“Do you know if he’ll be back?” Hailey asked.
“Said he’d be back later, but I don’t know when,” Joe said.
“Can you tell him I’d like to talk to him?” She pointed toward the hole in the wall. “I’ll wait in the salon.”
“I’ll let him know, hon,” Joe said.
She went next door and locked herself in so she wouldn’t be interrupted while she busied herself with getting the salon ready for the next days full list of clients. While she prepared herself to face Dylan.
She cleaned. She organized. She did anything she could think of to occupy her thoughts and keep moving. When she was done, Dylan still hadn’t knocked on the salon door. She’d wait as long as necessary because he deserved the opportunity to ask questions. To rage at her if that’s what he needed to do. She just hoped they could finally have the long overdue conversation without being on the opposite sides of a conference table with lawyers sitting at their sides.
She put away the cleaning supplies and came out of the back closet to check the next days schedule just so she’d know who was coming in for appointments. So she’d know who’d be asking questions about what’d happened in the park. Because prying minds wanted to know, especially in Red River.
“I thought I’d find you here,” Dylan said.
Her head snapped up to find him lounging in one of the salon chairs. She froze. Pressed a hand to her chest and breathed deep to slow her hammering heart. “You…you scared me. How did you get in?” She glanced at the front door, the deadbolt still horizontal, which meant the door was locked.
His gaze darted to the hole in the wall. “I went to your mom’s house, but you weren’t there.” He pulled at the front of a knit skull cap he’d donned since he’d stormed out of the park a few hours before.
“So, you thought breaking and entering was the best way to find me?” Hailey crossed her arms.
“Is it really breaking and entering when our businesses aren’t even divided by a wall?” He smiled, dimples appearing.
Those dimples were so unfair.
She gathered her courage. “Look, Dylan. You have every reason to be angry, but we need to think of Melody and do this the right way.”
“I wasn’t ready,” he said. “The way I left you was a pretty good sign that I wasn’t prepared for the responsibilities of fatherhood.”
Oh. Okay.
“I should’ve told you.” Hailey’s voice shook.
He nodded slowly and pursed his lips in agreement. “Yeah, you should’ve.” He pushed out of his chair. “But I can see why you didn’t. I can see why you doubted me.”
“I’m so sorry.” Her voice cracked as she fought back tears. Beat back the fear. The same fear that had overwhelmed her six years before. Not fear of his rejection, but fear that he’d look at her with disdain for trapping him. Look at Mel as an obligation.
He came to her. Didn’t touch her, but stood just a breath away. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you or our daughter. But I want to be here for both of you now.” Slowly, he pulled the knit cap from his head.
Hailey gasped, covering her mouth with a hand. “Your hair,” she whispered.
He ran his fingers through the short style. “I asked Bill for a favor. I owe him free steak dinners for a month in exchange for him opening his shop on a Sunday, but I’m good with that.”
“But why did you cut it?” Hailey asked. It was a great cut, and Dylan was great looking no matter what, but his hair?
He shrugged. “I’m a dad now, so I figured I should at least try to look the part.” He tugged on an earlobe. “Got rid of the earrings, too.” He smiled.
A tear slid down her cheek. “Dylan, I’m so, so sorry—”
He placed a finger over her lips. “Don’t.” His gorgeous black eyes slid shut for a beat. “Truth is I was so self-centered back then that I’m not sure I would’ve been there for you if you had told me about Melody. My priorities were pretty screwed up back then.” He brushed the wetness from her cheeks. “But I’ve got my head on straight now, and I’ll try my hardest to be what you and Melody need.”
Hailey choked back a sob. “Are you sure? I never wanted to be a burden to you.”
He chuckled and placed the edge of an index finger under her chin, lifting her gaze to his. “You’ve never been anything other than a gift. A gift I didn’t deserve, and I’m sorry I wasn’t mature enough to be the man you and our daughter needed. If I had been, you’d never have thought you had to hide the truth from me. You’ve done an amazing job with Melody on your own. Now I’m asking for a chance to learn how to be an amazing parent, too. And I want to learn how to be that from you.”
Hailey sniffled. “But you’ve got the festival coming up, and you’re taking over Joe’s.”
Dylan crushed his lips to hers in a deep, long, languid kiss.
She sighed, slipping her arms around his neck to toy with the back of his short hair.
Finally, he nipped at her bottom lip, then grazed his nose across hers. “None of that means anything if I’m not taking care of my responsibilities with you and our daughter. Give me a chance to date you…court both of you, the old-fashioned way.”
“Dylan, you can be Melody’s father without dating me.” Hailey would rather be alone than with someone who was only doing his duty without any real heart behind it. “We can co-parent without being a couple.”
He rested his forehead against hers. “I know, but I still care about you. I never stopped, and I want us to see if we’re meant to be. If you decide you don’t want me, I’ll accept that, but I’m still in when it comes to being Melody’s father. No matter what, I’m in.” Dylan gently swayed with her in his arms.
Her heart filled, and tears spilled down her cheeks. Melody could finally get to know her father.
He stilled and stiffened.
Her heart deflated.
“Who the hell was the big guy?” Dylan blurted.
She laughed. “Logan. A friend from my previous salon.”
“Obviously, he’s not Melody’s father, but is he…my competition with you?” Dylan swallowed. “Because if he is, I’m gonna have to strategize on how to win you away from him,” he said playfully, placing a kiss at her temple.
“When I told you earlier that I wasn’t with him or anyone else, I was being honest. He’s a friend in the literal sense of the word. He’s not into women,” Hailey assured Dylan.
He started to sway them in a gentle, even rhythm again. “Awesome. One less contender while I woo my woman.”
She threw her head back and laughed. “Woo?” She arched a brow. “And I’m not your woman?”
“Not yet.” He waggled both brows. “But the wooing will soon commence, and you won’t be able to resist me forever. I plan to wear you down until you throw yourself into my arms and vow to be mine the rest of our lives.”
No, she’d likely not be able to resist him at all. Especially not when he spoke like a poet.
“Then let the wooing begin.” She claimed his mouth with hers and melted into him.
Chapter Ten
Joe’s was filled to capacity for the last night of the songwriter’s festival. The entire town had turned out for the festival’s finale to hear each musician or band play a song they’d written that week.
Dylan checked with each of the extra staff he’d asked to work that night so everything would be perfect when it was his turn to take the small makeshift stage they used when they booked musical entertainment for the bar.
The last week had been the best Dylan could remember. Ever. He’d done exactly what he’d promised Hailey he’d do—he’d been there for her and Melody, no matter what. Even as the festival attendees filtered into town, temperamental musicians that they were, he’d handled the festival like a pro, then spent time with Hailey and Melody in the evenings.
It was nice. Scary as hell, but nice. And he knew his two ladies were going to change his life forever, for the better. He couldn’t wait to be there for both of them for
the rest of their lives.
When Hailey arrived with Melody, he walked over and greeted them. “Thanks for coming.”
“We wouldn’t miss it.” Pink seeped into Hailey’s cheeks.
Sweet.
“Daddy.” Melody pulled on the leg of his jeans, as though she didn’t want to be ignored.
As if Dylan could ever ignore his baby girl, now that he and she both finally knew that he was her father. He scooped her up into his arms. “Hey, you.” He tweaked Melody’s nose. “I missed you, little lady.”
She giggled. “You saw me this morning.”
True. He went by Hailey’s every morning to help make breakfast for Melody, then again after work to help make dinner, read to her, and tuck her into bed. But still, he missed her when she wasn’t around, and someday, she would grow up, and some asshat would enter her life and want to take her away…
Dylan’s blood boiled at the thought of some guy with his daughter.
He tried to slow his breathing. He could deal with that problem when the time came, but he wouldn’t likely let Melody date until… Hell, he’d likely never let her date, because he already knew no one would be good enough for his little girl.
“Hey, I’ve got a few surprises for you two before the show starts.” Carrying Melody, he led Hailey passed the long bar and through the kitchen to the hole in the wall and retrieved one of the gifts he’d planted there less than an hour ago. “This is for you.” He handed a bouquet of expensive Casa Blanca lilies to Hailey.
She drew in a stunned breath. “They’re gorgeous, Dylan. Thank you.” She sniffed a large bloom and fingered the petals.
The next gift, he wasn’t so sure she’d thank him for. But hell, he was new to the whole dad thing, so she’d have to be patient with him while he caught up to her ninja parenting skills.
“Princess,” he said to Melody. “Can I put you down for a sec so I can give you your gift?”
She nodded, excitement lighting her adorable little face.
He put her next to Hailey, then stooped to open a small cloth pet carrier and peeked inside. The fur ball cowered in the back corner. Gently, he reached in and pulled out the trembling Yorkie mix.
Hailey gasped.
Melody squealed.
“He needs a home.” Dylan handed him to Melody. “Think you can help me take care of him?”
She nodded frantically. “I love him. Thank you, Daddy.”
Daddy. Dylan’s chest filled with pride. “I took the liberty and named him, if that’s okay.”
She nodded and hugged the dog, who licked her perfect little face.
“His name is Jagger,” Dylan said.
Hailey laughed.
While Melody held the dog, Dylan leaned over to whisper in Hailey’s ear, “He can stay at my place at night. I can’t keep him here at Joe’s during the day because of health codes.” He nodded to the hole in the wall. “But I was hoping you’d consider an alternate plan instead of sealing the wall up with more bricks.”
Creases appeared between Hailey’s eyes.
“Your contractor said we could install an industrial sliding door that makes going back and forth between our businesses convenient. If you’re okay with the idea, I was hoping we could train Jagger to stay at the salon, and I can hop over during breaks to walk him. And once Melody starts kindergarten, she can come here after school to be with Jagger and both of us. The door seemed like the easiest solution.”
Wetness shimmered in Hailey’s eyes, and she nodded her consent.
Awesome.
“I’ve got another surprise for your mom,” he said to Melody. “Want to go sit in my office and play with Jagger? He’s not supposed to be in the restaurant since he’s not a service dog.” By the way she clung to the dog, he doubted he’d be able to wrestle the pup away from her anytime soon.
“I’ll go try to find a seat,” Hailey said.
“I reserved a booth for you.” Not just any booth. The booth. The one he’d left her sitting at when he’d left to jump into L.A.’s music scene with both feet. And promptly drowned. It was time to make a new memory. A better memory than the one he’d left her with six years ago, because he didn’t want her to feel unwanted every time she walked into Cotton Eyed Joe’s. “Can’t miss it. It’s the only empty booth in the place, and it has a Reserved for VIPs sign on it.” He nudged her with an elbow. “That would be you. You and Melody are my VIPs. Now and always.”
Hailey chewed the corner of her mouth, unable to speak.
“Go have a seat. I’ll be back in a sec.” He led his daughter to his office so she could play with her new dog, then went to deliver the next surprise.
Dylan waited at the bottom of the stage while Uncle Joe stood in front of the mic. “We’re going to kick off the entertainment tonight with the new owner of Cotton Eyed Joe’s, my nephew, Dylan McCoy.”
Murmurs and claps rounded the room.
“I’ve never met anyone I trust more to carry on the legacy of this place. I know he’ll do a fine job, but I’ll be sticking my nose in once in a while just to keep an eye on him.” He winked at Dylan. “So without further ado.” Uncle Joe waved Dylan up and stepped away, clapping.
Dylan climbed the few steps at the side of the stage and pulled a stool over to the mic. Then he picked up his guitar and angled his head as he pulled the strap over a shoulder. He sat on the stool, adjusting his guitar so it felt comfortable. He strummed a few chords, tuned the strings, then leaned into the mic. “Hello, everybody.”
Cheers rang out. As much of an adrenalin rush as that had always been for him as a performer, it didn’t hold a candle to the squeals of delight Melody had let out when he’d given her the dog.
His heart was so full he was sure it would burst.
“I’m gonna kick off the entertainment tonight with a brand new song. I wrote the lyrics during the festival this week.”
He kept his gaze trained on Hailey and started to sing the song.
His song to her and only her.
By the time he got to the third verse about how he planned to make up for lost time, never let her down, and would sing sweet love songs to her for the rest of his life if she’d have him, tears streamed down both of her beautiful cheeks.
When he belted out the last of the lyrics and let the song fade, she bolted from the booth.
And ran across Joe’s, onto the stage, and right into his arms.
With the guitar shoved around to hang against his back, he kissed her deep and lovingly. Reached out and took the mic from the stand, held it out, and dropped it like the smart ass that he was.
He couldn’t resist. If this wasn’t a perfect drop the mic moment, he didn’t know what would be.
Because the musician always gets the girl. And this girl was the real deal. It was too soon to make things permanent, but when had they ever done things in the right order?
He broke the kiss and brushed his nose across the tip of hers. “I’m issuing a standing proposal. It’s up to you when to accept. Tomorrow. Ten months. Two years. I’ll always be here waiting for you.”
“The song was beautiful,” she said. “Are you sure you don’t want to record it?”
He shook his head. “I don’t want that life anymore. I have no doubt I can write music and sell it to a label so any one of these aspiring musicians who are chomping at the bit to land one of my songs can record it. But I’m staying right here at Joe’s. Right here in Red River with you and Melody.”
“Encore, encore, encore,” the audience started to chant.
Hearing the crowd was an incredible feeling, but not as incredible as the woman who’d sat in the booth and let him serenade her with a song. And every song he wrote for the rest of his days would be for her.
* * *
Thank you for reading IT’S IN HIS SONG, the sixth book in my Red River series of STANDALONE novels and novellas.
What’s Next?
Please return to the magical landscape of the Southern Rockies in one last heartwarming Red
River story with just enough heat and humor to make you swoon. IT’S IN HIS CHRISTMAS WISH is coming November 12, 2019:
Maybe some wishes aren’t meant to come true.
Christmas is a hot button for Kimberly, and not in a good way. Having grown up in the foster system, she's as frugal as she is smart and can't abide the materialism of the holidays. In an effort to use precious funds to help children in need instead of wasting money on meaningless commercialism, she pitches a new city ordinance to Red River's city council that would cut most holiday decorations and festivities from the city budget.
Ross is determined to honor his late sister’s memory by continuing her love of all things Christmas in Red River. But to do so, he's got to block the silly new city ordinance—which would essentially cancel Christmas altogether—by charming the person behind it, who has gone full-on Grinch.
When their disagreement pits them against each other at a public town council meeting and splits Red River in half, the council chairperson forces them to work together on a new Red River holiday tradition--the Wishing Tree, which should accomplish both of their goals. Can they work together in the true spirit of the holidays, not only to reunite the town they love but to also cultivate the burgeoning feelings they have for each other? Or will their differences turn them into enemies and divide Red River forever?
If you haven’t read the rest of the series, One-Click IT’S IN HIS HEART and see where it all began!
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And don’t miss my DARE ME Series! Set on the picturesque vacation island of Angel Fire Falls, it’s a sizzling series about secrets and second chances.
One-Click DARE ME ONCE!
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It’s In His Song: Book 6 Page 10