by LuAnn McLane
“No,” Oliver said firmly, but not convincingly, so Belinda squeezed his hand. He smiled, causing that familiar flutter that she loved. “Well, you look gorgeous. Those black jeans hug you in all the right places.”
“Why, thank you.” She smoothed the lavender silk blouse and licked her lips. Lightning-fast wardrobe changes still caused her anxiety, but she was getting better at it.
They stood on their mark while last-minute props were put into place. After a few initial mishaps, the stage crew now worked like a well-oiled machine. The fast-paced variety show format remained a challenge, but the audience loved it. As Belinda predicted, having Oliver at her side caused a media frenzy, not only locally, but they were now getting some national coverage, guaranteeing sellout crowds indefinitely. Paparazzi had descended upon Brookside Bend, causing outrageous rumors to fly in the tabloids and on social media. The publicity enticed some big names to vie for spots on the show, and her parents were in talks with cable TV to air the Saturday night variety show live. It was unbelievable.
Belinda couldn’t help but be smug that she’d been hounded by record labels ever since the video of her and Oliver singing “Islands in the Stream” went viral. Sorry, not sorry.
Tonight they were debuting a duet written by Jimmy, a love song that Belinda adored. They were planning a trip to Sea Breeze as soon as Arabella had the baby. And her hardworking parents were having the time of their lives.
All in all, she couldn’t imagine life getting any sweeter.
At five minutes until curtain call, she and Oliver were checked by wardrobe and makeup. She lifted her chin, getting a dusting of powder and another coat of lip gloss.
“I hate wearing this stuff,” Oliver grumbled, just like he did every show. While they worked Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, and had rehearsals during the rest of the week, they managed to find time to relax, especially in the hot tub on the cold winter nights. And she’d finally shown Oliver the beauty of cuddling beneath the covers and sleeping in . . . well, not always sleeping. Oliver was like a big kid during their first snowfalls, delighting in the beauty of the snowcapped Smoky Mountains.
“Show time,” Belinda whispered. A moment later the Stone Gap Band started playing the intro. As soon as the curtains parted Belinda belted out, ‘I’m a little bit country’ . . .”
“ ‘And I’m a little bit rock ’n’ roll,’ ” Oliver finished while the audience went wild.
“Wait!” Oliver held up one hand and the music halted. “That’s not really true.”
Belinda fisted her hands on her hips. “Really? What do you mean?” She turned and tilted her head in question.
“You’re a little bit pop music,” Oliver said, but she shook her head and gave his comment a thumbs-down, drawing a cheer from the country-loving crowd.
The Stone Gap Band started playing again and Belinda sang, “ ‘I’m a little bit country and a whole lotta bluegrass too!’ ” not allowing Oliver to sing his part. When the audience cheered, she gave them a sassy nod. “Right?”
Oliver stood there arching an eyebrow at her. He was trying to scowl, but she knew he was holding back laughter.
Belinda pointed at him and sang, “ ‘You’re a little bit boy band . . . but a lot of country too!’ ” She pointed to his cowboy boots. “Just look at dem boots.” She grabbed his hand and said, “Welcome to the Belinda Beal Theater!” She waved behind her. “And give a big welcome to the Stone Gap Band!”
After the applause died down, Oliver stepped in. “Later we’re going to sing a new song written by my talented brother Jimmy, who just happens to be in the audience tonight along with Jesse, Grady, and his wife, Arabella. Stand up and take a bow, guys.” When they did, the audience went wild. “As a matter of fact, I want to ask them to come up here onstage and do a little Heartbeat reunion. Sound good?”
Belinda looked at Oliver in surprise. This wasn’t part of the show. Ad-libbing was one thing, but . . .
“Come on up here, guys.” He waved his hand in invitation.
Belinda glanced at the band for clues, but they didn’t seem rattled. Her heart started to hammer. What was going on?
When Grady, Jimmy, and Jesse took the stage, they all gave her a brief hug.
“Sorry, Belinda, this is a Heartbeat thing. You’ll have to stand to the side,” Oliver said.
“Okay,” she said, but then Oliver grabbed her hand. “Not too far.”
Belinda nodded, wondering if her parents knew what was going on.
After Heartbeat stood in a single line, they did a classic spin move, the Stone Gap Band did a piano intro . . .
And then Oliver launched into a cover of Jason Derulo’s “Marry Me.”
Belinda put her hand to her chest, overcome with emotion, and the audience went insane. She watched Grady shush the applause with his hands while Oliver crooned the beautiful lyrics. His brothers joined in the refrain, and Belinda couldn’t stop the tears from flowing, makeup be damned. Grabbing the mic, Oliver walked closer to Belinda, and while singing, did some sweet boy-band dance moves that had her tossing her head back, laughing. The brothers joined him in bringing the song home, and after the last lingering note, Oliver dropped down on one knee. Jimmy stepped forward and handed Oliver a little blue box.
Belinda put her hands to her cheeks while the audience roared with approval. Again, Grady had to ask for silence. After the crowd finally complied, Oliver asked, “Belinda Beal, will you do me the utmost honor and be my wife?”
Belinda, unable to utter a single word, nodded, but after Oliver stood up, she swallowed hard and managed to shout an emotional, “Yes!”
Oliver did a fist pump and then slipped the ring onto her finger.
Belinda looked down at the gorgeous heart-shaped solitaire and then threw herself into Oliver’s arms. He spun her around, nearly knocking over the mic stand. This time there was no stopping the audience from the thundering applause.
Moments later, Arabella and her parents joined them onstage. Hugs, kisses, and tears were in abundance while the band played softly in the background. Finally, everyone waved and left Belinda and Oliver back on the stage.
“It’s a good thing she said yes,” Oliver quipped, drawing laughter. He mouthed I love you to Belinda and she blew him a kiss before mouthing it back.
“Well,” Belinda said, “we usually end the show with ‘Islands in the Stream,’ but since we’ve, uh, gone completely off script, I’d love to sing it right now.” She turned and got a nod from the band. Then, beaming at Oliver, they started singing. She could feel the happiness radiating from him and she poured her heart and soul into the song.
They were surrounded by love—the audience, their family—and when Oliver looked skyward, she knew he was thinking of his parents and her heart constricted. As always, they ended the song with a kiss, which was usually the closing of the show.
But this kiss, filled with hope, promise, and love, was only the beginning.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Thanks so much to my editor, Melissa Bendixen, and the brilliant editorial staff at Pocket Star Books. From the energetic, colorful covers to the copy edits to the promotions, I couldn’t ask for a better team behind the Heartthrob series.
And as always, thanks to my agent, Jenny Bent. Your enthusiasm for this series helped me bring the sexy Heart brothers to life on the page.
Want more Heart Brothers? Check out these other books from USA Today bestselling author LuAnn McLane!
The former frontman of the Heart brothers—and a notorious bad boy—reconnects with his first love when the group goes on a reunion tour.
All I Ever Wanted
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Soul searcher Jimmy falls for the (literal) girl-next-door when he realizes that his noisy neighbor just might be what he's been looking for.
Shape of My Heart
* * *
ORDER YOUR COPIES TODAY!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
LuAnn McLane’s books have appeared on bestselling lists, including USA TODAY, Barnes and Noble, Rhapsody, and Doubleday Book clubs. When she isn’t writing, she enjoys family, friends, cooking, reading, music, travel, and University of Kentucky basketball.
FOR MORE ON THIS AUTHOR: Authors.SimonandSchuster.com/LuAnn-McLane
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THE HEARTTHROB SERIES
By LuAnn McLane
All I Ever Wanted
It’s Gotta Be You
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This book is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real places are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, and events are products of the author’s imagination, and any resemblance to actual events or places or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Copyright © 2017 by LuAnn McLane
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First Pocket Star Books ebook edition October 2017
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Interior design by Alison Cnockaert
Cover design by Janet Perr
Cover image © Paul Bradbury/Getty Images
ISBN 978-1-5011-7253-3