by Sonya Clark
“I don’t think he’s like that.” She handed her half-empty beer bottle to Megan. “But I guess I’m about to find out.” She didn’t wait for a reply.
Wade stood in the middle of a group of people. Daisy reconsidered briefly, then decided to get it over with. She hated feeling obligated to anyone. She marched right up to him through the group and lightly touched his elbow.
He stopped mid-sentence and smiled at her. “Hi.”
Her stomach plummeted down to her feet and she blanked for a moment. “Uh, hey. Can I talk to you for a minute?” Then she remembered there were others present. “I’m sorry to interrupt.” She looked around vaguely to include all of them in her apology without having to actually make eye contact. Her cheeks were hot and she knew she had to be blushing.
“That’s fine.” He pointed at a stretch of privacy fence with no one around. “How about we go talk over there?”
Daisy opened her mouth to speak but the words dried in her throat. One of the women in the group was giving her a look she was long familiar with. It was a look that said, you’re trash and everyone here knows it. Daisy clapped her mouth shut, seething inwardly. She let Wade lead her away, tossing her hair over her shoulder with one hand. Stuck up bitches like that didn’t hate her because they thought she was trash. They hated her because their husbands watched her ass as she walked away.
Once they were alone Wade said, “I can find some chairs if you want.”
“Sitting on the grass is fine.” She did just that, cross-legged with her back to the wooden fence.
Wade followed suit, stretching his legs out in front of him. “Thank you for getting me away from that. I’ve got nothing against lawyers and county commissioners and the like, but hell if I know what to talk about with them.”
Daisy thought about that for a moment. “I like to watch Jillian talk to people. I think it’s amazing that she can talk to people like them and get along, and then talk to people like me and still be nice.”
“What do you mean by that? People like you?”
She felt the weight of his gaze on her and couldn’t meet it. “I’m just some nobody barmaid.” A knot rose in her throat, made of insecurity and fear. “Look, I didn’t want to talk about myself. Not like this. I wanted to thank you.”
He looked away. “Thank me for what?”
“I hear you’re the reason I got my job back. Thank you for that.”
“You’re welcome.”
The breeze blew some of her hair into her face. She batted it away. “I mean, this is a big deal for me. It’s not easy to find a new job, especially around here.”
“Daisy.”
“I know that I owe you. I don’t know what you expect.” She closed her eyes, wishing she could take that back. It sounded too close to an accusation and he hadn’t done anything to deserve that. “I just mean. Shit.”
“Can I tell you why I did it?”
“Sure, yeah. I am pretty curious how you can play this little hometown bar all summer. What did that take?”
He laughed. “Not much, just getting fired from my last gig. My manager’s been worried about me so she’d been booking me on fewer dates here lately. Then I got fired and she told me to take the summer off. Do something that would help me pull my head out of my ass.”
“She sounds tough.”
“Y’all have that in common.” What she’d already labeled his heartbreaker smile flashed across his face, a lightning strike of heat and beauty. “You’d like each other. So when I went to Randy about your job, he got it out of me pretty easy just how much free time I was looking at.”
“Why did you go to him at all? It’s not like you know me.”
He drew his legs up and rested his hands on his knees. “I used to drink real heavy. I wasn’t so much an alcoholic as just an idiot. I’ve been doing better but I screw up sometimes. Drink too much or just act like an ass even when I’m sober. I’ve been out on the road so much for so long, I think maybe I don’t know how to treat people anymore. When you think, well, hell, I’m never gonna see this person again, it’s easier to be the worst version of yourself.” He looked at her as if waiting for reproach.
She had none for him. “You weren’t exactly Prince Charming, but if that’s the worst version of yourself, maybe you’re not doing as bad as you think.”
The shadows in his eyes clouded over with emotions she couldn’t name. She found herself wanting to, though. She wanted to know him well enough to read the look in his eyes. But that seemed preposterous and she shook the impulse away.
Wade said, “I’m just tired of my screw-ups hurting other people. There was a way for me to fix this one, so I did.”
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” He was quiet for a while. “So you don’t have a favorite country singer?”
Daisy gave a nervous laugh. “I don’t know country music.” She didn’t want to insult him after he’d been so honest with her, but the truth was more like, she hated country music.
“We’re going to be working at Rocky Top together all summer. I can teach you about country music, everything you need to know.”
“Oh, God, please don’t.” She laughed again.
“I promise you, by the end of this summer, you will know about country music and you will have a favorite country singer.”
“I don’t want to learn about country music. It’s just not for me.”
“Now, that right there is lesson number one. Country music is for everybody. It’s not just for rural folks, or southerners, or those suburban soccer moms who like it so much now. It’s for everybody. And it’s for everybody because it’s about everybody. It’s about people. Their real lives. The good stuff and the hard stuff and the things you don’t want to talk about with anybody. It’s honest and straightforward and sometimes really fucking brutal.”
He paused, as if he realized what he’d been saying. “I’m sorry for my language, I didn’t think.”
Daisy raised her eyebrows. “Do I seem like a delicate flower to you? I can handle a little swearing.”
“I don’t know about delicate but your name is Daisy.”
Awareness simmered between them, light and airy as butterflies but very much present. Daisy studied him as he turned his face up to the sun. His eyes were half-closed against the brightness, tiny lines spreading from the corners. She wanted to trace those lines with her fingertip but didn’t dare.
Wade shifted to face her. “You opening tonight?”
She shook her head. “Closing. Josh has a date.” She rolled her eyes. “Plus he can’t balance the receipts right. Somebody always has to go in after him and fix it.”
“Hi, guys,” said an overly chipper voice.
Daisy looked up to see Megan. “Hi.”
“So, I just thought I’ve come over and get my bestie to introduce the big country music star, while a guy from the Brittain Leader takes pictures of my ass instead of the two of you sitting here all cozy.”
Wade and Daisy scrambled to their feet. Daisy made quick introductions. Wade said, “Nice to meet you, Megan. Thanks for the heads-up.”
“Sorry I didn’t spot him sooner.”
“That’s okay,” Daisy said, flustered and disappointed.
Wade didn’t look exactly thrilled either, though she had no idea what he was thinking. Was he upset to have his picture taken with her? Or was he disappointed that their conversation ended so soon, as she was? He reached her for then drew his hand back before touching her. “I better go mingle. It’s been a long time since I was home for more than a day or two, I should talk to folks.”
“Yeah.” Daisy nodded. “You definitely should go talk to people.”
“I’ll see you tonight.” Wade lingered for an awkward moment then walked away.
Megan leaned close to Daisy. “Smitten kitten.”
“Am not.” Daisy pushed the shorter woman away.
Megan laughed. “Don’t lie to me. You’re about two steps away from giving him your spank
me big daddy face.”
“Ugh!” Daisy slapped at Megan, who jumped out range. “I do not have a face like that.”
“Every woman has a face like that. Just admit it. You want to save a horse and ride that cowboy.”
Daisy raised a hand with the palm facing Megan. “I can’t talk to you when you’re like this.” Then she fled to the sound of her friend’s laughter.
Chapter 11
Wade finished his last set at midnight. He didn’t have to stay until closing at one, but he was in no hurry to leave. The crowd had been lively with lots of requests. Several tables had been moved to make room for a small dance floor, something he’d always enjoyed singing in front of. Even after a full day and two hour-long sets, energy still crackled and bounced through his body. This night definitely went in the good column.
He busied himself tidying up the stage as the minutes crawled closer to one o’clock. Not that it was much to do, just wind up the cables and cords and push the amp and mic stand to the back. He stowed his guitar in its case and left it propped against the wall with his hat on top.
Ronisha announced last call. The kitchen closed at midnight so some of the cook staff were already beginning to straggle out. Toby, the busboy he’d given a ride to the night before, came out the back and headed for the front door.
Wade said, “You got a ride this time?”
Toby opened the door and peered out. “Yeah, he’s here this time. Thanks.”
“Good night.” Wade climbed onto a bar stool and grinned at Ronisha. “You know what I’d really like right about now?”
“You’re scaring me.” She didn’t look scared at all.
“A cup of hot tea. Warm drinks are good for the vocal chords and mine need a little TLC right now.”
“Are you for real?”
“A nice cup of herbal tea, not too hot, just right. It’s the perfect thing for a night like this.”
“And here I thought tequila was more your speed.”
“I’m trying to clean up my act, remember?”
Daisy returned from the secondary dining room, making her way slowly to the bar. Wade watched her progress with undisguised interest.
Ronisha leaned over and said in low voice, “And if you happen to impress a certain blond, all the better, huh, cowboy?”
Wade winked and placed a finger over his lips. “Hey, Daisy, do you know if there’s any herbal tea around here anywhere?”
“Walmart. Maybe Kroger.” She climbed onto a stool, dumped her tips on the bar and began to straighten and count the bills. To Ronisha she said, “That last table is gone. Go ahead and turn off the sign.”
“You want me to stay or you got this?”
“I got this, go on.” Daisy looked up. “Hey, did Toby get a ride?”
“Yeah, and Alonzo just finished up in the back.” The other waitresses had left at midnight. “See you Monday.”
“Tuesday. I’m off Monday.”
Ronisha gathered her things. As she passed him on her way to the door she eyed Wade. “How about you, cowboy?”
“I think I’ll stay, make sure Daisy gets to her car safe and sound.”
Daisy said, “It’s one o’clock in the morning. This town has long since rolled up the sidewalks. Besides, she’ll lock the door on her way out and Alonzo locks the back door. You can go on home.”
Wade tried to think of an excuse to stay that didn’t sound sexist and came up empty. Ronisha saved him. She said, “There was that gas station that got held up late at night a few weeks ago. They never caught the guys.”
“Probably because they were passing through.” Daisy returned to her tips, getting a little aggressive with the wadded up bills.
Wade took the opportunity he’d been given. “I should stay. Just in case.”
“That’s settled, then. Good night.” Ronisha hurried out the door.
“I will deal with her later,” Daisy said. “Right now I’ll deal with you.” She turned to him wearing a flinty expression that reminded him of trips to the principal’s office.
“So no herbal tea, huh?” He tried to defuse that look with a grin.
It didn’t work. “We had a nice talk this afternoon.”
“We did. I enjoyed that.”
“But I wasn’t kidding about my rules. Don’t flirt with me, Wade. Don’t try to charm me or date me or have a fling with me. It’s a bad idea and it’s not going to happen.”
He liked the way she said his name, almost as much as he liked the fact that she didn’t say she wasn’t interested in him. “I’m only here for the summer.”
“Exactly.”
“I’m too old for you.”
She raised her hand in a vague gesture. “Not really, but if you want to use that as a reason, okay.”
He linked his hands and leaned just a little closer. “I like you.”
Her fingers twirled in a nervous dance on the bar. “I happen to be very likable.”
“I meant what I said this afternoon. I’m going to teach you about country music.”
Daisy threw up her hands. “Nope. Not interested. Besides, I’m taking the summer off from school. No lectures, no textbooks, no tests.”
“This’ll be a lot more fun than sitting in some classroom. Think of it as education by jukebox.”
“I need to finish closing.” Daisy slid off the barstool.
Wade caught her hand, holding it loosely in his. “One dance. That’s all I’m asking for.”
“How is dancing with you supposed to teach me anything about country music?”
It was a fair question, but all he could think about was how she hadn’t complained about him touching her. He gathered her hand in his more securely and left his barstool. “Let’s check out the jukebox.”
It looked like the same jukebox that was in the bar back when he first played here. The music hadn’t been updated much, either. He took his time scanning the selections, shamelessly using it as an excuse to keep holding her hand.
“For God’s sake, just pick a George Strait song.”
He glanced at her. “You like King George? And you told me you didn’t know country.”
“I don’t know country but everybody knows George freaking Strait. Come on, I’ve been on my feet all night. Let’s get this dance over with.”
A wildly inappropriate reply hovered on the tip of his tongue, but he chose to keep it there. “I found the perfect song. Just so happens, it’s also George.” He fed quarters into the jukebox for three songs.
I Just Want To Dance With You eased out of the speakers. Wade pulled Daisy into his arms and led her in a simple slow dance. They moved easily together, swaying to the song’s gentle rhythm.
“This song is corny as hell,” Daisy said. She didn’t pull away from him, though.
“It’s relatable. Easy to dance to. Songs can be about simple things and still have a lot of power.” He drew her closer. “Wanting to dance with a beautiful woman might seem like a simple thing, definitely a common thing. It’s not always simple to make it happen.”
She was tall enough that they made eye contact easily. Amusement glittered in her eyes. “Yeah, sometimes a guy has to really make himself look like an idiot to get that dance.”
“It’s worth it.” Her body was warm under his hand through the thin material of her t-shirt. Her blond hair which had started out the night more or less straight now hung in loose waves down her back. She smelled sweet and summery even after working hard for hours, like fresh strawberries and cream.
If she noticed the song changing to another, she didn’t let on. She took her hand from his and moved it to his shoulders, draping both on either side of his neck. He accepted what felt like a wordless invitation, spreading his hands across the small of her back and pulling her even closer. She laid her head on his chest and if he’d been a cat he would have purred in satisfaction.
One more song and the jukebox fell silent. He didn’t want to let go. Daisy stepped out of his arms and cocked an eyebrow at him. “So wh
at was it I was supposed to learn about country music from that?”
Shit, he had no idea what to say. “This lesson was about why George Strait is called King George.” He pointed at the door to the office. “Now, you go on and do your closing chores. I’ll sit out here and walk you to your car when you’re ready to go.”
She drew her eyebrows together, doubt painting her features.
Wade took out his phone and settled into a chair. “Go on now. I plan to go fishing tomorrow and I need to check the weather.”
Daisy shook her head and walked away.
Satisfied purring. Yeah, that was definitely the sensation in his chest as he watched her walk away. After he checked the weather he emailed Becky.
Send George Strait a bottle of his favorite whiskey for me please. Gone fishing. Your favorite client, Wade.
Chapter 12
Daisy dried her wet hands on a towel and grabbed her phone. “Hello?”
“Have you seen the paper yet?”
The voice was familiar, but not one that should have had her number. “Who is this?”
“It’s Wade.” The crinkling of paper sounded in her ears. “We made page three. Not that there’s many pages in this thing.”
Shit – the newspaper photographer who’d been at the Travers’ barbecue. She crossed the kitchen and slid into the breakfast nook where her laptop was already set up. She woke it up, impatient to see for herself.
“Not a bad picture, though,” Wade said. “If you like out of focus.”
“It’ll look better online,” she said. “I’m waiting for my laptop to wake up so I can log in to the site.”
“The Leader has a website? Well, shit, maybe it is the twenty-first century here in Brittain.”
Daisy smiled. “Don’t be too impressed. It’s not any different from the paper version and it’s behind a paywall. I use Megan’s login to read it.”
“They still deliver a day late out in the county?”
“Yeah.” The Leader’s website took forever to load. A question occurred to her while she waited. “How did you get my number?”