  She turned and her gaze met his. Her eyes widened. Beautiful in a rhinestone-spangled golden dress with Western detail.

  “Garrett, you’re our mystery guest?” Caitlyn’s gaze went to Jenna, checking her reaction.

  Natalie looked uncomfortable. A different look for his usually confident publicist. Because she felt guilty conspiring against Jenna? Because Natalie knew Jenna didn’t want to be near him? Because Jenna had no feelings for him?

  “Why didn’t you tell me you were Clay’s guest, too?” Jenna asked.

  “You didn’t ask. And Clay has several tables. I didn’t know we’d end up at the same one.” His chest twinged as the lie slipped from his lips.

  “Garrett?” Sammie Sanderson, her red dress a second skin, stopped beside him. “This is a surprise.”

  “Good. When Clay invited me, I almost said no because I didn’t want to take the spotlight off the inductees. We kept my attendance under wraps.” He gestured to the place card at his seat—Mystery Guest.

  “And you happened to end up at the same table as Jenna.” Sammie grinned as if she knew more than she did.

  “We’re all high school friends.” Natalie shot Sammie a there’s-no-story-here glare. “I’m Garrett’s publicist and Jenna is my cousin. And my sister Caitlyn married Clay Warren’s cousin. We’re all guests of Clay’s, and Jenna didn’t even know who our Mystery Guest was until Garrett arrived.”

  Way to skirt the issue without revealing you knew, Nat.

  “Listen, Sammie.” Garrett took her hand in his. “If you’ll do me a favor and make sure we have a peaceful evening, I promise you’ll be the first to know if my love life improves.”

  “Promise?” Sammie went from reporter to flirty in two seconds flat.

  “You have my word.” He kissed the back of her hand.

  “Maybe I’ll see you after this shindig.” Her words came out all breathy.

  “Maybe.” He let his gaze lin
ger on Sammie’s much longer than he wanted to.

  It worked. She giggled and headed to the inductee’s table.

  His eyes met Jenna’s cold stare.

  One of the men cleared his throat. Uncomfortable tension, so thick a bowie knife couldn’t cut it, settled over the table.

  “What?” Garrett shrugged. “I was sidetracking her. Keeping rumors at bay and Jenna out of the spotlight.”

  Her gaze dropped to the centerpiece, a gold-painted cowboy boot filled with dried flowers.

  Could she be jealous?

  His heart warmed.

  Better make small talk and not let the press catch him staring at her. “So, Mitch, Mom said you’re a Texas Ranger now.”

  “Yep. I’m a forensics artist.”

  “Impressive.” Garrett turned to Lane. “What are you doing these days?”

  “I’m a pickup man.”

  “For the rodeo,” Natalie added, stroking her husband’s cheek. “Not women.”

  “Got all the woman I need.” Lane stilled her hand and kissed her palm.

  As the couple made eyes at each other, Garrett expected a heart to outline them. Happy. In love.

  Why couldn’t he have that?

  Because he’d blown it with Jenna. But not this time. He had to hold on to her. “Jenna’s thinking about being in my next video.”

  Her glare painted a bull’s-eye on him.

  From possibly jealous to downright livid in one second flat.

  “You didn’t tell me about that.” Caitlyn’s tone echoed surprised disbelief.

  “I only learned about it yesterday. But I’m not really—”

  “Natalie had this great idea.” Maybe if he could get her cousins excited, Jenna would catch the enthusiasm. “She wanted me to do the infamous concert run with a Jenna look-alike actress. But I said, why not Jenna?”

  “Because Jenna doesn’t like publicity.” Jenna sipped her water.

  “But publicity could get you a store in the Galleria.” His gaze caught hers and held.

  “He’s right, Jenna.” Caitlyn clapped her hands. “Just think, one little ole video and your dreams could come true.”

  “I’ve already had a taste of reporters hounding me.” Jenna shuddered. “I think I’ll pass.”