by LuAnn McLane
She looked at him with those violet eyes and pressed her lips together.
“Was this too much to ask of you?” He brought her hand to his lips.
“Just give me a minute.”
“Sure.”
Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea. He hadn’t told his brothers that Belinda was leaving. He just wanted this one day to keep in his memory vault to revisit. This felt so real, so right, and it was so wrong that it was ending.
“I could come and visit you. And you could return here whenever you want for as long as you want to.”
Belinda gave him a quick shake of her head. “No, it would be miserable in between seeing each other. This has to be a clean break. I think you know it too.”
He blew out a breath.
“But . . .” Belinda looked at him with tortured eyes. “I have to say it.”
“What?”
“I love you, Oliver.”
He scrubbed a hand down his face.
“I’m sorry, I just had to say it. You’re such a good person. Caring . . .” she said, her voice cracking. “And you should sing, perform.” She patted her chest. “I know you’re feeling trepidation, but I think, if you’re honest with yourself, it’s what you want to do.”
“So I should just jump in with both feet?” he asked with a soft smile.
“Yeah.”
“I’ll try,” he said, and then tugged at her hand. “Let’s go on in. Everybody should be here by now, even Jesse, who is always late.”
When she nodded, he got out and came around to her side of the car. He offered a hand, and when she got out he couldn’t help but pull her into his arms. He kissed her like there was no tomorrow.
Because there wasn’t.
She rested her forehead against his. “Can you do this?”
“Yeah.” She closed her eyes and nodded. Her smile trembled, but she took his hand and they walked into the backyard, where they could hear laughter and music.
Grady looked up from the grill. “It’s about time you two showed up.”
“Yeah, you ruined my fashionably late entrance,” Jesse complained.
“Don’t mind these guys,” Jimmy said, and came forward for a hug. “It’s great to finally see you, Belinda.”
“It’s good to be here,” she said with a bright smile, and got a hug from Grady and Jesse.
Oliver squeezed her hand. “Want something to drink?”
“Sure.”
“Beer?”
“Sounds good.”
“Where’s Arabella?” Oliver asked.
Grady frowned slightly. “She should be out in a few minutes,” he said, and started flipping burgers.
Oliver joined in on the conversation about the foundation and other small talk. Grady seemed a bit preoccupied and kept glancing at the back door.
“Want me to take over grilling?” Jesse asked after Grady had been staring at the back door for a full minute.
“No!” Jimmy and Grady said together.
“Hey, I’m not that bad. And don’t say I didn’t offer,” Jesse said.
“You would totally fail in a cook-off between us,” Jimmy said.
“But I’d win in a dance-off.” He did a Heartbeat spin move and then pointed to Oliver.
Oliver raised his hand, not in the mood. “I’m good.”
“Ah, but I’m better,” Jesse said. “Don’tcha want to impress Belinda? Or are you scared?” He cranked up the music and did the moon walk.
Oliver had to laugh but shook his head. “Not today.”
Jesse looked ready to up the ante on the challenge, but Arabella came out the door and walked toward them. Oliver noticed Grady looking at her with concern.
“Jimmy, you can take over.”
“No problem,” Jimmy said, and took the spatula.
Grady walked over and put an arm around Arabella. She wore a yellow sundress and was barefoot.
“You okay, babe?” Grady asked.
“Getting there.” She looked a little pale but smiled. “Hi, Belinda. It’s so nice to see you again.”
“Thank you,” Belinda said.
Grady hugged Arabella closer and smiled at her. He whispered something in her ear and she nodded. After a pause, he said, “We have something special to tell you guys. We’re going to have a baby!” Everybody looked at one another and then whistled and cheered. Since they had suffered the loss of their first child, this announcement was even more joyous, and it brought a lump to Oliver’s throat. And when he looked around, he saw he wasn’t the only one.
“I suspected,” Oliver said into Belinda’s ear. “This is awesome.”
“How far along?” Jimmy asked.
“Two months,” Arabella replied, putting a hand over her tummy. “And hoping the morning sickness, or should I say all day sickness, passes soon.”
“You should be good to go after the first trimester,” Grady said.
“So, you’re an expert?” Jesse asked.
“I’ve been doing lots of reading,” Grady replied.
Arabella rolled her eyes. “Trust me, he’s an expert at driving me nuts,” she said, but Grady laughed and kissed the top of her head.
“Get used to it, babe.”
Oliver smiled and looked at Belinda. She appeared just a bit emotional and he understood why. She’d just been a part of an intimate Heart family moment, and Oliver wished this wasn’t the first and last one. And by the look on her face, she was thinking the same thing.
Oliver walked over to the cooler and pulled two longnecks out of the ice, but he stood back for a moment and watched Belinda interact with his family. She fit right in, full of animated talking with her hands but also bending her head to listen. This backyard had been the focal point for the Heart family. So many barbecues, swim parties filled with music and laughter seemed to echo in the distance. And it was on special days like this one, the announcement of a baby, that Oliver missed his parents the most.
He walked over to where Belinda chatted with Arabella and handed her the cold beer.
“Thanks,” she said, but her smile contained a hint of sadness.
With a Herculean effort, Oliver pushed the fact that Belinda was leaving in the morning to the back of his brain, determined to enjoy this gorgeous afternoon. Since the Heartbeat reunion had ended, Oliver hadn’t seen his brothers as often as he liked, and it felt good to have all of them together for a family gathering.
But still, he couldn’t help but be more quiet than usual, and he felt Grady’s eyes upon him in question more than once. But Oliver avoided giving answers, not wanting to put a damper on such a special day.
“Your family is wonderful,” Belinda commented on the ride back to Oliver’s house. “All four of you have grown into amazing men.”
“Thanks. It’s times like today that I miss my parents,” he said, and she reached over and put a hand on his arm.
“I can’t even imagine.”
“Yeah, treasure the time you have with your parents.”
She nodded. “I plan on it. I spent so much of my youth away from them. First in Nashville, and then LA where I was a fish out of water. I really don’t belong in that world.”
“Well, I’m glad their windfall saved you from all that.”
She nodded, but the fact that she was leaving hung heavily in the air. When they pulled into the driveway, Belinda turned to him. “I wouldn’t change anything about coming here, Oliver. I know this is going to be difficult to get past but—” She swiped at a tear.
“Stop, you’re killing me,” Oliver said softly.
“’Kay.” She lowered her eyes and nodded.
“Can I stay with you tonight?” Heart thudding, he lifted her chin.
“Oliver, I think it’s best that I head inside and pack my things. I plan on leaving in the morning, ea
rly.” She gave him a small smile. “And you know how I am at early.”
“I don’t care,” he said, and felt a crazy sense of desperation. This couldn’t be goodbye. It just could not.
But it was.
“I’m about to lose it, Oliver. And it’s not going to be pretty.”
“Again, I don’t care. Belinda, how can I leave you like this?” He leaned back against the leather seat and stared out the window.
“We don’t have a choice. Oliver, there isn’t a solution. We knew this moment would eventually come, it just happened sooner than expected.” She shook her head. “And I’m sorry to leave you to deal with Dev. He’s not going to like this change of plan.” She blew out a long breath. “Now, I’m going inside and gathering my stuff together. Just a fair warning though, I usually leave something important behind.”
“No worries. I’ll send whatever you leave.”
She smiled and his heart cracked open wider. She’d plowed past all the armor he’d kept in place all these years, stripping him bare. And while it hurt so much, now he knew what it felt like to be in love. “Thank you, you’re the—” She stopped and put a hand to her mouth.
“I’m not the best pretend boyfriend,” he said, but he wasn’t her real boyfriend either.
“You’re the best, period,” she said, and with a little cry of anguish, she opened the car door and ran to the pool house.
Every fiber in Oliver’s body wanted him to rush after her, pull her into his arms, and kiss the hurt away. But this hurt wasn’t going away for either of them anytime soon.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
ALONE AGAIN
Belinda tested her bladder to the limits, determined to drive straight through to Brookside Bend, Tennessee. She kept the music cranked up, singing along at the top of her lungs and consuming more junk food than her body could possibly process. She tried not to think about Oliver and concentrated on going over more of the details her mother had told her about the music theater. They wanted to open by October 1, the busiest time of the year for the Great Smoky Mountains, known for the spectacular fall foliage.
Belinda shook her head, thinking this was quite a tall order, since they were heading into August. But according to her mom, they’d made progress on the renovations and the facility should be ready in just a few weeks. Fine, but other than herself, who would they headline? Her father scoffed at her worries, saying that they had plenty of local talent to use. He wanted to create a variety show atmosphere for the weekend performances. But Belinda knew that they had to bring in some big names to get the ball rolling, and that meant filling the theater to pay the entertainment.
Gripping the steering wheel tighter, she felt a shiver of fear slide down her spine. She knew venues like this could fold quickly if not managed properly.
Belinda groaned, thinking that her parents were banking on her name bringing in people. But how would they react to her singing country music instead of pop? She thought of Ricky Nelson’s classic song “Garden Party” and shuddered. Would she be booed off the stage?
A moment later her phone rang, cutting off the radio. “Hi, Dad,” Belinda said.
“How far out are you?”
“Mmmm, four hours maybe.”
“You’re making good time. You’re not speeding, are you?”
“No, Dad, but I seem to recall you like puttin’ the pedal to the metal on windy country roads around the mountainside.”
Laughter came through the speakers. “I’ve settled down a bit.”
“So, are you at the theater?”
“Are you kiddin’? I practically live here, sugar plum.”
“What’s Mom doin’?”
“Considering food trucks. We have our liquor license, but we don’t want to get into serving food, at least in the beginning. How do you feel about food trucks?”
“Very current. People love them in Nashville. Lots of wineries and craft breweries rely upon food trucks. I think it’s a great idea.”
“I wasn’t sure, but your mother insisted. She’s been glued to her laptop, doing research.”
“I’m still blown away that this is even happening,” Belinda admitted. “Seriously.”
“This has breathed new life into us, Belinda. We were getting into a rut.”
“Well that’s been busted wide open! Dad, I’m just worried about you losing what could have been a very nice retirement.”
“I’m only fifty. They say it’s the new thirty, but my knees disagree,” he said with a chuckle. “And, Belinda, I really don’t give a fig if we end up losing our asses. Well, I care, but it doesn’t scare me. I grew up living hand to mouth. Money is a commodity. If this goes down the shitter, I’ll go back to farming. Sell off some land or oak trees. Whatever. I haven’t felt this alive in years. And, baby girl, the very best part is bringing you back to Brookside Bend where you belong. You’ve been in Nashville way too long. Your mother is over the moon.”
“You’re gonna make me cry.”
“No tears. I can’t wait to see your beautiful, smiling face. You always did light up a room.”
“Well, I sure better light up the Belinda Beal auditorium.”
He laughed. “Oh, I don’t have any doubts about that. Not a one. And I’ve rounded up that old barn dance band and we’ve been practicing.”
“Stone Gap Band?”
“Yep. The old guys and a few new younger members. Belinda, they sound fantastic. All they need is your voice.”
“I hope you’re right.”
“I know I’m right. Ultimately, I want to have a lot of comedy, maybe some sketches. I think a Hee Haw kind of thing. What do you think?”
Belinda remembered watching reruns of the classic show. “I think that would go over great. Do you have anyone in mind for the emcee?”
“I have an idea,” he said slowly, piquing her curiosity. “But we’ll talk about that when you get here. I was just checkin’ in on your progress. You be careful, you hear me?”
“Loud and clear, Dad,” she said, and laughed. Jack Beal had a deep, booming voice that was impossible not to hear. “I’ll see you soon. Hey, should I stop there or head home?”
“Give me a holler when you’re close. If it’s not too late I want to give you a tour, but then your mother wants to cook dinner for you.”
“Chicken fried steak, green beans, and mashed potatoes.” Her stomach rumbled at the thought.
“How did you know?”
“It’s my favorite.”
“Well, that’s what’s on the menu.”
“Okay, now I might have to challenge the speed limit.”
“Don’t you dare.”
“Just kiddin’. See you soon.”
After ending the call, her music came back on. The conversation with her father had shifted her odd mood. How could she begin to balance excitement, the longing for her home, her parents, with the acute pain of missing Oliver? Her brain couldn’t decipher the wild swings of emotion. And then throw the whole Belinda Beal theater into the mix. Jeez.
Belinda also couldn’t decide if she was relieved or sad that Oliver hadn’t called or sent her a text message. But then again, she was the one who had asked for a clean break. And in truth, anything other than cold turkey would have been too difficult in the long run. This way she got to keep those blissful weeks at his home tucked away in a safe corner of her heart. She had a few selfies of him saved on her phone, and when she mustered the courage, she’d look at them. Maybe.
When she entered the state of Tennessee, she let out a cheer. “Not long now!” Rolling hills led to mountains looming in the distance. Her ears popped as she ascended. Lush, late summer foliage, thick and green, had her smiling. Even through the windows of her SUV, she felt the familiar beauty wrap around her like a welcome-home hug.
Belinda allowed herself one gas up and potty break, resisting
the nearby fast food chain. Who wanted a cheeseburger when her mother was fixing chicken fried steak? Fresh green beans from her yard and the best smashed red potatoes on the planet? Uh, not this girl.
Just an hour away now, Belinda thought she was doing a bang-up job by not crying all the way home. “Stay strong,” she said, but then the classic Heartbeat song “Give Me Another Tomorrow” came on and she lost it, nearly having to pull to the side of the road. “Why?” she shouted, knowing she should change the station, but she tortured herself by listening. What were the odds? But then again, the odds were rarely in her favor. She could pick out young Oliver’s voice in the harmony and smiled through her tears.
Belinda’s chest tightened and she had the wild urge to swing the SUV in an aggressive U-turn, not a wise choice on the windy road. Flying off into the wild blue yonder wasn’t the way she wanted to leave this world. “Get your shit together,” she growled, and kept going.
Because she still had a bit of daylight left, Belinda called her father, hoping he was still at the theater. “Hey, Dad, I’m getting close.”
“We’re still here so swing on by.”
“See you in a few,” Belinda said, and had to shake her head at the sign: WELCOME TO BROOKSIDE BEND, HOME OF BELINDA BEAL.
Belinda remembered the Belinda Beal day in Brookside Bend, wow, over a decade ago. She had her first number-one hit and the town responded by giving her the key to the city and erecting the revised welcome sign. She had blond hair and didn’t resemble in the slightest the fresh-faced young girl who’d left for Nashville in hopes of a classic country singing career. Dreams of the Grand Ole Opry were dashed. But she kept a bright smile in place the entire day, feeling silly when friends were asking for her autograph.
“Well, I’m back,” Belinda said under her breath.
A few minutes later she pulled into the big parking lot in front of . . . “Oh my goodness.” She looked up at the gigantic sign: BELINDA BEAL THEATER. Squeezing the steering wheel hard, she shook her head. Is this really happening? She got out of the SUV and felt compelled to take a picture. She really wanted to send it to Oliver but refrained, just barely.