by LuAnn McLane
“Sometimes when I’m listening to classic rock and one of Rick’s old-school head-banging songs comes on, it’s hard for me to picture him in leather and all that spiky-ass hair. And you’re right—it is wild that he’s living in Cricket Creek married to a real estate agent. Crazy sauce.”
“Somebody say crazy sauce?” Rick asked when he walked toward them. “Snake, reach in there and toss me a beer.”
“Comin’ right up.”
Rick deftly caught the beer and cracked it open. After guzzling some of it he looked at them. “You’re not gonna believe what I’m about to tell you.”
Jeff gripped his can so hard he thought he might crush it.
“And before I tell you, I want this to stay right here—well, within your band anyway. This can’t get leaked to the public.”
Jeff and Snake nodded.
“Pete Sully had a tape of you and Cat singing ‘Jackson’ sent to Shane McCray,” Rick said to Jeff. “He was blown away and he wants Sweet Harmony to open for his farewell tour along with South Street Riot.”
“That’s amazing,” Jeff said.
“There’s more,” Rick said. “And this is when you’re going to have to keep this under your hat. Maria called in a favor and asked if Shane will kick off his tour with a little sneak preview at Sully’s outdoor stage. It will be filmed as a teaser for the tour.”
“More crazy sauce,” Snake said slowly and looked over at Jeff.
“He also likes Jeff Greenfield and South Street Riot. He wants you to do ‘Outta My Mind with Lovin’ You’ and a few more songs.”
“How will that work? Is Cat going to keep her career separate and do a song with me here and there?” Jeff didn’t like the idea of going on the road for months on end while they did their own thing. No, this wasn’t the solution he wanted.
“You have to talk to Cat about that part and work things out,” Rick replied.
Jeff angled his head at Rick. “So you already know what she’s decided?”
“Yeah.” He nodded slowly. “You really need to talk to her face-to-face.”
Jeff felt a little flash of anger. He was damned tired of her making decisions without him. “That’s kind of hard to do since she skipped town.”
Rick nodded up toward Cat’s cabin. “She should be arriving home in a few minutes. Hopefully you two can work this out.”
Snake pushed up from the railing. “That’s my cue to go too. Rick, would you mind driving me home? I’ve had a few.”
“No problem. I’m glad you asked.”
Snake walked over and clamped Jeff on the shoulder. “If you need to talk or anything, call me, okay?”
Jeff nodded. “Thanks. I will,” he said and then extended his hand to Rick. “This is amazing news. I can’t thank you enough for everything you do.”
“It’s for the love of music but it goes deeper than that. I care about all of you. And so does Maria. We want what’s best for you as artists but as people too. Never forget that we are in your corner no matter what.”
“I won’t,” Jeff promised. He stood there for a minute after they left and tried to process all of what Rick had just told him. He loved Cat more than he thought possible but he also knew that decisions needed to be made together. Otherwise this wasn’t going to work.
Staring at the ground, he let out a sigh, and when he looked up he saw headlights.
Cat was home.
26
Silly Love Songs
WHILE DEEP IN THOUGHT ABOUT LYRICS TO A NEW SONG, Cat opened the hatch of her SUV and reached for her suitcase handle.
“Can I help you with that?”
“Eeek!” Startled, Cat backpedaled but forgot to let go of the suitcase handle. She stumbled and, feeling an odd sense of déjà vu, let go and braced herself for the impact, but Jeff dove forward and, like a linebacker in a football game, tackled the suitcase just before it slammed into her legs.
Wow. That was impressive. Wide eyed, she watched Jeff land on top of the luggage. He grunted, then rolled to the left and tumbled into the grass. “Well, that hurt like hell. You really need to stop packing bricks.”
“Jeff!” Cat ran over and knelt down beside him. “Are you okay?”
“Define okay,” he said with a slight grin.
“Okay as in, is anything broken?”
He blinked up at her for a moment. “Only my damned heart, Cat.” With a groan, Jeff sat up and looked at her.
“Oh, Jeff.” She glanced away.
“Are you ever going to include me in these decisions you keep making? I think my vote should count for something.”
She reached out and put her hand on his cheek. “I’m so sorry.”
Jeff closed his eyes and then let out a sharp sigh. “Seriously, Cat. You have to talk to me. Don’t keep me in the dark.”
“Yeah, I hate the dark,” she tried to joke, but he didn’t even crack a smile. “Let’s go inside.”
“Good idea.” Jeff nodded and then glared at the suitcase before picking it up.
Trembling fingers made unlocking the door a task until he took pity upon her and did it for her. Cat had rehearsed what she was going to say to Jeff all the way from Mia’s, but butterflies in her stomach were making her forget the entire speech. She was going to have to wing it, which was nothing new, but still …
Cat flicked on the light and then turned to Jeff. Her smile trembled a bit. “Can I get you anything?”
“Just an explanation will do.”
“Okay, well, I need a bottle of water. Have a seat on the sofa and I’ll join you in a second,” she said and then headed into the kitchen. She took a swig of water, letting the cold liquid slide down her dry throat, and then joined him on the sofa. While trying to piece together her scattered thoughts, she grabbed a pillow and hugged it to her chest while playing with the gold fringe.
“You can start anytime now.”
“I love you.” She put a hand over her eyes and then peeked through her fingers at him. “That part was supposed to come last but I had to say it. You know, to break the ice.” When he didn’t respond, she continued. “Not that broken ice is always a good thing, I guess. There was that time when I was ice-skating—”
“Cat, I love you too,” Jeff gently interrupted. “But that doesn’t fix everything. We need to talk, communicate. Look, I understand what you did and why you did it. Snake said that you overheard Jax and Colin arguing. I get that you were trying to make my life easier and your selfless act blows me away. But it’s not the answer. Running away is never the answer.”
“Unless you’re being chased by a bear. Then run away. Or is it play dead?” Cat knew her jokes were an attempt to mask her nervousness, but she couldn’t stop herself.
Jeff reached over and cupped her chin. “But you weren’t being chased by anything.”
Cat looked at him with serious eyes. “But I was, Jeff. I was being chased by fear. I didn’t want to burst into your life and wreck your dreams and all that you’ve been working toward. I didn’t want to come between you and your best friends. I couldn’t be that girl.”
“So what’s the answer? Having separate careers? Cat, I wouldn’t be able to stand being gone from you for weeks, or even days on end for that matter. I’ve looked up at this cabin a million times watching for you to come home. You know what Snake said? He said that we could win a damned Grammy and it wouldn’t make me happy if you weren’t in my life.” He rubbed his thumb over her bottom lip. “And he’s right. Now talk to me. Please.”
Cat put her hand to her mouth when she was hit with a wave of emotion. She knew she had to keep her tears at bay in order to tell him everything that needed to be said. “When I sang at the wedding this weekend …” She had to pause and swallow hot tears welling up in her throat. “Some things became clear to me. Kelly, the bride, is fighting cancer. She had no idea I’d be singing when she walked down the aisle. I will remember the joy on her face as long as I live. Jeff, her hair was just growing back in and she was so thin and frail, bu
t I’d never seen anyone as beautiful or radiant. Or happy. And who knows how long she has with her amazing husband? Will she live to have his babies? Be a grandma?” Cat put her hand to her chest and swallowed. “And then it hit me … hard and all at once.”
Jeff reached over and took her hand. “Tell me, baby.”
“I realized that I miss my charity work so much. It means more to me than performing. I want to bring happiness in the form of music to those battling cancer. Whether it’s at a wedding or prom or in a hospital room, I want to heal and help if only for a little bit. I want to call it Sweet Harmony. I’ll get other artists on board and make it happen.”
“I love that idea.”
Cat smiled and leaned her cheek into his palm. “Rick and Maria are on board with it too. My Way Records will play a big part in the project.”
“Rick and Maria are amazing people.”
“You’re right. I was so thrilled with their response. And I hope to get my parents involved so I can keep them home, maybe even get them to move to Cricket Creek.”
“I know you must miss them.”
“And that’s not all. Jeff, after writing with Maria I know that’s where my real love of music lies. Songwriting. I think I’ve always known that.”
“Wait… .” Jeff frowned. “So you don’t want to tour?”
“Yes, with you, but I’ll get to that part in a minute.” She bit her bottom lip. “But first, I have a confession to make.”
“Okay.”
With her heart pounding Cat tossed the pillow aside and scooted around to face him. “I … I spent the day with your mother yesterday. At your family farm.”
Jeff’s eyes widened. “You did?”
“She gave me a tour on a big green tractor and at one point let me drive, which was a mistake because I almost ran into a fence post—but I’m getting sidetracked. Sara came over with little Katie and I held her. And, well, I want babies.” She gave him a shy smile. “Your babies.”
“I’m glad you clarified that part,” Jeff said and she laughed.
But then Cat looked over at the stone fireplace, swallowed, gathered her courage, and turned to him. “And I told your mother that I wanted your babies—like, blurted it out like I do sometimes.” She looked up at the ceiling and shook her head. “And then wanted to die—well, not die, but have a trapdoor open up and swallow me. Or maybe have a giant pterodactyl swoop down and carry me away. You get the picture.”
Jeff laughed. “So what did Mom say?”
“That I needed to marry you first and then I said okay, I like that idea.” Cat inhaled a deep breath. “And then Sara and your mom laughed. And so did little Katie, even though she didn’t know why.”
“Did Mom say anything else?”
Cat gave him a soft smile. “She said that you told her you loved me.”
“I did.” He shook his head. “Knowing you, Sara, and my mother, I can actually picture this happening.” Jeff shook his head. “I knew the three of you would get along. And be trouble. Looks like Katie is going to be following in her mother’s footsteps. So then what?”
“Sara said I should do it. Apparently you Greenfield boys are a little bit slow on the uptake when it comes to asking your girl to marry you.”
Jeff chuckled. “Sara speaks her mind. She was instrumental in bringing Reid and Addison together. They are true steel magnolias. Beautiful, strong Southern women.”
Cat shook her head in wonder. “Yeah, the fake wedding that was real … I’ll never forget it. I couldn’t believe that something as crazy as that could be pulled off.”
“Only in Cricket Creek.” Jeff shrugged. “I was so bummed when you left and didn’t stay for the reception. I wanted a slow dance with you,” he added with a chuckle.
“Really? Well, I remember you looking so handsome in your tuxedo.” Cat nibbled on her lip for a moment and then said in a rush, “And speaking of that … Jeff Greenfield, will you marry me?”
Jeff stopped in midchuckle. “Cat … are you … Wait—are you serious?”
“For once in my life, yes. Totally. Will. You. Marry. Me?” Her heart pounded so hard that she thought she might pass out and not hear his answer.
“Yes.”
“Yes?”
“Um, hell yes.”
“He said yes!” Cat jumped up and spun around in a graceful move.
“That was beautiful.”
“I have my moments. Well, not many, but that’s what makes them special.”
“Every moment with you is special, Cat.”
“You say that now,” she said and then tossed her head back and laughed with pure delight. She smiled and held out her hands to him.
Jeff took her hands in his and pulled her into his arms. And then he kissed her over and over until she was breathless and giddy with happiness.
“I love you, Cat Carson. And I want to marry you.”
“Well, this is good news because Sara is already planning a big barn wedding. It’s such a gorgeous setting.”
“You will be a stunning bride.”
“I just hope I don’t trip or something.”
“I’ll catch you if you fall.” He pulled her in for another long kiss. “I’ll always be there for you. You know that, right?”
Cat nodded.
Jeff suddenly angled his head sideways. “Wait. I have to ask you something.”
“Okay.”
“So were you with Mia earlier when I called?”
“Yes—and she told you things she shouldn’t have, and I kept kicking her, but Mia can’t be stopped when she is on a mission.”
She scooted to face him and then sat cross-legged. “Since moving here to Cricket Creek and living out here in this cabin, I started to feel a sense of peace like I’ve never known before. You see, when I was a child I was kidnapped.”
“Oh, Cat,” he said as he reached out and took her hands in his. “Dear God.”
“I don’t remember really, only that I was in a dark and scary place, most likely the trunk of a car. I … I still get a sick feeling sometimes when I smell exhaust fumes.”
“And the fear of the dark.” He squeezed her hands. “God …”
“My mother told me that she prayed and prayed for my safe return, telling God that she would devote her life to good works if I was returned to my parents unharmed.”
Jeff reached up and wiped a tear from her cheek with his thumb.
“Understandably, they became overprotective and my childhood was sheltered.”
“Ah, that’s why you watched the Cubs on television rather than go to the games.”
Cat nodded. “I was always dropped off and picked up from school and I was never allowed to stay the night with anyone. So I developed a love of reading and music, being on my own so much. It wasn’t until I found out that I could make people laugh that I came out of my shell. And then it wasn’t until I met Mia at a charity event that I rebelled and started traveling and seeing the world with her. College wasn’t for me but I knew I wanted to sing and, well, you know the rest of the story.”
“So, Cat, what now?”
“We get married in that big red barn and live happily ever after.”
“Well, that’s a good plan.”
“I thought so.”
“But surely you’re not going to quit singing?”
“Jeff, I really love singing with you. I want to perform with you but on a more limited basis. Release a single here and there. Pick and choose our songs together carefully. I want to travel with you on the Shane McCray farewell tour and perform and write songs, but I want to take a big step back from the limelight and leave time to raise a family someday. When we record something together I want it to be something amazing.”
He nodded.
“And I want to do the charity work that I’ve missed so much.” She raised her hands up in the air. “Like that Keith Urban song, ‘I just want a little bit of everything.’” She looked at him and smiled softly. “So how do you feel about all of this?”
/>
“I think having it all is a very sweet plan.”
“Sometimes I surprise myself in my infinite wisdom.”
“So do you want to hear my plan?”
Cat leaned closer and wrapped her arms around him. “Yes.”
“I want to make you happy. Everything else is just gravy.”
“I like your plan. In fact, I think it’s the best plan ever in the whole history of plans.”
“I had a feeling you would.” Jeff smiled but then his eyes turned serious. “I told my mother what was going on with the band and how much I love you. She advised me to choose the path that means the most to me. You mean the most to me, Cat. I don’t want love to just be in the songs that I sing but in the life that I live.”
“Just no sad songs, then, okay?”
“Okay.” Jeff pulled her into his arms. “Just silly love songs, like the Paul McCartney song.”
“Oh, there’s nothing silly about love songs. In fact, I think we should write one together.” Cat tilted her head up for a kiss. “But first, I need a little inspiration.”
“And you will get it.” He gave her a soft, lingering kiss. “I plan on loving you today, tomorrow, and always.”
“That’s all the inspiration I’ll ever need.”
Epilogue
And I Love Her
JEFF PACED BACK AND FORTH BACKSTAGE UNTIL SNAKE grabbed him by the arm. “Would you pul-ease stop that?”
“I can’t,” Jeff answered. “I’m too damned nervous.”
“Jeff, Cat already said yes,” Colin reminded him, and the rest of the band nodded in agreement.
“No … I said yes. This is different.” Jeff reached into his jeans pocket for the millionth time and touched the felt box. “We decided not to make our engagement official until I had a ring, but she has no idea I’m going to do this today.”