Katie Lyn’s Guarded Heart: Sweethearts of Country Music, Book 4

by Savage, Marie

  “You were there. I already know about that.”

  Alec sat back in his chair, stunned.

  “You do?”

  “Yes, it’s why I gave you the job to watch out for them.”

  “It is?”

  “Of course. I know everything you did that day.”

  “Sir, then you should know, since that day, I’ve had feelings for your daughter.”

  “I know that, too. If you didn’t, you wouldn’t have agreed to do it.”

  Alec sat there in shock for a minute and then continued.

  “I just don’t want to mess this up. It’s too important. I feel too close to this.”

  “And that’s why you won’t mess it up. The stakes are too high. Most of all, I trust you and I don’t throw around that phrase lightly. Do you understand?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Good. I have to go. Keep me posted.”

  Waylon hung up before Alec could say anymore.

  So much for that idea.

  A soft knock interrupted his thoughts.

  “Come in,” he said as the door opened, and Katie Lyn peeked inside.

  “Hi, Alec. Is it okay to come in? No one was at the front desk.”

  “Good Morning,” he said as he stood to greet her, straightening his tie and hoping he looked more confident than he felt.

  “I’m sorry. I hope I’m not disturbing you. I know I don’t have an appointment, but like I said last night, this can’t wait.”

  “Katie Lyn, it’s fine. You’re welcome to drop by anytime. Usually my mom is at the front desk, but she’s working on some other things this morning. Would you like to have a seat?”

  “Yes, thank you.”

  “Can I get you anything? Some coffee or water?”

  “No, thank you.”

  “So, what’s going on?” he asked as he sat down at his desk.

  “It’s about Trevor. He’s been following us. He followed my mother and Madison yesterday and approached them at the mall. He spoke to her.”

  “Did he make any threats or try to take her off with him?”

  “Well, no. My mother wouldn’t have let that happen. But I can’t allow him to do that. He just barged in and told Madison he was her daddy. I hadn’t even had a chance to talk to her about it.”

  Alec had to fight back his own emotions on the subject. He felt her frustration and completely understood why she was so upset.

  “He can’t just do that, can he? Just show up out of the blue and talk to her. He can’t do that, right?”

  “I could put a protective order on him for now since legally he isn’t listed as her father. He wouldn’t be able to see her until the case is heard.”

  “Great, let’s do that.” Katie Lyn smiled and looked somewhat relieved by his suggestion. Unfortunately, that was about to change.

  “However, I don’t advise it,” he said.

  Her smile fell.

  “You don’t? Why not?”

  “It won’t look good for you, Katie Lyn. You’re not contesting he’s her father. We’re only making him do the DNA to satisfy the judge. If you try and keep him away from her, it’s only going to show them that his allegations are correct.”

  “But he’s had all these years to step up and be her father and he chose not to.”

  “I understand that, but in the eyes of the law, it’s your word against his.”

  “Are you suggesting that I just allow him to come by and see Madison anytime he wants?”

  “Not at all. Look, we have every right to insist on supervised only visitation until this is heard by the judge. Since he’s only now coming forward with his claims, we can say that this is in the best interest of Madison. That way your case will look better to the judge.”

  “Fine. I guess that’s better than nothing.”

  “I’ll have that drawn up right away. Was there anything else?”

  “He told Madison that he wants us to be a family again.”

  Alec looked at her. Everything she had said since she arrived, he already knew. He didn’t know this.

  “Is that something you’re considering?” He felt the lump in his throat grow as he struggled to say the words.

  “No way!”

  He was relieved to hear her say that.

  “Great. I’ll make a note of that in case his attorney wants to suggest it.” He couldn’t help but smile as he reached for his glasses and made a note in his ledger.

  “Was there anything else you wanted to discuss?” He looked at her and found her staring at him, with a strange look on her face.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “I swear I know you from somewhere. I just can’t place where I’ve seen you before.”

  Alec quickly removed his glasses. Now wasn’t the time to help her jog her memory. With everything going on, it would be too much for her.

  “I don’t know. I guess I have one of those faces. I’ve had people mistake me for Thomas Rhett quite often. Although I think I’m taller than him.”

  “Yes, I guess that’s it. I get mistaken for Carrie Underwood all the time. I guess there could be worse things, huh?”

  He smiled as he continued to write his notes. “I think you’re prettier,” he let slip before he could stop himself and wondered if she heard him.

  He glanced up for a few seconds to notice the beautiful pink in her cheeks. She heard him.

  “Alec, I’m still waiting on your RSVP,” a voice said outside the office door, but before Alec had time to stop her, his mother walked in.

  “Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you had an appointment today. You usually don’t take appointments on Mondays,” she said as she was about to close the door, until Katie Lyn turned in her chair to look at her.

  “Oh, it’s you, Katie Lyn. It’s so good to finally see you.” His mother came back in the office.

  “Good Morning,” Katie Lyn said, as she looked at his mother and then back to him.

  “Mother, this is Ms. Bishop and we were right in the middle of a meeting.”

  “I’ll just be a minute. It’s so nice to meet you. May I call you Katie Lyn?”

  “It’s fine.”

  “I’m Claire and I guess you already know I’m his mother.”

  “It’s nice to meet you, Claire.”

  “So, has my son asked you to the charity event ball we’re having on Saturday, yet?”

  “Mom, please! We’re busy.”

  “I didn’t know about any charity ball event.” Katie Lyn looked over at him and now he was the one blushing.

  “I hope you decide to come. This year we’re raising money for the local Mother to Mother program.”

  “I know that charity. They helped me a few years ago.”

  “It’s an excellent program and we almost sold out of tickets for the ball, but I was holding on to two just in case my son changed his mind about going.”

  They turned to look at him at the same time. Alec felt like a man on trial.

  “Well, I would love to go, but I haven’t been asked.” Katie Lyn smiled at him and he could tell she was quite amused by the situation. He put down his pen and looked her straight in the eye.

  “Katie Lyn, would you like to accompany me to a costume party Saturday night at the Richland Country Club?” he asked, in hopes now his mother would get off his back about going. At least she was there to witness Katie Lyn decline his invitation.

  “I would love to,” she said.

  “Okay, Mom, see I told you. Wait a second, did you just say you wanted to go?” He looked over at Katie Lyn who was trying not to laugh.

  “Yes. It sounds like fun. I’ve never been to a costume party before.”

  Alec’s heart felt like it was about to burst out of his chest. He had been waiting for this day for so long. Katie Lyn Bishop just agreed to go on a date with him. He needed to act cool and not overly anxious.

  “Leave me the tickets and we need to get back to business,” he said to his mom, although he wanted to jump up and give he
r a big kiss on the cheek. For once he was thankful for her butting into his love life.

  “Oh, one more thing, Katie Lyn. I know this is such short notice, but do you think you could perform a song that night.”

  “Mom!” Alec protested.

  “Well, I’m only asking because we originally had Martina scheduled to sing, but she unfortunately had to cancel this morning because she isn’t feeling well. I haven’t had a chance to call around yet. Would you like to do it?”

  Alec watched as Katie Lyn looked back and forth to him and his mother.

  “You mean the Martina? As in Martina McBride?”

  “Yes, have you met her yet? She’s such a lovely woman.

  “Wow. I’m incredibly honored you asked me, but are you sure you want me?”

  “I think it would be perfect. Everyone is talking about how popular Lipstick Outlaws are. It would be us that would be honored if you agree.”

  “Unfortunately, all the girls are away this week. We’re taking a few weeks off before our next set of tours. It would only be me.”

  “No, that’s perfect. We already have a band that would be playing. We just wanted someone to sing one song.”

  Alec noted her hesitation.

  “Katie Lyn, it’s okay to say no. My mom could find someone else.” He kept his eyes on her, because he was sure his mother was giving him a death stare.

  “It’s okay. I would love to. I just need to let Val and the girls know. I don’t want them thinking I’m going solo or something.”

  “Oh, thank you, my dear. I’ll let the others know. I’ll leave you two alone now. Again, my apologies for interrupting.”

  “It’s fine, really.” Katie Lyn laughed.

  “See, son. I told you she’d go. All you had to do was ask her.” His mother got one last word in before closing the door.

  Alec was mortified.

  “Katie Lyn, I appreciate you doing this, but I’ll go right back out there and tell her no, if you want me to. She shouldn’t have put you on the spot like that.”

  “I really don’t mind. I wasn’t kidding, I really would like to help. The Mother to Mother organization holds a special place in my heart.”

  “It’s a costume party, are you sure you still want to do it?”

  “It’ll be fun. Like I said earlier, I’ve never been to a formal costume party before, and I’ve never been to the Richland Country Club. I suppose you and your family are members?”

  “Yes, we are.”

  “Are you sure you want to take me? Or did you already have someone else in mind to ask?” she shyly asked.

  “I would love nothing more than to take you,” he said and watched her smile return.

  “I guess I better go and look for a costume then.”

  “Perfect. Just let me know what you pick and where you find one and I’ll buy the appropriate match.” He looked at his calendar and started writing notes for the rest of the day.

  “Nope. I don’t think I will.”

  “What?” He looked up at her. Was she changing her mind about going? He wondered.

  “I think it would be more fun for you to guess what costume I pick.”

  “Well, that’s a little unfair, don’t you think?” He tried to be serious, but she was being playful, and he couldn’t help but enjoy it.

  “No. I don’t.” She smiled as she got up from her chair and started to leave.

  “Do I at least get a hint?”

  “All right. I’ll give you two.”

  “I’m listening.” He sat back in his chair.

  “My costume will be a famous person that had to work very hard for a living,” she said as she opened the door and was about to step out.

  “That’s it? That could be anyone. What’s the second hint?”

  She smiled real big, causing his heart to race again. When she smiled like that, she practically glowed.

  “Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo,” she said as she gave him a wink and closed the door.

  8

  Katie Lyn was in the mood to shop, so she called her best friend and thrift shop extraordinaire, Cinnamon, to come hang out with her for the day. After her meeting with Alec yesterday, she was relieved that he could put a stop to Trevor’s unexpected visits with Madison, at least temporarily, and she just felt happy.

  Once Alec mentioned costume, she knew right then who she wanted to go as, her favorite princess, Cinderella. She didn’t have time, nor the desire to go to a costume store to find the costume, besides it wasn’t her style. She already had the perfect gown in mind, the one she wore just recently to the CMT music awards. Maddie kept going on and on how her mommy looked like Cinderella, so she knew it would be perfect.

  Cinnamon showed up and the two spent the day visiting yard sales and going to thrift stores. Madison’s room was completely decorated but the rest of her new home was still very basic, with just furniture and appliances. She wanted to handpick each and every thing she chose for her home.

  Her friend shared her love for finding old things and creating something new and unique with them. Even the gown she decided to wear to the ball, she had found at a secondhand store, and no one had an idea that it wasn’t a designer gown.

  She supposed she could afford to buy a designer gown, and even have an interior decorator come in, but where was the fun in that? But thinking about Alec and his mother and how they were so sophisticated and members of the country club, maybe wearing a secondhand dress as a costume would be a mistake. The last thing she wanted to do was embarrass Alec.

  “Did you find something good?” Cinnamon came up behind her at the thrift store.

  “No, just thinking. It’s getting late, maybe we should run over to that costume shop downtown.”

  “But I thought you were going to wear the gown you already have.”

  “I’m not so sure now. It’s an important charity event. Maybe I’m just being cheap.”

  “Don’t be silly. That gown is gorgeous and it’s perfect for Cinderella.”

  “I paid a hundred bucks for it over the summer at a thrift store.”

  “So what? Only you and I know that.”

  “But still, it’s the Richland Country Club. Maybe I should find something else before it’s too late. I have to get up on stage and sing at this event. I don’t want to embarrass anyone.”

  “Katie Lyn Bishop, where’s this coming from? You’re beautiful and you’ve never been one to worry about labels.”

  “I know. But you see how handsome and sophisticated Alec is and his mother is the same way.”

  “Yes, but I also see how he looks at you. You could show up in a flour sack and he’d still be falling at your feet.”

  “Really, Cin? I think that’s overexaggerating, don’t you think?”

  “Okay, fine, we’ll ask him.” Cin pulled out her phone and started searching her contacts until Katie Lyn quickly grabbed her phone.

  “Don’t you dare.”

  “Fine, but only if you stop this silly nonsense of thinking you’re not good enough. I thought you were over feeling that way when we finally got Trevor out of your life.”

  “But that’s just it. He’s back,” Katie Lyn said as she walked past her friend.

  “Hold up.” Cinnamon stepped in front of her.

  “You’re not considering going back to him, are you?”

  “No, of course not. That ship has long sailed.”

  “Then what’s this all about?”

  “I don’t know. I’m starting to have these feelings again. Feelings that I buried years ago.”

  “You mean for Alec?”

  “Yes.”

  “What’s so wrong about that? I think it’s about time you got back in the saddle.”

  “What do I have to offer someone like him?”

  “Are you listening to yourself right now?”

  “Cin, he’s a lawyer. He’s handsome, intelligent, charismatic and way out of my league.”

  “So? You’re beautiful, talented, and just as charismatic, and
let’s not forget, a country music star.”

  “I noticed you left intelligent out!” Katie Lyn raised her eyebrows and turned.

  “Don’t you dare overthink that. You’re very intelligent.”

  “For someone who can’t read or write.”

  “You have a disability, that doesn’t mean you aren’t intelligent.”

  “Yeah, but I’m sure once he found out, he’d no longer be interested.”

  “If that’s the case then, he wasn’t worth it anyhow. Look at me and listen, okay?”

  Katie Lyn looked at her friend.

  “Not every man out there is your father or Trevor. There’s such a thing as a nice guy. They actually do exist you know?”

  “Are you suggesting my prince is out there and it might be Alec?” Katie Lyn smiled.

  “Very well could be. Hey, wait a second. That isn’t a bad idea for a song.”

  They both started laughing.

  “Thanks, Cin. I needed the pep talk.”

  “No problem, but I’m not kidding. You’ve been promising me that we could sit down and write a song together.”

  “You mean, you write a song.”

  “No, I mean us. I know you have songs up in that little head of yours. We all do. You’ll be playing a catchy little melody and singing some lyrics on the bus and we all hear you.”

  “You do?” Katie Lyn suddenly felt embarrassed.

  “Yeah, we do. Haven’t you ever noticed that when you’re singing to yourself, we all get quiet?”

  “No, not really.”

  “Well, we do, and Rissa is always asking me why you don’t want to write songs with the rest of us.”

  “What did you tell them?” Katie Lyn started to panic.

  “I didn’t tell them about your dyslexia, so stop worrying. I just told them that it wasn’t your thing.”

  “Wow, that’s not better. Now they must think I’m a snob.”

  “Then tell them the truth. It’s nothing to be ashamed of.”

  “Easy for you to say.”

  “Fine, then write a song with me.”

  “You’d just get frustrated with me. It takes me a long time to read anything and even longer to write.”

  “I won’t, I promise. Heck, you can just say the lines in a recorder, and I’ll write them. Come on, Katie Lyn, we’ll be working on a second album soon. It’s time to show them what you got.”