by Jill Sanders
“I’m going to take a five-minute break,” he said into the microphone, which set off a bunch of groans. But popular music started flooding through the speakers and a large group started line dancing.
“What’s up?” she asked him as he set his guitar down.
“I need some air.” He nodded towards the stage door. “Take a walk with me?”
“Sure.” She set her beer down on the edge of the stage, but he picked it up and downed half of it before setting it down and taking her hand in his.
“Summer’s almost here,” she said as they stepped out into the warm night air. “Soon we won’t have cool evenings like this.” She took a deep breath, enjoying the feeling of the air floating over her. She hadn’t realized she’d gotten hot inside until the breeze hit her.
As with that first night over a week ago, they walked to the fenced area that overlooked the train tracks. “I’m not normally a jealous kind of guy,” he started, causing her eyebrows to shoot up.
“Okay,” she said slowly as she thought of all the flirtatious women who had danced for his attention. Was she a jealous person? Suddenly an image of Trace kissing Audrey flashed in her mind. Hell, yes, she was.
Was he trying to tell her that he wanted someone else already? Was he trying to break things off with her?
“With that being said…” He sighed and turned towards her. “I can understand if you don’t want… things to…” He shook his head.
“Trace?” She touched his arm. She’d had a few boyfriends in her past. Most of them she was still friends with. After all, Fairplay was a small town and she’d have to see them for the rest of her life. Still, something told her that, even though they had only known one another for a little over a week, she would long for him, to be with him, for the rest of her life. “If you want to break things off…”
His chuckle stopped her, then he sighed deeply and leaned against the fence as he turned his eyes up to the dark sky. “I’m terrible at this. I’ve been out of practice for… years.” He turned to her suddenly. “I saw you with the guy at the bar. I thought…”
This time she laughed. “Levi is my cousin,” she broke in, moving closer to him. She wrapped her arms around his narrow waist and pressed her body against his. “Right now, the only man I want to spend time with, to be with, is right here.” Reaching up on her toes, she brushed her lips across his. “That is, if you weren’t enticed away from me by the impressive display of your growing fan club.”
Instead of answering, he bent his head down and kissed her. She felt all his relief and excitement in that single kiss. Her toes curled slightly in her boots and she felt her insides begin to vibrate.
“I haven’t seen anyone from the stage except you,” he whispered as he rested his forehead against hers. “You’re very… distracting in this dress.” He pulled slightly away and looked down at the cream-colored dress. “I guess I’d better head back in there and finish the set.”
She nodded; her smile permanently pasted on her lips. “You’re killing it tonight,” she said as they started walking back inside. “Every woman in the place wants you.”
He took her hand in his as they walked in, then at the base of the stage, he pulled her into his arms and kissed her.
Her mind registered the oohs and aahs, along with a few sighs. When he pulled away, he smiled. “And now they know who I want,” he said before taking the stage again.
“Wow,” Mal said, stopping beside her. “I think it’s perfectly clear what’s going on now.” Her friend nudged her shoulder.
“That should show Audrey,” Laura added, handing Emma a fresh beer.
She was on a natural high for the rest of the night, dancing with her friends and enjoying the evening even more than she had her birthday. She loved being around her family, but when they were absent, she felt like she could cut loose a little more.
And, after Trace’s kiss under the watchful eye of the entire bar, she felt special.
She had to admit, Trace’s set was better than it had been last week. He had even thrown in an original song. She could tell he was nervous about playing it in front of everyone, but the crowd seemed to love the song more than the cover songs he had been doing.
The song, titled “Lost My Way,” had her holding her breath the entire time. She’d understood more about him after hearing the lyrics.
“I’ve circled this blue world. They say I’m a hero. I know I’ve saved some, but it’s the ones I’ve lost that haunt my dreams and I can’t seem to fight my way out of the darkness. I’ve lost my way and I’m not sure of anything, but you can pull me through.”
By the time the rest of his story unfolded in the tune, tears were streaming down her cheeks. She quickly wiped them away just before his eyes locked with hers.
“My god,” Mal sighed. “Where can I get one just like him?”
“Sign me up too,” Laura added softly.
Chapter Thirteen
Trace was a little overwhelmed at the support he received after the show. A group of men approached him, all claiming to be current military or veterans. They offered to help him break down his gear and even helped him carry it out to the bed of the old truck.
A group of women, who he assumed were Emma’s friends, crowded around him at the bar when he sat next to her for a drink before closing.
Laura, Emma’s cousin, which he’d met a few times now, even asked him if it was okay if she posted a video on the Rusty Rail’s social media page of him playing.
“You never know,” she said, clicking her phone while she talked. “It could bring in a larger crowd next weekend.” Her blue eyes glanced up from her phone screen. “Or be seen by a talent agent.”
“I’ve already talked to Tessa and Lucas about Trace,” Emma added. “They’re going to be back in town soon and are dying to hear him.”
“I’ll send them this video.” Laura clicked her phone and smiled. “Done.” She tucked her phone in her back pocket.
He reached for his beer and swallowed a soothing sip. He’d never had anyone stick out their neck for him like this before. Well, not regarding his music at least.
“Thanks,” he said, his voice cracking slightly.
Emma nudged him. “How about a dance before they close up shop?” She motioned to the floor.
“I…” He set his beer down. He didn’t want to tell her that he didn’t really know how to dance. Not in front of her friends. Then the music changed to a slower song and he figured he’d chance it. “Sure.” He took her hand and walked slowly to the dance floor.
Pulling her close, he started moving with the song. “I haven’t done this since high school,” he admitted. “I’m going to apologize now for any… mishaps.”
She smiled up at him. “The way you move, I doubt there will be—” She stopped talking as his boot toe landed on top of hers.
“Spoke too soon?” he joked, making her laugh.
“Okay, maybe you could use a few private lessons. For now, we can just sway to the song and make every woman in here jealous.”
“I know that kiss I gave you earlier stopped every guy in here from drooling over you,” he added.
Her eyebrows arched up and a slight frown formed on her lips. “There weren’t…” she started. “No one has ever drooled over me.”
He shook his head. “Emma, every man in here has been drooling since you stepped foot in here. I’m just thankful that they didn’t make a move.” He pulled her closer, enjoying the way her body felt against his.
The dance floor was growing more crowded as the song progressed. He didn’t like the feeling of a crowd surrounding him and started steering them towards the back door.
“Do you mind?” He nodded towards the exit. In reply, she took his hand and stepped outside with him.
Once in the cool night air, he pulled her back into his arms and continued the dance.
“What are you…” She laughed when he spun her around quickly and pulled her close again.
“Just becau
se I’m out of practice doesn’t mean I can’t remember a few moves,” he said before leaning down and brushing his lips over hers. “I really want to take you home.” Then he remembered where he lived, in her parents’ place. That thought had him holding in a groan.
“What?” she asked.
“I suppose your father would fire me and send me packing in a crate the moment he found out about us. Although, I’m pretty sure he already knows.” He sighed. “I think that’s why he’s been torturing me all week.”
She laughed up at him. “Trust me, he’s been taking it easy on you.”
“Right,” he said sarcastically. “It doesn’t feel like it.”
She dropped her arms and her eyes went soft. “They think you’re too skinny.” She sighed and moved over to the railing of the large porch that surrounded the building. “It’s one of the reasons my mother has been packing extra food for you every day and inviting you to dinner. She doesn’t want you just eating those frozen meals you bought.”
“How,” he started to ask, then remembered that first morning she’d brought over the coffee cake. She must have snuck a peek inside his freezer. “Right.” He sighed and leaned next to her. “I suppose I could stand to gain some weight.” He glanced down at himself. Since he’d left Tulsa, he’d eaten what he could, when he could. Not that it had been the first thing on his mind. Surviving was more important than a steak dinner. He wasn’t one for junk food, since some of that stuff was more expensive than an apple or a loaf of bread and some peanut butter. “I have at least continued to work out,” he said.
“Yes.” She smiled over at him. “I could tell.” Her eyes ran over him. “You know, I actually think you’ve gained some weight already.” She turned and leaned back against the railing; her eyes glued to him. “You know, my father understands that I’m twenty-one,” she said, lifting her hand to brush a strand of his hair out of his eyes. “You need a haircut.”
He moved closer to her. “So, what you’re saying is… he won’t shoot me with that shotgun he carts around in his saddle if you spend the night with me?”
Her smile was quick. “It wouldn’t be the first time I didn’t come home.”
His eyebrows shot up. “Oh?”
She shrugged quickly. “Old news. Long ago.”
His hand spanned around her narrow waist as he pulled her closer to him. Her hands rested against his chest. “You don’t think it’s too… soon?” he asked, feeling his heart skip.
“No, do you?” Her green eyes searched his.
“It seems like I’ve been waiting forever.” He kissed her.
When he pulled back, she glanced towards the back door. “I’ll go grab my purse and meet you at the truck?” He nodded, not trusting his voice. She turned to go. “Trace, this means something.”
“Yes,” he agreed before she disappeared inside.
He waited in the truck like a nervous high schooler. When she came out, her purse hanging over her shoulder, walking next to her friends and laughing with them, he wondered how his luck had changed in the past week.
What had he done to deserve a chance with her? He knew he should hit the road and never see her again. After all, she deserved someone less… screwed up. Someone who would build that dream house she’d been saving up all her life for. Someone who had a job, a career, and a chance at supporting her. What did he have? A used guitar and a totaled van that was going to cost more to fix than it would to buy another used one. Not to mention that he was living and working for her parents like some… drifter.
That’s what he was. A drifter. He was frowning as she opened the truck door and got in. He was thinking of a half dozen different ways to tell her he’d changed his mind, that she was far better off without him, when she leaned across the seat and kissed him.
“Don’t change your mind,” she said against his lips. “It’s too late to back out without breaking my heart.”
He swallowed and closed his eyes. “I’m not worthy.”
She chuckled softly. “None of us are ever worthy. But we can enjoy each other while we’re young, while we can, while we’re alive.”
He nodded in agreement, then turned the old truck on. When it jumped to life instantly, he shook his head. “How is it that this thing is still running? It’s older than dirt.”
She laughed and snapped on her seat belt. “My dad and uncles rebuilt the engine a few years back. It’s basically a new truck under the hood.”
“Ah,” he nodded. “Makes sense. I haven’t looked under her hood yet.”
“You were a mechanic, right?” she asked. He’d mentioned it, he supposed, in passing.
“Yeah.” He sighed. “Rod and I both got stuck in the garage a lot as kids.” He shrugged. “It seemed the natural place to put us when we joined up.”
“My dad mentioned that your van was totaled,” she said as he pulled out of town and headed towards the ranch.
“Yeah. The radiator was toast, and the engine block had…” He shook his head. “Never mind. He’s asking around to see if someone has a used van for sale. With all my equipment and…” He glanced towards her to gauge her reaction. “Seeing as sometimes I have to sleep in the thing, I thought it best to stick with a van.”
She nodded. “You know, the church was talking about purchasing a new van soon. I could ask around and see what they plan to do with the old one.”
“That would be great,” he said. Then he remembered it would be weeks, maybe months, before he could afford to purchase anything. Still, he’d made good tips that night, and her father was paying him to help around the ranch. If he stuck to a tight budget, it would be worth it.
Then he remembered that, once he had a new van, he would most likely leave Fairplay and Emma behind. Suddenly, his eagerness for his own wheels flew out the window.
They remained silent until they parked in front of the ranch house.
“You know, when I was a kid, my cousins and I would camp out here.” She glanced around the row of small houses. “We spent a whole summer one time living in that one.” She pointed off to the distance, where a dim light shone at the first and smallest house. “It was fun.” She turned to him. “It sparked the idea of building my own home.”
Again, the reminder that she had a future and he would soon be drifting away had him questioning his choice.
“Trace.” She touched his arm. “I can see that you’re fighting with changing your mind.”
He turned off the truck and reached over and released her seatbelt, then pulled her into his arms.
“I’m a drifter. You’re rock solid here.” He glanced out the windshield. “I can only dream about having what you have.” He turned towards her, using his finger to raise her chin until her green eyes met his. “But, for now, I’m going to enjoy dreaming that you’re mine.”
She opened her mouth to say something, but he bent down and kissed her, blocking out her words.
He wanted to show her how much it meant to him, what she and her family had done, to trust him with so much. How much she meant to him.
Also, he had been burning for her since he’d first laid eyes on her. The passion grew with the kiss and soon he realized that he desperately wanted to be out of the truck.
Pulling her out his door, he kicked it shut and took her hand as he walked towards the front porch of the place. For tonight, he was going to allow himself to dream and let his desires run free. Even if it ended up only being for tonight.
Chapter Fourteen
She had never been nervous like this before. Well, maybe that first time so many years ago, but she’d never wanted someone as badly as she wanted Trace. Her heart ached when she thought about being with him or not being with him. That had never happened before. Nor had the funny fluttering feeling she had in her stomach right now.
“Trace?” They had entered the place, and she’d set her purse down on the kitchen counter.
“How about a drink?” he asked, walking over to the fridge and pulling out a bottle of wine. “I
bought this… well, not sure why I did.” He chuckled as he twisted off the top and pulled out two glasses from the cupboard.
When he handed a glass to her, she took a sip and smiled. “Sweet wine?”
He frowned down at it. “I guess. I don’t really know anything about wine.” He took a sip. “Not bad.”
“One of my favorites.” She took another sip. He moved closer to her and, with his eyes locked on hers, took her glass and set it aside with his own.
His hands moved to her hips, and his body pressed against hers as he lowered his mouth to hers once more. She’d lost count of the number of times she’d been kissed but knew without a doubt that no others compared to the way Trace was kissing her now.
It was as if his very existence depended on her response. His hands gripped her hips tightly as he lifted her slightly so that she was sitting on the edge of the kitchen cabinet.
Automatically, her legs wrapped around his hips as her fingers dug into his shoulders. Even though he was skinny, what was there was all toned lean muscles. Just remembering him in the towel that first night had her reaching to pull his T-shirt over his head.
When he leaned back and pulled it off the rest of the way, tossing it over his shoulder, she took a moment to appreciate him. In the past week, he’d managed to gain a few more muscles from working on the ranch. His perfect six-pack and pecs called to her. Letting her fingertips run over his skin, she smiled and glanced up at him.
His dark eyes had grown even darker.
“You’ve managed to gain a little weight. I can no longer see this rib.” She ran a finger softly over the highest rib just under his pec, and he sucked in his breath. “You had a bruise here last time I saw you, from the seatbelt.”
His breath hitched again when she ran her fingers over the spot, and he closed his eyes.
“Em, you’re killing me,” he groaned lowly.
“Good.” She smiled as she leaned forward and ran her mouth over the spot. His fingers twisted softly in her hair, holding her, showing her what he wanted from her.