by J. M. Madden
She was nervous about tonight. She hadn’t performed without the Little River Band in five years and Tag hadn’t told her which band was stepping in to help. He said he wanted to surprise her. How was that going to work? One thing was for sure, it only made her insecurities worse.
ELEVEN
Lilah wondered if Jack and Tag were ready to go just as a knock sounded on her door. When she looked through the peephole, Jack stood on the other side. He’d showered, as evidenced by his damp hair, but he must’ve done some fast shopping, too, for he had on a different shirt and crisp denims.
When she opened her door, he joined her inside and tapped the face of his watch. “Your chariot awaits. Are you about ready?”
“Just about. What do you think?” She twirled, seeking his approval.
“Wow,” he said, standing back giving her a once over. “You look like a million bucks. They won’t know what hit ‘em.”
She sat on the bed and patted the mattress next to her. “We have a few minutes, yet. Let’s talk.”
“You’re not backing out are you?”
“No, not for tonight, but I want to ask your opinion about something important.”
“Sure, what’s up?”
“Talking to you last night stirred up a bunch of old feelings that hadn’t seen the light of day in years.”
“Sorry.”
“No, don’t get me wrong, I’m not upset about that. They couldn’t stay buried forever. While I thrive on the energy and the hustle bustle of performing, I’m tired of keeping everything together.
“Thing is, I’m now doubting myself and the decisions I’ve made in the past. I want to know if there’s a better life out there. What am I missing?”
“Sooner or later, we all go through this. If we’re lucky we find the answers we’re searching for.”
“Did you?
“That’s why I stopped ridin’ bulls. In addition to my body giving out on me, I got tired of never being home. I re-evaluated what Nessa and Callie meant to me and then after Nessa got sick, I knew I’d made the right decision.” He leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees slanting his gaze at her. “Think about it this way, Lilah, if you weren’t singing, what would you do?”
“That’s the scary part, I’m not sure.” She hesitated, wondering if she should continue, but she’d always heard, in for a penny, in for a pound. She may as well throw her thought out there and see how fast it came back at her. “The last few days, being with Tara and Riley and you and Callie, I’ve wondered, if I left anything in Mistletoe, Texas.”
“I can’t answer that for you, except to say, you’ve brought a bright spot to our little town, or at least to my corner of it. You should know I’ve followed you and your career for the last couple of years. What I didn’t read in the headlines, Tara kept me up on.
“I’ll admit you’ve awakened feelings I thought I’d laid to rest when my wife died.” He slipped his arm around her shoulders, kissed her cheek, and whispered, "I can’t tell you what you need to do. I do, however, think there’s something between us that deserves further exploration."
His warm breath tickled her ear and shot a delicious shiver down her spine. She scrunched her shoulders and started to answer him, when his mouth covered hers in a kiss reminiscent of the one they’d shared at his house. In the hall. Against the wall.
She was still struggling to breathe when her phone announced a text message. Pushing away slightly, her heart hammering in her ears, she groaned against his lips. When she read the message, she grinned and showed Jack the picture sent from Tara. “It’s a girl”
Jack chuckled. “Well deserved, I’d say.”
She texted back their congratulations, then told him, “Time to go.”
* * *
Billy Bob’s Texas took Jack back to the days he’d frequented dance halls and bars while on the rodeo circuit. The air was super charged with the energy and excitement of New Year’s Eve. People had topped their various forms of western attire with party hats and streamers. Horns and noise makers competed with jukeboxes, and balloons were tied to chairs, tables and railings.
As he followed Tag to the place where Lilah would perform, he passed crowded dance floors and people standing three deep around the mechanical bull arena.
Tag had coaxed a local favorite, Phil Carr and The Pair-A-Dice Gambler Band, to play with Lilah tonight. They were well known around the state by anyone familiar with country music.
Tag asked Jack, “Think she’ll be pleased?”
“I do believe she’ll be smiling for at least a week.”
Tag went on the main stage where they were setting up their guitars, drums, keyboard, and amps, and shook hands with each one. “Phil, boys, thank you for helping us out.”
“Sure,” Phil said. “Lilah’s a special lady. I’m glad we were available.”
“On the way down here, she made a play list for tonight. Did you get a chance to look it over?”
“Yeah. We’ve played most of them once or twice before, so it shouldn’t be a problem.”
“Good. Phil, this here’s Jack McCommas, a friend from Lilah’s hometown.”
Jack shook hands with the musician and saw Lilah walking onto the stage.
She joined them, speaking excitedly to the band leader, “Oh my gosh, Phil, I just heard you and your band are going to be on stage with me. If I can’t have my guys, there’s no one else I’d rather have backing me up.”
“I’m glad we were open.” He pointed to the right side of the stage. “I thought we’d play your trademark opening number. About a third of the way through, I’ll introduce you then you’ll come out and sing it to the end.”
“Yes, perfect. By the way, I have a minor addition to the play list. Are you okay with that?”
Phil took the sheet music she offered and, with a grin, said, “That’s a great song.”
After a while, Jack took his seat at a table in the audience along with Tag and a couple other people introduced to him as Lilah’s manager, Connor Hill and Jessie Duke. He noticed, as he drank his beer, that people steadily filed into the room until there wasn’t one empty seat. He didn’t know how large a turn out Lilah was expecting, but the sight made him happy for her.
The lights dimmed and the band started playing. As promised, the volume lowered and Phil began his introduction.
“Our guest tonight comes to us by way of a snowbank outside Mistletoe, Texas by way of Nashville, Tennessee. Through the years, she’s twice received the award for Entertainer of the Year, and her albums top the charts. Put your hands together for Miss Lilah Canfield!”
In full performance mode, she came onto the stage, microphone in hand, and finished the introductory song in a duet with Phil. They worked through the set of favorite songs she’d selected this afternoon while they were being helicoptered into Fort Worth. The audience offered up resounding rounds of applause after she finished each one.
As the band played the chorus of the last song in the background, Lilah handed Phil her guitar. She gazed over the crowd, smiled and said, “Wow, this has been a day hasn't it? Actually, it’s been a week for me. Don’t look now, but I think the snow followed us down here.
“I can't thank Phil Carr and his Pair-A-Dice Gambler Band enough for standing in for the Little River Band and doing a fantastic job tonight. And a huge thank you to y’all for letting us play a few tunes. What a way to usher out the old year!
“Now, if you’ll allow me, before we ring in the New Year, I’d like to sing a song for a very special friend in the audience. It’s a favorite of mine, and especially meaningful tonight. I hope you enjoy “The Heart Won’t Lie.”
Jack listened closely as she sang directly to him, pouring her heart out with the words of the song. His own heart was doing cartwheels and he forced himself to settle down and listen closely as the song reached the end.
“You try to live your life from day to day
But seeing you across the room tonight
Just gives
me away
‘Cause the heart won’t lie
Sometimes life gets in the way
But there’s one thing that won’t change
I know I’ve tried
The heart won’t lie
You can live your alibi
Who can see you’re lost inside
A foolish disguise
The heart won’t lie
The heart won’t lie”
When the song was over, Lilah took her bow, and let Phil and his band do the same. When the applause subsided, she said, “I can’t thank y’all enough for letting me be here tonight, I had so much fun singing a few tunes for you. I’m going to get off here, now, and let someone else finish the evening with you and help ring in the New Year. Please welcome the next chart climber, Jessie Duke!”
She left the stage and made her way over to where Jack sat. She hugged Tag, and smiled at Connor who gave her a thumbs up.
Jack turned to her when she sat in Jessie’s chair. “You looked great up there on the stage. You came alive connecting with your fans.”
“Thank you.”
“Watching you perform, I made a decision.”
“You did, did you?”
“You are going to keep singing and, if you’ll have us, Callie and I will move to Nashville to keep you company.”
“I’m not sure I know what you’re saying, Jack.” She folded her arms and leaned on the table, facing him straight on.
“Lilah Canfield,” he said, taking her hand in his. “I’m asking you to marry me.”
“Jack, are you sure?”
“Babe, I've never been so sure of anything in my life.”
“Wow, I’d say we were two great minds, but I’m not sure I have one anymore.” She grinned at him. “I’d planned on telling you I’d decided to give up singing and move back to Mistletoe to be with you and Callie.”
“Well, that’s just crazy because the stage is where you need to be.”
“But I—”
He didn’t want any more resistance from her, so he said, “How about this, then, we’ll live in Nashville for a while and see how it goes. If you decide you still want to give up this life, we’ll come home.”
As the countdown to the New Year started, Lilah beamed a smile at Jack. “Yes, Jack McCommas, I’ll marry you, and as far as performing goes, we’ll play it by ear.”
EPILOGUE
MISTLETOE, TEXAS, NEW YEAR’S EVE, ONE YEAR LATER
Carrying a stack of plates into the dining room, Lilah McCommas set them on the table with the glasses, silverware and napkins. As she walked back into the kitchen, she recognized familiar sounds.
Tara’s voice carried from the mud room. “Here Riley, you carry the diaper bag and give me the baby. She needs to show off for Aunt Lilah.”
Lilah pulled out a chair and sat waiting for them to come in.
“Ready or not here we come. Aunt Lilah are you home?” Tara entered the kitchen with her one year old daughter, Amye, holding onto her finger.
“Hi! There’s the birthday girl.” Holding out her hands, she coaxed the little girl over to her. “Come on, come see me.”
Riley followed close behind, dropping the bag just inside the door. He headed straight for the chips and bowl of dip. “Are Jack and Callie back from Amarillo yet?”
“No. I expect them soon, though. Jason, Tucker, and Pete were due to land over an hour ago.”
“Cool. Where’re they staying while they’re here?”
“With Tag.” She bounced Amye on her knee. “He’s gotten the coach all set up behind the barn.”
“I still can’t believe y’all are finally back here from Nashville for good,” Tara said. “I keep pinching myself to make sure I’m not dreaming.”
“Except for the summer months, we’re living here full time. Jack’s going to build a studio so I can record during the rest of the year without having to go to Nashville.”
“Of course you’ll let me know when anybody famous shows up.” Tara waggled her eyebrows then reached over, took the dip loaded chip from Riley’s hand and popped it into her mouth. “Did you get the master bedroom finished like you wanted?”
“Hey,” he complained with mock protest.
Lilah shook her head in amusement at the banter between her best friends. “Yes, you’ll be the first to know and, yes, the new bedspread looks much better with the Southwest design. I haven’t yet convinced Callie to let go of the Zebra.”
“She will.” When Amye started to fuss, Tara took her from Lilah. “Come on baby girl. Why don’t you take a nap so you’ll be ready for birthday cake later?”
“I have the Pack’n Play set up in the bedroom next to Callie’s. Let me know what you think about the changes I’ve made in there.”
There’d been so many changes since last New Year’s Eve and the snow storm catastrophe. True to his word, Jack and Callie had moved into her home in Nashville. Together with Connor Hill, she’d gotten her music career back on top in spite of Chase and Charley’s attempt to sideline her. They’d received word last week that Chase had received probation for his part and Charley was back at her old job at Nail Express. Topping off the year, she’d won Entertainer of the Year a third time.
Lilah got up and stirred the peas then opened the oven door. After sliding in the ham, she added the sweet potatoes and closed the door. She’d just set the timer when the rest of her crew flooded through the back door.
Callie, a big girl of nine now, grabbed the box from the shelf and started to work on the mac and cheese. She’d completely mastered the microwave over the summer and prepared the macaroni to cook.
“Don’t forget to wash your hands, Doodle.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Jack pushed past the Little River Band members, Tag and Riley to put a brown paper sack in the freezer. “Lucky there’s no snow this year to slow our trip. We made good time.”
“That’s good, and you remembered the ice cream.” Lilah hugged him and smiled. It was thirty degrees outside and she’d been craving ice cream of all things.
He placed the flat of his palm over her belly and the barely noticeable bump. Grinning, he said, “Got you two all stocked up for a few days.”
About that time, Tara ran into the room squealing. “You’re pregnant? When are you due and why haven’t you told me before now?”
“I just found out for sure yesterday. The baby’s due in June.”
Tag walked over, kissed Lilah on the cheek and put a couple of six packs of beer in the fridge. “Yep, I’m going to be a gramps.”
Meg closed the cafe early and joined them in time for dinner.
When they’d eaten their fill, everyone chipped in to put away leftovers and clean the kitchen in record time.
Lilah made herding motions with her arms. “Come on everyone, it’s almost midnight. Let’s move into the den.”
Lilah had left up the Christmas tree when she heard everyone would be here.
Callie knelt by the tree and pointed out the decorations spread beneath. “See, I put cotton under the tree and made it snow. And Lilah and I put a house, barn, animals, and a Santa in a sleigh. That’s supposed to be our place. Daddy added the little RV along the edge to look like it was buried in the snow.”
Looking around the room Lilah realized she had to be the luckiest woman on the planet. She had the life she’d always wanted with her career, her husband, Jack, daughter, Callie, and a baby on the way. Tag, Tara, Riley, and baby Amye were all close by and the boys would be here between tours. Her family.
As they counted down the seconds, she gathered Callie closer and pulled Jack’s arms around them. When the clock on the mantle struck midnight, Lilah’s world was complete.
She finally had her “Happy New Year.”
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ALSO BY CARRA COPELIN
Texas Code Series
CODE OF HONOR, Book One
Brides of Texas Code Series Novellas
KATIE AND THE IRISH TEXAN, Book One
MATELYN AND THE TEXAS RANGER, Book Two
ANGEL AND THE TEXAN FROM COUNTY CORK, Book Three
Texas Holidays Short Stories
A SANTA FOR CHRISTMAS
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
This book is dedicated to new beginnings and
to my brother, Phil Carr, one of the most talented musicians I know.
A special thank you to my critique partners and beta readers.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
I write contemporary and historical romances but, unlike so many other authors, I didn't write from childhood or read long into the night beneath the covers with a flashlight. I found romance novels as an adult. After reading about a million, I discovered numerous people residing in my head, all looking for a way onto the printed page.
I'm a member of Romance Writers of America and serve as President of Yellow Rose Romance Writers, plus I'm a regular contributor to the blogs, Smart Girls Read Romance and Sweethearts of the West.
My husband and I live in North Central Texas, in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex where we enjoy our family and grandchildren. In addition to writing and researching, I enjoy my Bridge group, crochet, and tracking down our relatives through genealogy.
OVERCOME
By
Jenna Bennett
SUMMARY
The last thing Carmen Fuentes wants, is another encounter with a rapist.