Taylor’s Legendary Heart: Sweethearts of Country Music, Book 2
Page 18
“Her grandson, Sherman, will be in town for the wedding, and needs a date,” Lola Nene said.
“Oh!” her mother patted Lola Nene's arm. “He's the architect. You could do worse than an architect, C.C.”
“Architects are very intelligent,” her father chimed in. “You'd have smart children.”
C.C. kind of wanted to bash her head on the table, but instead, she said, “I don't need a date.”
“Of course you do,” Lola Nene said. “It's not good for you to be alone. I'm getting along in years and I want to see my grandchildren settled before I die.”
C.C. arched a brow. “You're healthy as an ox,” she said. “You'll outlive us all.”
“I don't know,” Lola Nene said, her voice beginning to shake. “I've been feeling a bit weak, lately.”
“She's fine, Ceece!” Analyn shouted from off screen.
Lola Nene glared off to her left. “Ungrateful child. Maybe you should date Sherman.”
“I already have a date!” Analyn called back.
“Then he's perfect for Cecilia,” she said smugly.
C.C. shook her head. “No, he's not. I've met Sherman and we have nothing in common.”
“Well, how about Barry Bautista?” her mother suggested.
“Or that nice boy from church,” her dad said. “Jerome Ocampo's nephew.”
“Guys—” C.C. tried to interrupt.
“No, he's already engaged,” Gloria replied. “But I think he has a younger brother.”
“Guys—”
“Younger, yes. He's still in high school!”
“Guys!”
As one, the three of them stared at her, open-mouthed. She wanted to protest, to tell them she didn't need—didn't want a date for the wedding. But she knew from prior experience what would happen. They'd set her up anyway. And she'd find herself seated next to Sherman or Barry or whoever they dug up, wishing she could just hide in a corner with a nice, big piece of cake, but instead she'd have to smile and laugh as every aunt, uncle, and cousin made teasing comments about them being the next couple to walk down the aisle.
Yeah, it had happened before. Too many times to count.
So, instead, C.C. said the only thing she could.
“I already have a date.”
And again, as one, all three sat up a little straighter, leaning closer, eyes sparkling with interest. Then, yep, there were Analyn and Marisol popping in.
“You have a date already?” Marisol asked. “Who? You need to make sure his tie matches your dress because—”
“Who cares if his tie matches her dress?” Analyn asked.
“For the pictures!” Marisol's voice began to rise, her eyes taking on a frenzied look.
“I, uh, really need to go,” C.C. said, reaching to disconnect the call.
“Cecilia Clemente DeVera!” Her grandmother's stern voice made her freeze. “Do not hang up this call until you tell us who you're bringing to your sister's wedding.”
“She's right,” Marisol said rapidly. “I'll need to get him a place card, and that means I'll have to redo the seating chart again. I swear C.C., you couldn't have told me this earlier?” She flounced away, still muttering to herself.
“So, who is this boy?” her father asked, crossing his arms. “Is he a musician?”
“Not a musician!” Her mother gasped in outrage.
“Mom, I'm a musician!”
“That's different,” Gloria said, waving her off. “Is he a musician?”
“No,” C.C. replied, mind racing for a way out of this conversation. “He's a—” Doctor? No, where would she meet a doctor? Lawyer? Her dad hated lawyers. “He's an engineer.”
“An engineer.” Lola Nene nodded in approval. “That's good.”
“That is good,” her mom agreed. “What kind of engineer? What's his name? How did you two meet?”
C.C. felt like she was sinking, each lie piling onto her and pushing her down. But no, she needed to breathe, think clearly. This was only a little white lie, after all. Just a way to get her
off her back for a bit. She had so much on her plate right now, the last thing she needed to think about was dating—let alone bringing someone to her sister's wedding, where they'd come face to face with her entire family. That was a lot to ask of anyone. And she definitely didn't have someone in her life who could handle it.
No, this would be fine. When she went home for the wedding, she'd simply tell her family that she and the engineer broke up. It wasn't meant to be. No harm. No foul.
No Sherman. No Barry.
“Cecilia?” Lola Nene prodded. “What's the boy's name?”
“Uh . . .” C.C. floundered under her grandmother's probing gaze. Even over hundreds of miles, she could always see through her.
But she could do this. She just had to think of a name. Any name.
So, she lifted her chin and replied with the first one that came to mind. “Dalton,” she said. “His name is Dalton Gregory.”
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Six musicians come together to form an all-girl country band. But when love comes calling, will the ladies be able to balance their musical worlds with their romantic lives?
* * *
Rissa’s Rebel Heart by Sydney Logan
Rissa Walker dreams of making it big in country music, but after seven years in Music City—and with very little success to show for it—she’s beginning to lose hope. When she’s offered the chance to join an all-girl country band, Rissa finds herself surrounded by five of the most talented musicians in Nashville, a tough-talking manager with a heart of gold, and her manager's son. A son who happens to be a handsome single father whose kiss leaves her weak in the knees.
Jake McCann grew up in the business, so he knows a thing or two about country music. When he hears Rissa perform at a wedding reception, he thinks she’d be the perfect addition to the all-girl country band his mom hopes to bring to Nashville. What he doesn’t know is just how hard he’ll fall for the beautiful songwriter. And he really doesn’t know how he’s going to live without her when she and the band go on tour.
With a hectic tour schedule, and hundreds of miles of highway between them, can Rissa and Jake’s relationship stay in tune? Or, will Rissa have to choose between her music and her heart?
* * *
Taylor’s Legendary Heart by Victoria Pinder
Taylor Jones has a gift. She's never been a big talker, but once she started getting her emotions out on the keys of a piano, she found her peace. Between tough breakups and a move from NYC to Nashville, the piano has been the one constant in her life. And now it's her ticket to success when she's asked to join an all girl country band and their first album hits number one.
British pop star Eddie Williams has seven number one hits, three hit albums and one major regret. He never told
Taylor he loved her. But every song, every melody has been about the piano player who got away. Now that her face seems to be everywhere he turns, he's determined to rectify that mistake.
But with their booming careers working to drive them further apart than ever before, can Eddie break through Taylor's country strong armor and get to the heart he'd lost out on all those years and records ago?
* * *
Cecilia’s Soulful Heart by Tami Franklin
C.C. DeVera plays to the beat of her own drum. As the percussionist for the Lipstick Outlaws, she prefers to stay out of the spotlight, safe in the shadows of her band mates. C.C.’s not one to make waves, but when her family wants to set her up on yet another disastrous blind date—for her sister’s wedding, no less—she finally puts her foot down.
And tells a little white lie. That she already has a date.
Dalton Gregory's job on the crew is a challenge, but he loves life on the road with the Outlaws. His little crush on the band's beautiful drummer makes the long hours even more worth it. There’s something about C.C. that makes his palms sweat, and his heart pound out its own rhythm.
Then, C.C.’s family shows up at one of their gigs, wanting to meet her new mystery man. After she pulls Dalton into the act, things quickly get out of hand. It’s a mad scramble to keep up the charade, but what happens when their fake relationship starts to edge its way into reality?
Can they both set aside their fears and admit they’re not pretending anymore?
* * *
Katie Lyn’s Guarded Heart by Marie Savage
Lead singer, Katie Lyn Bishop, is ready for her first holiday in her new home in Nashville and she can’t wait to spend it with her three-year-old daughter, Madison. Unfortunately, her ex-husband, Trevor shows up after a four-year absence, suing for custody of their daughter, not to mention a hefty chunk of Katie Lyn’s profits.
The band’s attorney, Alec O’Donnell, assures her that’s not going to happen. But Alec’s interest is more than professional. He and Katie Lyn have a past—and there are skeletons in his closet that are best left in the dark. As he goes to battle against her ex, he worries his personal feelings will interfere with protecting her in court—and that if she finds out the truth, it could ruin everything.
Swirling rumors have the media targeting Katie Lyn wanting answers. Can Alec protect her? Will the secrets destroy not only her relationship with Alec, but the entire safety nest she's built for her and Madison? Or is Alec exactly what she needs to truly make her new house a home?
* * *
Cinnamon’s Courageous Heart by Ryan Jo Summers
Cinnamon Chadwick's dream of musical stardom have come true. She's part of the all-female country rock band, the Lipstick Outlaws, and their first year is going fantastic! The only downside to her life is her brother tried to do a HGTV remodel on her charming old farmhouse and demolished it instead. Now she has to hire a contractor to fix it, but the band is about to leave on another big tour. To the world, she's cin-vincable, but not so deep down, she's still aching from the last time she tried to love someone. Now she hides the hurt behind the music.
Silas Black is tired of the cookie cutter houses he's been working on. He longs for a genuine piece of architecture to fix up. So when he gets the contract to fix up Cinnamon's farmhouse, he's in heaven. And spending so much time with the beautiful star is the cherry on top.
But as Cinnamon bops in for short stays and leaves for extended periods, Silas soon sees the old farmhouse isn't the only one needing time for rebuilding. So does Cinnamon's heart, if only she would trust him and find the courage within herself to love again.
* * *
Mac’s Daring Heart by Sandi Layne
Mira Cunningham—Mac to everyone but her parents—has everything she's ever wanted. She's the bassist for the up-and-coming Lipstick Outlaws, she has a new loft in Nashville where she lives with her twin brother, and a career that allows her to contribute her joy in music to the world around her. Since joining the band, she’s watched her friends and bandmates pair off, one by one, with a smile. She never really thought about it for herself. Life was just so busy!
Derek Blakemore, a Nashville businessman, saw the Lipstick Outlaws perform when they’d been in Denver on tour, and the pretty bass guitarist with the thigh-high boots had definitely caught his attention. When he runs into Mac during a trip to pick up one of the groomsmen for his best friend’s wedding, Mac Cunningham throws him for a loop, and he realizes that he likes riding that loop and wants more.
Life is crazy for a touring band in the springtime, but Mac knows what she wants, and she decides to make a play for the handsome redhead who shocked her right out of her boots upon their first meeting. Can they maintain a relationship with midnight text messages and press-beset picnics?
Mac’s daring to bet they can!
About the Author
USA TODAY bestselling author Victoria Pinder moved cross country and now lives in Denver though her books always take her right back to Miami, where she lived for years. She’s currently expecting another baby and raising the first one, both of whom inspire her writing. Somewhere in between using drama to make her humdrum days seem more interesting and falling in love with happily-ever-afters to offer hope to her readers, she takes to her fictional world where all her characters in Miami might mention or meet each other in one huge world and discovers what her bold heroine and her brainy, sexy hero might need to really find true love.