Sing Me a Song

by Dixie Lynn Dwyer

  She stared at him, her expression mesmerized by most likely the resemblance between them.

  “This is Sydney.” Stella introduced her, and Sydney reached her hand out to shake his. It killed him to not be able to hug her. But he supposed to her he was a stranger and it would take time to get used to things.

  “You’re gorgeous, Sydney. My God, it’s so…I don’t even know what to say except I’m glad you came.”

  She nodded her head and shook his hand, and her beauty, classiness, and natural charisma made him feel proud. He almost felt unworthy to have that emotion. After all, he left her when she was only a baby because of jealousy and his own obsession with being a soldier.

  “This town is gorgeous. We’re so impressed with the style and country charm, yet the sophistication of it all. Are there more shops and other stores?” Sydney asked him. Even her voice, the way she spoke was mature. She was naturally charismatic. He could tell immediately. He smiled at her.

  “There are a bunch more, plus a couple of restaurants and the Main Street Inn. I thought that might be a nice place to go to dinner tomorrow night, and that way during the day I can show you all around town.”

  “Sounds wonderful. Is the ranch far from here?” Stella asked.

  “About fifteen minutes. I wasn’t sure if you wanted to grab something to eat or if you had anything on the way?” Matt asked and looked over toward Sydney and Ella.

  “We’re starving,” Ella stated.

  “Great. We can grab a table at Francine’s. You can meet some of my friends and maybe a few townsfolk. Follow me.”

  * * * *

  Sydney could hardly walk her legs were shaking so much. She hadn’t realized how nervous she was to meet her father until the moment her mom spotted him and then hugged him as he approached. He was a very attractive man, and he had been right, her eyes were identical to his. It was the sickest, craziest feeling to meet someone of such importance like her father, for the very first time and after twenty-three years. She supposed it was just as difficult for him, or more so because he was the one who left. He never got to share any of the important moments of her childhood. Like her first steps, her first lost tooth, Christmas morning, and her first school play. So many times as she stood on stage and sang her heart out, she noticed the other fathers watching their daughters as if no one else in the room mattered but their daughters. She wanted that for so long and then finally came to the grips with never having that connection and experience ever.

  That made her feel sad, and sometimes when she was younger and thought about him leaving, it made her feel worthless. How could a father leave his baby girl? How?

  But she was twenty-three and no longer a child. She realized life was too short to waste on being angry or disappointed. She would embrace this new town and the possibilities of Texas. She would also be as cautious as always, after all, vulnerability could break even the strongest of hearts.

  “Hart meet Stella, Ella and Sydney.” Sydney heard Matt’s voice and turned toward him instead of continuing to take in the sights of the charming restaurant and café. It was pretty packed with people, yet enough space between the tables for people to stand and socialize. Her heart did a little double beat at the sight of the man next to Matt. He was rugged and tough looking, from his dark eyes, firm chin, and muscular jaw to his wide shoulders, navy-blue button down shirt, and dark blue jeans. He looked a bit scary, almost angry, and when he stood up she was shocked at how tall he was. She gulped. Seemed men had attitudes whether in New York or Texas.

  “Nice to meet you,” he said, straight-faced and eyeing each of them, but his eyes landed on her, and boy did she feel it everywhere. Her breasts felt full, her belly tightened, and suddenly a wave of heat hit her insides. Thank goodness for her olive complexion and the tan she had, or an embarrassing moment wouldn’t have been avoided.

  “Hi,” she said and then looked at her mother, who smiled.

  “Hart keeps one of his horses at my ranch. His brother Juno works there and helps out, too. You’ll get to meet him after lunch when we head that way,” Matt told them.

  “It’s nice to meet you, Hart.”

  He gave a small nod, but his eyes went right back to Sydney.

  “Are you joining us, Hart?” Matt asked, and Sydney felt her heart beat a little faster. Was she instantly attracted to this type of guy? He seemed rugged, angry, and so not her type. That was if she had a type. Solo was what she did. Getting too close, too deep into someone could ruin a woman’s future.

  “Nah, I’m headed back to the ranch. I’ll talk to you later.”

  “Let Jimmy know we’ll be heading that way in about an hour,” Matt said. Hart nodded his head, glanced at Sydney one more time, and then left.

  He headed out, and Sydney nonchalantly glanced that way.

  “Hart and his brothers all live in a large house in one of the new developments Liberty Construction built. Nice group of men. He also plays guitar in a little band we’re involved in for fun,” Matt said.

  “A band?” she asked. She couldn’t help herself. She was a singer, she played the guitar, and she could even play the harmonica. She had been told she had a special knack for it. But in the city she rarely got to play that at the lounges she sang at.

  “Not anything fancy. There are five of us that get together and play sometimes at the ranch right on the back porch, sometimes at BBQs and, of course, at The Main Street Inn when they’re looking for filler bands. It’s just a hobby of ours.”

  “That’s great. Must be a lot of fun,” Ella said, watching him.

  “It can be. Your mom said that you play a little guitar and sing, too?” he asked Sydney.

  “Just a little. So what’s good in this place?” she asked, making it obvious she wasn’t ready to pour her soul to the man and tell him about her love of singing, being a musician and wanting to play bigger venues. Things like that didn’t happen to people like her.

  “Burgers are great, fried chicken and biscuits with gravy awesome and of course anything BBQ. Ribs, chicken, pork, all good stuff.”

  “Salads. There we go,” Ella said, and Sydney chuckled. Ella was so into the dieting and watching her weight, eating salads, and always looking for the opportunity to meet some guy who would sweep her away from life’s responsibilities. Sydney was an eater. She never starved herself, and if she ate more carbs than she should have, then she jogged a little longer, worked out a bit more, and cut the carbs for the next few meals. It all worked out. She wasn’t a peanut. She had hips and an ass, and she squeezed them into a size ten pair of jeans.

  Matt smiled.

  “There are great salads, too. This big hit for a few years now is the New York chicken salad Anna came up with when she first came to town years ago. She helps to run Second Chances. I think I told you about that, Stella,” he added, and the conversation continued.

  Sydney watched him give full attention to her mom. And when Stella pushed a strand of hair behind her ear and shyly checked him out when he was talking to Ella, Sydney had a feeling things were about to change. Hopefully for the better and to make her mother happy. But she wasn’t betting on second chances for her mom and Matt. She would be sure to learn his intentions in the upcoming days if things between him and her mom progressed. The last thing her mom needed was her heart broken. Sydney was the protector of the family, and it was her job to watch over her mom and Ella. Moving here and onto Matt’s ranch wasn’t going to change that one bit at all.

  Chapter 2

  “Did you get a load of those cowboys riding in on those horses? Damn, some of them were wearing tighter jeans than I do. Holy crap, there are some hot men around here,” Ella carried on as she started unpacking one of the boxes they had mailed out to the ranch.

  Matt’s place was very big and he had enough room to give them the whole left side of the house that contained four bedrooms, their own two bathrooms and side entrance to the home. It was a large, ranch style home. Everything was on one floor and it was stunning. El
la couldn’t get over it.

  “You better watch yourself. You’re not used to cowboys,” Syd told her sister.

  Ella placed her hands on her hips and stared at Syd.

  “I’m pretty damn good at knowing when a man is interested. Doesn’t matter if he’s from the North or the South, he still has a cock and I’m in control of whether or not he gets to sink it into me.”

  “Ella!” Syd threw a pillow at her and Ella laughed then threw one back. They started a small pillow fight and began laughing. Sydney lay flat on the bed on her back.

  She looked at Ella. “Do you think we’ll like it here?”

  Ella held her gaze. Syd had been awfully quiet since they pulled up into town, never mind during lunch. Her dad was very nice and it seemed their mom was feeling an old attraction. Syd wasn’t sure how she felt about that. Considering their mom had thought she lost both men she loved and had daughters with, it could be a second chance. Their mom had spoken on the phone with Matt for hours. Something was brewing.

  “I think Mom already does. You see the way she and Matt were watching each other? I don’t think I’ve ever seen her so happy,” Ella said.

  “I know. It’s not exactly something I’m ready to think about. I mean the two of them rekindling some old romance.”

  “It must have been a pretty damn powerful romance for them to find their way back to one another and have those same strong feelings,” Ella added as she placed another shirt into the dresser drawer.

  “Apparently not strong enough for him to stick around and raise me with her. His career as a soldier meant more.”‘

  “He was young, not too much older than you and I when he left, who knows what he was thinking,” Ella added.

  “Well if he had stayed, I suppose that means Mom and Drake wouldn’t have gotten together and had you.”

  Ella held her sister’s gaze. “No, they would not have, unless back then Matt and Drake were into ménages,” Ella said and wiggled her eyebrows up and down.

  “Oh God,” Syd said and started laughing.

  “I hope we can survive in a place like this. I’m having some second thoughts. I don’t know if I’m going to like it.”

  “By the way that Hart guy was staring at you, I think you’re going to like it here a lot. He was one sexy, mysterious dude. Maybe he has some brothers and you can really get some sexual experiences.”

  “Ella, I’m not interested in meeting anyone. I really want to get my singing career started. I have an interview for some temp work lined up in Croton in two days. But I need to work on getting some gigs at some local places.”

  “Have you been practicing your country music songs? Cause I think we’ve landed in a state where pop music at the local dance hall is not going to fly.”

  “No shit,” Syd said and rolled to her belly.

  “I only did that pop stuff for the lounges and night clubs in New York. I really didn’t feel those songs. I feel the words, the stories being told in country music so much more.”

  “You are so going to fit in here. I’m thinking I need to find a job closer to the city areas. I know Dallas and Houston aren’t anything like New York but still, I need that fast pace and action. At least Friday and Saturday nights. You’ll come out with me and check out the places right?”

  “I’ll come out with you locally. Remember, I need to get some appearances and performances on stage. I have the feeling us Yankees might not be so welcomed on stage.”

  “Why is that, Syd?”

  “Locals always get the opportunities and of course who you know. We’re new here. How the hell can I prove my talent and ability if I can’t get a chance on stage?”

  “Stop writing yourself off. You’re gorgeous. I bet if you flirt a little and use those sexy green eyes and knock-out body you’ll get on stage.”

  “That’s not me. I’m not selling my body for an opportunity that could mean nothing.”

  “Sometimes you need to use what your mamma gave ya, babe. That’s just how men operate,” Ella told her as she stood in front of the mirror and cupped her breasts. She stuck her ass out slightly and admired her reflection in the mirror. She had a lot to do, and quickly, so her choices from New York wouldn’t catch up with her.

  “I know how to use my body to get what I want from a man. Maybe you just need to have sex. How long has it been?” Ella asked Syd.

  “Excuse me?” Syd asked, sitting up.

  “When was the last time you had an orgasm? Had sex?”

  “None of your business, Ella,” Syd said and got up off the bed. She ran her fingers through her hair and Ella stared at her. Syd always shied away at this topic.

  “Didn’t you sleep with London?”

  Syd looked at her and shook her head.

  “Why the hell not? He was drop-dead gorgeous and had money, that sports car. What is wrong with you?”

  “I didn’t love him,” she whispered and wrung her fingers together.

  “So what? No wonder you’re so uptight. What, are you still a virgin?” Ella asked and chuckled.

  Syd didn’t respond and instead pulled her bottom lip between her teeth.

  “Oh my God, you are. Holy shit. You’re older than I am and I have more experience than you. Yes!” She fist pumped and smiled wide.

  “I finally have succeeded in accomplishing something you haven’t. God, this is going to be great. You are going to lose your virginity here in Texas, and to a hot cowboy no less. We have so much to do.”

  “Slow down, Ella, I am not having sex with some random cowboy. My sex life is none of your business. Now cool it.”

  “Geesh. Why are you so sensitive? This is why we could never hang out together. We’re too different.”

  “Ella, we never hung out together because I’m three years older, I went to college, and I worked two jobs and took care of Mom when she was sick. That’s why. It’s called having responsibilities and focusing on other people instead of just yourself. This is your opportunity to take control of your life and make some changes. This is a new start. So stay out of trouble, don’t go having sex with random cowboys, and please, please choose your friends wisely. Mom needs to feel happiness, not worry.”

  “Whatever,” Ella said and then continued to unpack. Her sister was such a downer. Responsibility sucked. She was only twenty, why did she need to be so responsible so soon? She would live her own life. No one could tell her what to do. Besides, she already made certain she would be successful here, starting with making some quick money then sitting back and enjoying the benefits of her street smarts. As far as Ella was concerned, Texas wouldn’t know what hit it.

  * * * *

  Stella felt her heart racing, and she couldn’t keep eye contact with either man. Matt and his cousin Jimmy had her full attention. Both men reminded her of a better time, a different life than what she now lived.

  Jimmy shook his head and held her gaze. His blue eyes sparkled, his firm jaw set as he grinned.

  “It’s so great to see you again, Stella. You’re even more beautiful then I remember,” Jimmy told her then covered her hand and gave it a squeeze. This was bad. The instant attraction similar to what she felt for Matt now filled her heart.

  She shouldn’t feel this way. She was forty-four years old. She’d had Sydney when she was twenty-one, and look at all that happened to her.

  “It’s nice to see you, too, Jimmy. I can’t believe how long it’s been. The last time I saw you was when you and Matt headed out for another tour. God, I was so worried about the both of you.” She was silent a moment as she looked down at their clasped hands and then felt the hand on her shoulder as Matt took the seat next to her. This was all too much. Two men, cousins touching her at once, remembering old times.

  “That was the worse decision of my life. Leaving for that tour. That’s when everything changed,” Matt told her. She glanced at him. Quickly, not wanting to meet his eyes with her sad ones. The ones she knew held the pain she felt. It wasn’t as raw but still deep enough to bri
ng the glistening sensation to her eyes.

  Matt touched her cheek, and Jimmy caressed her hand. He held her gaze and smiled softly.

  “I can’t believe you’re here. I can’t believe I could have lost you again,” he told her and she felt the pain in her chest. The reminder of her near death experience and the weakness, the pain and agony associated with the cancer she fought to destroy. She had to live for her daughters. Nothing else mattered.

  “When did you find out you had the breast cancer?” Jimmy asked her then released her hand. She pulled back and placed them on her lap.

  “Eighteen months ago on a routine visit I asked the doctor about something I felt on my breast. He issued a series of tests, and within the week they scheduled more tests, a biopsy, meanwhile the cancer got worse. By the time I was scheduled for surgery to remove the lump, the doctors issued radiation treatments and pills. They feared it had spread further and increased the amounts on both. It was the longest year of my life. I was so tired and weak. But Sydney was strong.” She smiled at Matt and held his gaze.

  “She’s a trooper. She’s worked so hard and never gives up, never asks for help, and she pretty much took over being the caregiver for Ella and I.”

  “She’s gorgeous Stella,” Jimmy whispered. Stella smiled.

  She noticed Matt look away and clasp his fingers together as he set them on the counter of the island they sat around.

  “There’s a lot I want to say to her. I guess make up some time, too, if she’ll let me. I know you and I had the chance to talk over the last several months. I want to try and make things up to you. To both of you.”

  She shook her head.

  “Neither of us want that, Matt. I think you should focus on the fact that we’re here, and that we’re making an effort to be part of one another’s lives. With Sydney, you can’t push her for more. Just let it be.”

  He released a sigh then licked his lower lip. It was so crazy to have such strong feelings for him after all this time. He was in great physical condition. So was Jimmy, and that thought aroused something deep within her. In fact, maybe she felt a bit more confident because she already survived death and that had been her greatest fear of all.