Cinnamon’s Courageous Heart: Sweethearts of Country Music, Book 5

by Summers, Ryan Jo

  “So, let’s go around and everyone introduce themselves and tell our listeners a little about you. Rissa, why don’t you start?”

  Silas listened as the others gave short bios, basically their name, hometown, what they did in the band, and what got them started in country music. They were very different, yet surprisingly similar. No wonder they were such a success.

  “I’m Cinnamon Chadwick, I’m from Nashville, and play both the banjo and fiddle.”

  Silas sat up straight, his pulse jumping. He grinned when she ended her bio by saying she had a horse and a cat. Once the introductions were done, Honey recapped their success so far.

  “It’s been quite a year for you ladies so far. You’ve been at the CMA’s in Vegas. You’ve toured with Miranda Lambert. You have several hit singles and your debut single, Come to Nashville, went number one. Tell us about that song.”

  Silas leaned back, took another swig and waited. When the song began playing, he leaned his head back and closed his eyes. It seemed like a nice enough song. Then they talked about the next song to hit number one, Silly Me. Afterward, the host cut to a commercial break. He stood up and stretched.

  “Come on, Honey. Let’s get to that Karma Comes Calling for You song. You have to play it.” What utterly amazed him was in over two hours of stalking the band online, he could not find either a live recording of the band singing the song or even just a listing of the lyrics. What’s up with that?

  “Welcome back. Honey M. here at WBKC, Bossier’s Kicking County. I have the Lipstick Outlaws in studio. They’re playing the Horseshow Riverdome tonight. I do believe the show is sold out, but the Outlaws were kind enough to bring some spare tickets. I’ll have those up for grabs at the end of the interview. In the meantime, Taylor, you wrote the upbeat hit, Kiss Me Quick. What’s the story behind that song?”

  Silas was sure he’d die of old age before they got to Cinnamon’s Karma song. Another commercial break followed Taylor’s recap.

  “Okay, we’re about out of time. These lovely ladies have to go over to the Riverdome. But first, Cinnamon, let’s talk about you for a minute. When Karma Comes Calling for You is a current chart climber. It’s expected to reach number one soon. I absolutely love the title. Please tell us about the song. What was your inspiration to write it?”

  Silas curled one hand around the ginger ale can and the other hand gripped the armrest. His heart beat like a drum. Would they have time to play the song?

  “I’d gone through a bad breakup and I was feeling pretty low. The guy pretty much took everything from me but my name. He took my heart, my reason to try, my trust. All of it. My brother was trying to cheer me up and he actually gave me the song’s title. He pointed out that while the heartbreaker was out playing it up now, it wouldn’t be long before karma came calling for him. I really liked that, and it completely changed my thinking. I wrote the song around that outlook and it was amazingly therapeutic.”

  “Did you ever think it would do so well?”

  Cinnamon giggled. “I never intended to cut it. I was playing it for Katie Lyn one day, while we were touring with Miranda. Rissa, Val, and Miranda all happened to hear it and said we had to cut it and release it. So, I was outvoted.”

  “It’s a powerful song that needs to be heard,” a female voice said. He guessed that would be Rissa.

  “And with its continual success, that’s just more karma.”

  “Katie Lyn’s right. With every successful milestone that song and the band reach, it’s dumping karma on the guy who broke Cinnamon’s heart.”

  Apparently, everyone in the band loved the song. He was struck with the fierce closeness and protectiveness within the group of women. Their fondness for each other was evident, even over the radio waves. Sisters? Wasn’t that what Cinnamon referred to them as?

  So, who was this creep who broke her heart? His chest tightened. It sounded like the jerk did a real number on her. He admired her pluck to write this mysterious song. Now, if only he could hear it!

  “Fantastic story! Okay, folks, we’ll cut to a commercial break and when we return, we’ll play When Karma Comes Calling for You and talk more with the Lipstick Outlaws.”

  Silas grit his teeth. He understood the financial reasons behind commercials and appreciated the small businesses that paid good money to be heard, but right now he wanted to hear this elusive song. He closed his eyes again, breathing deeply.

  The soulful wail of a fiddle roused him, chilling him to the bone with the long strokes of the bow. Cinnamon? He looked around the room, his gaze settling on the laptop. Piano keys joined in, creating a haunting melody. Goosebumps rose along his arms and he rubbed them away. Then a sultry voice began singing.

  “We had it good, boy, I thought you were the one

  Yeah, boy, we were meant to be, and we had fun.

  Before your eye wandered, and you were led astray

  You set me free and now it’s too darn late.

  You violated my trust, and shattered my pride

  You played with my feelings and tossed me aside.

  You played your little steppin’ ‘round games

  With no regard or thought to shame.

  You’re a greedy user, a mean abuser

  Filled with greed and lust, you’re a real loser.

  You live to chase the gold

  Tell me, does that ever get old?

  Like lighting striking hot and fast,

  Your good times, they won’t last.

  Boy, I surely don’t want to be ‘round

  When your rainbow turns to rain

  and Karma comes calling

  Yeah boy, when you find you’re gonna pay for the damage you’ve caused.

  So, tell me, what are you gonna do when Karma calls?

  If you were gonna break my heart,

  Couldn’t you just do it without ripping me apart?

  But your day will come, and you’ll have nowhere to run.

  You’re gonna cry, cry, cry and be sorry for all those lies, lies, lies.

  You hurt me so bad, I didn’t even know which way was up or down

  You sniff the air like an old hound, word is you’ve been all over our sleepy little town

  When you play the game of love, someone has to lose, and no one will win

  You jump fences like a tomcat on the prowl, you’ve no idea what love is

  Like lighting striking hot and fast

  Your good times, they won’t last

  Boy, you better believe I don’t wanna be around

  When Karma seeks you and you’re found.

  ‘Cause, boy, you better believe you’re gonna pay,

  When Karma comes calling your name.

  You killed every part of me, but like a phoenix rising, my pride never died

  You jump those fences, always looking for the greener grass

  So now you have her and her and her, and you’re all in my past.

  You have a lot to learn, boy, light a match and watch what’s left of our love burn

  Take your last chance and give it to your next one-night stand.

  You say you’re sorry, you made a mistake,

  Yeah, I agree, but I’ve got better cookies to bake.

  Where there’s smoke, there’s also fire

  And boy, you are a conniving liar.

  And one day Karma’s gonna come calling for you in your bed of roses

  In some midnight rain, you’ll think of me but you’re so bogus.

  Boy, this little song is my way of telling your story

  Of letting the world know your heart’s like a stone quarry.

  So, here’s a question for you when you hear this tape:

  Did you really throw me away, or did I escape?

  And when you hear that still voice calling in the midnight blue,

  You’ll feel a chill and know it’s Karma come calling for you.”

  The song ended, with the fiddle slowly fading away. It was an ominous song that took Silas’s breath away. He exhaled with
a long, deep hiss. He felt like someone had kicked him in the chest.

  He sat in the chair; eyes fixed straight ahead, not really seeing what was before him. That was the kind of song that would send chills down a man’s spine. Someone hurt Cinnamon badly to make her write a song like that. Who? He’d felt the hurt and pain in every word.

  And would she ever be able to trust again?

  8

  “I’m so ready to go back home.”

  “What are you complaining about? I’ve got the whiny four-year-old.”

  Cinnamon turned her head between C.C. and Katie Lyn. Listening to them was sometimes like watching a ping-pong match. Personally, she sided with C.C. this time, and was more than ready to have a break. She looked at Madison’s map, still lying on the table where she’d left it in a whiny fit. Poor Lynette. So far, Madison had colored in nineteen states and they’d been on the road thirty-four days straight.

  “We’re almost there. Just a couple more shows and a few more days.” Was it just her or was the long tour already beginning to show on everyone? And they only had ten days at home before the second leg began. Automatically, her thoughts shifted to Silas, as they tended to lately each time she thought about home. How was he doing with her house? He’d sent a couple emails, just to say he was enjoying her grand old gal and things were moving along. He hadn’t mentioned any specifics and ended each email with a hope that she was enjoying herself out there on the road. He’d even sent a few pictures of Galoot grazing and playing in the pasture.

  She reflected on their conversation about a dinner date. Would he be open to that during her ten-day break?

  Her laptop rang, startling her. It was the Skype ringtone. Nick? He sometimes Skyped her instead of calling when he wanted a more personal conversation. She flipped the computer up and clicked the keys to open Skype.

  Silas Black. His smiling profile picture caused butterflies to alight in her stomach. Her finger hesitated only a second before she accepted the call and within another second his real-life face filled her screen. Like bees to nectar, her bandmates stopped their various activities to swivel their attention to her. Unfortunately, there was nowhere to go on a bus where she could have any privacy.

  “Silas, nice to see you. Are you on my front porch?”

  He flashed her a bright smile. “I am, and you look well.”

  “Thanks, but I’m getting homesick. We all are.” She swung her arm in the air to alert him there were others nearby. Very nearby. “Did you Skype to show me your progress?”

  He wagged his head. “Afraid not. Too soon for visuals just yet. How long till you return?”

  “Five more days.”

  He nodded, more to himself. “That will be perfect.”

  Perfect for what? Ideas swam around her head. Mac poked her head in front, essentially photo-bombing Cinnamon.

  “Hi, Silas. I’m Mac. Cinnamon talks about you all the time.”

  Cinnamon inhaled and pushed Mac out of the way. “I talk about the house. That’s what she means.” She turned to face Silas, knowing her cheeks were beet red. She was going to get Mac back for that somehow. “I’m anxious to see how you do with the house.” She fidgeted with the hem of a throw pillow. “What you do with the house.” Why was she babbling?

  Silas chuckled, looking highly amused. “I think you’ll be happy. At least I hope so. I basically just called to say hello.”

  “Oh. Okay. Hello.” Cinnamon pushed her hair behind her. Suddenly the conversation took an awkward turn. He seemed reluctant to discuss details about her house. “Well, I suppose we can talk more when I return.”

  Silas’s smile faded. “Yes. We will. I’ll see you then.”

  And just like that he was gone, the connection ended.

  “Oh wow, Cin. He’s a hottie.”

  “Yeah. I’d love to hire him to come to my place. He can just move lumber around, and I’d be cool with that.”

  “All right.” Cinnamon held out her hand. “Enough. He’s cute, I’ll give you guys that.”

  “He’s just not much of a conversationalist.” C.C. snickered.

  Cinnamon lobbed the pillow at her. “How can he be? You guys hung around like vultures!” She crossed her arms and gave them all a solid glare. Katie Lyn caught her eye, and her smirking expression told Cinnamon that her friend knew there was a lot more to their relationship than just the business of the house. So why was he so quick to hang up the connection?

  * * *

  “Get away, Gunner. Your dad is an idiot.” Silas shoved the dog away. He was an idiot. He had great expectations when he Skype called Cinnamon. He was going to be charming, tease her a little about the progress on the house, and lay the foundation for some real dates during her break. Instead, he froze like a sixth-grade boy with his first crush and rudely hung up the call. That would certainly amaze her and make her want to trust him. “Yes, a real idiot.”

  He only had ten days while she was in town to astound her, and he intended to make the most of them. He’d done a fair bit in the house already, mostly in the kitchen, which would impress her. He needed to show her some of his feelings in ways beyond construction, because there was no doubt in his mind, he had strong feelings for her.

  Except after hearing Karma, he still felt like someone had slapped him. That song showed a lot of damage to her heart. He just hoped and prayed he could help her overcome that hurt enough to trust him. And abruptly hanging up on her during their call wasn’t a good way to start.

  “Stupid idiot, Gunner. Stupid. Idiot.”

  Gunner lay with his head on his paws, his eyebrows furrowing in sync to his master’s monologue.

  * * *

  Cinnamon, I need to apologize for our call earlier. It was not very professional of me nor how I intended to talk to you.

  Cinnamon stared at the text from Silas. Yes, their Skype call had seemed odd, agreed, but she was willing to forget about it. She glanced around. The others were busy with their own business. Her finger sat poised over the keys.

  No worries. Curious, how did you intend to talk to me?

  His reply was instant.

  As a fella who wanted to get to know you.

  Her heart skipped and she inhaled. Really? Her finger shook as she keyed in her reply.

  Really? I thought you just liked my house?

  Again, his reply was swift.

  I like more than your house. I think I like the house’s owner.

  There was a pause. Bubbles danced and she watched them, memorized and breath held as she waited for him to finish.

  And I’d like to test that theory when she returns.

  Suddenly, she couldn’t wait for this leg to end. She chewed her lip as she keyed back a response.

  You’ll have some time to be sure of that. We can talk more later.

  * * *

  And talk they did. Silas called her after almost every show, or sometimes she beat him to it. She began anticipating his calls, text, and Skype contacts. By the end of the second week, it became a game to see who could contact who the fastest after her shows. Silas sent her pictures of progress, or him just standing there, sweating and grinning and saying he was hard at work. She liked those silly pictures the best. He sent pictures of Galoot and how he sometimes fed the horse a carrot or apple. He Skyped her just to show Galoot grazing and Gunner laying contentedly by her horse’s side. Oh my! Talk about heartwarming!

  Apparently, her and Silas’s relationship wasn’t the only one forming. Galoot and Gunner seemed quite chummy.

  And all the communications nudged her just a little further into liking him more and more. And pushing him well away from just a contractor status. She wondered what it was going to be like once she returned for a break.

  * * *

  Finally, the first leg of the tour was over. Everyone seemed to be breathing a sigh of relief as the buses dropped them off at the Nashville studio.

  “It sure will be good to see my beautiful bride again,” Danny murmured as he helped removed luggage
from the bus’s storage compartments.

  Cinnamon stopped; her hand curled around the same handle he was handing her. “Your bride? I thought you two had been married a while.”

  “We’ve been married fifteen years.” He smiled and tugged at the suitcase. “She’s still my bride, though. Always will be.”

  Wow. That was the kind of love she wanted. Where her man would look at her with the same love in his eyes on their wedding day, during their honeymoon, and on each anniversary. The kind of love that would never grow old.

  The girls all grabbed their luggage. Even Madison tugged mightily at her big-girl case until Katie Lyn came to assist. Then they all headed to their cars.

  “I’ll miss you, Auntie Cinnamon,” Madison cried, hugging her mama’s arm. Cinnamon knelt at the little girl’s side.

  “Sweet baby, it’s only ten sleeps and we’ll all be back together again.” She held out both palms with ten fingers raised. “See? It’ll go by so fast. I promise.” She hugged Madison and stood back.

  Katie Lyn shook her head. “You need kids of your own.”

  Maybe someday. “So you and your mom keep saying. Why? I’ve got yours.”

  C.C. pushed between them. “Maybe that tall, dark, and handsome contractor will be the one to tame our Cinnamon.”

  Cinnamon snorted. “The only tall, dark, and handsome anyone I want around me is my horse.”

  That was a fib. She was anxious to see Silas again. Of course, she was curious to see the progress on her old gal, but she also wanted to know what was behind his strange Skype call. After waving good-bye to the girls, she quickly left Nashville behind.