Cole and Jillian (Pianos and Promises - A Novella Series Book 3)

by Peel,Jennifer

  “I know, but it doesn’t matter.”

  She tilted her head. “Why? You love him and he’s obviously still head over heels for you.”

  “He told me he loved me, you know?”

  Her eyes widened. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “Because he said it right after that story came out and I didn’t know whether to believe him or not. But I told him if he really loved me, he would stay away from me permanently. And he has.” His silence was my confirmation.

  “Ah, Jilly. I wish you would have said something.”

  “It wouldn’t have made a difference. I don’t want anything to do with that kind of life, unless you make it big, which I’m sure you will.”

  She grinned. “I’m still in negotiations. I’m not sure I’m ready to do this.”

  “Of course you are. It would be a travesty to keep your talent from the world.”

  “You know what else would be a travesty?” She laid her hand on mine.

  “What?”

  “Letting true love go.”

  It was tragic, but what else could I do?

  I drove the long way home that night, thinking about what Call had said and revealed. I had wondered why Danny hadn’t contacted me. Now I knew. These past few months I’d just kind of been going through the motions after I got over the initial shock and humiliation of it all. I’d done my best to be a good best friend and help Call plan her wedding. Of course she didn’t want Beck to pay for anything, so we’d had to get creative. Thankfully, one of Beck’s best friends, Jaime, knew a thing or two about making something out of nothing. She was one of those people who could turn someone’s trash into a treasure. And it hadn’t hurt that Call got a nice little advance on her duet with Cole, and I knew the contract she was going to sign would be lucrative. But she was rightly hesitant to bank on anything. And like she said, it’s just one day. It seems silly to spend so much money. She only wanted to be married. I could understand that. If ever I got married again, which was unlikely at this point since I had sworn off men, but if I ever did, it would be a quiet, simple affair.

  How could I ever get married when all I could think about was Cole? For over a year now the man had consumed my thoughts. It was worse now. Now that I knew exactly what I was missing every day. Worse because I loved and missed him more than I imagined possible. And he loved me enough to stay away from me.

  It felt like an impossible situation.

  So many days I wanted to call him and tell him how sorry I was and ask if we could start over, but then I would see him online or on TV and all of the hoopla that surrounded him and I stopped myself. He made it more difficult by being wonderful. He had done several public service announcements about the dangers of drinking and driving, in addition to continuing his volunteer work at several substance abuse centers in and around Tennessee. He was an inspiration. I wanted to tell him how proud I was of him, but I was a coward.

  That word described me to a T. Not that I didn’t have good reason to be so, but it killed me that I was keeping myself away from the one person that so wholly got me right from the start. Our brief romance was nothing short of wonderful. Cole was right, our short time together did feel like a lifetime of happy memories. And I let it all go for fear of the possible bad memories and experiences that could happen, and probably would happen because of who he was. I loved him, yet my actions told a different story. A selfish story. The one where it was all about me and because of my past, I withheld my future from him, from us. Maybe that’s why he never contacted me. I wanted him to change to suit me, never offering any sort of compromise in return.

  I woke up feeling lonely and depressed the next day. The fact that it was Friday and the weekend didn’t help any. I followed my regular routine of running and then getting ready for work. Autumn was in the air now that September was waning and October was right around the corner. I normally loved this time of year, but I wasn’t feeling like myself. I hadn’t for the last four months.

  For a time, I had forgone listening to the radio whenever I was in the car, but the last couple of months I found myself where I had been before, eagerly wanting to hear any news of him. I had a small in with Call, but like a good friend, she didn’t talk about him. Last night was the first she mentioned their interactions in a long time. This morning was a big day for him. The first release off his new album that was due out in November was debuting today. I had been anxious to hear what song his label and he had chosen. Maybe it was one of the couple of songs I had already heard. I knew it wasn’t the duet with Call.

  The morning show I normally listened to had an exclusive interview with him that morning at eight, and they were going to be the first one to play his new single. Record labels usually released one or two singles before the album in hopes of getting a chart topper; I had no doubt Cole’s new song would reach number one.

  It was seven thirty and I was almost to work. I would stream the show over the internet when I got into the clinic. My first appointment wasn’t until eight thirty, so it would work out. I had almost made it to work when my phone rang. His name popped up on the dashboard screen in my car. I almost ran a stop sign I was so shocked. Was this real? It rang again.

  “Hello?”

  “Jillian, please don’t say anything, just listen to me. I know you told me not to contact you anymore and I’m sorry if this causes you any pain, but these last four months without you have been hell. My feelings for you have not changed. I know I don’t have a right to ask anything of you, but please listen to Big 98’s morning show. I promised you I would share your song with you. I wanted to privately, but like I said, timing is everything. I love you.” He hung up.

  I went to respond, but he didn’t give me the chance. I rolled into the parking lot stunned, absolutely in shock. Not only had he called me, but his first release was my song. The beautiful tune that played in my dreams and memories, taunting me these past few months.

  I was shaking when I walked in the clinic. I felt like I was having an out of body experience, except I heard Max talking about his weekend plans with his new girlfriend. I was happy for him and me on that front. I barely muttered my hellos before sprinting back to my office to pull up my laptop. Streaming technology was a beautiful thing. And you know what else was? Cole still loved me. A thought that filled me with warmth and hope.

  I did nothing but listen to the DJ’s. Every commercial and teaser was an annoyance. Bring on the main attraction. Please. My pulse was racing. Eight o’clock was never happening, until it did, but it felt like forever.

  “We are excited, as I know all of you are, to welcome Cole Pendleton to our studio this morning. Thanks for joining us.”

  “It’s my pleasure.”

  “We know everyone is anxious to hear your new single, but before we let you announce the title and track, we wanted to ask you a few questions.”

  No, no, no. Just play the song. Not that I didn’t want to hear Cole speak, I did more than anything, but that was my song.

  “Ask away.” He was always polite.

  “First of all, you’ve said that this is your most personal album ever. Why would you say that?”

  “Well, as you know, I’ve been on some journey for the last year or so, getting sober and staying clean. In that process, I’ve learned a lot about myself, the good and the bad. It’s amazing all the things I took for granted and the things I came to regret. That introspection really came through when I began writing again.”

  “So did you write all the songs on this new album?”

  “I either wrote or co-wrote them. I’ve been lucky to work with some of the best song writers Nashville has to offer.”

  “Well, tell us about this title track and what inspired it.”

  I could picture him smiling in my head and his aqua eyes lighting up.

  “‘Midnight Promises’ . . .”

  My hand flew to my mouth. He once again remembered my words.

  “ . . . was inspired by someone very special to me.
I know if I say ‘she’ y’all will go crazy, but she’s the kind of woman that makes a man be a man.”

  “Anyone we know?”

  Cole laughed. “She knows who she is.”

  “She must be something, because we got a sneak peek of ‘Midnight Promises’ during the break and I’m guessing you have another number one hit on your hands. Are you ready to share it?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Ladies and gentleman, Cole Pendleton’s new single, ‘Midnight Promises.’”

  Tears were already welling up in my eyes, but as soon as his song, my song, began to play, it was a full-on bawl fest.

  Love at first sight wasn’t possible until she had me believing.

  A beautiful stranger, I’ve known all my life.

  A vision of grace full of fears, let me show you your heart is safe with me.

  I’ve never been the same since a kiss and midnight promise left my lips.

  I’ll spend my life showing you that my promises made in the dark hold true in the light of day.

  Give me the chance and let me stay.

  After the first verse and chorus, I lost it. All I could think was I had to get to him. I didn’t even pause to remember I had patients waiting. I grabbed my keys and ran out to my car. I think I heard Marcie ask me if I was all right as I ran out the door, but I didn’t have time to answer. Somewhere out there was the man I loved and I didn’t want to waste another second being away from him.

  And apparently neither did he.

  I stopped dead in my tracks, several feet from him. There he was, leaning against my car, legs crossed in those tight-fitting jeans of his, wearing a come-kiss-me grin. And did I ever plan to. “You’re here, but I . . .”

  “It was prerecorded.” He stepped closer.

  “Oh.”

  We both moved forward.

  “I loved the song.”

  He gave me a crooked grin. “I hoped you would.” He inched forward and ran his fingers through my hair. “I missed you.”

  I swallowed my heart back down and embraced him. Without missing a beat, he wrapped me in his arms. I sank into him, trying to get as close as I could. I rested my head on his shoulder, and for a moment we said nothing, but my feelings were welling up inside. “Cole.”

  “Yeah, doc?”

  I smiled. I had missed that name. “I love you.” I looked up to catch his eyes.

  When his eyes watered, mine followed suit. I had never had a man show such emotion for me.

  “Will you let me keep my midnight promise?”

  I nodded through the tears.

  “Good, darlin’, because I have a proposal for you.”

  Before I could respond, his lips pressed against mine. And when my lips parted, I didn’t care what the proposal was, all I knew was I going to give this man a chance and let him stay.

  Epilogue

  Call never looked so radiant as we waited for the chapel doors to open. She was fussing with Noah’s tie and he was doing his best not to push her hand away. I loved that her sixteen-year-old brother was walking her down the aisle. Jaime was kneeling down giving last minute instructions to her daughter and flower girl, Allie. She looked darling in her cream-colored dress to match Call’s. Jaime and I each wore an off the shoulder aubergine gown. Jaime had found them at a thrift store. She filled hers out a little more than me, considering she had given birth in July. Don’t get me wrong, she had a killer figure, but she was still nursing and her chest was ample. I was almost jealous she looked so good.

  But who had time to be jealous when I knew Cole waited for me on the other side of that door. He had a front row seat, along with my parents and Beck’s family, who had flown in from London. They were a riot at the rehearsal dinner last night. Beck’s mom, Edith, had this hilarious cackle and found everything she said to be funny. I knew Call enjoyed them and was looking forward to being part of their family.

  I took in the scene in front of me and smiled. You could feel the joy.

  I hugged Call long and hard before it was time to walk down the aisle. “You are gorgeous. Remember, sashay, don’t run.”

  She laughed. “No one would blame me if I ran toward him.”

  “No they wouldn’t.”

  “Maybe you’ll be next.”

  “You never know.” I smiled impishly.

  “What was that smile for?”

  “What do you mean?”

  She arched her eyebrow. “You’ve been acting strange, like you have a secret. Hold up your hand.”

  I rolled my eyes and held up my left hand. “See.”

  “Okay. Well, I better be first to know if you get engaged.”

  I hugged her once more. “Go get married.”

  Her face lit up.

  I was so happy for her and Beck.

  The processional music began, “Marry Me” by Train. Call’s friend and guitarist played a beautiful acoustical version of it. It was so Call.

  Allie went first, followed by her mommy.

  One more squeeze of Call’s hand and then I was off. I did my best to focus toward the altar, but how could I when Cole sat in the pews, eyes locked on me. For a cowboy, he sure looked good in his suit and tie. And his smile melted me. I was a lucky woman.

  I took my place at the front next to Jaime. Allie decided she wanted to stand next to her daddy, Christopher, the best man and Beck’s best mate. It was adorable the way he held her little hand in his. I decided Cole and I needed to get one of those, a little girl that is, or a boy or two would do.

  Call did her best to walk to the beat of the music, but Beck was in her sights and her leopard print shoes couldn’t get her there fast enough.

  The ceremony was simple, sweet, and short, the way they should be. Not the shortest, sweetest, or simplest I had ever attended, but it was perfect for them.

  Beck’s mother blubbered. I mean the loud, blowing your nose kind. Cole kept grinning at me about it as she sat next to him. At least they were happy tears. She really got going when Beck kissed his bride for what I would call an inordinate amount of time. Definitely not a church kiss. I loved their passion for each other. And I was happy to report the same kind in my relationship with Cole.

  The bride and groom made their way down the aisle, and the wedding line followed, but not before Cole got up to escort me down. It wasn’t in the script, but who cared. It actually seemed to make the audience happy, judging by their gawks and phones that came out for pictures. It was announced no photography, but in this day and age, forget it. I’m sure Cole and I would be on several Facebook pages of strangers any minute now. I did my best to deal with that aspect of our relationship. Today I decided to ignore it and focus on the happy couple and maybe some other things.

  Everyone rushed outside into the crisp November day to see the happy couple off in the waiting luxury sedan that would take them to the reception. It would at least give them a few minutes by themselves. I knew I could use a few moments alone with someone. I think Cole could too, by the way he held me tight from behind and kissed my neck. It sure kept me warm.

  “People are watching.” I spoke from the side of my mouth.

  “So what, we’re married,” he whispered in my ear.

  “Shhh. Someone is going to hear you.” I smiled thinking back to that day last month when Cole and I stood in front of the judge that pronounced us man and wife. We didn’t even dress up or exchange rings. It was too risky. And none of that mattered. All that mattered was every night I got to lay in his arms and then wake up to him every morning. He was where I belonged.

  “I hate keeping this a secret.” He kissed my neck some more.

  It was a hard secret to keep, but we agreed we would wait until after Call and Beck’s wedding. We didn’t want to steal their thunder. I hoped our family and friends would forgive us. I almost hated to tell anyone, it had been magical being secretly married for the last month. A whirlwind month of him promoting his new number one record, and “Midnight Promise” was still topping the charts. Everyo
ne knew it was me that had inspired the song. And maybe that’s part of the reason why we decided to marry secretly—it was something we could keep to ourselves, if only for a moment. Something only we shared.

  I turned to smile at him. “But it’s such a beautiful secret.”

  He kissed my lips once. Enough to make me dizzy. “Yes, it is.”

  About the Author

  Jennifer Peel is the mother of three amazing kiddos. Wife to her one and only for the past twenty-two years. Lover of late night talks, beach vacations, the mountains, pink bubble gum ice cream, tours of model homes, and Southern living. She can frequently be found with her laptop on, fingers typing away, indulging in chocolate milk, and writing out the stories that are constantly swirling through her head.

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  Books by Jennifer Peel:

  Other Side of the Wall

  The Girl in Seat 24B

  Professional Boundaries

  House Divided

  Trouble in Loveland

  The Women of Merryton Series:

  Jessie Belle – Book One

  Taylor Lynne – Book Two