by Debra Holt
Without her permission, her lips surrendered to his. That brought his body fully against hers. Her fingers splayed themselves involuntarily against the chambray material covering his chest. All sense of time and space was lost. His tongue found entrance between her lips, and a soft moan escaped… but from which one of them?
Amanda experienced senses and feelings she'd thought were long dead to her. She couldn’t have broken free of the spell his lips cast over her if she'd wanted to. Her fingers clung to the fabric of his shirt front for support as her legs felt unable to support her much longer. She was vaguely aware of the sensation of his hand moving down her side and sliding around behind her waist; his other one still cupped the back of her neck. His kisses had always hypnotized her from the very first one. If anything, they had only grown more potent as had the man. She felt her body arch itself closer into his.
It was through a haze she felt his lips leave hers to travel across her cheek, and then she felt their heat against her ear.
“I told you I would come back for you and I have.”
Her body went rigid in his arms. Those words served like a glass of cold water to her drugged senses. She found the strength in her hands to push against his chest to put some distance between them. “You came back too late.” The words were full of pain and a strange finality. “You should never have come back at all.”
Chapter Seven
The drive out to the ranch the next morning was a long one. Not in miles, but in dread. Amanda had fled from the bedroom and the house yesterday after the heated scene between her and J.D. Thankfully, he had not tried to stop her. She had no idea what to expect this morning. Perhaps he'd had his fill, and her job would be over. That would solve the situation for both of them. Either way, she needed to finish the project and get away from the man. Yesterday’s episode had proven that, while her mind might be steeled against him, her body was still too susceptible to the charms of the man and his kisses.
She entered the house and noticed the quiet that stretched through each room. She was alone. Amanda went into the kitchen, noting the lack of the usual pot of freshly brewed coffee. Setting her purse down on the bar, she saw paper taped to the top of the laptop.
Amanda... had to fly to Nashville for few days. Expect some boxes to arrive for the house. Take care. J.D.
So he was gone. Good. Even though a sense of relief filled her, she felt a sudden pang of sadness too. That was ridiculous. Amanda chalked it up to nerves and the stress the whole situation had created. This was her opportunity to get as much accomplished as possible before he returned. Why couldn’t she shake the feeling of loss?
****
“I saw a delivery van pass by here yesterday. By any chance was that headed your way? I recognized the name on the side… it came from that fancy leather company in Austin,” Darcy spoke as she filled the salt and pepper shakers lined up on the counter in front of her. It was after the end of the lunch run at The Diner on Main Street. Amanda sat at the counter, having finished her salad, and was making more notes on the next day’s to-do list. Only one other customer sat at a table in the far corner, so they were virtually alone.
“Unfortunately, it was headed my way. The sofa and chairs for the living room arrived a week ahead of schedule. The painters won’t be through in that area until tomorrow. I had to shuffle some things around and store the furniture in the garage area. Luckily, a six-car garage does have its uses.”
“You certainly have been spending some long hours out at the ranch. I noticed you drive by on your way home in the evenings, sometimes very late. You are definitely on a fast track to finish the job.”
“I do have a real job at the realty agency to get back to, remember? I want this all done before the holidays start backing up deliveries.” The ringing of her cell broke into their conversation. Amanda looked at the ID and experienced a surprise when she saw it was J.D. The butterflies in the pit of her stomach suddenly went on a dive-bomb mission. She and J.D. hadn’t spoken since the incident of the kiss in his bedroom. She half-turned from the counter before she answered, her voice lowered but trying to be as natural sounding as possible.
“Hello, J.D.”
“Hi there, sunshine. How are you?” His voice came across as deep velvet over the airwaves and moved right into the center of her chest. He sounded as if nothing had transpired between them. Once again, his selective memory must have kicked in. Immediately, she felt her defenses rise to do battle.
“Everything is fine here. The work on the house is progressing nicely.”
“I didn’t ask how the house is doing. I asked how you are doing.”
“I’m fine,” she stated simply. “The boxes arrived this morning from Nashville. I had them placed in the den until you could decide where you wanted the items.”
“That’s good.” There was a change in his tone… it was slight, but she was alert to it. He didn’t sound as self-assured when he spoke again. “I called to see how you are, but also for another reason. I have a request to make of you.”
His requests had spawned a few surprises to date so she could only imagine what would be next. “And that request is?”
“I have to attend this awards thing tomorrow evening. I’d really like it if you would consider coming up here and going to the ceremony with me. I have a plane at the Austin airport. How about it?” There was silence after that.
“You want me to fly to Nashville to go to some awards with you?” She repeated it because she couldn’t believe she had heard correctly. Where had he gotten such a ridiculous idea?
“That’s correct. It’s a pretty special event, and I would really like you with me. I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t important.” His voice held sincerity in its tones.
A small part of her brain responded to that tone. However, the majority of her brain reacted differently. He was really a priceless piece of work.
“Sorry. I don’t mix business and pleasure. I told you that. Besides, I’m not a glitz-and-glamour kind of girl. I’m sure you won’t have to look far to find one of many adoring females willing to drape themselves over your arm as an accessory. I’ve got to get back to my job. Goodbye.”
Amanda dropped the cell into her bag and wished she had never answered it. She felt eyes on her and looked up to find Darcy standing still, her eyes wide and mouth slightly ajar. Tracy had evidently come in during the conversation and stood next to the counter, a similar expression in her own eyes.
“Why are you both looking at me like that? And since when did my private phone conversations go from private business to public affairs?”
“Did you seriously just tell J.D. Sterling no?” Darcy found her voice first.
“Yes.” Amanda saw no need to expand.
“He asked you to go on the red carpet with him tomorrow night, and you said no?” It was Tracy’s turn to be shocked.
“You both were standing right here and heard me.”
“Do you not understand what a huge deal it is? It’s the biggest awards show of the year for musicians. He’s nominated for Best Song and Best Male Vocalist.”
“I’m sure that’s nice for him, but I was hired to decorate his home, not his arm.” Amanda began gathering up her items from the counter and stuffing them inside her bag. She'd had enough of the discussion of her date… or rather, her refusal of one.
Tracy eyed her for a moment. “Have you even heard the song he’s nominated for?”
“As I don’t listen to country music, then the answer would be no.”
“You should. It might change your mind on some things.”
****
Amanda heard those words replayed more than a few times in her brain as she tried to concentrate on the rest of the afternoon and evening’s work. She'd been raised on country music. She had loved it, and especially the music of one tall cowboy who would often sing just for her. However, that had all changed one day... the day she'd realized that J.D. Sterling had never meant one word he'd said to her. He never would be kee
ping any of his promises he'd made, especially the one where he'd promised to always be there for her no matter what.
Since that day, she'd kept her radio and musical preferences on anything but country. It was bad enough to hear people talking about how great the man’s singing was, and what concert or television show they had just seen him appear on. It took a real effort on her part, but she had managed quite well after a while to push J.D. Sterling to the nether reaches of her world.
The next evening Amanda sat alone in her house. Her finger was on the remote control button of the television, flipping through the channels. Twice, her finger paused on the button, and each time, J.D.’s image filled the screen as he walked the red carpet Darcy had gushed on about. She quickly pushed the button before the camera could pick up any female beside him. Try as she might, she made a valiant effort to stay interested in the sitcom she'd finally chosen to watch on another channel. She finally gave up, though, when she realized she had totally lost the whole storyline. Pushing the button with more force than necessary, she landed back on the awards show.
The show was almost concluded. The last nominated song for Best Song of the Year was introduced. Naturally, it was J.D.’s. It also surprised her to learn that Best Male Vocalist had already been awarded, and he had won that category. Good for him. There would be another award to sit in the huge trophy case being built for the den in his new home. She didn’t allow herself to dissect any of the other feelings she had about his winning. With folded arms and her legs tucked under her, she sat bolstered against any effect his singing might have on her.
The spotlight picked up on him seated on a stool, guitar in hand. He was dressed in a black western-cut tux, no tie, the white dress shirt open casually at the collar. One of his expensive black dress boots hooked on a rung of the stool, his guitar balanced on his knee. With his black Stetson pulled low over his forehead and a flash now and then of that sexy half-grin/half-smile, she could see how any female could forgive him almost anything. But not her.
The music began and it was a soft, melodic ballad. The words spoke about a young pair of teenagers… a boy and a girl… finding a love for a lifetime. Amanda could feel herself being drawn into the song in spite of herself. He had certainly not lost his gift to write great lyrics or deliver them. However, when he sang the words of the chorus, she froze in her spot.
"For a lifetime, it will be just Mandy and me, two hearts beating forever as one, hand-in-hand under Texas blue skies... forever under Texas blue skies."
Amanda sat still as a statue for several moments. Her heart pounded in her ears… or was it the thundering applause he received at the conclusion of the song? Either way, she couldn’t believe she had just heard those words. She realized there were actually a tear or two sliding from her eyes, and she hastily wiped them away. No way would she cry over him. She'd vowed she never would again, and he wasn’t going to change that with one song. Why, then, wouldn’t the moisture stop coming? Before long, she had to reach for a tissue on the nearby side table. Her heart hurt, and she didn’t want to know why.
A few minutes later, the winner was announced. It seemed no surprise to anyone on the television that his song, "Under Texas Blue Skies," had won. The camera immediately found him in the audience. J.D. was seated in an aisle seat, evidently solo for the evening because the person seated next to him was a big, burly-looking man… someone who looked instantly familiar to Amanda. It was the manager she had met a long time ago.
Once on stage, J.D. gave a very nice thank-you speech to his fans for their support, his band, and others who deserved a mention. His parting words of thanks took dead aim at the center of her chest. “And to the woman who was the inspiration for this song… without Mandy, I wouldn’t be here at all.”
The credits of the awards show were rolling on the screen, but she had silenced the sound. She sat staring at the television but not seeing it. Her emotions were on overload. Why had he said such a thing and in front of millions of people?
Her cell phone rang. Slowly, she reached for it. It was Tracy.
“By any chance, were you watching television a few moments ago?”
“Yes, I saw the last bit of the awards show, if that’s what you’re calling about.” Amanda couldn’t trust herself to say more. That fickle moisture was back in her eyes, big time.
“Then you heard. We should talk.”
“Yes, I heard, and no, we do not need to talk.” She flipped the phone shut. Whatever Tracy would have said didn’t matter. Whatever J.D. Sterling might say in front of a camera didn’t matter. What mattered is what he didn’t say… or do…a long time ago. It was just too little, too late.
****
The lamp on the desk beside the front window was on when J.D. inserted his key into the lock and stepped into the stillness of the quiet house. Shutting the door behind him, he moved to stand just under the archway leading into the living room. His travel bag slid from his shoulder to rest at his feet as his gaze slowly travelled around the room. In five days’ time, the room had become transformed.
The walls and trim in their soft honey color perfectly complimented the woodwork. The leather couch and matching chairs centered around the low, carved table and massive fireplace. Colorful matching pillows and a throw added warmth. A writing desk sat in front of one of the windows and held the lamp, which gave a soft, golden glow to the room. The draperies were open to allow unfettered views in the daytime of the sweeping pastures and rolling hills, making them part of the room itself. Greenery had been added with a ficus tree in one corner and a couple of large pot plants on either side of the hearth.
J.D. picked up the bag at his feet and moved up the curving staircase. Opening the door to the master suite, his fingers reached for the switch beside the door, and light from the recessed lighting in the ceiling lit the room. He stood still on the threshold. The sitting room had been done perfectly… just as he had envisioned it. The settee had deep cushions, and the matching floor pillows dotted the deep carpeting in front of the hearth. Candles in various sizes and shapes adorned one side of the mantel. A state-of-the-art stereo sound system sat tucked into the small alcove in the wall across from the settee, just below the slim shelf where a flat screen television could be remotely raised or lowered from its concealed cabinet.
Walking to the double doors of the bedroom itself, he found the room was equally impressive with the focal point the huge king-sized bed. The furniture was all heavy, carved oak, and the bedding colors were soft creams, light blues to dark sapphires, and contrasts of shades of browns with hints of corals.
Amanda, the business woman, had certainly been hard at work in his absence. While he was instantly pleased with everything he saw, he also experienced another feeling... disappointment mingled with a sliver of fear. Mandy, the woman he loved, would soon be leaving the ranch. J.D. knew she was on the fast track to hurry and get away from him. He didn’t have any illusions about that. He might not like it, but he was trying his best to do something about it.
The previous evening, sitting alone on that stage, listening to the applause and knowing he would have another statue to bring home with him, he couldn’t help realize that another award was meaningless to him. Coming back to McKenna Springs felt right, and he knew he was where he needed to be. J.D. also knew that it was time to find out why Amanda was so determined to keep his Mandy away from him. When he had held her and kissed her, he had caught a glimpse of the girl he'd fallen in love with so many years before. He would bet his life that she wanted to be with him also. Whatever the reason was for the invisible wall between them, he needed to find out and deal with it.
Often, over the past weeks, he'd wondered what she would have said if he had told her how he felt… he didn’t care where he lived. He would be happy living in a one-room shack as long as she was beside him. No, he had kept that to himself since she had begun work on the house and he would maintain that secret for the time being.
He turned off the lights in the room
and closed the door behind him. J.D. headed to the smaller room just down the hall from the kitchen. He had placed a small twin bed there when he'd first arrived, and that was where he slept. Where he would continue to sleep until he moved into the master suite. And he only planned to do that when he could share it with the woman he hoped would give him another chance. His Mandy. Until then, he would stay in the room downstairs.
****
“You just missed Tyler. He has a horse needing help with a delivery on a ranch near Farris,” Tracy said by way of a greeting to J.D. the next morning as he stepped through the door of the veterinary office.
“I’m not looking for Tyler. It’s you I came to see.” He returned her smile with one of his own. On the return flight from Nashville the day before, he'd had plenty of time to think about the situation between him and Amanda. Another man might be ready to give up, but not him. He just needed to take a different track. As soon as he could find her, he'd planned to do just that.
“Be still my heart! Mr. Male Vocalist of the Year is looking for plain little ol’ me.” She batted her eyes, placing one hand on her chest.
“Don’t go there,” he replied, losing the smile. “I’m just a friend asking a good friend where our mutual friend might be hiding from me today.”
Tracy’s smile faded, and her eyes took on a solemn look. “You and I both know Amanda doesn’t hide from things… not anymore.”
“Maybe avoiding would be a better word. Either way, she wasn’t at the ranch this morning as she normally is. She isn’t answering her cell phone, and she isn’t at her house. Do you know where I can find her?”
“You said yourself she’s been working long hours on your decorating project. Everyone deserves a day off now and then. This is her day.”
