“The night I finally talked to Santa. Not scary Santa at the mall, but the Santa at the party.”
“What did you say to him?” Alec asked her as he hugged her in his arms.
“I asked Santa to make you ask Mommy to marry you, so she won’t be sad anymore and you won’t be sad anymore.”
After Katie Lyn heard those precious words from her own daughter, she could no longer hold back the tears.
“Mommy, why are you crying? Aren’t you happy that we can be a family now?”
She hid her face and nodded.
“I think your mommy is very happy, but maybe she needs a minute. Why don’t you see if breakfast is ready. I’m starved.”
“Okay,” she said as she hopped up and ran back into the kitchen.
Katie Lyn felt his arms wrap around her as he once again pulled her into his arms. He remained silent and allowed her to cry it out for a minute as she felt his gentle lips ever so often kiss her temple.
After letting all her emotions out, she wiped her face and finally looked at him.
“Are you okay? I’m sure that was a lot to process all at once.”
“I’m very happy. Believe it or not, too happy.”
“Too happy? I don’t understand.”
“I don’t feel I deserve this. I’m so scared it’s going to be all taken away from me, like I’m going to wake up and find myself back at Walmart stocking toothpaste. Do I deserve to have it all?”
“No one deserves it more than you. The dream you wished for is coming true and this is just the beginning.”
20
The day after Christmas, Waylon, Lynette, Madison, Alec and Katie Lyn took Waylon’s jet to Orlando. She wanted to get there as soon as possible and spend as much time with Madison exploring Disney World. Waylon’s concert was in four days, giving them lots of time to have fun and visit the parks.
Katie Lyn looked around the plane and took in how blessed she was. Madison, who sat between Waylon and her mom, was showing them how to play a video game on her tablet. She was so happy, not only to be going to Disney World, but to have Waylon and Alec in her life.
She hadn’t asked about Trevor since that day at the fair and Katie Lyn decided to leave it alone for now. When the time came, and she wanted answers about her father, she’d be honest with her. It would be up to her, if she wanted to have contact with him, and she vowed to set aside her issues with Trevor and help her find him, if need be. For now, she had Alec and she hoped that would be enough.
She stared down at her engagement ring again. It was the most beautiful ring she had ever seen, given to her by one of the most generous men she had ever known. She stared at him as he sat beside her, reading court files he wanted to finish up so he could spend time with her and Madison.
He turned the page and looked at her and smiled before looking at the files again. He must have realized she was staring and stopped and looked at her once again.
“Everything okay?”
“Yes.”
“Are you sure? You keep staring at me.”
“Can’t a girl admire her husband.”
“You mean fiancée, were still just engaged.”
“You’re right. We should do something about that.”
Alec raised his eyebrows at her. She knew she caught him off guard with that one.
She watched as Alec put away his paperwork and once again turned his focus on her.
“You have my attention now. What did you have in mind?”
“Counselor, how hard would it be to get a marriage license in the next few days?”
“It shouldn’t be that hard, but shouldn’t we wait until we get back to Nashville next week?”
“I don’t want to wait. I want to get married this week.”
“This week? Seriously?”
“Seriously. How about New Year’s Eve? It would be perfect. The girls are already going to be there, and we could have a simple ceremony. We could call your folks and have them join us. What do you say?”
“I say . . . let’s do it. I’ll make all the arrangements. I can’t wait to marry you.” He leaned in and gave her kiss.
* * *
“Are you always this nervous before a show?” Alec held her hand.
“Always and it doesn’t help that I’m getting married tomorrow.”
“Yeah, but you’re marrying me. What’s there to be nervous about?”
“Oh, I don’t know. Performing at Disney World, getting married tomorrow, having my father back in my life, and singing with him in just a few minutes. I have no reason to be nervous, not at all.”
“Well, we were going to give you something before you went on stage, but maybe we should wait.”
“You got me something?” Katie Lyn perked up.
“More like finding something and returning it to the rightful owner,” Waylon said as he approached them.
Katie Lyn’s eyes got big, as she noticed the guitar in his hand. It had been over four years since she last saw her guitar.
“It can’t be! I thought it was lost forever,” she said as she took the instrument in her hands and touched the wood and the tuners, before finally brushing her fingers over the strings.
“How did you find it?” She looked at them.
“Searching every pawn shop in and near Nashville, but finally we got just a little luck on eBay,” Alec said.
“
“It was my very first guitar. It’s like being reunited with an old friend. I wish I had time to tune it for tonight.”
“Here, let me have it and I’ll see what I can do. You and the girls go on in just a few minutes. See you out there, kiddo. Break a leg.”
“You, too, and thank you.”
Waylon took the guitar and walked backstage as the girls started gathering around.
“You never seem to stop surprising me. Thank you.” Katie Lyn hugged Alec and gave him a kiss.
“You’re welcome,” he whispered in her ear.
Katie Lyn gathered with the girls and led them in prayer before taking the stage.
They started their set with My Girls followed by the ballad Rebel Heart.
After finishing the song, it was time for the new one she wrote with her friend Cinnamon.
“Thank you for being here tonight with us at one of the happiest places in the world.”
The crowd cheered once more.
“Tonight, I’d like to share with you a new song I wrote along with our awesome banjo player over there, Cinnamon Chadwick. I think you’ll agree, it’s appropriate for where we’re at. It’s called Prince Charming.”
Rissa started with the acoustic guitar as Taylor joined in with a soft melody on the piano. Katie Lyn looked over at the man who inspired the song before starting to sing to the crowd.
The girls were finished with their set, but had one more song to play, as Waylon Bishop joined them on stage with the crowd roaring and cheering.
“Please welcome the legendary, three-time Grammy winner, Entertainer of the Year, and my dad, Waylon Bishop!”
The girls started the music to Carly Simon’s upbeat Mockingbird as father and daughter sang the duet. They rocked the place to a sold-out show.
21
“How was he able to pull this off?” Rissa asked as the girls helped Katie Lyn get ready for her big evening.
“I don’t know, he just did.” Katie Lyn smiled. Her face was beginning to hurt because she couldn’t stop smiling. It had been that way for the last few days.
When Alec said he’d take care of arranging the wedding, she thought he meant getting the license, and maybe, a minister. She had no idea he’d give her a dream wedding in just a few days.
“A wedding at Cinderella’s castle. I still can’t believe it. I heard the waiting list is years out for a wedding here,” Taylor said as she helped fix the tiara on her wedding veil.
“You definitely found a prince. This guy even puts Prince William and Prince Harry to shame,” Mac chimed in.
“Truth,” C.C.
agreed.
“I still think you should’ve waited to say your vows closer to midnight. That would have been so romantic,” Taylor said.
“I know, but it’s important for Madison to be with us and I didn’t want her too tired. This has been an exciting week for her. When we finally get back home, she’s probably going to sleep for a week. I probably will, too.”
“So is Alec’s going to move in with you guys or are you moving into his place?”
“He’s moving in with us. His friend is going to rent his place.”
“His friend is really cute,” Cinnamon said.
He’s single if you’re interested.” Katie Lyn looked at her friend. Now that her dreams were coming true, she could only wish the same now for her friends especially Cinnamon.
“Cute, but not my type. I really don’t see him wanting to go horseback riding.”
“You never know.”
“I think one Cinderella tale is enough for now. Don’t you?”
“Which brings to me to ask this. I don’t want to rain on the celebration, but what are your plans now as far as Lipstick Outlaws go? Are you going to want to stay home now and raise babies with your good-looking lawyer husband?” Rissa asked.
“I know you’re all wondering, and Alec and I had a long talk about this Christmas day after he proposed. We even talked again when he sprang this surprise wedding on me. He wants you to all to know that he supports me 100% in continuing as the lead singer. He’ll tour with us when he can. But he promises, somehow and some way, to make it to all of our shows.”
“But what about more kids? Did you discuss that?”
“We did, and we both would like to wait a little while before we have a baby brother or sister for Madison. We just want to enjoy what we have now.” Katie Lyn looked over at her mama who was fixing Maddie’s hair and smiled.
“That’s music to my ears. It wasn’t looking forward to more auditions for a lead singer.” Val sighed.
“Ditto,” Rissa agreed.
A soft knock at the door interrupted their impromptu meeting as each of the girls started primping in front of the mirror again.
“I’ll get it,” Mac said as she opened the door to see the one and only Waylon Bishop standing in front of her.
“Oh! Wow!” she said.
“Hello! Is my daughter ready?”
Mac looked around to make sure everyone was decent before opening the door.
“Waylon, I told you I would text you when we’re ready,” Lynette said as she looked over at her stubborn ex-husband.
“Pawpaw,” Madison cheered and bolted out of the chair and into her grandfather’s arms.
“Hey, pumpkin,” he said before lifting her in the air.
“Be careful of her dress,” Lynette said as she walked over to them.
Katie Lyn turned to see her father holding her daughter, just like she had always imagined. They still had some things to work out in their own relationship, but she was happy to see Madison have him in her life. Today, she’ll have a father and a grandfather.
She watched as Waylon set Madison back down and looked at her. He was looking at her as he did that day a few weeks ago when she decided to mend the broken fences of their relationship and listen to his side of things. He told he loved her that day and how proud he was of her. Maybe one day Trevor would do that for Maddie, but for right now she had all she needed.
“You look like a princess,” he said.
“Girls, why don’t we head downstairs. The ceremony will be starting soon. Let’s give them a little privacy,” Val said as they all kissed her on the cheek, wishing her good luck and made their way out of the room.
“Are you sure you’re okay, sweetie?” Her mama asked her one more time.
“Yeah, Mama, it’s okay. I’ll see you soon.”
Katie Lyn knelt to face her daughter.
“This is it, baby. In a few minutes we’ll officially be a family. You, me, and Alec. Are you ready for that?”
“No, Mommy, you’re wrong.”
“What?” Katie Lyn was surprised by her reaction and hoped that they weren’t springing all of this on her too soon.
“You, me . . . and Daddy. Alec’s my daddy now.”
Katie Lyn sighed in relief.
“Yes, you’re absolutely right. You, me, and Daddy.” She kissed and hugged her before letting her go with her nana.
“She’s a special little girl. She reminds me a lot of you.”
Katie Lyn held back a retort in her mind. Today wasn’t the day to interrogate him further on why he chose to not be with her growing up. She wouldn’t let the demons of the past ruin her special day. She promised herself she’d forgive, and she was going to stick to that promise.
“You look beautiful, my daughter,” Waylon said as he stepped closer.
“I never thought this day would come.”
“You make a lovely bride.”
“Thank you, but I mean this. You and me. Father and daughter. You about to give me away.”
“Neither did I, but I’m so happy it did. I’ve a lot of catching up to do, but I think this is a great beginning, don’t you?”
She nodded.
“Before things get crazy, I just want you to know I appreciate all you did over the years, and especially for paying Trevor off. I knew he only wanted the money and I was willing to pay him just so he’d go away. You don’t have to fight my battles anymore.”
“I know that, and I would have gladly paid him twice that amount if he promised to leave you and that precious baby girl alone, but someone else beat me to it.”
“What? But I thought you paid Trevor.”
“I wanted to. In fact, I was insisting on it, but I got overruled, for lack of better terms.”
“I don’t understand.”
“To quote my future son-in-law. Katie Lyn and Madison are my responsibility now. I’ll be handling things from now on.”
Katie Lyn couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Alec surprised her once again.
“I’ll let him have that one. But the wedding was my doing and don’t you let him tell you otherwise.”
“Okay, Dad,” Katie Lyn said.
He smiled and Katie Lyn knew it was because, for the first time in a very long time, she didn’t call him Waylon.
“Let’s get this show on the road, shall we?”
Katie Lyn picked up her bouquet and took his arm.
“Are you ready to give me away?”
“Absolutely not. But I like him, and I definitely think you found a good man.”
“A prince,” she agreed.
* * *
It took a lot of string pulling, but Waylon reserved Cinderella’s castle for his daughter’s wedding. He agreed to do the first concert of his comeback tour for free in exchange for his daughter’s fairytale wedding. It was his gift to her.
All the girls were there to help her celebrate her big day, as well as Alec’s dad and mom and his grandparents. Katie Lyn had everything she ever dreamed of as she joined hands with her prince and exchanged vows, with Madison right next to them. The three of them vowed to live happily ever after.
Epilogue
“Here’s to the newlyweds.” Jake raised a toast for Katie Lyn and Alec as all of them gathered at the Turquoise Horse. It was the first time Alec had joined them for one of their get togethers, but it wouldn’t be his last as he leaned over and kissed his new bride of only a few days.
“May their wedded bliss rub off on a few of us soon.” He winked at Rissa, who immediately smacked him on the arm along with his mother, Val, on the other side of him.
“Easy you two. I was only kidding.”
“I thought you two would be headed to some exotic honeymoon place,” Taylor chimed in.
“Not with the tour still in full swing. After the tour, we have it all set for two weeks in Maui.” She smiled as she held her bridegroom’s hand.
“Two weeks? That’s a long time for you to be away from Madison. When we’re on tour y
ou can barely stand two days,” Mac said.
“Madison isn’t staying behind. I’m taking all my girls to Hawaii, including my beautiful new mother-in-law who will help keep an eye on Maddie for us.”
“Would you like to adopt me?” C.C. spoke up and the rest of them started laughing.
“I know I’ve asked this before of Katie Lyn but now I’m asking you. Do you have plans to take away my lead singer? She’s irreplaceable, you know?” Val looked at them.
.
“No worries, Val. I knew exactly what I was signing up for. Besides, as the band’s official attorney, I’m sure I’ll be popping in on your tours quite often.”
“Not to mention as my dad’s right-hand man, he’ll still be making sure Madison and I are safe.”
“Most definitely, my love,” he said as he kissed her.
“Yuck. Enough already. You two are so sweet, you’re giving me a cavity. Didn’t you get enough of this romantic stuff at that fairytale wedding of yours?” Cinnamon interrupted them.
“No,” they said as they looked at each other.
“Okay, let’s wrap this up so you two lovebirds can go home and stop grossing us out,” Cinnamon said.
“My turn to toast,” Katie Lyn said. “Everyone raise your glass high.”
“To 2020. You have some strong competition to beat 2019, but here’s hoping for continued success of Lipstick Outlaws and may everyone find the love of their life this year,” she said looking over at Cin and Mac and tipping her glass to them.
Sneak Peek
Read the first chapter of CINNAMON’S COURAGEOUS HEART, book 5 of the Sweethearts of Country Music…
Cinnamon Chadwick blew out a breath full of frustration, her auburn bangs lifting in the process.
“I don’t know who I ticked off, Nick, but I’m already so sorry. I just want it to stop.” She glared at her brother who quietly sipped coffee across her kitchen table. Her eyes landed on the I Heart Country Music mug he was using and wondered what in the world she’d been thinking about when she bought it. Well, she did love country music, and she was good at making it. That wasn’t the root of her problems right now. It only compounded them. “I swear, if one more thing happens, I’ll lose it.”
Katie Lyn’s Guarded Heart: Sweethearts of Country Music, Book 4 Page 15