He gave her a hug and exclaimed, “I thought I would never see you again.” Billie then asked Ricky to get her a drink. He went to get it, while anxiously wanting to know what was going on with the 2 of them. Billie tried to get over the shock. She had not kept in contact with him, only Maria. So, she had to sum up the situation in thirty seconds. She just hoped he would understand and not give her away. Now, all she had to do was try and convince Ricky of some other ridiculous fib.
He returned with her drink and a look of concern. Bobby did most of the talking, so Billie wouldn’t stutter. Ricky then proceeded to go on and on about how good Billie was at playing pool. Bobby boasted, “Well, she learned from the best.” After Bobby said that, she started thinking about what happened that night they played a game together. She hoped Ricky wouldn’t catch on to their prior involvement.
Billie was, for once in her life, thrilled to be leaving Nashville. She didn’t want anything to ruin what she had going with Ricky. She had a few disappointments in store. For one, Dennis had decided to stay in Nashville. He wouldn’t say what for, but Billie knew he was up to no good. A few days later, Ricky and Billie went to the Houston Livestock Rodeo Show. She had forgotten all about one certain person who normally shows up there, Chris. He was there, too. Ricky wanted to go speak to him. Billie declined. He asked, “Don’t you want to see Chris Brady?”
She thought, “Trust me, I’ve seen enough.” She was lucky enough to escape that time. Chris wouldn’t be as considerate as Bobby had been. One really good thing came out of the concert in Houston. She had the chance to talk to Rose Madison, the famous country singer and actress that she had always wanted to meet. She used to be in her fan club, but never got a chance to go back stage for a meet and greet. This time, Billie had a classier title and more advantages, than just a fan club member. With Ricky’s help, they were invited to Rose’s ranch for the weekend. She was throwing a party for her husband. A few of Rose’s close and personal friends were there, as well. Billie was in a different situation this time, than when she was at Andy Johnston’s place. She wasn’t worried about anyone saying something to her at the party, because they didn’t really know her that well. She was sure they couldn’t remember her from the past, such as interviews or awards.
After everyone surprised Rose's husband, they all got together to talk about the business and the latest gossip. Billie was just itching to write it all down, like she was there working on a report. Most of the news was normal, except for two unusual comments. They talked about a recent interview they read, concerning Chris. Since he was cleared of all charges in Lana’s murder, he had to clean up his image. People were more forgiving than he had predicted. He had a great turnout at his last show, and was thinking things were getting back to normal. Although, he had one thing left unresolved. He made a public apology to his girlfriend, one that most of the public didn’t know about. He wanted her to forgive him for how he had behaved and wanted her forgiveness. They were all curious to know who it was and if she ever did forgive him. Billie knew the girlfriend they were discussing was really her. She wondered how she could have missed that interview. She was grateful that there were not pictures of her printed along with it. She knew there was a reason for her to keep their relationship private.
The other comment that shocked Billie was that Joy Edwards had separated from her fiancée. This news had arrived the same time Joy’s duet with Chris Brady had hit the top ten on billboard. She thought that news would make some men happy, because Joy was very beautiful. Rose discussed possibly doing a duet with Ricky in the future. Billie loved that idea and was glad someone had thought of it.
Billie decided to mingle and talk with some people that she never actually had a chance to talk to before then. One of the things worried Billie. She heard that Andy might stop by. He could tell Ricky everything that happened a few months earlier. She knew she had to tell Ricky the truth before he heard it from someone else. But first, she had to find him. They had split up when Billie had tried to get to know a few of Rose's guests.
Billie found Ricky in one of Rose’s stables. She was sure that was where he would be, because of his love for horses. She began, “Ricky, there is something that I need to tell you. I have been meaning to tell you for a very long time.”
He claimed, “I know what it is. I have actually known this whole time. I have heard all about it.”
Billie pleaded, “When? Who told you?”
Ricky answered, “It is nothing to be ashamed of. Someone you and I know very well, filled me in on it. I didn’t want to believe it at first. But, since you have finally decided to tell me yourself, I appreciate it. Dennis just made it sound worse than what it really was.”
Now Billie was confused. She asked, “What did Dennis tell you?”
Ricky responded, “That you weren’t interested in him or any relationship right now. And I happen to know that you are thinking about dating again, and you are worried that I might take offense to the way you treated my brother. Don’t be.” Billie didn’t know what to say about that, except the truth. Just as she was about to tell him, Rose found them and told Billie there was someone there to see her. Billie just knew it was Andy. It was only one of Ricky's business associates; one she had an appointment with later in the day. Billie was relieved, but had to make sure if Andy was still coming. Rose told her that he couldn’t make it after all.
Billie wanted to forget everything that had just happened. She still had to tell Ricky her secret soon. The following day, everyone decided to go horseback riding. Billie knew Ricky would enjoy that part of the weekend the best. She and Ricky sort of got sidetracked from the others. They decided to give the ride a little bit of a challenge. They started chasing each other. They had no idea what was about to happen. Rose’s palominos started acting strange. They were uncomfortable. When Ricky slightly hit Billie’s horse with a whip, it went crazy. Ricky went after the runaway horse. The horse Billie was on reared back and she fell off. Ricky quickly dismounted to help her. He called for the others to come and help, too. They drove her to the nearest hospital. She received the best care possible. Ricky found out her condition and reported it to the others that were with him. She had some torn ligaments in her leg. She had to be checked in for a few days. So, Billie ended up being in Nashville longer than she had planned anyway.
Chapter 5
Once Billie was feeling better, Ricky decided to return to Hawaii. He was going to help her recover. It was real strange to Billie because he was doing for her, what she wanted to do for him when Lydia died. He was going through a lot and didn’t know how to handle it. He just knew he had to help Billie. She didn’t want Ricky to have pity on her, so she tried therapy on her own. He had left the room for just a few minutes one day, when he heard a loud noise. He ran back in the room and saw Billie on the floor.
He insisted, “Don’t push yourself so hard. You’re trying to walk and be brave. Let me help you.”
She moaned, “I don’t deserve it. I just want to be able to do things for myself.”
He advised, “It is going to take some time. It is all of my fault that you are in this condition. So, at least let me do this.”
Billie was not okay with him taking the blame. She felt it was punishment for not telling him the truth. She argued, “You didn’t know the horse would react that way. Things happen for a reason.”
He noted, “Well, I wonder what is supposed to happen next.” Billie hoped for the best.
Ricky was serious when he said he was going to help her get better. He would even wash her back for her when she was taking her bath. He’d help her walk some. As she made some progress, he kept reassuring her that she would be fine. One night, she was having a nightmare about Chris. In the dream, he was spying on her, and he became jealous of Ricky. Chris had his gun and tried to shoot Ricky. Billie jumped in front of him to block the bullet. That was when she woke up screaming. Ricky ran in to her room to see what was wrong. He asked, “Are you okay?”
Billie responded,
“I guess so. It must be the medication the doctors are giving me, that causes nightmares.”
Ricky inquired, “Do you want me to get you something to drink?”
She sobbed, “No, just hold me for a few minutes.” Ricky lay next to her and they fell asleep.
Billie was closer to Ricky, now more than she had ever imagined. This was better than her wildest dreams, about being with him. She wanted there to be no more secrets between them. She called her boss to tell him she was through playing games.
She had to make him understand that she wanted out of this charade. Mr. Reid didn’t like the sound of her idea. He wanted her to go along with it for at least another month. She did have a choice, but didn’t want to lose her job. She didn’t want to lose her chance at happiness either. Ricky was more important to her than her job. She told her boss she would think about it, before she changed her mind.
Ricky was trying to find out who she was going out with, since she never cleared up that fact. She figured he was set on that idea, so she would go along with it. She wanted to try and make him jealous. She wasn’t sure it would work. She didn’t mention any names, just said it probably wouldn’t work out because they were so different.
Ricky advised, “Well, when you are ready to tell me the details, I am here to listen.”
After that, he went to bed. As he was walking up the staircase, Billie started playing a song on the piano. She was singing some of the lyrics. He recognized it immediately, because it had been a number 1 hit on the singles charts for a fellow country artist. So, he came downstairs and proceeded to sing the song along with her. They both sang the chorus. After they were through with the song, he observed, “I didn’t know you could play the piano.”
Billie added, “I didn’t know you were listening to my song.”
He questioned, “The lyrics, is that how you feel about the guy you were trying not to tell me anything about?”
Billie taunted, “Well, that all depends on the person.”
Ricky decided it was time to put Billie’s leg to the test. He asked her to dance.
She feared, “But, won’t that make my leg worse?”
He objected, “On the contrary, it may actually help.”
They danced slowly. Then, as the music got faster, so did they. Ricky began spinning her around and she didn’t collapse. They started laughing.
He boasted, “I told you not to give up. All you had to do was believe in yourself.”
She grinned, “I believe in you, too.”
Ricky reached over to kiss her and her lips couldn’t reach his fast enough. They kissed, it seemed like forever. To Billie, it was like magic, the fourth of July, fireworks going off everywhere, and that they were the only two people on earth.
Billie’s first kiss with Ricky was all that she was thinking about the next day. She couldn’t concentrate on a single thing. She wondered if he regretted it, or if he didn’t want things to move so fast. She decided she would ask him when he returned home. He responded with another kiss. They paused long enough to catch a breath.
Ricky announced, “I want to make love to you so bad right now.”
Billie asserted, “Then, why don’t you?”
He ruled, “I think it’s best if we wait. At least until your leg is better.”
Billie insisted, “If that is all you are worried about, I think we can manage to make me forget about my leg for awhile.”
He started to remove her dress, as she unbuttoned his shirt. He was kissing her on her neck and rubbing his hands up and down her back. He went to unhook her bra, as she was trying to undo his belt. They were in front of the fireplace, but there wasn’t a fire going, at least not in the fireplace. Billie was thinking how it couldn’t be happening. It was only a dream for her for so long. She wished he could have been her first. Just moving her hands on his chest was orgasmic enough. He was much better than she expected. Once the sweat became unbearable, they decided to stop.
Ricky acknowledged, “I don’t need to do my workout today. I think I am good for a couple of weeks. Join me in the shower?” Billie was willing and able for the task. Things continued in the bathroom. He double checked to see if Billie’s leg was not bothering her first. It hadn’t fazed her. They washed each other and finally pulled away long enough to get out and get dressed.
Ricky commented, “Doesn’t it feel like we are on our honeymoon?”
Billie paused and then said, “Honeymoon, why does that word come to mind?”
He grinned, “Who knows what the future might bring, I mean this could go anywhere.” Billie was never one to want to get married, but she hadn’t been asked by Ricky Todd before either.
They proceeded back downstairs. Ricky looked over at the rug where they had been only moments ago. Billie caught his stares. “Maybe we should return to the scene of the crime,” she commented.
Suddenly, they heard a well-known voice coming from the front door way.
“Where might that be Billie, Nashville?” asked Dennis.
Ricky demanded, “Don’t you knock anymore? You could have interrupted us.”
Dennis advised, “Actually, I did. I just went back outside and waited a few minutes, although I should have stopped you then.”
Ricky challenged, “What are you up to now?”
Dennis claimed, “Maybe you should ask Billie that question. As a matter of fact, I think I should talk to her first.”
Ricky ordered, “Whatever you have to say, you can come right out and say it to both of us.”
Billie instructed, “No, that’s okay. I’ll see what he wants. Maybe then he’ll leave us alone and we can get back to what we were talking about earlier.”
Dennis grunted, “That's what I thought you'd say.”
Billie went in the next room, hoping Ricky wouldn’t follow. Dennis grabbed her arm and said, “I told you I would catch you, I guess there was just a part of me that hoped it wouldn’t be true for my brother’s sake. If you had just gone out with me instead, this conversation wouldn’t be happening.”
Billie pleaded, “What is it that is so catastrophic that you have on me?”
He informed her, “I know who you really are, and I have proof to show Ricky. I should give you a second chance, and I would have if you hadn’t already slept with him. I should have known, according to what I dug up on you, you are a real slut.”
Billie slapped him. He warned, “That’s not going to help you now.”
She begged, “Please don’t tell him, let me do it. He’ll never forgive me if you are the one to tell him.”
Dennis commanded, “I told you, it’s too late to beg, and it’s not very becoming. You have had plenty of time to tell him. It’s not my fault you are a lying bitch. If I were you, I’d be packing. You don’t want to see him when he gets upset.”
Dennis went back in to the living room, expecting Billie to go upstairs. Instead, she was right behind him.
Ricky asserted, “Could you tell me what is going on now?”
Billie tried to say something, when Dennis interrupted her. He stated, “Billie is a fake.”
Ricky cried, “What are you talking about? What, her name isn’t Billie?”
Dennis answered, “No, that part is true, except the last name, and her real occupation. She has lied about a lot of things, especially her intentions. She is really a photo-journalist and used to date Chris Brady. That was privileged information, since their relationship was never public. It’s amazing what you can dig up on the internet, I'm surprised you didn't run a background check on her. While in Nashville, I had a hard time finding some of her old hangouts, but I had to be sure.”
Ricky looked at Billie and said, “Is this true?” She was afraid to say anything.
Dennis added, “I am not making this up. Her best friend might tell you the truth. It is Maria Dawson.”
Ricky asked, “Was she the one who told you about Billie?”
Dennis admitted, “No. But, I found that out in Nashville, she worked for a
magazine there. The so-called agent she had was actually her boss. I think she’s had this planned from the start. Who knows what kind of story she was doing on you.”
Billie complained, “It’s not like that. I didn’t plan it. Ricky, I’ve been trying to tell you the truth. Every time I got up the courage, something would happen. Like the day we were at Rose’s ranch, before the accident. Remember? My boss wanted me to wait and not tell you right away, but I told him I would quit. I didn’t enjoy lying to you. If Dennis had done his research properly, he would have discovered that I have always had feelings for you. Hurting you is something I never wanted to do.”
Ricky lectured, “If that is true, you’re too late. I thought we loved each other, and even started thinking about us having a future together. But, you have to have trust. How can I trust you now, since you have been lying to me all along? It’s like I fell in love with a complete stranger.”
Billie wanted Dennis to leave so she could talk privately with Ricky. But, that didn’t look like it was going to happen. So, she decided to leave, maybe things would cool down. She had to get away from the embarrassment and the hurt in Ricky’s eyes. She knew he was right. She should have told him when she had planned to, and not listen to her boss. She feared in the beginning that she wouldn’t have had the great experiences she had, if she were just a plain journalist.
Somewhere in My Heart (Tennessee Series #2) Page 5