Love Songs

by Bernadette Marie

  Warner had no more words. He only nodded.

  “I want her happy and taken care of.”

  “Sir, I have every intention of taking care of her and making her happy forever.”

  Carlos dropped his hand. “Forever, huh?”

  “Yes, sir. I have no intention of just being someone in passing. I would like to spend the rest of my life with Clara.”

  Carlos bit down on his lip and looked out to the street. “You’re saying you plan on a lifetime?” he asked and then looked back at Warner.

  “Yes, sir. I do. And if I may, I know it’s only been a few weeks, but I’d love to have your blessing on that lifetime.”

  Carlos rubbed the back of his neck. “It sounds like you’ve given this some thought.”

  “I have.”

  “I thought you moving in was a little fast. This seems even faster.”

  “I wouldn’t have moved in had I thought it was short term.”

  “That Little woman on TV doesn’t have anything nice to say about you.”

  Of all the times for Patty’s opinions of him to affect his life, this wasn’t the time.

  “Those are her own opinions, sir. I don’t have anything to do with her.”

  Carlos smiled. “I know. You handle her criticisms very well.”

  “Again, those are her own opinions. I continue to do what I can to build my career.”

  “Warner, I think you’re going to do just great, career wise. And if Clara sees something in you then I know Ms. Little is wrong about you.”

  “Thank you. That means a lot.”

  “As for that lifetime thing,” Carlos blew out a breath. “It scares me to death.”

  “Me too.”

  Carlos laughed. “It should. Women are strange creatures, but worth it.”

  “I think so too.”

  “If Clara chooses you then you have my blessing.”

  His limps went numb. “Thank you. Thank you very much.”

  He wanted to hug him, but at this point he’d probably start to cry.

  Carlos nodded. “Do you fish?”

  “I haven’t fished since I was a young boy in Memphis.”

  “Curtis and I are planning a trip in a few weeks before it gets too cold. I think we convinced Ed to come along. Why don’t you join us?”

  “I’d like that.”

  Carlos placed his hand back on Warner’s shoulder as they turned back for the bar. “We can have this discussion again when there is running water to throw you in,” he said with a laugh, but Warner wondered if secretly he already knew their plan.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Clara opened the back door to the house and turned on the kitchen lights as Warner cleared the last step.

  “I’m not home for three days and you move a man in the house?” Christian’s voice rang out from the living room.

  “Hey, my name is on the lease now, not yours.”

  Christian limped into the kitchen, a bag of peas wrapped to his knee with an ace bandage. “Just saying it would have been nice to have been told.”

  Warner walked through the door and shut it behind him. “Sorry. Did I interrupt?”

  “No, man. I’m just busting her chops. How was your show?”

  “It was good,” Warner said walking up to Clara, wrapping his arm around her waist. “Your sister was phenomenal.”

  She slapped him on the arm and moved to the refrigerator, pulling out two bottles of water. “It wasn’t about me. It was about this very talented man. Did you know they want to put him on a TV show? That’s right. He’s going to be a huge star.”

  Warner took the bottle of water she offered him and opened it quickly. He had a hard time hearing people brag about him. It certainly wasn’t something he was used to.

  “TV? That’s cool. Sell any of your songs yet?”

  Warner swallowed the water he’d just taken in. “I’m hoping the TV show will help me do that. Though, I think if I could get someone to sign me I’d really like to do that more than sell my music.”

  “Seems to me there’d be a lot more money in it.”

  “I’m not in it for the money. I love music,” he said and by the look on Christian’s face he knew he understood doing something for the love of it.

  “Did you know Warner has a degree in music? He’s a music teacher,” Clara added.

  “Was.”

  “Was, until Patricia Little got involved. But the point is Jeremy Smith wants you on TV and Savannah was there checking you out.”

  Christian took a step closer to them. “Savannah? Savannah was there?”

  Clara’s eyes widened. “She was. Oh, Chris, you should have seen her. She was dressed very common, but she has that hair, you know that massive hair! She’s so beautiful. But she was there with Jeremy Smith. She was there to see my Warner.”

  “That’s cool, man.”

  Warner shook his head. “I don’t know anything about her being there, but she’s looking for talent to open. We’ll see.”

  “You’re so modest,” Clara looked at him. “Celebrate just a little. Tonight was a huge success.”

  He supposed it was. He just didn’t like to get his hopes up. That was part of his plan in eloping. The sooner the better and for once he’d have something in his life cemented into place.

  Warner watched Clara sleep peacefully in his arms as the breeze outside cast shadows on the wall in the moonlight. He was wise enough to absorb it all. Every moment was one to be cherished and he’d never forget this moment, or the moment her father gave him his blessing.

  He understood that Carlos didn’t really know he was doing that, but it made Warner feel better.

  “Clara,” he whispered as he brushed her hair from her face. “Are you awake?”

  She stirred in his arms and slightly opened one eye. “Warner, what’s wrong?”

  “Nothing.” He smiled.

  “What time is it?”

  “Three.”

  She sifted and opened both eyes slightly. “Why are you staring at me?”

  “Because you’re beautiful.”

  She let out a groan and tried to turn away, but he caught her chin with his finger and turned her back toward him.

  “There is a flight for Vegas at ten. As of eleven last night there was still room on it.”

  Her eyes opened further. “What are you talking about?”

  “Let’s go to Vegas and we can be married by tonight. I don’t want to wait.”

  He was comforted with the fact that she was smiling, but he could see it in her eyes. Clara still thought he was crazy.

  She inched her body up on to her elbow and looked him in the eye. “Are you sure you want to do this?”

  “Have you changed your mind?”

  Her eyes softened. “No. I’ll never change my mind on you. I love you.”

  Warner brushed her cheek with his thumb. “I love you too. I don’t want to wait the rest the week. Besides your father had a little talk with me and as much as he could, he gives his approval of me.”

  Clara smiled widely. “I know he does. That means a lot.”

  “So let’s go. I want to get married.”

  In the dark her smile flashed white. “How can I possibly turn that down?”

  ***

  Clara didn’t like not being up front with her family, but there was an excitement that buzzed through her like no other as she boarded the plane for Las Vegas.

  They hadn’t gone back to sleep after Warner had awakened her with his thoughts on leaving right away. Luckily they had left the house before Christian had awakened. But, in true Keller tradition, because it was killing her more than anything, she left a note on the kitchen table.

  Warner and I have left on a spontaneous vacation. We will be back on Thursday.

  As the plane took off Clara rested her head on Warner’s shoulder. “I think this is the craziest, most exciting thing I’ve ever done.”

  “Me too.”

  “I’m scared to death.” She chuckled an
d Warner moved to look at her.

  “Why?”

  Clara sat up in her seat and interlaced her fingers with his. “This is forever. This isn’t just some funny vacation we’re taking. In a few hours I’ll be your wife and I just want to be the best wife any man could have.”

  Warner smiled. “I can’t imagine you wouldn’t be.”

  “Look, I’ve been around happily married people my whole life. Even when my parents were divorced they were nice to each other. My grandparents are in their nineties and they still hold hands and kiss. I’m worried that I’ll be too much work at some point and you won’t want to deal with that.”

  “I seriously thought I’d be the one having second thoughts not you.”

  “Oh, I’m not having second thoughts. I just want to be more to you than your mother was or than Patricia Little was. You deserve so much, Warner. I want to be the woman to give that to you.”

  Warner touched her cheek. “You already are. Just the other day I was thinking about how wonderful it’ll be to have someone—always. You’re right. I’ve never had that. I suppose I should be the one warning you that maybe I’m high maintenance. Maybe I’ll be the one who feels like you’re in my way.” He let out a breath. “But know you’re not in my way.”

  “I already know how you work.” She rested her head on his shoulder again. “I’ve seen you disappear when you have a song buzzing in your head. I’ve seen you go tyrant when you want something right. I think this TV show is going to bring out a beast in you no one has ever seen, and I’m ready for that.”

  She felt him quake as if he were holding back tears. She gave him the moment to collect his dignity and didn’t look at him.

  “I’m glad I chased you down,” he said placing a kiss on the top of her head.

  “So am I. Now I’m going to take a nap since someone woke me up very early.”

  Clara was more than surprised that there was a car waiting for them at the airport when they arrived.

  “When did you schedule this?” she asked as the driver opened their door and then put their luggage in the trunk.

  “I did it all this morning. It’s amazing what you can do in this city.”

  The driver shut the door and Clara snuggled in close to Warner. “Have you ever been here?”

  “Yeah. A couple times. Back when I was just a kid in the way. I think this trip will be happier.”

  Clara sat up and looked at him. “What do you mean kid in the way?”

  “I told you my grandmother didn’t much care for me.”

  “Right. She’d drag you out here?”

  “Oh she dragged me out here and left me with some random aunt in a trailer park for a year.”

  Clara covered her mouth with her hand and she felt the tears stinging. “That’s horrible. How can someone do that to a child?”

  “Listen. It made me stronger. Don’t go thinking I’ll treat our children like that. A child should be the top priority if you choose to have them. Not just something you pass around.”

  Clara smiled. “I agree.”

  “In fact, the other day the thought of teaching crossed my mind again.”

  “I think you’d be a fantastic teacher.”

  He shrugged. “We’ll see. I guess it hinges on Jeremy Smith now.”

  “And Savannah.”

  “I’ve been around the business long enough to know that you don’t get too excited.”

  Clara shook her head. “Get a little excited. You’re about to be hitched. Nothing is more exciting than that.”

  “Oh, I’ve done a few things to make it more exciting.” Warner gave her a wink and she watched as the Las Vegas strip appeared before her.

  The car drove them to the Bellagio and Clara couldn’t help but bounce on the seat. “God, look at this place.”

  “Wait till you get inside.”

  “This is going to be wonderful.”

  “I hope you think so.”

  The driver took their bags and left them with the bellhop while Warner checked them in. Clara stood under the ceiling of glass flowers and let herself soak in the atmosphere.

  “Are you ready, my sweet?” Warner offered her his arm.

  “I sure am.”

  He led her to their room, which again was a surprise. It was a suite which faced the strip and a grand view of the fountains.

  “Warner, this is beautiful.”

  “Not as beautiful as my view right now.” He smiled at her as he shut the door.

  Clara moved to him and wrapped her arms around his neck. “We’re really going to do this aren’t we?”

  “I sure want to.”

  “So do I.” She kissed him softly.

  “Well, get settled in. You have an appointment to pick out a dress in an hour.”

  “A dress? Isn’t that funny? I hadn’t even thought about a dress.”

  He laughed. “I want you to have some elegance too. After all you’re going to be stuck with this the rest of your life.” He looked down at his worn jeans.

  “I happen to like the view very much.”

  “I promise you’ll have a better one for your wedding pictures.”

  He set the key card on the desk. “You will find the dress of your dreams. We get married at seven o’clock and have some magnificent pictures taken out front with the fountains.”

  “Thank you.”

  He pulled her to him. “No, thank you. I know going home and explaining this to everyone isn’t going to be easy. I’m very much taking you out of your comfort zone here.”

  “You can’t be comfortable always. Then you just get complacent.” She winked and walked to the bedroom.

  Warner thought about what she’d said. That was where he’d been for years. Complacent in what he did. Meeting Clara had certainly changed that. He wanted to sing his own songs. He wanted to perform, get married, have a house full of kids, and damn—he wanted to teach again.

  With Clara by his side there would be room for all of that. He let out a slow and steady breath.

  “Time to grow up and be a man, Warner,” he said to himself as he heard Clara squeal at the size of the tub.

  He smiled. This was going to be the best vacation he’d ever planned.

  Clara had picked out a dress and Warner had surprised her again when he had a salon appointment for her as well. Her hair was done, makeup, fingers and toes. She found that he’d even arranged for a couples massage the next day.

  No amount of planning for this special day could have made it any better.

  Clara walked through the casino to the bank of elevators that would take her to her room when her phone rang.

  She looked down at the screen. No surprise, Christian was hunting her down.

  “Where are you?”

  She pushed the button to the elevator. “I’m on vacation. I’ll be home in a few days.”

  “Everyone is worried about you.”

  Clara sighed. “I’m thirty years old. I know what I’m doing.”

  “I do too.”

  She felt her heart rate accelerate. “What does that mean?”

  “You’re moving too fast. That’s what that means. C’mon, you’ve only known Warner for a few weeks.”

  “What exactly is your point?”

  “I told you my point. I think you’re moving much too fast into this relationship.”

  Clara entered the elevator and quickly pushed the button for her floor hoping to ride alone.

  “Christian, this is my life and my business. Ed and Darcy didn’t know each other very long. Look at Curtis and Simone. I don’t need you butting in here.”

  “I know where you are.”

  Clara bit down on her lip. “How do you know that?”

  “I heard the sounds behind you.”

  She didn’t know what to say.

  “Clara, who just leaves in the middle of the night and heads to Vegas?”

  One thing about a close knit family, they knew everything without having the information first hand.

&
nbsp; “I left you a note. I’m vacationing.”

  “Sure you are.”

  Now her nervousness churned in her stomach to anger. “This is none of your business.”

  “Don’t you think mom and dad should be in on this?”

  “No. No I don’t. This is between me and Warner.”

  “So what are you doing on your vacation?”

  The elevator slowed, the doors opened to the floor and Clara stepped out.

  “Taking in the sights.” There was a bite to her words.

  “Clara,” Christian’s voice had softened enough to make her want to cry. But she wasn’t going to cry. Her makeup was too nice.

  “Chris, trust me. You have to know I would never do anything to harm myself or my family.”

  “I know.”

  “I love him. I love him very much.”

  “I don’t doubt it.” He let out a breath just as she arrived at her room. “Are you happy?”

  “Happier than I’ve ever been.”

  “That’s all that matters. I love you.”

  “I know you do, even if you’re an ass.”

  He laughed. “I never promised I wouldn’t be an ass as a big brother.”

  “I’ll see you on Thursday.”

  “I’ll be here.” There was a moment of awkward silence as she slid her key card into the door. “Hey, give Warner my best.”

  The line went dead as she pushed open the door to the room.

  The lights in the room were low as the sun was beginning to set. There was a bucket on the table with a bottle of champagne and two glasses. Warner must have had the room filled with six dozen roses.

  He stepped out of the bedroom in a suit. His hair was groomed, his shadowed chin was bare. Those tears were back and she wasn’t sure she could hold them back.

  “I know I’m not supposed to see the bride before, but I’m going on the assumption that means only in the dress.”

  “I’ll buy that.” She smiled.

  “I wanted to have a glass of champagne with you before we head down and you officially become my wife.”

  She couldn’t speak so she nodded.

  Warner walked to the table and opened the champagne with a pop of the cork. He poured them each a glass and then handed her one.