Yet this touch tells a story
Open up and lay all your worries on these broad shoulders
Just say you will and I’ll hold you close…”
He stilled his fingers on the strings of the guitar. “That’s a sneak peek. What do you think?” he asked. She lowered her head, her shoulders jerking. Was she crying? “Charlie?”
She lifted her chin. Tears stains marred her cheeks. “That was…that was…” she hiccupped.
“Bad?”
“No. How could you think that? It’s beautiful. That’s for me?” She sniffled loudly.
He grinned. “Being that the only other Charlie I know is a two-hundred-pound wrestler with a long scraggly beard, yes, the song’s about you.” He winked.
“Storm?” She slid out of bed, pushing her fingers through her wild and messy hair. She darted her gaze lower, over her naked body and squealed. “Oh crap!” She reached for the sheet and pulled it around her body.
“Did you forget I saw everything last night?” he teased.
“And I saw you.” Her eyes twinkled. “But some modesty remains.” Her cheeks turned rosy.
“I understand.” He loved her bashful nature.
“Writing that song…I’ve never had anyone do something so sweet. I’m touched.” Her voice shook and her eyes filled with moisture again.
He set his guitar aside, stood and wrapped his arms around her from behind. “I’m a song writer and when I’m touched the creativity won’t stop. You, my lady, are good for my brain…and my heart.”
She leaned into him, sighing. “I wish you were staying longer.”
His throat constricted. For the first time in his life the draw of the stage wasn’t so strong. “I don’t want to leave either.” Did he really say those words?
She turned and faced him. “Then stay. I mean, I know you have a life and eventually will have to return to the lights and stage, but stay for a few more days. Be my date for New Year’s Eve.”
He skimmed his eyes over her bright eyes full of expectation and the crooked corner of her lovely mouth. A scorching heat pounded through his stomach, spreading through his legs. Damn, how did she do that? Make him want to stay? “You have something planned at the diner?”
“No. A friend throws a big, fancy party every New Year’s Eve. I haven’t seen her in a while and she said she wouldn’t take no for answer, that I must come and meet her fiancé. This will be the first time…well, you know. I haven’t been anywhere since Sunny.”
“You deserve a celebration,” he said.
“She knows no limits. A live band. Lights. Champagne flowing. Right up your alley.” She wagged her brows.
“Sounds like some event.” He loved seeing the twinkle in her eye and imagined her all dolled up. Nothing could beat how pretty she looked at this moment. Her lips were still swollen and pink from his kisses. Her hair had been combed by his fingers while she cried out his name. His body tightened and he sucked in a breath.
“Oh, it’s the event of the year, especially for her. I’ve been back and forth whether I’d really go. I would hate to go alone. And I have to get all dressed up.” She wrinkled her nose. “I haven’t worn a pair of heels in so long.”
He took a step back, scrubbing his jaw. How could he tell her that he had a sold out show with thousands of fans expecting him on New Year’s Eve? His chest ached and his temples throbbed. His mind searched for answers. How could he tell her no?
“I understand. It’s too much to ask. Forget I asked.” She tightened the sheet around her body.
“No it’s not. You deserve a special night. I can’t believe you’ve asked me to be there with you. I’ll go.” Max would kill him, but for the first time in his life, he wanted to make someone else happy besides himself. He wanted to be Charlie’s date.
She squealed and flew into his arms. “Thank you!” She kissed his cheeks, his chin, and his lips.
“Wow, I could get used to this.” He held her tight, inhaling her intoxicating scent. There was something he must do. “I need to see if that phone is working yet. If it’s not, I’m going to have to take a walk and knock on every house until I find a way to get a hold of my manager.”
“You don’t have to walk. If you drive ten miles south, you’ll have service.”
“Ten miles? That’s as much as a hundred without wheels.”
She laughed. “Take my truck. The roads should be passable and my keys are hanging on the hook by the door. Just keep your eye out for stray dogs,” she teased.
“You’re a funny lady, you know that.” He kissed the tip of her nose. “You coming along?”
“No. I’m going to take a shower and make you a down home country breakfast. We need energy.” She opened the sheet and flashed him skin, then turned and wobbled to the dresser.
“You show me that hot little body and expect me to walk?” He lifted a brow.
“I’m hoping that’ll give you a reason to hurry back.” She chuckled. He adjusted himself behind his zipper. “I’ll be back before you can say pig three times backwards.”
“Be careful,” she said over her shoulder.
Downstairs, he found Yogi sitting by the door, eyeing him with chocolate brown eyes. Storm grabbed the keys from the hook and the dog still stared. “Sheesh, Yogi. Wanna come with me?” Yogi’s tongue came out and he whimpered. “I’ll take that as a yes. I’ll need someone to unload to after my manager dumps me.”
Charlie descended the stairs and looked at the front door, remembering Billy’s scene last night. She’d cleaned up all of the evidence and she wouldn’t allow him to dampen her excitement. She was astonished at the idea that the Storm Rich would be her date for New Year’s. Of course she was thrilled that she had a date planned with him, but it was more than just the obvious. Last night was remarkable, Storm was amazing. He was giving and kind, and she found herself doing exactly what she didn’t want to do. Falling in love. Was that possible? She didn’t know him.
She blew out a long breath. It didn’t matter what her feelings were. They would part ways after the New Year. Plain and simple. She would accept the facts. They lived in different worlds.
Rounding the staircase, she stopped dead in her tracks. Standing by the kitchen door was a stranger—a short statured man with a designer suit and red tie. When he saw her, he scooped off his black hat and held it against his chest. “Sorry, ma’am. The door was open a crack and I did knock.”
“Who are you?” Was he another lost driver?
“I’m looking for Storm Rich. I’m his manager, Max.”
Her chest tightened. “Oh.”
He smiled sheepishly. “I stopped over at the diner and the man at the counter told me I could find him here.”
She folded her arms over her waist. She wasn’t ready for the outside world to spoil the warm and cozy feelings still embedded within her. “You missed him. He left about ten minutes ago.”
“Left? As in gone?” Max’s brow popped up.
“Gone, as in he needed to find service so he could use his phone. He’ll be back.”
“Whew!” He wiped his brow in dramatic effort. “That’s good. I don’t want to chase him over any more mountains.”
“You’re welcome to stay and wait. Would you like a cup of coffee?”
He nodded. “That would be great. Thank you.”
“Have a seat. Get comfortable. I’ll make you a cup.” She left him standing by the door and went into the kitchen. She could barely get her hands to stop shaking as she poured the coffee from the carafe into a large cup. A dread like none other washed through her. The bubble was burst and reality was rushing in.
She and Max went into the living room. He took a seat on the couch and she felt obliged to also.
He pulled out his cell from his coat pocket. “We really are in the middle of nowhere,” he mumbled. “I don’t have service.”
“That’s about right, but you did find us.”
Max dropped the phone into his lap and sipped the coffee. “Smel
ls delicious. I can’t say thank you enough for taking care of Storm. My assistant is making some calls to take care of the rental truck still wedged in the ditch. I saw it. She might be having issues with her phone too though.” He rolled his eyes. “If you’ll let me know a monetary amount, I’ll take care of your expenses for keeping Storm up for the last few days.” He reached into his pocket and took out a small leather satchel.
Her throat ached. “This isn’t a bed and breakfast. He got stuck here and my father and I took him in because he needed the help.” She could see the shock in Max’s wide eyes. He probably thought she was foolish for turning down money. What she and Storm shared, no one could understand, and certainly no money was needed.
“That’s very kind of you.” He stood and wiped his hands down his jacket. “I’m here now and I can be sure that Storm gets to the airport unscathed and on time.”
She blinked. “On time?”
“He has commitments this afternoon and a sold out show on New Year’s Eve. Duty calls.” He placed his hat back on his head. “He’s a busy man with a full schedule.”
“Of course.” Her heart dropped. Why would he agree to be her date on New Year’s Eve when he had plans? A concert. Dizziness washed over her. “What would happen if he didn’t make the concert?”
Max’s face paled and his thin lips twisted. “Not make the concert? Why would he not make his appearance?”
She shrugged. “I’m only asking because he’s lucky the weather has improved.”
“For theories’ sake, if he doesn’t make the show, he’ll disappoint thousands of fans and we lose big bucks. We wouldn’t want that to happen, would we?” One groomed brow crawled upward.
“No, we wouldn’t.” She gave her head a quick shake, feeling her face heat up. How could she have been foolish enough to believe Storm could accompany her to the party? He had prior commitments, those that couldn’t be pushed off or forgotten. Again, they lived in separate worlds. The biggest thing she had to worry about was how many napkins to order from the supplier.
The door opened and Storm stepped in, Yogi trailing him. “I hope it was okay that I took the old dog.”
“You have company, Storm.” Charlie forced a smile on her lips.
He swiveled on boot heel and his eyes widened on his manager. “So this is why you didn’t answer, Max,” Storm said in a tight voice.
Max’s gaze narrowed. “I’ve been on a goose chase trying to find you. I have a car waiting in the diner’s lot, with Shelley inside, and tickets for a noon flight. We need to hurry.” He was already at the door, waiting.
Storm looked at Charlie, his gaze meeting hers in a way that made her heart hiccup. Then he turned back to his manager, a visible stiffness in his shoulders. “I can’t go, Max.”
“What’s that?” Max’s mouth opened wide.
Charlie stepped forward, touching Storm’s elbow. “No, Storm. You have to go,” she said.
Max’s gaze dropped to where her hand was on Storm’s arm. “Yes, listen to the kind woman, Storm. This isn’t up for debate.”
Storm blew out a long breath, his gaze remaining on her. “Go back to the car, Max.” The other man stammered an inaudible word, but Storm held up a hand. “Go to the car. I’ll talk to you when I’m finished here.”
Max growled and left, giving the door a loud slam on his way out.
“I don’t think he’s too happy,” she said.
“Max is never happy. Disregard anything he said while he was here.”
“He was courteous. And worried about getting you where you need to go.”
“Charlie—”
She shook her head. “You can’t promise to go with me to a party when you have fans counting on you.”
“I can cancel, Charlie. That’s why I called Max.”
“That can’t happen.” She took several steps back and he started to reach for her, but she moved away from him. “No, Storm. There’s no other way.”
Several emotions flickered across his face. “I can come back after the concert. I can be here on New Year’s Day.”
“And then what? You don’t belong here. We are from different worlds.” She steadied her backbone, not faltering to the ache in her chest.
“After last night…after what we shared…it’s not impossible to have more. We can try.”
Did his voice shake? Her insides were trembling.
“There will always be another concert. Another event. A commitment.” Her gaze blurred.
“There’s an answer to this, Charlie. Come with me. Spend the rest of the holiday with me,” he pleaded.
She blinked. “Come with you?” Had she heard right?
He nodded, forcing a hand through his hair. “You won’t make your friend’s party, but you can come with me to the events I have scheduled. There will be more lights and glitter than you can imagine. We can get you a dress. Not just any dress, but one with lots of train and glimmer. I know that’s the thing now. I know I want you by my side. I want to spend my holiday with you. I want you to stay with me.”
“This is my home.” She moved her hands through the air. “This is where all of my memories are.”
“We can make new memories.”
“We don’t even know each other,” she muttered.
“We’ll get to know each other. I know enough to recognize that’s what I want.” His voice made the soft hairs on her arms stand erect.
“I can’t, Storm.”
“Or won’t?”
“Is there a difference? I don’t belong in your world any more than you belong in mine. Let’s not kid ourselves into believing something that isn’t there.” With each word her knees grew weaker. Her palms were clammy and she thought she would be sick.
His shoulders slumped. “I’ll have Max make arrangements for a plane ticket in case you change your mind. I hope you’ll change your mind.”
She couldn’t look at him another second. She turned her back to him, hiding the tears streaming down her cheeks. Why was this so hard? She barely knew him. Yet what she did know meant everything in the world.
And when he came back from grabbing his things from upstairs, she still stood with her back to the door. If she said anything to him, she would be too weak to follow through. He had to leave. That was the answer.
Chapter Ten
“Are you okay?” Brent asked as Charlie pulled off her apron and placed it on the hook.
“Pops, if you ask me one more time if I’m okay I think I’ll do a flip.” She rubbed her temples where a headache threatened to come full blown.
“You know, it’s not too late.”
She gazed at her father, narrowing her eyes. “What’s not too late?”
“Getting on that plane and spending New Year’s Eve with Storm.”
“We’ve been through this. I’m spending my evening at Clorissa’s party. I have the dress. I even have an appointment to get my hair done.” Why didn’t she feel excitement inside?
“Oh come on, honey. It’s a party. There’ll be hundreds of those to come, but finding someone who makes your toes tingle and your heart sing is once in a lifetime.” Brent wiped down the counter.
“What chance do we have for a future?” She couldn’t imagine getting close and losing again.
“The same chance that everyone else has I suppose. Love comes with risk. Sometimes we lose and our heart breaks. But love heals it with the strength of superglue. Take the chance on love, Charlie. Grab the memories while they’re available.”
A tear fell from her eye and she wiped it away. “I’m afraid, Pops. I’m afraid to love again. To trust in fate.”
He dropped the towel and came to her, dragging her into his arms for a bear hug. “I love you, but if you don’t smarten up and go get your things and make that plane, I’m going to have to throw you into the truck and drive you myself. Make this easier on an old man.”
She pulled back. “What about you?”
He shrugged. “I’ll be fine. What you don’t know is that I
’ve been doing some thinking myself. I asked Sabrina to dinner and she said yes. I hope you don’t think your pops is too old to date.” His eyes twinkled.
“No, Pops, you’re not too old.” She stood on tiptoes and kissed his cheek. She rushed to the door.
“Where you headed?”
“I have a New Year’s Eve cowboy to catch.”
“Are you sure you sent the ticket to Charlie’s house?” Storm sat on the couch in the dressing room backstage at the venue where his opening act, Gavin Taylor, played his first song.
“You should be concerned about the fans right now, Storm. Listen to the crowd. Columbus is rocking the roof off this place.” Max checked himself in the mirror, adjusting his neon blue tie.
“Just answer me,” Storm growled.
“Relax.” Max eyed him through the reflection. “I sent it to her certified mail. She signed for it yesterday.”
“And you left her a concert ticket at the box office and a VIP pass?” He rubbed his forehead.
“I had all of those instructions in black and white.” Max sighed and turned. “If she doesn’t show, are you going to rethink your decision?”
“To retire? Nope. It’s time, my friend. This is my last year.” Instead of feeling disappointment, a heavy weight was lifted off his shoulders.
“You think leaving all of this and living in a small town is better?”
“I think if Charlie will have me, I could live in the dessert with only a sip of water daily and I’d be happy with her.” Now if only she would give him the time of day.
“I hope this lady realizes what you’re giving up for her.” Max rolled his eyes.
“It’s for the best. You know I’m losing my thunder. I’m getting tired and that’s never good. I want to go out with a roar, not a meow.”
Max’s cell beeped and he picked it up, bringing it to his ear. “Max here. Yes. That’s right. Give me a few minutes.” He hit end and shoved it into his pocket. “If you’re sure…?”
“More than sure.” Storm rubbed his stiff neck, wishing he could relax. He’d been as tense as a race horse since he’d left Palms, Tennessee.
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