The Pretty Lady and the Cowboy (Songs from the Heart)

by Lee, Dana

  # # # # #

  from Levi McCrory’s song notebook

  “When It’s Right”—verse 2

  Then on my first date, I didn’t think about what mama said

  when I took a girl out to the country fair.

  And we rode the roller coaster and the bumper cars and swings

  and I even won that girl a teddy bear.

  Then I drove her to her house and as we walked up to her door step

  I tried hard to think how I could get a kiss.

  But when she saw me pucker up

  she said, “Don’t try to take one more step!”

  She said, “No, sir, I just ain’t that kind of miss!”

  Chorus:

  It wasn’t right (clap clap). And I blew it.

  But I learned a lesson from my teenage crush:

  When the time is right you’ll feel it,

  when the deal is right you’ll seal it.

  (4 Guitar chords or claps)

  You know that true love isn’t something you can rush.

  # # # # #

  Jess, bless her, arrived a little past ten.

  “So, about that raise you were going to give me,” she said when she walked in.

  “Sure. You’ll get yours right after I get mine.”

  It was a standing joke between us. She knew we were a long way from being able to give anyone a raise.

  “Then I’ll take it out in trade. I could use a new pair of running shorts.”

  “Take your pick,” I said, pointing to the rack. “It’s the least I can do. And you know how—”

  “Yes, yes, I know how you love doing the least you can do.”

  Another joke. We constantly ribbed each other about who worked the hardest.

  We weren’t terribly busy this morning, so the time passed slowly. I wondered where Levi planned to take me on our ride. The northeast is known for its fall foliage, and this was the peak of the foliage season. Wherever we went, it would be beautiful—assuming we actually looked out the window of the limo. I felt myself growing warm all over at the thought of sitting in that ultra-plush back seat with Levi’s arms around me.

  Never had the hours between 10:30 and 12:30 gone by so slowly. I kept looking at the clock only to find that maybe three or four minutes had passed since I looked at it last. Since I didn’t know if this ride included a midday meal, I took a yogurt from the refrigerator and ate it while I checked email in my office.

  Jess, Dan, and I usually take our lunches on a rotating schedule, so when I got back to the front of the store, I told Dan it was his turn. By then the clock had inched its way to 12:45. I prayed Dan hadn’t brought his lunch that morning and gave a silent cheer when he said that he hadn’t. He left a few minutes later and said he’d be back in half an hour.

  Perfect. With any luck, Levi would arrive right at 1:00 and we’d be gone by the time Dan got back. It can be hard to keep your private life private when your date picks you up at work. And I was hoping to keep this date as private as I could.

  I was standing behind the cash register when I saw the limo pull up outside the store about five minutes to one. My heart started pounding when I saw Levi get out. He was wearing the Finish Line cap again, and again the disguise seemed to be working. Then he turned back around and bent over to get something off the floor of the back seat. Talk about jeans that are tight in all the right places! Whew! When he straightened up, I saw that he was holding a very large cardboard box. Flowers, I wondered? He balanced the box with one hand, slammed the car door shut with the other, and headed straight for the store entrance.

  I fiddled with the cash register, pretending I was too busy to watch for his arrival, though really I didn’t have anything to do at the moment since there were no customers in the store. I felt myself blushing like crazy as he walked toward me, so I don’t know how convincing my act was. I looked up and our eyes met and he gave me a smile that melted my heart.

  Levi put the box down on the counter between us and took my hands in his. “Hey, Miss Kitty,” he said.

  “Hey, yourself,” I said. Something electric happened as our hands touched. The store was fading into the background and all I could see was Levi.

  Somehow Jess appeared at my elbow. “So, how about introducing your store manager and good friend?” she said.

  I was as nervous as a dog in a thunderstorm and I stumbled through introductions. Jess doesn’t ever gush over celebrities (at least, not in person), but I knew meeting Levi was special to her. She really was a big fan of his. She told him she was one of his Facebook friends and he smiled and said he was always glad to be able to put a face to a name. And he was so easygoing and gracious that you could almost believe he knew all the names of the thousands of fans on his page.

  Jess and Levi chatted for a while about country music. Jess was hoping to learn more about his upcoming album, but he said it was under wraps for the moment and he was sworn to secrecy. He leaned toward her, though, and whispered the title in her ear. She smiled. I could tell he had made her feel special.

  Then he turned to me and said, “We’d better get going. I’ve got to be back at the casino by six.” He picked up the box and held it out to me. “Here’s a little something for our ride.”

  The box was fairly heavy, so I knew immediately that it didn’t hold flowers. I walked it over to the couch and put it down so I could open it. I slowly lifted the lid and pushed back the tissue paper and gave a squeal of pure delight at what I saw. Levi had brought me the most beautiful pair of hand-tooled cowboy boots I had ever seen. Or make that cow girl boots. They were bright pink with purple trim, just about the same color as the first pair of shoes I’d brought out for Levi. Where in the world could he have gotten them?

  I pulled them out, running my hand over the paisley design that ran up the throat of the boot, then tried them on and strutted around the store a bit. I had always wondered how those pointy toes on cowboy boots could possibly be comfortable, but my feet slid in and were caressed by the incredibly soft leather. My new boots were calf-height and fit perfectly. The black heels lifted me up quite a bit more than my running shoes and made me feel tall. I looked up and saw Levi watching me with a pleased look—as if it made him happy to make me happy.

  “So now you have princess shoes and princess boots,” he said. “Lucky girl!”

  “This is more than luck—this is the best surprise ever! How could you have possibly known my size?” I asked him, still dancing and strutting around.

  “Trade secret,” he said. “Levi McCrory magic.”

  I gave him a slightly skeptical look as I swaggered around the store and he smiled and confessed.

  “Well, okay, I took a peek inside your running shoes when you went in back to get changed the other night.” Even then he had been planning this! What did that mean about me, about us?

  “So hey, Cowgirl, let’s get going!” he finally said after my third trip to the mirror to admire my new country western image.

  I said goodbye to Jess and thanked her again for covering for me this afternoon.

  “Hey, anything for a special friend of Levi’s,” she said.

  Of course, just at that moment Dan walked back through the front door, lunch in hand. His jaw dropped practically to the floor as his glance took in first Levi, then my bright pink and purple boots.

  Levi didn’t even notice Dan. He was looking into my eyes, but his reply was to Jess, “And she is special.” Then he tucked my hand through the crook of his arm and led me to the waiting limo.

  He held the door open for me and I slid in, wondering where this ride with Levi McCrory would take me.

  “Time to get your inner cowgirl on!” he said as the limo started up.

  I had no idea what that meant, but I was so ready to find out.

  Chapter 11

  We had hardly pulled away from the curb before Levi put an arm around me and pulled me to him. I was expecting him to kiss me, but he just held me close and didn’t say anything. I closed my
eyes and lay my head on his shoulder and he hummed a tune I knew but couldn’t identify. I’d probably think of it in the middle of the night or something, but really it didn’t matter. This was heaven.

  Finally he gave me a kiss on the forehead and pulled back a little so he could look at me. “So, don’t you even want to know where we’re headed?” he asked.

  “I’d love to know. I’ve been wondering all morning,” I said.

  “Well, now, that’s too bad, because I’m not about to tell you.” He grinned at me, clearly having fun keeping his secret. “So just sit back and enjoy the ride and see how long it takes you to figure it out.”

  “I do have another question for you, though,” I said.

  “I’m ready—shoot,” he said.

  “Well, I confess I’m curious. Who’s that gorgeous blonde woman I see with you sometimes?”

  I said it in a teasing, flirtatious way, and I guess I expected a teasing flirtatious answer. “Oh, that’s my niece,” I thought he’d say. Or maybe, “She’s my publicist.”

  What I didn’t expect was the serious look that clouded his face. “Kitty, how about if we table that question for now. It’s kind of a long story.” He looked down for a few seconds as if trying to erase the question from his mind. When he looked back up at me, his face was still serious, but there was tenderness in his voice as he said, “Meanwhile, how about a little kiss hello?”

  He didn’t have to ask me twice! I turned toward him and our lips met and everything else disappeared.

  By the time I looked out the window, we were driving through an unfamiliar area on a road I’d never been on before and I had told myself to forget about the blonde woman. But Levi’s response had made me even more curious about her. “You’re just way too nosy,” I said to myself. “You have to admit that there are parts of your own life you wouldn’t like Levi asking about.” I did admit it. I forced my brain to think about something else, like where in the heck he was taking me.

  We had left the highway behind and I watched the scenery go by on smaller, less traveled roads. We rolled down the windows for a better view of the countryside. What a gorgeous fall day! Maybe Levi just wanted to enjoy the famous Connecticut foliage. We saw fewer and fewer houses as we rode, and then we began to see the occasional farm.

  “I’ve got it! You’re going to teach me to milk a cow!” I said.

  “JK, I confess to you that I have no idea in the world how to go about milking a cow. So consider yourself safe on that score!” He wouldn’t say any more, though. He looked mischievous and completely adorable, like a little boy having a really good time keeping a secret.

  Finally after about an hour, we turned down a narrow driveway marked by the sign, “Winding Trails.” Branches on either side of the narrow path scraped the sides of the limo as we drove slowly along. I was still mystified. At last I could see a barn in the distance and then cows and then—horses!

  “Horseback riding?” I asked, thrilled. I hadn’t ridden since I was in my teens, but back then I’d taken lessons and I’d wished on a star every single night for a horse of my own.

  “Well that sure did take you a powerful long time to figure out,” he teased. “What else did you think a girl might need cowgirl boots for?” He helped me out of the limo and took my hand to lead me toward the barn. I left my purse in the car, but tucked my cell phone into the pocket of my jacket just in case. I felt strongly about my responsibilities as owner of The Finish Line and needed to make sure Dan and Jess could always reach me during store hours.

  It had been a long time since I’d felt just plain happy, the way Levi made me feel. Once again, he had planned something perfect, like he did when he took me to the wonderful restaurant with the terrific jazz band the other night. It almost seemed that he was able to read my mind, or maybe even something more than that. It was as if he knew me at some deep level without my having to say anything.

  “I thought maybe the boots were just the perfect sexy fashion accessory,” I teased right back.

  “We country folk are lots more practical minded than that—though you sure are right about the sexy part,” he said, and he gave me a look that made shivers run down my spine.

  Just then, the owner of the farm came toward us. He stuck out his hand and introduced himself as Mike. Levi had apparently made all the arrangements ahead of time because Mike led us right to the horses we would be riding. My horse, Amber, was a tawny brown mare with a white patch on her forehead. I stroked her soft nose and she nuzzled my hand, hoping for a carrot or an apple, I guessed. Levi would ride a black gelding named Cadillac.

  Mike told us they were both Tennessee walking horses, which I knew were best for trail riding. He explained that the trail went off to the left from about midway down his driveway and that from there it was basically a five-mile loop. He told us that the horses knew the way and were sure not to want to miss dinner back at the barn, so we didn’t have to worry about getting lost.

  “Do you need a hand up or can you mount her by yourself?” Levi asked me. I was tempted to ask for help just so I could feel his hands around my waist, but at the same time I wanted to surprise him, to make him proud of me. It had been a long time, but I guess it’s like riding a bike—something you don’t forget. I put my left foot into the stirrup and easily pulled myself up.

  “Good girl!” Levi said. “I kind of figured you had a little cowgirl in you.”

  I glowed with pride. Then Levi swung himself up with the same kind of natural grace I’d seen in his running, and the horses ambled down the driveway toward the trail, Cadillac in the lead.

  The afternoon was cool but sunny and the sunlight streamed through the red and gold leaves as we rode down the trail. After a hundred yards or so, the trail widened so that we were able to ride side by side.

  “That’s better,” Levi said. “I miss you when you’re way back there behind me.” He blew me a kiss. “Want to see if the horses would like to do a little trotting?”

  “Sure!” I said.

  We squeezed the horses’ sides with our calves and heels and they responded immediately with a faster pace. Then Levi signaled Cadillac to go faster still, and he galloped along the trail as it led across a meadow. Amber easily kept pace with them. I had forgotten how wonderful it feels to fly along on horseback with the wind in my hair. We gradually pulled back on the reins to slow our horses’ gait as the trail wound into the woods again.

  “Kinda nice letting somebody else take care of the running for a change, don’t you think?” Levi said as we trotted.

  That made me laugh. “Definitely. But don’t you tell on me. I have my running store owner reputation to keep up.”

  We had slowed almost to a walk and were simply enjoying the stillness of the woods, the crisp air, the scent of the leather saddles. And oh, my! I was enjoying Levi. I loved watching the lean, graceful line of his body when he rode ahead of me; I loved glancing at his profile or his strong hands on the reins when we were side by side.

  I tried my best not to think ahead to next week, when some other singer would be on the stage at the casino and Levi would move on. Where would he be going? It didn’t matter where, really. He’d be gone.

  I forced myself to stay in the moment. Tomorrow could take care of itself. This was my time and even though it couldn’t last forever, I could always hold it in my heart and treasure it.

  As we rode along the meandering trail, we could see a lake in the distance. As soon as we saw it, I looked at Levi and he looked at me and winked. I could tell that we both had the same idea. Without saying a word, we signaled to the horses that we wanted to gallop. I could feel Amber enjoying herself as she lengthened her stride—and for me, it was pure pleasure. Levi and I both pulled up on the reins as we got to the lake, and once again I marveled at our unspoken communication.

  “How about if we stop and let the horses rest a little here,” Levi said. “Besides, I’d love a chance to hold you in my arms a bit.” How could I resist an offer like that?
>
  Levi dismounted first and tied our horses to a nearby tree, then stood beside Amber and helped me dismount. I swung my foot back over the saddle and felt his strong hands around my waist. I didn’t really need the help, but I loved feeling his touch.

  I turned toward him and his long arms drew me to him. Once again, he just held me close, his cheek on my hair, my cheek on the soft flannel of his shirt. I’d never felt this wonderful stillness and peace in an embrace before. And when we kissed, I felt myself melting into him. The leaves on the ground looked soft and inviting. I was ready to go wherever this embrace might lead.

  But Levi pulled back, looked deep into my eyes for a moment, then kissed me on the forehead. He walked over to Cadillac and unbuckled a saddlebag that I hadn’t noticed until now.

  “Time for lunch,” he said.

  Well, that was a surprise! Food was the last thing on my mind at the moment. I was mystified, just as I had been the other night when Levi kissed me good-bye on my doorstep. I could feel the passion in his body—but what was going on in his mind?

  Levi spread a big napkin on a nearby picnic table and then took sandwiches, grapes, and bottles of mineral water out of a paper bag. The sandwiches were mozzarella cheese on a crusty baguette with grilled vegetables and some fragrant, spicy sauce. I took a sniff and suddenly felt ravenous.

  “Mmmmmmmm,” I said, after I took my first bite. “You can make lunch for me anytime!”

  “Of course you know the special sauce is my very own secret recipe,” Levi said.

  “Yum! And this bread that you baked is delicious,” I added.

  “Glad to know you’re a girl who appreciates my cooking,” he said.

  I smiled at him. “Emeril, eat your heart out,” I said. “But seriously, Levi, this afternoon has been a pure delight. Thank you.”

  He started to say something, but at that moment my cell phone rang. Shoot. I should have ignored my conscience and left it in the car. I stood up to pull the phone out of my pocket and was about to hit the “ignore” button when I saw that the call was from Ally.