“No. Just don’t break them or you buy them.”
“Why don’t you stick around? It’s a relatively warm day for mid-March. Let me show you the rest of the ranch.”
Her eyes widened. “The contract didn’t say anything about decorating any of the other houses.”
“No, it didn’t. Though I think I would like to redo them all at some point. Over time. But I’d like to show you the land and share my plan for it. We could ride. I got a new mare yesterday and she’s stunning.”
“I’ve always been curious about this place.” She gazed out the row of windows lining the back of the house. “And you know I love to ride. I believe you’re pulling my strings.” She turned to face him.
“Is it working?”
Indecision scrolled across her expressive features. She frowned, nibbled her lip and finally smiled. “I can’t resist.”
If only she couldn’t resist him.
“We better drive to the barn. We’ve got three hundred fifty acres to cover.” He ushered her through the kitchen to the attached garage, then walked around his red Jeep to open the passenger door for her.
* * *
Jenna couldn’t get enough air into her lungs. What was she thinking? Curiosity killed the cat. Riding in such close quarters with Garrett just might be her end.
Concentrate on the scenery. Rolling hills, wooded areas, horses grazing, the ginormous lake.
“What do you think?”
“It’s beautiful.”
“It is. The barns are past this hill.” He topped the knoll and she could see several red roofs.
“Those are all barns? What are you going to do with all those?”
“Raise horses. And run a rodeo training school. And I’m putting a sound studio in the office, so I won’t have to travel as much.” He parked the Jeep near a barn, got out and came around to her side.
Raising horses was almost a given in Aubrey. The rodeo training school was intriguing, especially since Garrett had never competed in a rodeo. But the sound studio stilled her heart.
“I’m trying to talk Mom and Dad into moving into one of the houses.”
“Don’t they like Denton?”
“They miss small-town life. And we have to sneak around to visit each other. If they lived on the ranch, we could visit without worry.” He opened her door. “That’s the reason I bought this place. To be closer to my family.”
“But what about your tour?”
“I could live with less touring.”
“But what about your career?”
“My career.” His laugh was derisive. “Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate my fans, but this is never what I wanted, Jenna.”
“But it is. You wanted to sing. From the time I can remember, you wanted a singing career.”
“But I’m not a singer.”
“You’re not?” She frowned. “Could have fooled me.”
He ran a hand through his hair with jerky movements. “No, I’m a glorified sex symbol. I’ve had six albums, countless hits, and the only awards I’ve been nominated for are fan voted. My demographic is completely female.”
“I guess it takes time.”
“No, Jenna. It doesn’t take time. Usually one hit and you’re on the country-music map. But the industry doesn’t see me as a serious singer.”
“Garrett, you’re a great singer.”
“Thanks.” He shrugged. “It’s my own fault. I was desperate for a break. So when Desiree found me and talked me into keeping my hair and singing love songs, I jumped at the chance.”
He sighed and leaned against the Jeep’s fender. “And then I made a few mistakes and developed a reputation and everything snowballed from there. But for over a year, I’ve worked at cleaning up my lifestyle. I’ve lived like a monk and I’m still just a sex symbol. I don’t get it. I mean—look at me.”
She was. And he was mesmerizing. Lived like a monk. As in no alcohol? Or no women? Or both?
“Who has black hair, olive skin and light green eyes? It’s weird and I don’t see what women find so appealing.”
Her hand almost shot up in the air. I do. I do. I do.
“Sorry.” He turned toward the barn. “I didn’t mean to get into all that.”
“So, what are you going to do? Retire?” Her breath caught, waiting for his answer.
“I don’t know. I feel like I owe people. My fans. Nat for taking me on as a client. My band. My crew.” He closed his eyes. “And I still love to sing.”
“Maybe you could change your image.”
“I thought that’s what I’d been doing for the last year or so.”
“Maybe you could get a break in the Christian industry now?”
His laugh came out harsh. “I think I’d have to be on speaking terms with God to make it in the Christian industry. Besides, back when we were on speaking terms, I couldn’t catch a break.”
“All you have to do is speak. He’s still there. Listening. Waiting to hear from you.”
“Mr. Steele.” A man stepped out of the barn. “I’m glad you came by today. We got the new horses in.”
“Great. Thanks, Neil.” Garrett patted the man on the shoulder.
And any chance she had of reminding Garrett that God hadn’t forgotten him evaporated. Maybe another day.
She followed him inside the barn.
“Alabaster!” Garrett stroked a creamy palomino’s jaw.
The mare nuzzled him and Garrett pressed his face against the horse’s. Jenna drank in the image of true love as creature and owner got reacquainted.
“I take it she’s yours?”
“I bought her two years ago from Clay Warren. She’s been at Mom and Dad’s until today.” He rubbed his nose against the mare’s silken muzzle. “I’ve missed you, girl. I’ve missed home. And lots of other things around here.” His gaze snagged Jenna’s.
“Here’s your horse, ma’am.” Neil led a matching palomino toward her.
“Thanks.” Jenna took the reins and mounted the horse.
Garrett was looking way too at home here and it tugged at her heart. It looked just like the life she’d imagined with him. But he wouldn’t stay. This was only an unexpected, short stop on Garrett Steele’s tour. As soon as they finished the house, he’d get bored and be gone.
And she refused to be a broken heart he left in his wake.
* * *
Six barns, four houses and three hundred fifty acres later, Garrett drove Jenna back to the main residence. And she scurried away as quickly as she could while he entered the enormous white-walled house. Alone.
The day with her was great, but he hadn’t meant to dump all his disappointments on her.
He sank into his lone chair. He needed to invest in more furniture, but that would only mean moving stuff around for the work crew.
The doorbell rang.
A few minutes passed and his housekeeper stepped into the room. “Mrs. Gray is here to see you.”
“Thanks, Flora. Send her in.”
The middle-aged woman left him alone. Efficient, straitlaced and unimpressed by him. Perfect.
“I can’t believe Jenna hasn’t gotten you any furniture yet.” Natalie strode into the room, briefcase in hand.
“We can’t get past the floor.” He grinned.
“I’ve got the Cowtown contract.” She handed him several papers.
“Great.”
“Are you sure about this, Garrett? Your doctor said to rest your voice. Not sing every Friday and Saturday night at the Stockyards.”
“It’s two nights a week—four songs, tops. That’s resting compared to my touring schedule.” He stood and set the contract on the breakfast bar. “Got a pen?”
“You might want to read before you sign.” She
dug a ballpoint out of her briefcase.
“You read it?”
“Of course.”
“And it includes everything we discussed?”
“Yes, but you don’t have to sign today. Take time to read it.”
“Don’t need to. I trust you.” He held his hand out.
“I don’t understand why you want to do this.” She handed him a ballpoint. “You’re a huge star.”
“The Stockyards is home. My first public singing appearances were opening the rodeo at Cowtown. It’ll keep me on fans’ minds. And I’m close to home.”
“And Jenna.”
“Added bonus.” He autographed the signature line on the contract. “Know any good hairdressers who can handle natural curl? And can keep quiet about their clientele?”
“I’ll see what I can come up with. Actually, a lady who works at Caitlyn’s store in Dallas has the most unmanageable frizzy curl I’ve ever seen. But last week, she changed hairdressers and it was like she got a whole new head of hair. I’ll find out who she uses.”
“Thanks.”
Natalie paused at the tiles laid out in a pattern on the floor. “Jenna’s handiwork.”
“Yep. I can’t make up my mind. She’s bringing more samples tomorrow.”
“Her contract is only for three months. Better make up your mind.”
“Plenty of time.”
But was it? Could he win her heart in three months?
* * *
In their usual positions. Garrett sat beside Jenna on the floor, staring at tiles. Not making decisions.
The doorbell rang, but he ignored it.
“Don’t you need to get that?”
“Flora will get it. It’s much safer that way.”
“Ahem.” The housekeeper stepped into the room. “Mrs. Gray and her guest are here to see you.”
He closed his eyes. “Did I have an appointment with her?”
“Your hair. Remember?”
“Oh, right. Send them in.”
The housekeeper left them alone.
“Your hair?”
“Yeah, I forgot. Probably blocked it out. I need you to stay for this.”
“For what?”
“Hey, Garrett... Oh, hi, Jenna.” Natalie stopped in the entryway with another woman. “Did you forget our appointment?”
“I’m afraid I did.”
“Sorry it’s so late, but this was the only time I could manage this week,” the woman said. “Would you like to reschedule?”
And Jenna looked at the woman for the first time. Tara Warren. Mitch’s sister.
“Tara Warren?” Garrett smiled. “Is that little Tara Warren?”
“Not so little anymore. And it’s Tara Hamilton now.” Tara grinned. “Where should I set up?”
“How about at the breakfast bar?”
“Lead the way.” Tara slung her oversize bag over her shoulder.
Hair. Tara was a hairstylist. Garrett must be getting his hair trimmed. Why would he want her to stay for that? “I think I’ll go. You don’t need me to supervise.”
“Please stay.” Garrett caught her hand and his eyes pleaded with her. “I need your support.”
What was the big hairy deal? Why would Garrett be worried about getting his hair trimmed?
“Sorry for the setting, but I can’t come to your shop.” He dug a metal chair out of the closet.
“This is fine. I came prepared.” Tara’s tone soothed as she pulled a large mirror out of her bag and set it on the bar. “Natalie told me you’re nervous about this.”
“The shorter my hair is, the more it curls. And I don’t like curl. That’s why it’s so long now. It curls less that way. But I’m trying to change my image.”
Jenna’s breath caught in her throat. Was he getting it cut short?
“I’ve got some techniques and product to help with the curl. Let’s start with you showing me the length you want.”
“At my chin line.”
Jenna squelched a gasp.
“But anytime I’ve gotten it cut that length, it ends up way short, above my ears with kinky curl.”
“Let’s look at some styles I found online.” Tara pulled a laptop out of her bag, set it on the bar and scrolled through several haircuts for men.
“There. That’s how I want it.” Garrett pointed to a chin-length style with slight layering and soft curl.
“I think that’s doable.”
“Can you really keep it from curling any more than that?”
“What I’ll do is leave the layers long. That will weigh down the curl along with product and we should be able to do something similar.” Tara combed through Garrett’s hair. “The problem is most stylists cut hair wet. Hair shrinks when it dries and even more so if it’s naturally curly.”
Tara’s tone soothed, but didn’t patronize. “On top of that, most people pull the hair straight and cut it the length they want it, but after it dries and curls, you lose several inches of length.”
“You sound like you know what you’re doing.”
“My best friend in high school had kinky natural curl. I got a lot of practice in on her.” She caught a length of Garrett’s hair between her fingers.
“Instead of pulling it straight, I’ll let it fall natural and make a dry cut the length you want. Then I’ll pull it straight and use that cut as a guideline. So when it curls, it’ll turn out the length you want. Ready?”
Jenna’s eyes stung.
“Jenna?” Natalie frowned at her. “You okay?”
“Fine, but I remember how much Garrett hated his hair in high school. This is a big deal for him.”
“It’ll be worth it.” He shot her a grin. “Ready when you are, Tara.”
Tara made the first cut. Jenna held her breath, but managed an encouraging smile. What did it mean for him to cut his hair? Could it be the start of a real change? But that change could come only when he embraced God again. She sent up a prayer.
Chapter 10
As Tara snipped, Garrett’s image changed before his very eyes. With each cut, he could tell how cautious and knowledgeable she was and he relaxed. His gaze caught Jenna’s in the mirror. She looked as if she might cry.
“Does it look bad?”
“It looks nice.”
Had she liked his long hair? He’d known it didn’t bother her. But he’d never thought about her being attached to it. Would she like his new look? She had to.
Yes, the change was to present a cleaner image for his career. But part of it was for Jenna.
If a toned-down look would get him back into her life, it would all be worth it. Even if his hair curled up like a poodle’s.
“That’s it.” Tara pulled the cape off him and dusted his shoulders with a floppy, long-bristled brush. “What do you think?”
His hair was chin length, but the brushed-through curl was frizzy. “You’re the first person ever to cut it the length I wanted. Ever.”
“The curl’s a bit frazzled, but I have a cure.” She spritzed his hair with a water bottle and squirted a dab of product on her hand, then rubbed her palms together and smoothed it through his hair. “This is defrizz. It’ll keep your hair from getting fuzzy. And this is gel. It’ll keep your curl under control.” She squirted another dab of product on her hand and repeated the process. “A dime-size puddle of each product applied to damp hair. Defrizz first, then gel. Let your hair dry naturally and gently pick after it’s dry. Never, ever use a blow-dryer, a comb or a brush for styling.”
“You’re a marvel.” Garrett inspected the soft waves of his chin-length hair and turned to face Jenna. “What do y’all think?”
She bit her lip. “It looks really nice.”
“Let’s face it—” Na
talie grinned “—there’s nothing that could make Garrett Steele ugly.”
“Why, thank you kindly, ma’am.” Garrett shot Nat a wink. “How often should I get a trim to keep it like this?”
“Every six to eight weeks.” Tara set bottles on the bar. “I brought enough product to keep your hair in top shape until then.”
“And you’ll make house calls?”
“If you’re certain you’re happy with what I’ve done, I’d love to.” Tara did a little bounce on the balls of her feet. “Can I advertise that I cut your hair for a business boost?”
“Sure. Just don’t tell them where.”
“It’s a deal.” She offered her hand.
“Thanks.” Garrett clasped her hand. “I can’t tell you how relieved I am. Not a poodle in sight.”
“I don’t do poodles.” Tara grinned. “I’ll clean up and get out of your way.”
“My housekeeper will take care of it.”
“All right, then.” Tara stashed her tools, laptop and mirror in her bag.
“This will be a definite image change.” Nat flashed an approving smile. “I think you’re on the right track.”
“I owe you for finding me a great stylist right here in Aubrey.”
“Actually, my salon’s in Garland.” Tara slung her bag over her shoulder.
“Did I pay you enough to cover gas?”
“More than enough.” Tara nodded. “I really hope you like it. I’d hate to be the stylist known for ruining Garrett Steele’s hair. You know, maybe I should wait and see what your fans think of the transformation before I admit my guilt.”
The two women left them alone and Garrett turned to face Jenna.
“Tell me what you really think. Am I going to lose all my fans?”
“Definitely not. There might be a few disappointed women, the ones who have a thing for men with long hair. But I doubt you’ll lose a single fan over it.”
He opened the closet door, pulled out his new white cowboy hat he’d picked from Caitlyn’s online store and set it in place. “Do you think this’ll help me fit in the country industry better?”
“Face it, Garrett, you’re a hunk. There’s no way you can get around that. Cowboy hat or not.”
“A hunk?” He lifted one eyebrow.
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