Made in Nashville: HarperImpulse Contemporary Romance

by Mandy Baggot

  She folded her arms across her chest and met his gaze with defiance. He had always been a smooth-talker but if he tried any of that now it would be a dumb move.

  ‘Can I come in?’ The brown eyes didn’t look quite so mad now.

  She shook her head. ‘No. I don’t have anything to say to you.’

  He took off his Stetson and toyed with it in his hands. ‘It was never my intention to come back here and end up like this.’

  ‘No? Then why come back?’

  He put his hands to his head and set his eyes on her. ‘Because music’s my life. You know that. Nothing’s changed since we were … since back then.’

  ‘Nothing’s changed for you maybe, but everything changed for me.’

  ‘I know that.’ He gave a nod. ‘I can’t imagine what you must have been through.’

  She stiffened. ‘I don’t want you to imagine it. It’s nothing to do with you. I don’t want your sympathy - which is way too late by the way - I want you to stay out of my life and keep your finger-picking hands off my career.’ She put her hands on her hips and glared.

  He smiled at her and she felt her cheeks flame with rage.

  ‘There’s the firecracker I remember,’ he stated.

  ‘Get off of my porch.’

  ‘Listen, Honor, I just came here to try and straighten things out. To try and get you to see that we’re not all ganging up on you. This mutual arrangement could benefit us both. Micro are talking arena tours if we team up, joint store signings, fan club gigs together. I think it makes a lot of sense, a lot of business sense. I’m willing to workshop it,’ he stated.

  ‘Did I not make myself clear at the office yesterday? Because I’m sure I asked Radley for an out from my contract. And I’m pretty positive I contacted my lawyer this morning and asked him to fix this mess.’

  ‘You’d throw away a great deal, the years of relationship you have with that label, just so you don’t have to work with me?’

  ‘You were listening the other day.’

  Dan let out a breath and replaced his hat on his head. ‘Listen, I admit, I went away because I freaked out after your accident. I couldn’t cope with what that man had done to you. But it wasn’t just the scar on your face like you think it was … it was how you changed as a person. You let that guy take your soul.’

  She felt the dart shoot through her chest. His words were harsh but it was the truth in them that was doing more damage than the intent.

  ‘I want to move on from that. I want you to move on from that. Don’t throw something good away just because you’re not quite healed.’

  He picked up the package from the floor and handed it to her. ‘Think about it.’

  ‘I’ve just heard you all over the radio. You’ve been nominated for a Marlon award!’ Byron slapped Jared on the back.

  ‘Thanks, man. What are you doin’ here?’

  ‘Working with Gary Giles on his new album. How about you? You got the band in?’ Byron asked, looking through into the studio.

  ‘That was the plan but I’m a man down. Rico’s broken his hand. Don’t ask, it sounds like he had a fight with a garbage truck. Say, you couldn’t … ’ Jared began.

  ‘Aw, Jed I wish I could but I’m booked with Gary and … ’

  ‘I can wait.’

  ‘I don’t know,’ Byron hesitated.

  ‘What’s the problem? You worried we’re a bit too rock for ya?’

  ‘I can play anything, you know that.’

  ‘I know that. That’s why I’m askin’.’

  Byron shook his head and smiled. ‘Give me an hour OK?’

  ‘You got it. We’ll be right here.’ Byron headed back out into the corridor and Jared sat himself down on the couch.

  He was waiting for a call from Buzz. Despite his advisor’s reservations about his relationship with Honor he had promised to contact Gear about signing her. It was a competitive market but the vibe around her performance at Cody’s Bar and Grill should be enough to convince Gear they should snap her up before another record company did.

  He wanted to be able to tell her something tonight when he went for dinner at her place. The thought of having dinner with her, there, in those plush, hand-clapping surroundings was freaking him out a little. No one except his mom had ever cooked for him before. It was a date, albeit in private, and he knew by the end of it he’d been struggling to keep his libido in check.

  His cell phone rang and he answered.

  ‘Hey, Buzz.’

  ‘Hey, listen, I’ll cut to the chase. I spoke to Eddie at Gear and right now they’re not looking for someone in Honor’s category.’

  Jared pressed his lips together as what Buzz had said sunk into him. He started to pace.

  ‘Are you still there, Jared?’

  ‘Yeah I’m still here but I don’t like what you’re tellin’ me. What d’you mean they’re not lookin’ for someone in Honor’s category? What’s that supposed to mean?’

  ‘It means they’re not taking on any traditional country singers right now. I tried for you, Jared, like I said I would but … ’

  ‘What? Did you show them the You Tube video from Cody’s? Did you tell them about us?’

  It all went very quiet on the other end of the phone. Jared came to a halt, grinding his teeth together. He wanted to reach down the receiver and take hold of Buzz.

  ‘You didn’t tell them did you? Why didn’t you tell them?’ He knew his voice was raised a volume above what it should be, but right now he didn’t care. This was important to him on so many levels.

  ‘We talked about this. The last thing you need right now is a girlfriend. We joked about this a few weeks ago … Taylor Swift and Leann Rimes, remember?’

  ‘Yeah I remember and things have moved on. I want Honor on my tour and I want Gear to sign her up. They’d be crazy not to.’ He was biting the inside of his mouth.

  ‘That’s not your decision to make.’

  Buzz had all the answers. He wouldn’t be surprised if he’d rehearsed the whole conversation. That was what he was good at. Fielding questions, preparing answers and winning the argument. That’s why Jared employed him. And that was exactly why he should be doing more to help, because Jared paid his wages.

  ‘Speak to them again.’

  ‘Come on, Jared, you’re being unprofessional.’

  ‘No, Buzz, you are. For whatever damn reason, you’re not workin’ your ass off to make this happen for me. How many times do I have to spell it out to you? I want Honor with Gear. Make it work.’ He didn’t care that his tone was bordering on threatening.

  ‘I’m not some sort of Aladdin’s genie you know.’

  ‘Then you’d better work on that.’

  Chapter Twenty Five

  When the doorbell rang her stomach gave a flip. He was here. He was on time. She was organized in the kitchen and the eight foot long table in her garden room was dressed with white table linen and candles. She felt warm, happy, excited and all the things she hadn’t felt in forever.

  She brushed down the front of the dark blue knee-length dress. It was a favorite. It had white broderie anglaise at the sleeves and the hem. She hadn’t worn it in years, but tonight she’d decided she didn’t want to be in jeans.

  She took a breath and checked the spy-hole before opened the door to Jared.

  ‘Am I late? I called a cab way before I needed to but they were late on their promise. I got you these. I know bringin’ your girl a set of guitar strings isn’t the most romantic of gifts but you said you needed them.’

  She swallowed down the pulse of heat that had raised up the second she clapped eyes on him. He was wearing jeans without any rips or chains, a dark blue vest that showed off his lean torso, over which was a tan short-sleeved shirt. One bead necklace hung from his neck and of course, he was wearing his trademark cap.

  ‘Honor?’

  She realized she hadn’t responded to his question and she hurriedly stepped back to let him in and spoke up. ‘No, you’re not late. And
the strings are perfect.’ She took them from him. ‘Come in.’

  He took a step forward and stopped as he met her body. ‘You look beautiful in that dress.’

  She felt her face pink as she turned to mush like a teenager. The effect he had on her was crazy. She knew she was old enough to know better but that didn’t stop it happening.

  ‘Thank you.’ He kissed her cheek and she breathed deep, lingering on the scent of his aftershave. Wood and patchouli, mixed with musk and leather.

  She reached for his hand, needing the connection. He was still wearing his rings and the contact stilled her for a moment.

  ‘Hey, is everything alright?’ His gray eyes leveled with hers, wide and soulful, concerned.

  ‘Yes, I just … Dan came by.’ There was no point hiding it even though she knew what his reaction would be. She felt his fingers tense immediately, the tendons in his arms tightening.

  ‘Dan Steele.’ He didn’t know why he’d asked that. Of course it was him. It wasn’t enough to do Honor out of her recording contract, he’d had to come around and rub it in her face.

  ‘I thought he’d sent me flowers and followed me around Target. Someone bought me the owl, a fan I guess; he said it wasn’t him but … ’

  ‘Slow down a little bit. He sent you flowers?’ He was going to kill him the very next time he laid eyes on him.

  ‘No. Yes. Maybe. I thought so. Anyway, he came around and tried to convince me to stay with Micro.’ Her cheeks were red and she was toying with a strand of hair. He had to keep himself in check here. He was mad but he didn’t want Honor to think he was crazy-ass mad. That he couldn’t control his temper. Because he could. If he really wanted to.

  ‘And what did you say?’ He exhaled as he waited for her to answer.

  ‘I told him I meant what I said at the offices. I’m out. There’s no going back.’ He saw her swallow, knew despite the determination she was concerned about how this would pan out for her.

  ‘I don’t much like the fact he came over here.’ That was as mild as he could manage to get the point across.

  ‘There’s nothing between us.’ She looked up at him with wide eyes, her tone changed, concerned.

  ‘I know, it isn’t that. I just don’t like the guy and I hate what he and Micro did to you.’ That was an understatement.

  ‘I’m OK … I’m glad you’re here.’

  He squeezed her hand then looked at his watch.

  ‘Can’t you stay long?’ she asked him.

  ‘No, I mean, sure thing. I’m just waiting for a call.’

  He’d given up with Buzz. Despite ordering him to do what he wanted he’d had no word. He’d phoned his contact at Gear and left several messages. No response. So, after Byron had taken the place of his regular guitarist at the studio and he’d asked him to join the band for the tour, he’d told him about Honor’s situation. Byron had made a suggestion and together they’d devised a plan.

  ‘And then you might have to go?’

  ‘No. Actually we might have to go.’

  She looked like she didn’t understand and how could she? He wanted to just pull her towards him and take everything bad away.

  ‘But I’ve made ribs with Alabama Hot Sauce and corn dogs.’ She was so sweet, his heart was aching.

  ‘Is my face on the bottle? Because that damn cartoon has haunted me,’ he joked, smiling.

  She smiled back at him, a little tentative. He put an arm around her shoulders and drew her into his embrace, hooking his other arm in around her waist and holding her close. ‘Corn dogs are a habit of mine.’

  The ribs had been a little overdone but he’d said they were the best he’d had. He sounded so sincere she didn’t actually know whether he was just being nice or telling the truth. They’d shared six beers and he’d told her all the plans for his tour. She’d never experienced anything quite that countrywide in her time. It seemed like Jared was going to be covering every corner of the US. And he was still determined she was coming with him.

  ‘I’d understand if you changed your mind. After all, I don’t have a label anymore.’ She dropped her eyes to her finished plate of food.

  ‘Are you crazy? It took me this long to get you to agree to it. There’s no way I’m changin’ my mind.’

  She saw him check his watch again. ‘What are you waiting for?’

  He let out a breath and met her eyes. ‘I’m waiting on Byron.’

  ‘Byron? He has a date with Mia tonight.’

  ‘I know. They’re eatin’ chicken out of a bucket at Kelsey Rio’s. But he told me Flynn Fisher is there every week checkin’ out the new bands and he’s gonna be there tonight. You know who Flynn Fisher is don’tcha?’

  Honor shook her head. Should she know? Was he another of the recording artists she’d missed out on in all these years?

  ‘He’s the head scout at Gear.’

  She didn’t know where this was headed but she had a sick feeling penetrating her stomach. She shook her head at Jared. ‘What has that got to do with anything?’

  ‘You want a record label. I think you’d do well with Gear.’ He took a swig of his beer. ‘Being polite and asking hasn’t gotten me very far so it’s time to accelerate things a little.’

  ‘I can send a demo around in a week or so, when I’ve got used to the idea of moving on.’ She swallowed. Even she knew it sounded a weak response. She was positive moving away from Micro was the right thing now Dan was on board, but that didn’t mean she wanted the momentum of what came next gathering speed before she was ready.

  ‘You went down a storm at Cody’s. If you want to attract attention you need to go grab it.’

  She shook her head and picked up her beer bottle. ‘I don’t grab attention like that.’

  ‘You’re gonna let Dan Steele run off with your confidence as well as everything else?’

  His tone was cutting and she knew she deserved it for being so meek. ‘You want me to pitch up at Kelsey Rio’s, and perform to this guy from Gear? Just like that?’

  ‘Kind of.’

  ‘What does that mean?’

  ‘You have to be a never-before-signed artist to perform tonight. But I know what all the legal stuff is like. It could be months before your lawyer gets you released from Micro unless he can find a loophole. Sign with Gear and they’d pay your out.’

  She shook her head, giving the jumbled up thoughts flying round time to compute to her brain.

  ‘Tonight you’re Lindy Marshall and I’m your guitarist, Randy Mitchell.’ He laughed and his smile cracked as wide as the Grand Canyon.

  She still didn’t understand.

  ‘Byron’s signed you up to perform. He’s gonna call when there’s three artists before you. We’ll call a cab – a more reliable company than I used to get here – we’ll get on stage and he’ll be drawin’ up the contract before the final chord.’

  ‘We can’t do that. I mean it’s dishonest and that will be a bad start to a business relationship – if he even considers signing me - and … everyone’s going to recognize me the second I step on stage, especially if I sing Goodbye Joe.’

  ‘You’re not singin’ Goodbye Joe … and I’ve got disguises.’

  Chapter Twenty Six

  Byron had phoned, the cab had been late and on the drive to the strip they’d rehearsed the song she was going to sing. It was the classic hymn How Great Thou Art. Jared had told her Vince Gill and Carrie Underwood had done it together and their version was famous for getting standing ovations. He was convinced that no act at Kelsey Rio’s was going to sing something so gospel. It would be different. It was perfect for her voice. He knew the guitar part. The guy from Gear had a soft spot for Vince Gill. It was perfect.

  ‘You know this is completely crazy right?’ She pulled at the blonde wig she had on. At the moment she was concerned it was too big and was probably going to fall off the second she opened her mouth.

  ‘Sometimes you have to do a little crazy to make things work for ya.’ He grinned and tugged at the
ZZ Top style beard he had stuck on.

  She took a breath. The cab had dropped them a few meters down from the bar. The strip was busy and there was music emanating from every open door. The atmosphere always gave her shivers but tonight everything was heightened ten-fold.

  ‘Relax there, Lindy, no one knows who you are,’ Jared whispered in her ear.

  The warmth of his breath had her insides lurching. ‘This is insane, Jared.’

  ‘Not insane. Just a little crazy, like you said. If you’re gonna be spendin’ time with me things are always gonna be a little bit crazy.’

  She smiled at him. She should have known that. Wikipedia had told her about a few stunts he’d pulled in the past. Riding his motorbike through a shopping mall, playing a set in the middle of the freeway. There wasn’t much he’d done the straight way.

  ‘We’re busting in on Mia and Byron’s date.’

  ‘Enough of the excuses, Lindy, we’ve got work to do. Come on.’ He held his hand out to her.

  ‘Wait, can we just do one more run through?’ She was nervous as hell.

  ‘There’s no time.’

  ‘Please, just once more,’ she begged, indicating an alleyway off the main street. She saw him check his watch again.

  ‘One run through of the intro,’ he agreed. She passed him her guitar and led the way into the shadowy walkway.

  Once they were out of sight of the drinkers and revelers she cleared her throat as Jared began to play. She prepared to come in.

  ‘Fuck! Man, the string just broke.’ He took the guitar off his body and looked at the flailing wire.

  ‘I said she needed restringing. You bought me new ones.’

  ‘Don’t suppose you have ‘em with you?’

  She shook her head. They were on the worktop in the kitchen, next to the dirty grill pan she’d cooked the ribs on.

  ‘Jeez! OK, listen, here’s what we’re gonna do. We’re just gonna have to go in and ask to borrow a guitar. The place is full of musicians, it’ll be easy.’