by SJ McCoy
She looked the same way she had this morning. Her eyes were sad. “Everything you’d expect. Whether I’m going to buy the house. Whether you’re going to come to Nashville. You know, just all those questions that we don’t have any answers for.”
Carter’s heart sank. He did know the answer to one of those questions. He couldn’t go to Nashville. He wouldn’t survive there. This was his home. And how could he expect her to move here? That was her home.
She touched his cheek and made him look into her eyes.
“What did you tell them?” he asked.
“That I don’t know much of anything yet.”
He nodded sadly.
She held his gaze. “I told them I don’t know much of anything, other than the fact that I love you.”
His heart stopped in his chest as he stared down into her eyes. Had he heard that right? He searched her face looking for some clue as to whether she realized what she just said. She was smiling at him hopefully.
“I hope you don’t mind me telling them before I told you, but I do love you, Carter.”
His heart restarted with a thud. “I love you, Summer. I didn’t want to tell you. Didn’t want to make any of this harder on you than it already is, but I love you.”
Her smile grew bigger, her eyes sparkled and she hugged him tight.
“You know what they say, don’t you? They say that love will always find a way.”
He nodded, hoping with all his heart that they were right.
It was after midnight when he pulled up in front of Summer’s house. Carter kept calling it that, but he had to wonder whether it ever really would be hers. Would she buy the place? Make this at least a part-time home?
Autumn leaned forward from the back seat and put a hand on his shoulder. “Please don’t tell me that you’re going to drive all the way back to your house, just because of me. It’ll take you another half hour.”
He turned to smile at her. “It’s okay.”
“It is not, cowboy. I don’t like the idea at all. We’ve seen how many deer lurking in the bushes just on the way back here? I’d be worried to death about you driving all the way home.”
“How about I call when I get there?”
She shook her head. “How about you stop arguing and just stay here?”
He really didn’t feel like driving home, and she was making it pretty obvious that she didn’t have a problem with him staying.
He looked at Summer. She smiled. “I’d stay if I were you. You know I want you to, and arguing with my sister is never a wise move.”
“Okay. I give in.”
“Good,” said Autumn. “Let’s get inside and open a bottle of wine then shall we?”
Once they each had a glass, Autumn went to look out the windows. “The sky is just incredible. I feel stupid saying it, but it does seem so much bigger here. I’ve never seen so many stars.”
“Isn’t it amazing,” said Summer. “We should bundle up and drink this out on the deck.”
Carter took a seat and watched the two sisters as they stared up at the sky. He loved that they appreciated the beauty of the place.
Autumn dropped her gaze and looked at him. “I can see why a person would never want to leave here.”
He nodded, unsure whether it was an innocent comment or whether she was somehow interrogating him.
Summer laughed. “I’m going to have to leave this place for a minute at least. The cold has gotten to me already. I have to go pee; I’ll be right back.”
When she’d closed the patio door behind her, Carter looked back at Autumn. “I do love it here.”
“And you love my sister, too.”
It wasn’t a question.
He nodded. “I love her too much to screw anything up for her, if that’s what you’re worried about.”
Her expression was harsh for a moment, then she relaxed. “I think you’re taking me the wrong way, Carter. I’m not trying to warn you off her. I’m trying to see a way that you and she can be together and happy.”
Relief swept through him. Though it was short lived. Just because Autumn was on their side didn’t make the situation any different, or even any easier. Summer’s life was in Nashville. His life was here. “Thanks. All I want is for her to be happy.”
Autumn nodded. “Me too. Has she said anything about singing while she’s been here?”
“Just that she doesn’t know if she’ll be able to anymore.”
“Has she ever once said she wants to?”
Carter thought about it. “No, she hasn’t.”
Autumn gave him a grim smile. “Thanks.”
He cocked his head to one side, not understanding. Had he messed up somehow?
She smiled. “No, seriously. Thank you. It’ll all be okay.”
Summer stepped back out onto the deck. “What will?”
“Everything,” said Autumn. “Everything will be more than okay if I get just one more glass of wine!”
Carter watched her. Her smile was a little too bright. He didn’t think it was because of the wine, though. She seemed as though she’d reached a decision about something, but he had no idea what it might be.
Chapter Sixteen
“I wish you could stay longer,” said Summer. They were standing at the airport waiting for the pilots to come in to say they were ready to take Autumn home. Carter had said good-bye at the doors and gone to wait in the truck so the sisters could have a few minutes together.
“Me, too,” replied Autumn. “I’m mad at myself now. Before I came all I could think about was keeping it to a short visit. Now I wish I’d taken a couple more days.”
“Maybe you can come back soon?”
“Maybe.” She didn’t sound convinced.
“It’s not as though you’ve got that much going on is it?” Summer knew that Autumn had been working on keeping things going, but while she herself was here resting, her sister couldn’t be that busy.
Autumn gave her a mysterious smile. “You’d be surprised. You’re not the center of my universe you know. I have a few other things I need to get to work on.”
Summer wondered what they might be.
“I’m thinking I can help with setting up Matt’s tour.”
“Oh! That’d keep you busy.” Summer was surprised.
Autumn nodded. “Like I said. You’re not the center of my universe.” She came and gave Summer a hug. “And please will you remember that while you figure out what your next moves are?”
Summer couldn’t see her face as she spoke. She pulled back to look her in the eye. “What do you mean?”
Autumn shrugged and pointed to the doors where the pilots were coming in from the ramp. “Looks like my ride is here. I’m sure you’ll be able to figure it out. Just do what’s right for you, okay? I’m fine.”
“But…” Summer needed her to explain what she really meant, but she was already walking away. She turned when she reached the doors and blew a kiss. “Be happy, little sis.” Then she was gone.
Summer stared after her. Was she really saying that she’d be okay? That her career wasn’t dependent on Summer’s own? And if so what would that mean? Was it really time to give up singing? Could she, before she even knew whether she had to? Summer went over to one of the big leather sofas in the waiting area and sat down. She needed to gather her thoughts. Apparently Autumn had just set her free—if she wanted to be. And she didn’t know if she wanted to be. Yes, she wanted to be with Carter. Yes, she wanted to live here, but did she really want to end her career without another thought? She shook her head. She didn’t need to decide right now. Part of her wanted to run out to the truck and tell Carter she was free and she could stay! But another part of her felt sad and lost. What would she be if she wasn’t a singer anymore? She didn’t know how to do anything else—wasn’t even sure she would want to.
She got to her feet. She wanted to talk to Carter about it.
~ ~ ~
Carter watched her make her way back to the truck. She looked
sad and lost, but that was hardly surprising, she’d just said good-bye to her sister and the two of them were obviously close. He got out to meet her and wrapped her in a hug when she reached him.
“Are you okay, darlin’?”
She nodded and looked up at him. “I think so.”
“You’ll see her again soon.”
She smiled. “I know.”
It seemed as though something else was bothering her. “But what?”
“Let’s get going shall we? I’ll tell you on the way.”
She didn’t speak again until they were on the interstate headed east back toward Livingston. “Autumn told me that I’m not the center of her universe and I need to remember that while I figure out what I want to do.”
Carter turned to look at her. “And what do you think she meant by that?” He knew what he thought it meant, but he didn’t want to jump to conclusions.
Summer shook her head. “I’m as shocked as you are. I think she means that if I want to stay here, give up singing, she’ll be fine.” She sighed. “But I don’t know that she would be. I don’t know what she’d do. I don’t want to leave her in the lurch, you know?”
Carter did know. Loyalty to siblings was something he understood very well.
“I don’t know what to think. I don’t know what to do.”
“Call her when she gets home, ask her what she’s thinking.”
Summer nodded. “I’ll have to. I can’t do anything that would mess her life up.”
Carter reached across and put a hand on her knee. She put hers on top of it and smiled at him. “Do you think you could stand it if I were to stick around?”
His heart hammered in his chest, he couldn’t help the grin that spread across his face. “Umm. I’d have to think about it, but yeah, I think I could I stand it.”
She laughed. “Well, if you’re not sure…”
He squeezed her thigh. “I’m damned sure and you know it. I’d love you to stay. Do you think, if you did want to keep on singing, you could even do that from here? Shane mentioned last night that there are a lot of country singers who don’t live in Nashville. Do you have to live there?”
“No. I don’t suppose I do. It seems there are all kinds of options opening up here, aren’t there?” She looked stunned, but happily stunned.
He smiled. “There are. Seems like you might be right. Love will find a way.” He couldn’t believe he was saying it. He’d tried so hard to hold back, he hadn’t wanted to put her under any pressure, but now there really were possibilities opening up for them.
She leaned across the center console and reached up to kiss his cheek. “I do love you, Carter.”
He grinned and squeezed her knee. “And I love you, darlin’.”
~ ~ ~
On Monday morning Autumn pushed her way through the revolving door at the entrance to McAdam Records. She clutched her purse to her chest. She had to do this. She’d been wondering what she was going to do with herself for the next few months while Summer was up in Montana. Now she was wondering what she was going to do with the next few years of her life. She’d loved managing her sister’s career, but she’d always known it wouldn’t last forever. Now it seemed as though Summer was ready to begin the next chapter of her life and there was no way Autumn would be the one to hold her back.
She took the elevator up to the third floor and marched into Ashley Devlin’s office.
Ashley looked up with a cool smile. “Autumn. What can I do for you?”
“Actually, it’s what I can do for you. I heard Matt McConnell’s tour needs whipping into shape. I’m here to offer my services.”
Ashley pushed her chair back. “That’s very generous of you, but shouldn’t you be focused on keeping your sister’s name out there?”
Autumn smiled. “I can do both.” She couldn’t afford to mention yet that Summer’s ratings may not be an issue for much longer. Summer hadn’t made the decision yet, and when she did, it would be for her to choose the timing and make the announcement. Autumn knew she’d have to tread carefully. But the opportunity to manage Matt’s tour was one she couldn’t let slip through her hands by being too cautious.
Ashley thought it over. “You know it’s not my call to make. I think you’d do a great job, but…” she gave Autumn a puzzled look. “It’s not like you. Is there anything you want to tell me?”
Autumn sighed, as if she’d been caught out. “Okay, I admit. I don’t have enough on my plate while Summer’s out of the game. I’m ambitious, I’ve never made any secret of that. I’d like to extend my reach while my sister’s not around.”
Ashley nodded and mulled it over.
Autumn knew it was a risk. Ashley saw her as a possible threat to her own position. But she also knew that the label had a lot riding on Matt, and his tour was going to be a big deal for them. The guy he’d brought in with him had proved to be useless and an asshole.
“Okay,” said Ashley slowly. “I’ll put you on Matt’s tour.” She met Autumn’s gaze. “But don’t screw up, and don’t you dare leave me high and dry when your sister is ready to come back.”
“Don’t worry, I won’t!” She wasn’t about to tell Ashley that it was Summer who was likely to leave her high and dry by not coming back!
She smiled to herself as she made her way up to her own office. She needed to get hold of Matt. This tour was going to be great. She was going to make damned sure of it.
As she emerged from the elevator, her cell phone rang—Summer.
~ ~ ~
Summer stared out at the mountains as she waited for her sister to pick up.
“What’s up? Are you missing me already? I’ve not even been gone for twenty-four hours.”
Summer laughed. “Hi, yourself. I just needed to talk to you. Ask you what you meant yesterday.”
“Come on, Summer. You know full well what I meant. Your heart hasn’t been in your singing for a while—even before the problems with your voice started. Your heart has found a reason to stay in Montana, though. You’ve got some big decisions to make, and I need you to make the ones that are right for you. I don’t want to be a factor. That heart of yours is so big, you’ll put my interests before your own if I let you. And I’m not going to let you. If you want to quit, you go ahead and quit, and if you want to come back, you do that, too. But whatever you decide, I want it to be because it’s what you want. Our careers may have been two sides of the same coin up to this point, but I don’t want you thinking of me as a dependent, okay?”
Summer had to laugh. Her sister was many things, but dependent—on anyone or anything—wasn’t one of them. “Okay. You made your point.”
She could hear Autumn’s smile in her voice. “Good, I made myself clear then?”
“Abundantly.”
“Okay, well now it’s all up to you.”
Summer nodded. It was.
Autumn laughed. “It’s a tough place to be, isn’t it? You have to decide all by yourself. You don’t get any easy outs this time.”
“I know. It’s scary. Normally decisions aren’t really decisions, it just a matter of figuring out what options affect whom and picking out the least of all the evils. I’m not used to this.”
“I know, little sis, but this is important. This is about your life and what you want it to hold. That shouldn’t be based on obligations; it should be based on what you want for yourself. I had to remove myself from the equation so you can focus on you.”
“Thanks, Autumn.”
“You’d have done the same for me.”
Summer nodded. She would.
“Are you still there?”
“Sorry, I am. I’m just wondering. Will you still want to manage me if I decide I do want to come back?”
“Of course I will. I’m not pushing you out into the cold. I’m just trying to get you to a place where you have no external pressures.”
“I know. Thanks.”
“Well, listen. I have to go. I need to get with Matt and get the ball rolling
.”
“Okay. Talk soon?”
“Definitely. But for now, go have some fun, rest, relax, take your time.”
“I will. Bye.”
After she’d hung up Summer let herself out onto the deck and sat down. She liked to sit here and listen to the sounds of the river. It helped her to think. And she had a lot of thinking to do. Autumn had said that she wanted to take the pressure off, but that didn’t mean it was all gone. There were different kinds of pressure. Summer still felt a sense of duty to her fans. Was she ready to tell them that the ride was over? And if it was, what would she do from here? Even if she stayed in the valley and she and Carter decided to follow their hearts—wherever that may lead them—what would she do with her life? Hanging out and resting, not doing much other soaking in the hot tub and reading was all well and good while it was a short term thing. It didn’t hold much appeal if it were to be her sole purpose in life though. She needed to be doing something, and out here in the valley she had no idea what she might do. It wasn’t as though she could paint like Cassidy, or take amazing photos like Gina. She sighed. She supposed she could sing at the resort? They had bands on the weekends. She shook her head. She really did have a lot of thinking to do.
~ ~ ~
Carter looked up at the sound of his name being called. Beau was striding down Main toward where he was working on the grounds of the library.
“Hey, Carter. How’s it going?”
He grinned. “It’s going great.”
Beau raised an eyebrow. “Glad to hear it. Does that mean I need to knock Summer’s place off the list of potentials for Carly and James?”
Carter nodded. He didn’t exactly know that Summer would want to buy the place, but he had to believe that she might.
“Does she want it?”
He had to remember that he and Beau were talking at cross purposes. Beau was interested in whether he might sell a house. Carter himself was interested in what his whole future might hold. “You really should talk to her. Not me. I’m going off what I want, and what I see as possible.”
Beau nodded. “Sorry. And there I go chasing my own bottom line again. Honestly, though, bro, I don’t care if she rents it or buys it or even moves out of it, if she’s going to be with you. Seeing you happy is what matters most.”