The Melody In My Head (Love and Music in Texas Book 2)

by Nikki Lynn Barrett

  "Of course you didn't. As I said, no one did. It's not something I'm proud of. I thought after the truck crashing incident, you were going to get better. There I went again, letting it slide. I think this is beyond what I can do now, Mom. You need help. I don't want to lose another person. I've lost a lot already, we all have."

  "I'm not happy about the way I acted that night. I feel horrible about your truck." A gathering storm of fear flashed in her eyes.

  "Then you need to do the right thing, Mom." Blaine spoke up, coming up behind him. "I'm sorry for staying away so long. Jameson, your comment about fighting and never getting the chance to resolve things … that hit me real hard right now. Mom, we haven't had the best relationship in a long time, and while we aren't going to agree on everything, I do still need you around, too. I haven't shown it much, to either of you, but that's going to change. This is a plea, from both of us, to get help. We'll be with you every step of the way. Just don't let us lose you too early." Blaine's voice was thick with emotions as her tears couldn't be stopped. Jameson grasped his big sister's hand and held on, fighting back his own strong emotions.

  He waited for a yell, for his mom to get upset, scream, something. For what seemed like the longest time, she stared back at Jameson and Blaine, her mouth open slightly. Then she looked away, slapping her hands over her forehead.

  "I really have made a mess of things, haven't I?" she whispered. Tears pooled in the corners of her eyes when she looked back up.

  "You just lost your way. We all do that, especially after a loss," Jameson said. He knew that one all too well. He still tried to piece his own feelings together after his own disastrous trail of events. "At least you still have a chance to fix things, if you start with this."

  "I'm afraid. I'm so afraid." She sobbed now, her entire body shaking.

  Blaine sat beside her on the bed and took her hands. "Mom, we both love you. Let's be a family again. I think we've been leaving everything up to Jameson for way too long."

  She'd agreed. His mom actually agreed.

  That went better than he thought it would. Much better.

  They called the doctor in and discussed the options, figuring how things would work, what they needed to do.

  Jameson and Blaine left the room after an hour.

  It felt like a large weight had been lifted off his shoulders.

  There was so much more he had to do, but at least he could feel more assured that his mom was going to be getting back on track.

  Chapter Twelve

  Melody let out her frustration in quiet sobs later that afternoon. She'd come back from the hospital with Jameson and Blaine, happy that Shelly had someone by her side. She wasn't sure what to make of her boyfriend. Shelly had become a little jittery ever since his arrival. Melody had no idea what to make of that. He did mention they'd been fighting before Shelly took off, so maybe that was it.

  The shopping had been done. Blaine and Jameson were in the kitchen putting things away and Melody heard them talking and even heard a few laughs. They were both feeling better now that their mom agreed to do something about her drinking.

  The feel of family surrounded Melody, making her long to be with her own.

  I miss you Dad and Chris. I wish I'd never let you take care of things for me. You shouldn't have had to pay the price for the man I got involved with. Where are you?

  She'd never been one for hating, but the raging near hatred-like feelings toward Anthony were strong. No, she had no concrete proof that the man did something to her family, but what else could it be? She fled the state, the house goes up in flames, and her family ends up missing a couple weeks later? No. That couldn't have been a coincidence.

  The idea of Anthony's lies and corruption made her sick to her stomach. And damn well pissed off.

  In a moment of weakness, she reached for the cordless phone and dialed her cell phone. She could check her messages. No way would it be traced, because she'd turned the phone off and hid it. Why hadn't she done this before?

  There were plenty of messages. From friends, a couple of co-workers. Automated messages that were from telemarketers. Her family knew not to call that number, so she wasn't surprised when she didn't have a message from them.

  The very last two messages made her freeze. Her heart skipped a beat as she gripped the phone.

  "Where are you, sweet Melody? Hmm? You won't get far. I have ways of finding people. You shouldn't have been there that night. To make sure you tell no one, I've taken care of some family matters for you. Bad girl. Come home, Melody, and we'll put this behind us. We'll stay together, bound by a little secret, and you'll always be mine. Haven't I been good to you, Mel? How could you betray me without even talking to me about what you think you saw?"

  That voice. It used to calm her when she heard it. She'd loved talking to him for hours on end, learning about him. Or at least, learning about the man he claimed to be. The cold blooded killer he really was never came through. She never would have guessed.

  The next message chilled her even more.

  "Say good bye, Melody. If you won't come home, I'll take what you call home from you! " There were a lot of loud sounds in the background. Yelling, Screaming, pleading. She thought she heard her dad's voice. Then a loud, disturbing sound that rang in her ears for the longest time. She managed to hit one button to save the messages, in case she had to come back to them for anything, hung up the phone and sank to the floor, wracked in sobs.

  She shouldn't have listened to them.

  Ohmygodohmygod

  Could he have really shot Dad?

  She really was going to be sick. Melody's stomach clenched. Her breaths came out on rasps. Images she'd rather not have in her mind played over and over again as the sounds repeated.

  She had to get out of here. Go somewhere, clear her head. She forced herself to stop crying, and dried her face. She hesitated before opening the door, hoping Jameson and Blaine were too busy to notice her. She couldn't hear them, and wasn't sure where either of them were.

  She made a dash for it. From the sounds of it, the two were still in the kitchen. Melody could go through the front door and get a bit of fresh air. As quick and quiet as she possibly could be, she managed to get out the front door without either of them noticing.

  The ladder still leaned against the house from when she and Jameson climbed up there. The old wood creaked underneath her weight as she darted across the front porch. Carefully walking down the steps, Melody gripped the sides of the ladder. She climbed the rungs and scrambled onto the roof. She let her feet dangle over the edge as she let the tears flow again.

  Patchy clouds hid the sun, and a cool, brisk breeze weaved through her hair, tossing it lightly. Melody pushed strands out of her face as her chest constricted with sobs.

  "Melody?"

  She gasped at the sound of Jameson's voice. She stared down at him. He frowned, jumped onto the ladder and was at her side in seconds. He pulled her to him. Cupping her face, he persuaded her to look at him.

  "What's wrong? I'm sorry. I heard the door and wasn't sure what was going on. Then I saw you up here in tears..." Jameson cradled her to him. "If you need me to leave you alone, I will, but I had to make sure you're okay."

  Melody liked this man. Way too much. He was always right there to talk to her. He had so much to deal with, but he always put it aside when she had something going on. She didn't want to lean on him, or drag him into her screwed up world.

  He knew the real reason she ran, so it was a little too late to keep him out. Damn it, why did he have to be such a great guy? At the wrong time?

  "I used your phone to make a long distance call."

  Jameson pulled away with a chuckle. "Okay. So you're crying up here because you made a long distance call? It's not the end of the world. We have long distance on our phone."

  Melody nearly laughed, but the gesture actually forced more tears out. She'd said the completely wrong thing to start off with. Yes, that did sound foolish! Crying over a
long distance phone call. If only it were that simple. Oh, if only.

  "Melody I didn't mean to make you cry more! What is it? What happened?" His tender voice curled around her heart and squeezed. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and held her close while she made an attempt to gather herself. What a mess she'd become! It seemed like she always fell apart around Jameson.

  It was a relief to have someone to cry on, even if she hated doing so. Just for awhile, it was like she had someone that cared. It took away the sting of feeling so alone and vulnerable.

  "No, it's more than that Jameson. I-" Melody calmed herself, took in a deep breath before she could talk again. "I checked my voicemails on my cell phone. I was hoping, I don't know, maybe to hear my dad's voice, or my brother's. They knew not to call my cell though, because I'd turned it off and hid it before I left. He- Anthony, left messages. The first one, well it was bad, but I could deal with it. The second- Oh God, Jameson, I think he- I think" The sobs came back again, full force. She flung her arms around Jameson. Sadness, anger and grief took over, slamming into her like strong hurricane force winds.

  "Oh, Melody. I'm sorry. I don't know what you heard, but I'm just so sorry," Jameson whispered in her hair. He held her close, rubbing his hand up and down her back as she let out every single dreadful pain out, right then and there.

  After what seemed like ages, her tears finally lessened. She lifted her head from Jameson's shoulder, sniffling. "I don't mean to drag you in all of my problems."

  Jameson smoothed her hair from her face, his blue eyes blazing with concern. "I think that goes both ways, because you've been dragged into a few of my own. It's okay. I told you from the start I want to help you. I just wish I knew what I could do."

  The softness in his voice, the way he held her, it was something. More than anyone had done in a long time. Why couldn't she have met Jameson when things weren't spinning out of control? It was going to suck big time when it came time to leave Harmony's Echo. She should have listened to her internal voice and not have allowed herself to get so attached to Jameson. It didn't help that she'd found a way to bond with him over music, and that he took her in. He'd been there, at every turn, holding her, caring.

  "I don't even know what I can do, let alone someone else," Melody admitted. Between the breezy conditions and Jameson's touch, a wave of shivers cascaded down her spine again. He tightened his hold on her. He must have thought she was cold.

  "Can you tell me what you heard?"

  "I- maybe I should just let you listen to them." She shouldn't. She should just run. Get away from Harmony's Echo and her attraction, her need to feel safe with Jameson. She shouldn't let her guard down, even with a man she felt certain if she'd let him, he'd keep her safe.

  That's what got her in trouble the last time. But there had been signs with Anthony. Hadn't there been? Or was she so naive and oblivious to the truth that she'd ignored the warning? Yes, she had looked past his family history, but she thought he was better than they were.

  That wrong judgment call threw off her entire ability to think she knew a person.

  So how could it be that she felt a pull to Jameson? There was a physical attraction. She felt it every time they touched, and the two kisses she had already shared with him proved that. That, she could chalk up to her body reacting to a man. Her mind and heart were always in battle with each other.

  There was more to it than that. And that is what was bound to get her in trouble. She would not drag Jameson down with her.

  She needed to start by distancing herself from him, right now.

  "I'm okay now, Jameson. Thank you for your concern. I don't want to keep you from what you were doing." As much as it hurt, she moved away from his touch. Hurt flashed in his eyes, but Jameson respected her space and didn't try to reach for her again. She could tell his smile was forced as he nodded.

  "I'm here for you," he said softly, then gestured at the ladder. "Ready to head back down? Or do you want some time to yourself? If you're not up for being around everyone tonight, I understand."

  There he went again. Being so sweet and understanding. It made her melt inside, and she had to fight like hell not to fall into his arms again. Oh Jameson, why do you have to be so great?

  "No, I'll come down. And it would be nice to be around you all tonight. I'm sorry. I just needed a little time to let it all out."

  Jameson faced her before climbing on the ladder. "You don't need to apologize. Just don't hesitate to come to me if you want to talk, or if you need anything."

  She could spend hours getting lost in those blue eyes. Jameson disappeared from her view. Melody followed him, rung by rung down the ladder. The roof top was a serene place to be. Much better at night, where she could stare at the stars instead of being blinded by the sun, but it helped. Especially when Jameson came up there to join her.

  There went her thoughts again, to being near him.

  Jameson Grant was lethal to her thoughts, but she liked it.

  I wish things were different. I could get used to this.

  *****

  Melody avoided him.

  From the time she pulled away on the roof, Jameson felt the distance. He sensed she felt something toward him, even beyond attraction, but she wasn't allowing herself to want to. He understood, considering her predicament. Jameson knew she wouldn't stick around long, and he cursed himself for his own feelings about her when he knew her intent was to get as far away as possible.

  When he'd found her crying last night, all he wanted to do was take her into his arms and never let go. He shouldn't have touched her or kissed her last night, but something about the woman drove him to distraction. Taking her up on the roof for a stargaze had been a great idea. Just for awhile, their problems faded away as he played on the guitar and pretended that he didn't have a care in the world.

  The doorbell rang just as Jameson pulled the first of the hamburgers off the griddle. "Are you getting that, Blaine?"

  "I'm already on it," his sister called. The door opened and he heard the sound of her squeals. Jameson moved the burgers onto a large serving plate, put a new batch on to cook and turned to see who had arrived first.

  "Oh my god, you are so big!" Blaine hugged Avery and touched her belly.

  Jameson covered his mouth and bit back a laugh. His sister sure had a way with words.

  "Wow, Blaine, that's a great first line after not seeing you for a year." Avery laughed goodnaturedly. At least Avery was used to Blaine's bluntness. "Love ya too."

  Blaine's cheeks turned beet red and she hugged Avery again. "Me and my big mouth. I'm sorry. You know how I get."

  "That I do. It's really good to see you. Welcome home." Avery waved at Jameson with a smile. "Blaine, meet my fiancé, Lucas." He'd come in behind Avery and had a grin on his face. Like Jameson, he fought hard not to laugh at the whole thing with Blaine's words.

  "It's nice to meet you." Blaine shook Lucas's hand. "Don't mind me. I don't know when to shut up sometimes. I speak before I think."

  Lucas let out a laugh. "I think we all have those moments. Don't sweat it. It's great to meet you. Hey Jameson, what can I do to help? Your sister is a hoot, by the way."

  Jameson grinned, looking up from the stove. "Yeah, she sure is. If you would, you can grab one of the card tables and some folding chairs from the garage. We're not all going to fit at the one table."

  "Consider it done." Lucas headed for the garage.

  "Hey, Mary. How are you?" Avery asked. "How do you like working at the inn?"

  So she'd come back out from her room. For awhile, she helped in the kitchen with him, but then went off by herself again. Not that he blamed her. He knew she was hurting, confused and scared. After putting another batch of finished hamburgers on the plate, he stole a glance her way. She'd changed clothes and pulled her hair back. She must have put on a touch of makeup. Her puffy eyes weren't as noticeable. She met his gaze and held it, just for a second, before breaking eye contact, giving her attention to Avery.
<
br />   "I'm loving it!" Melody's voice filled with a tinge of excitement. "Your mom and dad have been so nice to me, and I appreciate Lucas for giving me rides."

  She was good at keeping people from really knowing what she felt inside. Not that he had any room to talk, because he'd been doing the same thing ever since his dad died.

  "I miss it," Avery said wistfully. "But I know it's good to cut back. That and the place is still swarming with reporters checking in, trying to find a way to get a story."

  "I would have thought by now that they'd have let up," Jameson said.

  Avery turned her gaze to him. "I wish."

  "Jameson told me about that. I can't believe not only did you find out who your birth mother is, but someone so famous? Wow, Avery. Talk about a crazy reality," Blaine piped up.

  "Yeah, shocker for sure. I mean, come on. How often was I going on and on about her career throughout the years? Never could I have imagined..."

  Blaine laughed. "Well, we know your love of music is in the genes."

  "Speaking of, guess what? Belinda talked to Lucas and said that if I'm up to it, she wanted me to sing with her in Dallas on New Year's Eve."

  "I think she's definitely trying to connect." Lucas re-entered the dining room, a card table under one arm and a few folding chairs under the other. "It's good to see her actually trying."

  "Wow, Avery, that is neat!" Jameson grinned. She'd love it. It was something she dreamed of for years, long before knowing Belinda's relation to her.

  The doorbell rang again.

  "Ooh, more visitors." Blaine excused herself to answer the door.

  The rest of the band trickled in. The house filled with laughter and talking. Lucas set up the extra table and chairs. Food was ready after ten minutes, and Jameson let everyone know to dig in. He was one of the last to get a plate. He pulled up a seat beside Melody, who had been involved in conversation with Avery.

  He reached for her hand under the table and squeezed it. She sent a smile his way. He'd just wanted to reassure her that he was thinking about her. Jameson shifted his gaze to see what his sister was up to. She sat next to Randy. Something was up with those two. They'd been exchanging looks and smiles. Did Blaine have a thing for him before? How had he ever missed that? Randy sure never said a thing, and Blaine would never have. Interesting.