“Trev would disagree with you. He cussed me out the whole time he helped me get it up here.”
“He’ll be cussing you out some more if we don’t get a move on.”
“That’s a fact.” He said it casually as if it didn’t bother him much.
Instead he stood there looking at her as if…no, he wouldn’t consider kissing her. Not with a crowd of people downstairs.
“We’d better go.” His voice sounded husky.
“Yep.” Her pulse raced. He was thinking about kissing her. And she’d let him, even if it meant she’d be a little late getting to the stage.
He sighed. “Everyone’s waiting.” Turning toward the bed, he grabbed the package of strings and handed it to her. “Take these with you.”
“Thank you. I’ll replace this set.”
“No reason to.” He tugged down the brim of his hat. “It’s not like I’ll be needing them.” Stepping to the door, he opened it. “After you.”
She went out the door slightly dazed and confused. Mindful of the steep stairs, she held tight to the railing. Hauling that huge chair up to his apartment would have been a trick but she understood why he’d wanted to. It was big enough for two people if they felt like getting friendly. Better not picture that or she’d take a tumble for sure.
As she walked back into the bar area with Bryce right behind her, instinct made her look toward the two tables where the McGavin group was gathered. Kendra met her gaze and smiled as if they shared a secret. Nicole had the urge to go over and tell her about the broken string so she wouldn’t get the wrong idea.
Except it wasn’t totally the wrong idea. A kiss had almost happened up there. If Bryce hadn’t been on his best behavior, it would have. But he was a conscientious guy. Darn it.
She proceeded straight to the stage. By the time she’d finished tuning the guitar, Bryce had refilled her water bottle and put it on the stool beside her. She smiled her thanks and he touched the brim of his hat. Way to melt a girl’s heart, cowboy.
She switched on the mic and opened the set with a rousing version of John Denver’s Thank God I’m a Country Boy. She changed the lyric from boy to girl, and the women in the audience clearly loved singing it that way. After she’d warmed everyone up with a fast tune, she was in the mood for Faith Hill’s Breathe.
And if she sang it for Bryce, no one had to know. He might, though. Partway through the song she risked glancing in his direction. He stood with his hands braced against the bar and his blue eyes focused on her with laser-like intensity. His body language spoke volumes. If they’d been alone…
But they weren’t. She was here to entertain everyone in the room, not just one gorgeous cowboy. She redirected her attention to the crowd and made sure the next number was a rollicking sing-along.
She didn’t break any more strings, but ending the last set of the evening became a challenge she hadn’t anticipated. Someone would shout one more and she’d sing another encore. Sure, she was running on fumes, but everyone had been so sweet. How could she just quit?
No telling how long she would have stayed on stage if Bryce hadn’t stepped up to the mic. “I know you love her,” he said, “but let her go home, okay? She’ll be back next Sunday night.” He switched off the mic and gazed at her. “Don’t let them run you into the ground.”
“But everyone was so nice. I hated to disappoint them.”
“You didn’t. You gave them more than their money’s worth.” He paused. “You didn’t get encores at the place in Idaho Falls?”
“It was a different arrangement. The owners wanted to go home at a certain time so when I finished my set, they shut everything down so they could clean the place and get out of there.”
“If this keeps up I might need to start doing that.”
“Because you want to go home?”
“No, because you need to. Let me see your hands.”
She held them out.
He cradled them in his larger ones and inspected the tips of her fingers. “They’re red but they’re not bleeding, yet. Take it easy on the practice between now and next Sunday, okay?”
“Okay. And thanks. I really didn’t know how to refuse their requests.”
He smiled and his blue eyes sparkled. “Then you might want to work on that.”
She was still trying to find a good response when he gave her shoulder a squeeze and walked back to the bar.
She turned to gather up her stuff and came face-to-face with a McGavin contingent. Kendra and Jo were in the forefront, but Zane and Mandy weren’t far behind.
“You were wonderful tonight,” Kendra said.
“Fabulous,” Jo added. “All this time you’ve been cutting my hair and I had no idea.”
“I never expected to perform in Eagles Nest, so it seemed pointless to mention it.”
Kendra nodded. “Makes perfect sense, but now that you’ve outed yourself, we have a big favor to ask.”
“What’s that?”
Zane cleared his throat. “Mandy and I would be honored if you’d play at our wedding.”
She stared at the four of them. Bryce’s warning about the art of rejection was fresh in her mind. “I would love to, but I’m already scheduled to do hair for the bridal party. I don’t see how I can—”
“One song,” Mandy said. “That’s all we’re asking. When you did that Faith Hill number I got goosebumps. I knew you’d be the right person to perform something special during the ceremony.”
“Is Breathe the one you want?”
“Much as I love that, we’ve decided on Annie’s Song, if you know that one.”
“I do.” She’d always loved the lyrics John Denver had written for his wife. “That would be perfect for you two.”
Zane nodded. “So you’ll do it?”
“I will.” Minutes after Bryce had cautioned her to practice saying no, she’d said yes.
“Wonderful!” Kendra embraced her and the others moved in for a group hug. After they left she walked over to the bar planning to tell Bryce about her epic fail in drawing boundaries but he wasn’t there.
Trevor greeted her, instead. “I’ll let you into the office so you can get your stuff. Bryce went out to the parking lot to discuss wedding logistics with Mom. He’s trying to convince her to have the rehearsal dinner here instead of at the ranch.”
“She really should.” Nicole followed Trevor back to the office. “Let someone else do the cooking and cleanup the night before the big day.”
“I know. She wouldn’t be sorry. Bryce has this place in tip-top shape. If I know him, he’ll try to schedule a decent band, too.”
“See? Perfect.” She fetched her things from Bryce’s office, thanked Trevor and was out the door in no time. Walking to her truck, she glimpsed the confab going on in the parking lot. She waved. They all waved back, including Bryce. It would have to do. She’d enjoyed sharing cobbler and talking with him the night before, but alone time with Bryce wasn’t a good idea.
When she walked into the yellow Victorian, Jimi Hendrix greeted her at the door. She put down her canvas bag and guitar case before scooping his furry body into her arms. His purr sounded like some old guy snoring. She loved it.
“That cowboy has secrets, Jimi.” She carried the cat into the front bedroom where she’d set up her computer. “We need to investigate.” She put Jimi on the floor and booted up the computer, but he quickly hopped up on the desk next to her keyboard. “Here we go. Searching Bryce McGavin, songwriter.”
Jimi walked across the keyboard and added a few swear word symbols to Bryce’s name. “Stop that. Bryce is a good guy.” She pulled the cat into her lap and stroked him while she managed a one-handed search. “Bingo! Bryce McGavin, you’ve been made. Sure enough, that was recording equipment stuffed in those boxes.”
All the tension left Jimi’s body as she continued to pet him. Because of her new gig, he’d missed out on his cuddle time two nights in a row and he was obviously a happy cat now that she was home again.
She scrolled through the list of Bryce’s songs. “Looks like he’s had a few minor hits. But according to Aunt Henrietta, songwriters make peanuts.”
Jimi also liked her to talk to him. Aunt Henrietta used to do it and Nicole had picked up the habit from her. Sometimes Jimi had something to say in response and sometimes he just listened and purred, like now.
“I guess the low pay could be why he gave it up, although that doesn’t fit his personality. If you met him, you’d know what I mean, but given your extreme dislike of everyone but me, I guess that won’t be happening.”
Jimi’s outboard motor of a purr started up again.
“I hate that he’s given up something he was good at, though.” She scratched behind the cat’s black velvet ears. “He’s been kind to me, and he’s a sweetheart. I’d love to find a way to renew his interest in…wait a minute. Aunt Henrietta’s guitar! I don’t dare take it out of the house, though.”
Jimi snuggled deeper into her lap, effectively pinning her to the chair.
“But it’s a beauty, and it’s left-handed. If he brought over some amps, we could hook it up. What do you think, Jimi? Could you tolerate having Bryce here for a—ouch!“
Jimi’s claws dug into her thighs as he launched himself out of her lap.
“Did you do that just because I suggested having Bryce over?”
Jimi gazed up at her with eyes the color of emeralds.
“Look, I’m grateful that Ray’s gone because of you, but this guy’s different! You would like him!”
Jimi growled.
“I can’t believe I’m talking to you like you understand every word, but damned if you don’t act like it.”
The cat continued to stare at her, his tail twitching back and forth.
“If you do understand me, then listen up. You have no business passing judgment on someone you’ve never met.” She folded her arms and aimed a stern gaze at the cat. “I don’t know if the guitar would help Bryce but it might pique his interest, get him thinking about playing again. That would be great, so if he wants to come over and look at it, you will be nice! Do you hear me?”
Jimi stared at her for a moment longer before turning and stalking away, tail in the air.
Chapter Six
Bryce contacted Lou in the morning to reserve the GG for Zane and Mandy’s rehearsal dinner and make sure he’d quoted his mom the correct price for that type of event. She’d invited him to go riding with her this afternoon and he wanted to confirm everything before he drove out to the ranch. To his surprise, Lou threw in an extra discount.
His mom would be happy. And bonus, setting up the rehearsal dinner for her had relieved some of his guilt over not performing during the wedding. On the way to the ranch, he turned on the radio for a change and even sang a little. Still rusty.
He didn’t much like opening his mouth and having frog sounds come out, so he sang the next one with more intention. Okay, better. Not good enough to be heard outside the confines of his truck cab, but slightly less painful to his ears.
After everyone had left last night, he’d hauled out his guitar again. Nicole was getting to him in more ways than one. He’d listened to plenty of other musicians in the past year without having the slightest urge to play.
But Nicole made his fingers itch. He wanted to touch her. Since that was a bad idea, he’d have to make do with guitar strings. His lack of calluses bugged the hell out of him, though, and he wanted them back.
That wouldn’t happen anytime soon. Attempting to play without calluses frustrated him beyond belief but he’d keep working on it a little at a time. Maybe in a month or so he’d be halfway decent again. Nobody besides Trev had to know what he was up to.
Keeping the secret would be critical. If word got out that he’d picked up his guitar again, it might stir up hope that he’d play for the wedding after all. Not happening. Fooling around with his guitar in his apartment was one thing. Singing a love song during his brother’s wedding was a whole other level of commitment.
But writing songs used to be an emotional outlet for him and he desperately needed one. That Faith Hill number had nearly done him in last night. Nicole was great with the singalongs and the crowd loved her for it, but a slower tempo allowed her to layer in a depth of emotion she couldn’t get with the rowdier tunes. He’d anchored himself to the bar while she’d performed Breathe so he wouldn’t walk over and grab her right off that stool.
For the first time in a year, potential lyrics for a new song were running through his head, but he couldn’t do anything with them unless he plunked around on his guitar as he composed. That was how he’d always worked. He needed to get better at the plunking around and at least respectable on the vocals or the song wouldn’t get written. He wanted to write it. Then he wanted to hear Nicole sing it.
As he pictured her singing something he’d written, he nearly missed the turnoff to the ranch. His tires threw up some dust as he swerved off the pavement at the last minute and skidded onto the familiar dirt road. Zane would have given him hell if he’d seen that lapse of attention.
He’d taught Bryce how to drive. Trev, too, since they’d both needed lessons. Ryker had helped a little, but he’d been distracted by senior exams and his enlistment plans. Zane had made them practice on this road and they’d given him grief the whole time. This stretch had likely been the site of more cussing than any other dirt road in the county.
His mom came down from the porch just as he pulled into the parking area beside the house. She walked like her old self these days. No one would guess that last April she’d broken her leg after being thrown from an unruly mare named Licorice.
“Hey, there.” She’d reached him by the time he climbed down. “I was out back messing with the chickens and forgot the time. I meant to have the horses saddled before you got here.”
He gave her a hug. “Aren’t you the one who taught me to do that for myself?”
“Yes, but—”
“Then don’t go spoiling me, now.” He fell into step beside her as they walked toward the barn. “How are those fancy chickens of yours?”
“Adorable. I love them. I should have started keeping laying hens years ago. I’ll give you some eggs before you leave today.”
“Thanks, but they’d go to waste.”
“Sweetie, take some eggs. Breakfast is the most—”
“Mom.”
She sighed. “Well, it is.”
“For me, lunch is the most important meal of the day. And Frank makes an excellent burger.” He glanced over at the corral where Faith sat on the railing and a rider circled the perimeter. “New student?”
“It’s Judy. One-by-one, my girlfriends are caving to the idea of horseback riding. I never thought they would, but the trick is for me to stay out of it. They want Faith to teach them and they don’t want to see me down there until they feel more proficient. That’s one of the reasons I asked you to go for a ride today. Gets me away from here during her lesson.”
“Then I’ll stop looking over there.”
“Yeah, I would. They’re all more self-conscious than I ever dreamed they would be.”
“Good thing you have Faith available for lessons.”
“I swear she’s the reason they’re doing this. Clearly if Zane and I had been the only riding instructors they wouldn’t have considered it.”
“Sounds like it was meant to be.” He stepped into the barn’s cool interior and breathed in the nostalgic scents of the place where he’d spent a good part of his childhood. He might not want to be a working cowboy, but he still loved the aroma of horses and hay. “Who are we taking today?”
“I’m riding Licorice and you’ll be on Winston.” She handed him a lead rope and started down the aisle. “Zane and Cody turned the rest of them out except Strawberry. Judy’s partial to him.”
“Didn’t you ride Licorice the last time we went?”
“The more I ride her, the better she gets. I still don’t trust her completely with Katherine, but event
ually I will, especially when Katherine becomes a more confident rider.” She stopped beside the mare’s stall and Licorice poked her nose out to get a scratch.
“She looks so innocent.”
“She is, in a way. She didn’t mean to break my leg.”
“I hope Katherine knows she’s lucky to have you teaching both her and her horse, especially after what happened.”
His mom smiled as she stroked Licorice’s glossy neck. “I think she does, but she just turned thirteen and she’s fairly self-absorbed. Like most kids that age.”
“Hang on. I wasn’t.”
Her smile widened. “Just keep telling yourself that, son.”
“No, seriously. When I was thirteen I was in that talent show a bunch of us put on to raise money for the animal shelter. I call that civic-minded.”
She gave him an amused glance. “Do you recall why you were so hot to be in that talent show?”
“To raise money for the shelter, so they’d have more room for homeless animals. It was a noble cause. We raised a lot of money and they enlarged the space.”
“And that was your only motivation?”
He gazed at her. There was no bullshitting his mother. “I suppose you’re referring to my crush on Becky Turner.”
“I am.”
“And the fact that I wanted to impress her with my guitar playing so she’d fall in love with me?”
“Uh-huh. You also begged me to buy you a fancy outfit for the performance. Ryker’s and Zane’s hand-me-downs weren’t good enough.”
“I did whine about that, didn’t I?”
“Yes.”
“You bought me the outfit, too. What a rotten kid.”
“Not rotten. Normal.”
“I still don’t know how you put up with the five of us.”
“I loved every minute.”
“Really?”
“Okay, almost every minute. It was crazy around here sometimes, but fun and rewarding for the most part. I shouldn’t tease you about being self-absorbed, because most of the time you were caring and helpful. All of you were. Still are.”
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