by LuAnn McLane
“I can relate. I think I’d rather face a bear too.”
Shane squeezed her hand again and then without thinking brought her fingers to his mouth and kissed her on the knuckles. He inched closer to her and could feel the slight tremble in her body. “I’ll go over there and take the snake outside.”
“No!” She held his hand in a viselike grip. “It might bite you!” she still whispered.
“Well, we can’t stay up against the wall forever.”
“I was thinking that I might just have to do that.”
Shane chuckled. “Listen, I’m a country boy. I’ve picked up many a snake in my day. I’ll be fine.”
“Absolutely not.” Laura Lee shook her head firmly. “I won’t let you,” she said, but then gave him a sideways glance and the hint of a grin. “Oh, I forgot you’re the boss, not me.”
Shane wanted to tell her that she could order him around all she wanted and he wouldn’t mind one little bit. He also felt it very sweet that she was so concerned for his welfare. “How about if I get a broom and just sweep it out the front door?”
“Do you think that would work?”
“Yes.”
“Okay, the broom is in the laundry room off the garage. I’d go and get it, but as silly as it seems I am completely frozen with fear of that tiny little guy.”
“No worries. I’ll get the broom. But, Laura Lee?”
“Yes,” she whispered.
“You have to let go of my hand.”
“Right,” Laura Lee said, but the snake chose that moment to slither across the tiles to hover in the corner beneath the cabinets and she refused to release his hand. “I almost peed in my pants.”
He tried hard not to laugh. “Do you want to come with me?”
Laura Lee glanced at Shane again. “No! What if he goes somewhere and hides? I’ll have to keep an eye on him.”
“He’s more afraid of you than you are of him.”
“That’s not even remotely possible.”
Shane chuckled. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t laugh.”
“Yes, you should. I’m a grown woman. This is totally ridiculous.”
“I think it’s cute,” he admitted.
“You’re just being nice,” she whispered, and he thought it funny that he was talking in a normal tone but she still felt the need to keep her voice down as if the snake would hear. “This is my entire fault! I’m sure he came in through the back door when I went out there to call Mattie. I should have been more careful.”
“I’m not sure he could have gotten up onto the back deck, Laura Lee, but who cares if he did? You’ve got nothing to be sorry for,” he insisted in a gentle tone. He had to wonder if her ex-husband always placed blame upon her and if that had sucked the life out of someone so sweet and caring. He didn’t even know the guy and he wanted to punch him in the face. “Now stay here and I’ll be right back. I’ll take care of the snake for you.”
She nodded and gave him a small smile before letting go of his hand.
Shane found the broom and dustpan and hurried back. He had to smile at her intake of breath when he walked across the kitchen and swept the scared little snake onto the dustpan.
“Oh, don’t hurt him!”
“I won’t.” The snake wiggled a bit, making Laura Lee shriek, but to her surprise she followed Shane out the front door.
“Make sure you get him into the woods so he can find his family.”
Shane finally had to laugh. “You’re very concerned for something you detest.”
“I don’t detest him. I’m just afraid of him.” She walked a safe distance from the dustpan. “I would never hurt him.”
“I don’t think you could hurt anything or anyone.”
“Unless they were trying to hurt someone I loved. Then I’d have to show off my karate skills.”
“You know karate?”
“No, so it would be kind of a problem.”
Shane laughed so hard he almost dropped the snake. He gently put the snake at the edge of the wooded area to the side of the garage. The little guy slithered away as if happy to be back in his element. “All done,” Shane said when he reached her side. “You can breathe a sigh of relief.”
“Oh . . .” Laura Lee put her hands over her face. “I feel so silly.”
Shane put the broom and dustpan in one hand and then reached out and pried her fingers from her face. “Well, don’t, because you shouldn’t. Please.”
“Okay.” She looked at him and when he took her hand she didn’t protest. “Thank you for being so nice to me,” she said, and then looked away as if embarrassed that she said such a thing to him.
Shane paused when they reached the front porch. “Why wouldn’t I be?” When she only shrugged he said, “Did you think I was going to be an arrogant jerk because of my success?”
“No. . . . Oh, maybe, I guess. I didn’t know what to expect.”
“Listen, because I was blessed with a good voice and get paid piles of money doesn’t make me any better than anyone else. I’m just a man, Laura Lee. Lucky that I got a break. Not everyone who has talent gets discovered. That’s one of the reasons I’m looking forward to working with those trying to break into this crazy business.”
“I’m sure that you worked hard for your so-called lucky break.”
“I paid my dues and then some.” Shane looked at her and she reminded him of the sweetness that Patsy possessed. “And maybe I’m not as lucky as you might think.”
Laura Lee’s eyes widened in surprise. “Do you want to talk about it?”
Shane had never talked about his divorce on a deeply personal level with anyone, not even his parents. But for some reason he wanted to open up to Laura Lee, so he found himself nodding. “I do, in fact. I’ll change into swim trunks and grab a pitcher of sweet tea.”
“I’ll do that part.”
“No way. I’m giving you the day off. We’re just two friends talking. Okay?”
“Okay,” she said, and although she smiled Shane saw the play of emotion cross her face. He knew she must be thinking that she shouldn’t get this close to him or perhaps risk her job, and he hated it. There were so many times when he wanted to be friends with employees, but they never completely let their guard down with him in the way he’d see them interact with others, especially on the road. He’d often walk up to a group of people laughing and the laughter would immediately die down when he approached. Fame came with a huge price tag. So he was not only her employer but a famous one to boot. A double whammy to overcome.
“I’ll meet you out by the pool.”
“I’ll just grab my beach bag.”
“You have plenty of sunscreen?”
“Are you kidding?” She smiled. “I’m a ginger. We always lather up with powerful sunscreen. And even then I’ll have freckles pop out all over the place.” She wrinkled up her nose.
“I like them.”
“My freckles?”
“Yes, your freckles.” She seemed so surprised that he reached over and pulled her in for a quick hug. “There’s a lot to like about you, Laura Lee,” he said when he really wanted to say that there was a lot that he liked about her. But he had to be careful. He didn’t want Laura Lee to think that he expected anything from her or would take advantage of her in any way, so he started walking toward the house. “I’ll meet you poolside,” he said, and had to grin when she took a rather fearful look around. “I don’t think the little snake has any brothers or sisters lurking about.”
“I was more interested in a mother or father slithering about. What if there is a whole family?”
Shane laughed. “I think you’re fine.”
“See, the operative word there is think.”
“Well, then I’ll keep a look out for mama and papa snake. In the meantime go out to the pool and relax. I’ll bring some snacks
too,” he said, and when she looked as though she was going to protest he shook his head. “You’re off the clock, Laura Lee. Let me wait on you for a change,” he insisted, but when she appeared so uncomfortable he shooed her with his fingers.
“But—”
“Don’t even bother to protest. You already go way over and above the call of duty. I don’t think I’ve ever been this pampered in my entire life.”
“Are you serious?”
Shane thought about that for a moment, but it was true and he suddenly knew why. “The difference between you and anyone else is that you do things for me because you’re being thoughtful. Most others do things for me with an agenda or because it was part of their job description. You might be doing your job, but you also care.”
“Guilty as charged.” Laura Lee smiled as if she knew it was pointless to deny that she cared about him. And then as if shy about her admission, she turned around and walked toward the back deck. He watched her go, admiring the sway of her hips and long, slender legs. For a split second he wondered what it would feel like to have those legs wrapped around him and he pushed that thought from his mind. But he shook his head, thinking that she must have been an amazing wife. Who in his right mind would have mistreated a woman like her and put such sadness in her pretty eyes? The thought brought out a masculine protective instinct that had him clenching his jaw. In that moment Shane vowed to make Laura Lee laugh and to chase the sadness as far away as possible.
As promised, Shane brought a tray of veggies and dip, fruit, crackers and cheese, and the pitcher of tea out to the pool deck. He paused, though, when he looked at Laura Lee stretched out on a lounge chair. One endless leg was bent, giving him a side view of her elegant body. She wore a wide floppy hat that looked both cute and classy, and he thought that she looked as if she were in an ad in a glossy magazine for something cool and delicious. He actually longed to put the food down and snap a picture with his phone.
“Gorgeous day,” Shane said when he walked past her to put the tray on an umbrella table.
Laura Lee looked up from her book at him and smiled. “Oh, I was thinking the same thing. The sky is so blue and the slight breeze feels refreshing.”
“It’s a perfect day to be outside.”
“Oh, would you look at the nice display of snacks?”
“You keep us well stocked.” Shane walked her way and put the tray within reaching distance.
“Thank you.” She plucked a green grape from a bunch and popped it into her mouth. He liked her deep rose shade of lipstick with just a hint of shine. She had full, lush lips and Shane had the urge to feed the grapes to her, one by one.
“I even put ice in a tray beneath the food to keep it from spoiling,” he said, trying to derail his train of thought.
“I’m impressed!”
“Comes from many years of consuming catered food. I often had to eat at odd hours, usually late at night after shows. Your home-cooked meals are so much better.” Shane inclined his head and wished he could see her eyes behind the bold black sunglasses she wore. He’d bet she’d never guess how elegant she really did look lounging gracefully on the chair. While as a celebrity Shane had become used to women staring him down, he wondered if Laura Lee found him to be attractive.
Sexy?
Shane sure did wish that she wasn’t his employee so he could flirt with her and see where it took them. But he knew that at least for now he’d have to settle for friendship. “Would you like me to bring you a plate of food?”
“No, thank you. You don’t have to do that. I’ll come over there and sit in the shade and have a snack,” she replied, and then stood up.
Shane joined her and they sat in companionable silence for a few moments.
“If you’ve changed your mind and don’t want to talk about personal things, it’s perfectly okay. I do want you to know that anything you do tell me goes nowhere.”
“I believe you, Laura Lee,” Shane said, and in truth it had been difficult for him to confide in many people for that very reason. “I’ve learned over the years to be a good judge of character and I feel as if I can trust you completely.” He brought over two plates of food and put them on the small table between the lounge chairs.
She swiped a carrot stick through the ranch dip. “Thank you.”
Suddenly feeling more comfortable than he’d felt in a long time, Shane stretched his legs out and crossed his ankles. “For the food?”
She nodded. “And for placing trust in me. So, do you still want to talk about something?”
“Yes, I do. I want to tell you a little bit about me if you’re interested.”
“Of course I am.”
“Okay, then.” After taking a swig of tea, he looked out over the pool and said, “I married my high school sweetheart. A girl I completely adored.”
“What happened?”
“It was simple. Patsy couldn’t handle me being on the road all the time. And I couldn’t blame her. We’d known each other since we were kids. Do you know the George Strait song ‘Check Yes or No’?”
“Of course.”
“We were like that,” Shane said, and then chuckled. “I really did send her a note that said something like that.”
“Oh, Shane, that’s so sweet.”
Shane looked her way. “We were friends and then sweethearts and we were inseparable.”
“Until you went out on the road and were separated all the time.”
Shane nodded. “It didn’t help that after I won You Can Be a Star, my career took off like a rocket. Funny thing is that I entered at Patsy’s insistence.”
“She must have believed in your talent.”
“Yes, she did. But neither of us was prepared for what was to come and come so quickly. To her credit she tried, but in the end she just couldn’t take it. Patsy wanted the white picket fence with two kids and a dog, and I was no longer that person.”
“I’m so sorry.” Laura Lee took a drink of her tea and then asked, “Do you wish you’d given up your career so you could have stayed together?”
“Oh, at times . . . sure.” Shane looked down at his glass and then over at her. “When I was lonely on the road, not even remembering what city I was in that night. And lots of folks, even those who claimed to be my friends, thought that I dumped my hometown girl because I wanted someone with more flash. Or that I’d been cheating on her. Just because I became successful didn’t mean that I changed my values. I let stuff slide off my back, but rumors like that really hurt.”
“Did Patsy really think you would step out on her while you were gone so much?”
“I guess it must have crossed her mind. In the end it just wasn’t the life for her. By the time we knew our marriage was on the rocks, I’d become huge . . . a franchise. So many people were depending on me to put food on the table, and I couldn’t turn my back on those who’d worked so hard to make me the success I had become.” He inhaled a deep breath. “And there was the music. Not only is it in my blood, but I know what music means to people.”
“Oh, I hear ya.” Laura Lee nodded. “Music got me through some tough times, for sure. A certain song can take you back to memories that just soothe the soul.” She angled her head and looked at him. “You know we all envy celebrities and as you can imagine I’ve struggled financially, so the envy goes beyond fame to the money too. I guess just about everyone at least dreams about what it would feel like to have adoring fans.”
“I get that. And I’m not going to be one to complain about a life that has been blessed in so many ways. And that’s why I want to give back.”
“But no one knows that it cost you your marriage?”
Shane shook his head slowly. “Nope.”
“Is that why you never remarried?”
“Partly. I didn’t want to face pain like that ever again. I poured a lot of the heartache into my songs.”<
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“And you didn’t want to put someone else through the pain either.”
“Yeah, I mean, there are those out there who can find a way to combine a demanding career like mine and be happily married, I suppose. It just isn’t easy.”
“I guess not.” She seemed to digest this. “Well, so, now that you’re retired do you think you’ll . . . you know . . .”
“Look for love?” Shane gave her a steady gaze. “I guess I was so caught up in the daily demands of my career that I let the rest of my life sort of just slide by. Now here I am, fifty-eight years old, wishing I had someone special to spend time with.” Someone like her.
“I’m sure you’d have ladies champing at the bit if they knew. We could have a ball in Cricket Creek and find you a wife. You are considered country royalty,” she said with a laugh. “If the boot fits?”
Shane knew she was joking, but he wanted to tell her she could be his Cinderella. “What about you, Laura Lee? Think your Prince Charming is out there?”
“I don’t know. I’ve been too busy getting my life back in order to think about dating.” Laura Lee took her floppy hat off and put it in her lap. “Mattie has been after me about getting out there, but I told her that my ship has sailed.”
“Oh, come on, you don’t really believe that, do you?”
“I suppose so. Or at least I did.” Laura Lee shrugged. “But Mattie girl is hell-bent on proving me wrong. In fact, I’m going out to Sully’s tonight.”
Shane felt a hollow pang hit him in the gut at the thought of her dancing with someone. “You know, I haven’t been out on the town in ages. Would you save me a dance if I end up at Sully’s?”
“I thought you wanted to keep on the down low for a while.”
Shane tried to act casual. “Eh, an evening at the local honky-tonk shouldn’t cause too much commotion. I’ll hover in the background.”
She laughed. “I can’t imagine you in the background anywhere, but if you go to Sully’s make sure you say hi, okay? And I owe you a drink for saving me from the deadly snake from hell.”
“I do believe I’ll take you up on that,” Shane said, feeling much better about the situation. “Would you like to jump in the pool for a swim?”