Stopping at the desk, she was informed she had already been registered and was sharing suite 1123. Amanda smiled her thanks, declined a porter for her lone bag, and, familiar with the hotel, headed directly for the elevators. In only moments she stood knocking at the door of 1123.
Evie opened the door.
'Hi, Evie.'
'Mandy, hello, glad to see you!' Evie gave her a warm hug, calling over her shoulder, 'Here she is now, Davie, you can stop worrying.'
'Was Dave worried? How are you? And the baby? You look enormous! Are you sure it is not coming tomorrow?'
Evie giggled delightedly. "No, it's not coming for another month. I'm feeling fine now, though I get tired easily. I'm not going to Nashville with you this time because I’m getting close to delivery.'
Amanda widened her eyes at that. Since their marriage eighteen months earlier, Dave and Evie had rarely been separated. Even his recent visit to Timber had been extraordinary, and that for only one night. Now the two of them would be parted a week or more.
'Hi, coz.' Dave swept her up in a big hug, joining them in the small entry hallway. 'I wasn't worried,' he spoke to his wife as he released Amanda. 'Just wondering when she'd be here.'
'Sure you weren't honey.' Evie smiled and slipped her arm through his. 'Your room's through there, Mandy,' she said, pointing to the door on their right. The opposite wall held a duplicate door, to Evie and Dave's room.
Amanda and her cousin often shared a suite of rooms when traveling. It offered a central meeting area for the whole group, away from the public, where they could relax, plan or practice.
'Do you want to rest, or something?' Evie asked.
‘I'm not tired. Let's go over the schedule so I know where we are.' Amanda dropped her bag near the door to her room and crossed into the living room, going to the sofa. 'We leave tomorrow, right? Arriving in Nashville late?'
'Right.' Dave joined her on the sofa as Evie sat on the arm. 'We'll get in late in the afternoon, so I didn't make any plans for tomorrow. Thursday morning we'll meet with Steve Potlack, discuss the new album. I've booked a few hours at the studio on Friday to cut one song if we want another demo. Which I doubt. Joe and Marc are already there. They'll be ready if we need anything.' Dave referred to two other members of the back-up band, the bass guitarist and the drummer. Joe's brother, Samuel, played electric piano and would fly east with Dave and Amanda.
'If the deal’s signed with Steve, when will we record? I don't want to keep flying back and forth across the country all summer,' Amanda said.
'Me neither,' Dave gave Evie a fond look, 'especially when I become a father. We'll see how it goes. If Steve closes the deal on the terms we want, we will be using the studio in L.A. as you asked. It's only if he balks on that term that we have to try to negotiate something else. It's easier for him to come west once in a while than for all of us and all our gear to go east.'
'Sure,' Amanda laughed, 'he'll really buy that one. How often do we drive back and forth across the States doing concerts? It's a way of life for us. Try it anyway. I like the plan. L.A. I could take and not be away from my new home too much during my getaway summer.'
'We'll know for sure later this week. If he doesn't buy L.A., well, Nashville is only a few hours by plane.'
'I know.'
Evie waited a moment, to see if either Amanda or Dave would continue the conversation. When they remained silent, she spoke.
'What have you done to your hair, Mandy?'
'What? Oh, I was trying to be less conspicuous, so I pulled it back. It's cooler in the hot weather, too.'
'Incognito's the word, toots,' Dave drawled, stretching his feet out and reaching for his wife's hand, threading his fingers through hers.
'But why?' Evie looked puzzled.
'So cousin Mandy could be loved for herself alone and not her money.' Dave's astute answer reminded Amanda of how close she and her cousin were, and always had been. She hadn’t mentioned her desire to be liked for herself. He just knew her well.
'For true?' Evie asked Amanda.
'For true,' Amanda said solemnly. 'I'll fix it like I usually wear it tomorrow. I'm going to take a shower now. Can we eat Chinese food? I love it.'
'Sure. And then we want you to tell us all about your new house. Davie says there’s a lot of work to do on it,” Evie said, looking at him when she smiled.
Amanda swallowed a lump in her throat. It was so reassuring to find a couple so much in love, delighting in each other's company. One day, she thought, one day I'll have that, too. I hope. I want someone who will find delight in my presence, whom I will want to spend my time with. The words to her song flashed into her head. Slowly she got up.
'Won't be long, then we’ll eat and I’ll tell you all about the joys of home ownership.'
***
Heads turned the next day when Amanda walked briskly through the terminal at the San Francisco International Airport. She was dressed in a fashionable denim trouser suit and leather boots. Her hair was gleaming, clean and shiny, cascading around her face, on her shoulders, part way down her back. Skillfully applied make-up highlighted and enhanced the natural beauty of her bright blue eyes. She carried a leather shoulder bag and walked through the terminal with the confident air of someone who knows where they are going, oblivious to the stares, nudges and whispers going on around her. In truth, preoccupied with the forthcoming journey.
She checked in at the designated gate just after the boarding had commenced. Dave would join her in a few moments. He was seeing Evie off on her plane to Los Angeles. Scanning the crowd as she moved towards the jetway, Amanda wondered where Sam was. Perhaps on board already.
'Seen Sam?' Dave joined her.
'Hi. No, maybe he's on board. Evie off all right?'
'Yeah. Wish she were coming with us this trip,' he said, looking a little lost.
Amanda patted his arm. 'It won't be so long.'
Sam was already in his seat in first class, across the aisle from the two booked for Amanda and Dave when they boarded. He greeted them, indicating he’d trade places with Dave later in the flight to spend some of the travel time with Amanda.
It was a long, boring flight. Amanda had made it several times in the last few years, always on business. She talked part of the time with her cousin, part of the time with Sam, to catch up on family news, go over some of the business that had cropped up in her absence.
Dave brought up business first. They discussed the forthcoming meeting in further detail and the possibilities it opened, the terms they wanted and some of the possible songs for the new album. Dave complimented Amanda on the ones she had most recently written at Timber. The ones she’d sent to him had been tried with the band and both had sounded good.
'What about your rancher?' he asked next.
'What about him?' she asked, growing still. Mac wasn’t precisely her rancher.
'I'm asking you that. You tell me.'
'He's not my rancher, as you put it.'
'Do you want him to be?'
Amanda was silent a long time, staring out the window at the empty sky. 'I'm not sure,' she answered slowly. 'I want to get married some day if I can find someone to have a very special relationship with. To love, to have love me.' She smiled at Dave. 'Like you and Evie.'
‘And give up all this?' He waved his hand.
'No, not all. I don't think I’ll want to travel as much in the future. It gets tiring. But I don't want to give it up totally. Just not so much. That's not so outrageous, is it?'
'I could handle that, especially with a kid in the family. Evie won't be able to travel with me as much.'
'I could spend more time writing songs. I really like that part, Davie.'
'It's where you started, what you're good at. In addition to the singing, of course. But the rancher?'
'I don't know. I find him very attractive, very sexy. I like being around him, but he’s so hard to get anywhere with.'
Suddenly the kiss by the stream flashed into her mind
. She would like to know Mac better. But she didn't pin hopes for a long-lasting relationship on someone who treated her distastefully, no matter how attracted he was physically. There had to be more than sexual attraction to build a relationship—at least the kind she wanted.
She shrugged. 'Time will tell, I guess. What are we doing for the album?'
'We want to include the new ones you wrote. They should both go over really well. Bluebells on the Hills is the one that needs a little more work.'
'Yes, I know. I thought it would help to hear it with the band, see better just where it’s weak.'
'Lyrics are nice.'
She bowed her head slightly, her smile heartfelt. 'Thanks, coz. I think I'm ready to settle down.'
'So your song says. Me, too.' Dave was silent for a moment. 'It's been grand fun, though.'
'Sure, and will still be, only not so much travel.'
The big plane droned on, flying eastward towards the Great Smokey mountains of Tennessee, towards the fertile green basin of Nashville. Dave swapped seats with Sam. He and Amanda flew the last hour together, catching up on family. Sam had taken a few weeks to visit Colorado and was bringing Amanda up to date on everything and everyone from their home town.
Joe and Marc met the plane, greeting the travelers, taking them to the hotel where they had already reserved rooms. It was located near the famous Renshaw Theater, first home of the Grand Ole Opry.
Amanda didn't even see the city as they drove through it. She’d been here many times now and no longer stood in awe. She was here to do a job. Work and then go home. She had neither the time nor inclination for tourism.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Amanda was tired, but felt the stirring of excitement as the bus drew near Timber. Her trip had been short and hectic, not the least of which had been this final leg. Up early yesterday, to fly from Nashville to Los Angeles. Making arrangements to have some furniture shipped from L.A. to her cabin had kept her busy in the afternoon. Then, up early again this morning to catch the flight to San Francisco in time to connect with the bus. What with the time zone differences, irregular meals and heavy schedule in Nashville, she was worn out. She hoped John-Michael would pick her up as soon as she called.
She was still attired as she had been for the last week; hair freshly washed, wavy and soft in the bright sun, make-up tastefully applied, highlighting her natural beauty. Her dark blue brushed denim trouser suit was not suitable for summer traveling in California's hot central valley, but had been welcome for San Francisco's cool, foggy climate, and would not be too heavy for the cooler mountain air. Fortunately, the bus was air-conditioned.
Familiar landmarks sparked recognition. She recalled this stretch of highway. Soon they'd round a bend, see the river and traverse the bridge. Next stop, Timber!
As they pulled into the gas station and bus depot, Amanda saw the gray truck parked near the building. John-Michael must have checked the bus schedule. Grateful she didn’t have to wait at all, she gather her few things from her seat. The teenager stood by the truck, waiting. Almost home now.
When she stepped from the vehicle, her heart caught in her throat. Mac Mackenzie was the person leaning back against the hood of the battered old truck, hat low on his face, arms crossed. It wasn’t John-Michael after all.
She swallowed hard, her heart tripping at the sight of him. Summoning up a smile, she walked over as casually as she could.
'Hi.' Was that breathless voice hers? She had enough carrying power to be heard at the back of an auditorium without a mike if needed.
'Have a good trip?' He took in her appearance, his eyes wandering slowly from her hair to her fancy boots.
'Yes, thanks.'
He glanced at her face. 'Come into an inheritance?'
'No. Is, uh, did John-Michael come?'
'Nope. I’ll give you a lift home.'
'Thank you. I have a few more cases this time.'
He shrugged and moved to open the door. 'Climb in and I'll get them. You're the only one off the bus, I take it all the baggage will be yours.'
Glancing back, Amanda realized the driver was already unloading her things from the luggage area. Every box and bag looked familiar.
'It looks like it. I'll help.'
'I can manage. Just get in.'
'Yes, sir!' She gave a mock salute, stopping Mac in his tracks as he turned towards the bus. When he glared at her, Amanda giggled, gave a saucy wink and promptly climbed into the cab.
She watched as Mac gathered all the boxes and bag and loaded them in the truck. Her eyes feasted on him. She had almost forgotten how tall he was, how broad his shoulders were. His hat, pulled low on his forehead, hid most of the bronzed hair, though she could see it gleaming in the sun when his back was to her.
He was certainly an attractive man, in spite of the stern look perpetually on his face. She remembered how he looked when he smiled. He should do it more often.
The last box in the truck, he joined her in the cab, the look from his green eyes almost like an electric shock. He stared her for a long, charged moment, at last moving to start the engine.
'You look nice,' he said, turning the wheel to take the pickup from the parking lot. 'A little tired, though.'
'I am tired,' she replied. 'Thank you for picking me up. Where's John-Michael?'
'Home.'
'Was it inconvenient for him to come for me?'
Mac threw her a look. 'Object to me?'
'No, of course not. I just... I mean I was expecting John-Michael.' What was the matter with her? She had just negotiated and signed a large recording contract; started preliminaries plans for a concert tour in the autumn; traveled across the country and back; made arrangements to have furniture delivered and was now stammering like a teenager. Taking a deep breath, she slowly released it.
'I had to come to town, so I picked you up. I wanted to see you.'
Amanda's heart gave a small skip. Mac had wanted to see her! Her face broke into a lovely smile as she shifted a little in the seat, relaxing a little.
He spoke again. 'Why so much stuff this time? You hit a jackpot or something?'
'No. I have an apartment in L.A. and I'm bringing things back here to really make my little house a home. I was only planning to check out the area when I came before. Then I saw Cora's place and stayed.'
'Without further investigation?' He looked disapproving.
She shrugged. 'It was a wild splurge. I saw something I liked and took it. Haven't you ever done anything like that?'
'What if you didn't like it here? What if you found it was a mistake to move to Timber? Did you consider that?'
‘Not at all. If I don't like it, I'll leave. I can always change my mind. I'm not hurting anyone. Not responsible to anyone for how I live my life. I certainly won't do or not do something just because of other people's views.'
'Hippies always see themselves as free souls, beholden to no one. Live their lives however they choose. Irresponsible, that's all,' Mac said.
'Not only hippies,' she retorted quickly. 'Others choose to live their lives as they want. All people who are working at something they like, who live where they want, are doing the same thing. That doesn't make them irresponsible. Aren't you glad you are a rancher?'
'Of course I am. But I didn't buy a place on impulse, without checking into it.'
'But I did,' she replied sweetly, 'and I'll do it again if I choose.'
'Oh, so we're rich now, are we? Where are you buying your next place?'
'I'd do it all over again here,' she rephrased. 'Why did you want to see me?'
'I came to see you last Thursday. I didn't realize you’d gone anywhere. John-Michael didn't mention it until I asked him. I have that option agreement we discussed.'
Amanda felt like a pricked balloon. He only wanted to see her so they could lock in the option agreement. He hadn't really wanted to see her, except to ensure his hold on her property. She was so disappointed she wanted to cry, to renege on the option and let him worr
y if she'd ever sell to him or not. More fool her for thinking he wanted to see her for any reason other than business. Well, so be it.
'Fine. I'll look at it,' she said, suddenly tired again. She fell silent for the remainder of the ride.
In spite of her disappointment, when they rounded the bend to her track, she felt a lifting of spirits. Her cabin looked so small and isolated after the massive, crowded high-rises and glass edifices of the cities. The soaring pines, the browning grassy meadows, the quiet breeze were soothing to jangled nerves, giving a pervading sense of tranquility to a weary traveler.
Amanda was glad to be home. To be home with no necessity to go away again until the summer was over. She'd spend the weeks ahead decorating her home and writing songs. It would be a wonderful summer and she was determined to enjoy every minute of it. In spite of her disapproving neighbor.
As soon as Mac stopped, Amanda climbed out, going to the back of the truck and pulling one of her cases from it.
'I will get those,' Mac said, lifting two other cases.
'I can help,' she said, heading for the door. Once unlocked, Amanda carried her case directly through to her bedroom. She flung open the window, silently greeting the hills, the trees, and her bluebells on the hill, now waning. When she re-entered the living room a few moments later, Mac was setting down a box she had brought, the last of her baggage.
Crossing to the front window, she opened it for cross-ventilation. Taking off her jacket, she laid it and her sun-glasses on the table.
'Did you get a job?' Mac asked, watching her.
'I may have something lined up. For the fall,' she replied, shrugging.
'I wondered, you look all fixed up. For an interview?'
Amanda's hackles rose again. She had forgotten for a moment he thought her a out of work free spirit. It was such a different impression from what most people had about her. An imp of mischief took over. Giving him a big grin, she turned around.
'Do you like it? I bought some other things, too, now that I'm moving in for good.' She opened her eyes wide and stared limpidly up at him.
'Where did you get the money for all this finery?'
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