He grinned when her eyes lit up. "I'd love that. If you don't mind me tagging along, that is." She had a beautiful smile. Jameson took the time to really notice it. For just a split second, the fear she normally carried faded, and her face brightened.
"I don't mind at all. Come on." Jameson jumped to his feet, heading toward his music sanctuary. Mary followed.
Jameson picked up the Fender guitar that he got as a gift from his dad when he was twelve. It had been a birthday present. He remembered that day well. It had been the time he'd started getting an interest in music, and the last thing he'd expected was a guitar. When his father brought it in with a smile, Jameson couldn't tear his eyes away from it. He ran his hand down the neck of the instrument, picking lightly on the E string.
He had two guitars added to the collection since then, but this one had memories. Every time he played on this one, he felt close to his dad.
Back before Dad died, there were many nights on the front porch when the pair would play together. Some of the older, famous country songs, and they would harmonize. Mom and Blaine used to be their audience, clapping, singing and dancing.
Those were the days.
Damn, how he missed them.
The first time he played for Avery had been an interesting day. It was summer, and they'd just come back from swimming down at the pool at the inn. The sun had begun to sink below the horizon. Jameson grabbed his guitar and did his best to impress Avery. They were thirteen, and that was when he realized he liked her more than just a friend. He hadn't told her for years, not until their mid twenties when they officially formed the band.
When Avery had recognized the song he played, she sang along. By the time the song was over, his dad, mom and Blaine were all listening, hanging onto every word, and the applause had never been louder or more enthusiastic.
Avery's voice, even then, stunned him. It was the first time he'd really heard her sing.
Jameson slid the strap over his shoulder, found a pick, and strummed a few chords. He flashed a smile at Mary, a little sorry that he'd spaced out on her again when he allowed his mind to wander through his past. She'd eased into the recliner chair, her dark eyes on him while he played.
When he took a break after a few minutes, he put the pick down and eased onto the stool.
"Do you ever write songs, or is Avery the only songwriter in the group?" Mary asked, fiddling with the edge of her shirt.
"Avery and I have been known to pen many songs together. She's a writing machine. She weaves more lyrics than we can count sometimes."
"I've always wanted to put my words to music," she said wistfully.
Jameson raised a brow. "You write?"
She blinked, startled, as if she hadn't realized she had said the words out loud. "I wouldn't call them lyrics, more like poetry, but yes."
That piqued his interest. "Give me a few lines. Maybe we can make that happen."
Mary blushed, then looked away. "Oh no, I-"
"Come on, why not?"
"They probably aren't any good-"
She was shy. Okay, he could get around that.
"Come on, don't say that. Let me be the judge," he coaxed gently. Now he really wanted to know.
There were so many things about her he wanted to learn.
Mary sighed, but a smile played at her lips. "You aren't going to give up, are you?" She shook her head and giggled.
"I'm pretty stubborn," Jameson teased. "Really, come on. Let's hear something. I'll help put it to music." He strummed the guitar for effect.
"Okay, fine. I don't have any with me, but my mind is always full of them. Here's one that I call 'Life After Us'." Mary took a deep breath, and then recited some lines. Jameson listened with interest.
Here we stand face to face
a brand new time, a whole new place
Talking about the past and a different future
We’ve moved on into new directions
Funny how once I thought
That if we were to ever part
That life would never go on
Then she stopped. "That's all I have. That one isn't finished yet." Mary clasped her hands and peered up at him from under her thick eyelashes.
They were pretty good. Jameson could tell they came from somewhere deep within. It was something to work with. A melody formed in his mind, and he nodded. "I like that, Mary. Here, what do you think about this?" He thought about it for a little bit. He strummed a series of chords on the guitar, then sang the first line.
Mary's eyes widened. She hung on every word. "Oh, Jameson, that sounds amazing! Wow!"
"You like it?"
"I do. It sounds great. I love the way you sing it, too."
Jameson jumped from the stool, grabbed a pen and paper, and brought it back to Mary. "Here, Write the words down for me so I remember them and you don't have to keep repeating yourself, and let's get something going. That way, you can finish them. You've got something good here. I really want to write this into a song."
"You don't have to do this-" She started to protest, but took the items from his outstretched hand anyway. Their hands touched for a split second, and Jameson's pulse quickened. He was really excited about the prospect of writing a new song with Mary. She seemed to have warmed up to him, especially today.
"Of course I don't have to, but I really want to," he said softly, lingering his hand over hers until she moved. She uncapped the pen and furrowed her eyes, deep in thought. She began writing on the pad, and handed Jameson the lyrics she'd just recited. "I'll start a new one and try and get more written."
Content, Jameson took the paper from her and went back to pick up the guitar. Starting from the beginning, he played the melody that kept haunting his mind.
Those words she'd started etched into his brain. They were very fitting. Maybe that's why he was so compelled to make it into a song. Regardless, he felt the tension start to slip away as he lost himself in the music.
A few times, Jameson caught her peek up at him again, watching him intently as he played. He'd meet her gaze, but then she immediately turned away.
As soon as Jameson had the melody down pat, he wrote the notes down, putting them together with Mary's lyrics. The song wasn't finished, but what a great start! He wondered if she would let him play this for the band.
She put the pen down and leaned back. "I can't think of any more right now." Her eyes lit up when she met his stare. "But so far, what you've done with it … it gives me goosebumps."
"Your words hit close to home for me," Jameson admitted. "I feel the need to put it to music." He set the pick, the paper and guitar down and shifted his position on the stool.
"Avery?" She asked softly.
Jameson nodded. He didn't particularly want to get into this conversation, but maybe it was better to talk about it.
"What happened? You guys seem as close as can be, though obviously something changed between you two. If I had to guess, it had something to do with that woman at the house where we picked your mom up from."
Damn, she was good. Too good.
Jameson drew in a sharp breath. "You're pretty dang perceptive."
"You don't have to tell me anything."
"I know that. Maybe I need to get it out. It's one of many things I carry on my shoulders right now." Jameson slipped off the stool and put his guitar back on its stand. Then he sank into the second recliner next to Mary. She faced him, and he could see the curiosity in her eyes. "The woman's name is Lea. Way before Avery and I started dating, I was with Lea for six months. It wasn't crazy serious, but I cared about her. I broke it off when I decided to come back to Harmony's Echo and live here. I grew up in this house. When Mom and Dad moved when I was nineteen, I went with them for awhile. I was one of those high school graduates that frankly didn't have a clue as to what I wanted to do. But I missed my life here, so I came back."
"I didn't see Lea after that. Not until the day my dad died. Avery and I were up at the house to have a barbecue with my parent
s. Then everything happened quick with my dad, and my mom wanted to work on the house that night. She was adamant about starting. Lea came by, she'd heard the news and that I was back in town..." Ugh, the memories of that night flooded him, slammed into his chest like a strong hurricane.
"Jameson-" Mary grasped his hand. Tears pooled in her eyes, which held plenty of compassion.
"It's not an excuse, but I really wasn't thinking. I vaguely remember how things happened." He squeezed her hand. Talking about it still didn't come easily to him. When he'd told Avery, he'd waited a week. A stupid week to tell her. Talk about another day that repeated in his mind. The look on her face, the way he broke down, and how relieved he'd been when Avery had said they would make it work.
He knew then, that it was only a matter of time that it wouldn't. But he hadn't been ready to let her go.
He could never fault Avery for her changed feelings. As much as Jameson suffered for the things he did, it took a toll even more on her, especially when she couldn't make her feelings come back.
"You did something with Lea when you were still dating Avery." Hearing the words from Mary's lips tore him up.
"I did. I was such an idiot. How the hell could I not have stopped myself? Or fully remembered?"
"Oh Jameson. Sometimes grief is like a disease. It causes you to forget. You don't always have a grasp on reality when it happens, and you had just lost your father! Maybe it was too much."
"I wish I could believe that."
"Jameson, I see the way you two interact. I never would have guessed that something as deep as that could have ruined your friendship." Mary's hand was on his shoulder now. "You're very hard on yourself. And you carry the weight of the world on your shoulders. You've got to let things go. I've been where you are, and it's not a pretty sight."
He knew this. He'd heard it before. It felt like ripping off the band aid to a fresh wound. The song, the events of the day, seeing Lea again dredged up all the feelings he'd done so well burying.
Buried feelings weren't the answer. Facing them had much better results. Or so he'd heard.
He came face to face with that past today.
"I've been doing well, until lately. Especially today. Funny how a little thing can bring everything back."
"I'm not so sure you can consider that a little thing. You've been through quite a bit today." Mary's voice was soft, low.
"It wasn't really..." Jameson didn't know why he kept it all in. Okay, it was all one big slam to the gut after another. When did he start keeping everything all bottled in like this? It did him no good.
"You know, you don't have to pretend that you're not affected. I see it in your eyes. You're hurting." Could it be his imagination, or did she seem to inch closer?
"I-" How did she do that? The woman didn't know him, but she could read the feelings he tried so desperately to hide. "Mary." Jameson closed the gap between them and kissed her. He'd made an impulsive move, again, but couldn't seem to stop himself. He wrapped a hand around her, pulling her closer to him. She shocked him when she reciprocated. Her lips met his full force, making the intensity and need even stronger. She dug her fingers into his neck, then curled them though his hair.
He should stop. He should pull away right now.
I don't want to. I don't!
She pulled back, only for a second, parting her lips. Jameson expected her to slap him or something, or to back off, but then before he knew it her lips were back on his. He swept his tongue out, touching the corner of her mouth before diving in, taking in the sweet taste of her. His pulse quickened, and he lost himself in her kiss. He lifted his other hand and brushed her hair from her face, then cupped it, needing to keep her close.
What am I doing?
What would possess him to kiss another woman when he'd just been talking about Avery, and Lea?
Stop thinking, idiot!
"Mary," he whispered against her lips. He opened his eyes to look at her. She had the same fire in her eyes that he felt. "I-"
"Shh." She touched the side of his face. "It's all right."
Was it? Jameson wasn't so sure.
Then the sound of a throat cleaning behind them broke them apart. Jameson's heartbeat spun out of control. He moved away from Mary even further when he noticed Lucas in the doorway, and Avery followed.
"Your mom let us in. Sorry."
Chapter Seven
What the hell had she been doing kissing Jameson like that? Or had he kissed her? Ugh! Regardless, not a good idea. Yes, she liked it, liked him, but it was so far from a good idea it wasn't even funny.
God, what a kiss. She wanted more of them. More of Jameson.
This is exactly what gets you in trouble. Naive. Letting your emotions jump ahead. It has to stop!
Melody hoped there she didn't show much evidence on her face of what they'd been doing when she turned around to see Lucas and Avery in the doorway. They already didn't trust her, especially with the attempt to take the truck. There was no way she could make them understand the dire urgency of her situation, but it didn't matter. She'd broken their trust, even Jameson's trust.
Yet he kissed her.
He's confused. Caught in the moment. You know he's going through a lot. Of course he's not thinking clearly. He wouldn't have kissed you like that otherwise. There's no way. He's obviously not over his feelings for Avery.
"I didn't realize she woke up already." Jameson had moved away from her. He faced Lucas, his voice strained. He shot another glance at Melody.
"Have you heard anything about your truck yet?"
Jameson pulled out the keys and handed them to Lucas. "No. I need to check on that. I'm hoping the damage isn't that bad."
"Hold on to the keys then. Borrow the car until you get your truck back. I think we can manage just fine with using one vehicle." Lucas exchanged a look with Avery. "What do you think?"
"I'm fine with that," Avery nodded. "Your mom actually looks a little better today, Jameson."
"That's because I took all the bottles out of the house." Jameson pocketed the keys. "It's only a matter of time before I hear the screaming, but I couldn't just leave them in there last night. Are you sure about letting me use the car?"
"Of course we are," Avery said. "I'll just take Luke to work and pick him up, and keep the truck. Or I'll just let him have it and borrow from Mom or Dad if I need to go anywhere. Don't worry about it, Jameson."
Melody could tell he wasn't comfortable with it. He didn't seem to really have a choice. She'd bet what he really worried about was his mom trying to get those keys, too.
Avery turned to her. "Mary, I talked to my parents about a job. They definitely could use the help. They said to come by any time and they'll interview you and see what can be done."
Melody nodded. "I appreciate that. Thank you, Avery."
One less thing to worry about. She could cross that off the list. The next was to figure out where to stay and how the hell to pay for it.
"I've also come to an idea, Mary." Jameson turned to her. "I could use the company, and we have the room, so you're welcome to stay here until you figure out a living situation."
That caught her completely off guard. Stay with Jameson? After that kiss they just shared? And the things going on with his mom? That may not be such a good idea. He trusted her enough to let her stay here? Wow. Small towns in Texas were either oblivious to what people could be like or something else. Whatever the case, she had an opportunity right in front of her face. It would be stupid to turn it down.
"Jameson, I- Okay. Thank you." She sent him a smile. "I'll have to get my things from your place." She directed that at Avery and Lucas.
Just no more kisses between us. It can't happen again, no matter how much I want it to.
"We can head over to the inn and get you set up, then swing by the house for your stuff and bring you back," Avery offered.
"And Jameson, we can go see what the deal is about your truck."
"That works." Jameson nodded at Lu
cas. He cast a smile at Melody. "When we get back here later, we'll get your room set up."
"Okay." Melody had nothing else to add. All of them had been so nice about all this. "Avery, if it's not too much trouble, could we go by the hospital so I can check on Shelly? I feel bad. I come by for awhile, and then don't talk to her and I bet she's lonely."
"Yeah! Sure, we can do that." Avery smiled warmly. Then she hugged Lucas. "Love you. See you in a little while."
"Love you too, Avery." Lucas kissed her lips, then released her. "Ready to hit the road, Jameson?"
"Yeah. Let's do it." Jameson halted, then fixed his gaze on Melody. "I'll see you later. Good luck with the interview, but I'm sure Avery's parents can't wait to have you working there."
"Thank you. It would be great to get something going."
What would the ride with Avery be like? Guess she'd see. Melody avoided meeting Jameson's gaze as she left him standing in the garage with Lucas.
Fifteen minutes and a little bit of small talk later, Avery pulled into the inn's parking lot. So far, she never said anything about what she might have seen in Jameson's garage. Not that it mattered. Melody knew that Avery was still protective over her friend, and she probably didn't trust Melody. But if Avery knew anything, she sure wasn't letting on.
Which was perfectly fine by her.
As they walked up to the entrance, her mind mused at how much this little town had an impact on her already. She'd arrived here in the midst of a rainy night with a frightened, pregnant young woman. Who would have thought two days later, she'd still be here, actually liking this town?
Harmony's Echo gave the impression that things were safe.
Misleading, because she didn't think she could ever be safe. Not until she knew how things were back home and if he'd found a way to get to her. Hell, even en route to Georgia it didn't feel far enough away. If Anthony could keep his life a secret, there would be no telling what other things he would do, especially to find her. Not after what she saw. He'd never let her go. He'd made that clear after all the threats.
The Melody In My Head (Love and Music in Texas Book 2) Page 8