Always on My Mind (The Dawson Brothers, #1)

by Jessica Mills

  As we shared a laugh my heart was full. David’s worried expression, turned to one of joy.

  We drove out to Kinsey’s ahead of his brothers and I pulled up a stool at the bar and watched David across the room with his drummer setting up their sound equipment.

  I smiled as Lucy tossed her rag across her shoulder and approached. “I guess we owe you some special thanks.” She extended her hand and I took it giving it a shake. “I hear you’re responsible for getting our David to come back to us. It wasn’t the same around here the past few days.”

  “Well, I’m glad that he’s back too. He’s way too good to quit.” I stared across at him as he checked his mic and then smiled in my direction.

  Lucy leaned in close. “Can I get you something?”

  “A beer would be great, thanks.” Before she could turn around to grab my beer, the smell of Norm’s strong, pungent aftershave wafted in the air around me. I tensed and sure enough he sat down next to me.

  “It’s good to see you again, Sarah. I hope you didn’t mind me giving David your last name, but I didn’t think you’d mind.”

  “Thanks, Norm, and no, I didn’t mind.” I kept my eye on David who had his back turned to tune his guitar, still testing the equipment. I didn’t want there to be any sort of confrontation with Norm, with it being David’s first night back, especially since his brothers would be showing up soon to finally watch him sing.

  “I just wanted to apologize to you. Beer’s on me. Sorry for the trouble.” He hurried away and Lucy placed my beer in front of me.

  “I’ll put this on his tab.” She winked.

  It was five minutes till show time when his brothers filed in each dressed in crisp starched jeans, button-downs and boots. I waved them over and after they ordered, Ted suggested we get a table.

  As we settled, the old man approached the mic. “How’s everybody doing tonight?” The patrons shouted out and he waited for them to die out before he continued. “I’m so happy to welcome back this young man and his band, Davey and the Boys.”

  Everyone clapped and David shook his head and approached the mic as the old man limped away. “David.” He shook his head and strummed his guitar. “I’m glad to be back, sorry I missed you guys. I just want to say I’m happy to have my brothers here tonight as well as a very special lady, Sarah. This first song is for my Mama, as some of you know she’s in the hospital. This is to wish her a very speedy recovery.”

  We clapped with the others and Mason and Ted let out a whistle. Luke stood clapping, though he still held his beer in one hand. He sat down beside me as David broke into song. His voice was even smoother and it gave me chills how perfect his tones were. I wished Rowena was there to hear him and even his mother and father. They’d be so proud.

  Luke leaned in toward Mason. “Damn, he’s better than grandpa.”

  Mason nodded. “He’s got the gift for sure.”

  Ted leaned in toward my ear but I kept my eyes on David whose presence on stage commanded attention. “You have to get him to Nashville. He’s too good not to go.”

  I was surprised it was Ted that was telling me this considering if David left, most of the burden would be placed on him. “I’m trying. It’s just bad timing and I don’t want to pressure him.”

  “I understand that, I mean, I don’t want him to leave for good or anything, but it seems like there has to be a way to do both.”

  “Well, if I can get him to my boss in Nashville before the next week is over, his future would be secure. I’m sure she’ll sign him.”

  “Hell, why don’t you do it yourself?” With that statement, Ted leaned back in his chair and took another swig of his drink as I looked over my shoulder, letting his words sink in.

  Why didn’t I just do it myself? All of it? My heart and mind raced at the idea. But then I considered what it would mean for us. It would be much more of a struggle, much more hard work than even I was prepared for. I’d considered branching out on my own every so often, and though I knew the business, I also knew what a risk it would be. I couldn’t expect David to take such a risk. No matter how exhilarating the idea.

  The thoughts stayed with me through the rest of his set and then he came to join me and his brothers who welcomed him with cheers.

  He pulled me into his arms and kissed me. “Thanks for being here. All of you.”

  “You bet, man. Great job, brother.” Luke patted his back as Mason excused himself from the table to greet a thin redhead who was walking in the door.

  Ted kicked back in his seat and waved Lucy over. “Bring us a round, on me.”

  A slow song came on the jukebox and David took my hand. “Let’s dance.” He pulled me to the floor and spun me around before pulling me in close. “So what did you think?”

  “I thought it was amazing. How did it feel?” He held me tight against him, our knees crossing with each step.

  “It felt great, especially knowing that my brothers were here. Thanks for that. I’ve asked them before but they’ve never come out when I’m singing.”

  “That’s hard to believe, but it’s their loss. I’m glad they finally came around too.”

  “So, what’s Nashville life like? I mean, if I do sign, what could I expect.”

  I met his gaze thinking about what his brother had said. Even if I didn’t do everything myself, there was no good reason we couldn’t have everything we wanted out of life, especially if he wanted to be together. Given that, any amount of traveling and extra work would be worth it. “I think we could have whatever we want.” I pulled my lips in a straight line, embarrassed that I had insinuated a life together. “I mean you. You could have whatever you want.”

  “I kind of like the sound of we,” he whispered against my ear and goosebumps prickled along my arms.

  “I think you’d be big. I know it would be an adjustment, but with the money you’d be making, you could take care of your family in other ways. Once things get lined out, you can even choose your own schedules.” I knew that last part would rub Rowena the wrong way, but with me in charge of him, I’d see to it that he got everything he wanted.

  “It all sounds wonderful. When things get lined out, we’ll see. No promises right now. It wouldn’t be fair and I don’t want to make one and go back on it.”

  I gazed deep into his eyes and saw the future we could have illustrating in my mind. “No promises. But I’m not giving up on you.” As the song ended, he spun me around and dipped me so far my hair was only inches from the floor. I screamed with exhilaration, hoping he’d never let me go.

  Chapter 23

  David

  Sarah’s dainty feet rubbed against my leg as she turned over. She slept so sound I didn’t think she was awake like me. I’d woken up minutes before, hard and ready, and though it was tempting to wake her with my cock pressing hard into her tight little ass, I resisted the urge so far, allowing her rest, but I wasn’t sure what the next few minutes would bring.

  A knock at my door wasn’t quite what I expected, and when it cracked open and Luke poked his head in, allowing the aroma of coffee and bacon to drift inside my room, I sat up, seeing that Sarah’s bare breasts were modestly covered.

  “What the hell, Luke?” I whispered over Sarah’s sleeping body.

  “Dad’s home.” He glanced at Sarah who stirred.

  I didn’t waste any time, my erection was gone just like that, so I found my shorts I’d dropped on the floor and slid them on as he shut the door. I crossed the room and threw the door open to hurry out and found Luke in the hall.

  “What’s he doing here? How’s Mama?” I got a sinking feeling in my gut when Luke shook his head.

  “I didn’t make it down there yet. I saw his truck out my window and went straight to your room. What if something horrible happened to Mama?” The panic in Luke’s eyes soured in my stomach.

  “Let’s get down there. I’m sure it’s nothing. He might just be home to take a break.” We both knew that was highly doubtful. Our dad didn’t want t
o leave Mama’s side for a minute, but I was trying to be positive.

  We ran down the stairs and heard Dad cough from the kitchen. Sure enough that’s where we found him. He was sitting at the bar on the other side of the counter, with his arms folded in front of him. Hot coffee steamed from the mug in front of him and there was a plate of bacon too.

  I took a deep breath. “Dad, is everything okay?”

  “No, it ain’t okay. I tried to call last night but no one answered. They sent me away.” He balled his fist and covered his mouth. His cough sounded horrible. “They said I could make her sick since her immune system is compromised.”

  “But Mama’s okay?” Luke asked.

  “Yeah, she’s fine. I had a slight fever, but thanks for asking. I had your Aunt Patty come up to sit with her. She’ll be staying until I get better, but I’d hoped I’d reach one of you boys so I didn’t have to sit in the damned lobby all alone while she drove the hour in.”

  “Sorry, we were all at Kinsey’s. I had a gig.”

  Dad uncrossed one arm and grabbed his coffee. He didn’t have anything to say about that and I figured it was a good thing.

  Luke fixed himself a cup of coffee and stood at the counter with dad. “You think it’s a cold or the flu?”

  “I think those damned nurses keep it too cold in that place. I complained that I was freezing and they brought me a damned warm blanket. They do that so they can charge you more money. What the hell did I need with a blanket, I asked her. I wasn’t going to sleep. Not with all that damned noise and them coming in to wake her up at three a.m. to ask her how she’s sleeping. Have you ever heard of anything so ridiculous?” He coughed again and then quickly sipped from his mug.

  With his temper, I had a feeling the nurses had used that cough as an excuse to get rid of him. “Well, I’m sure Mama will be okay.” I didn’t want to tell him that she’d probably be better off without him around making a menace of himself. He meant well, but he’d never been much of a people person. Hell, I wasn’t sure if he liked his kids most of the time.

  He pushed the plate of bacon forward. “I came in a few hours ago but I couldn’t sleep. I got up and made some breakfast.” He downed the last of his coffee and stood. “I’ll be out in the office.” As he walked outside Ted and Mason came downstairs.

  “Is that Dad we heard?” asked Ted.

  “Yeah, Mama’s okay, he got sent home with a cold. Mama’s immune system is down. He’s on his way out to the office.” I poured a cup of coffee and stood next to Luke.

  Ted’s eyes widened and I realized why seconds later as Dad screamed curses in the distance.

  Ted shook his head. “Shit. We better get out there.”

  As we headed out, Sarah came down the stairs and followed. She was gorgeous despite her messy hair, in her little tank top and shorts. She stopped next to me as Dad barreled out of the office and into the yard. “What in hell did you boys do to my office?”

  I stepped forward. “We did it. It was the only way we could figure out where everything was.”

  “I had a system. Now what am I supposed to do? I can’t find anything.” Dad kicked the dirt and balled his fist.

  Ted let out a sound of frustration. “It’s better this way. We’ll show you where everything is and while we’re at it, we’re going to need to find a better system; something more up to date than all that paper and ink.”

  I braced myself for Dad’s reaction. Ted knew this was going to be a touchy subject and I wasn’t ready to go there with the old man. Not yet, especially with him sick and still mad about being away from Mama.

  Dad bowed up to Ted, his knuckles white and his face red. “This is my damned farm, boy. And I’ll say how it’s run and how I do business. If I want that office piled with trash by God, I’ll pile it with trash. You come out here running things for a few days and think you own the damned place.” He spun around and gave me a hard stare then he glared at Sarah and suddenly his red-faced anger turned pale as embarrassment washed over him. My face reddened too. I couldn’t believe Sarah had to see it, but I knew that my dad was only upset over the hand he’d been dealt. Hell, we were all upset.

  No one spoke. Dad broke out into another coughing fit. He needed to lay down, but no one was going to tell him that. He cleared his throat and eyed each one of us. “Get to work.”

  The sun was just rising and no one returned to the kitchen for breakfast. Sarah went into the barn to milk the cow, and I headed into the office with Dad to show him where the daily work log was now kept. For the most part his office was the same, but now things were tidy and clean, with everything having its own special place. Dad stayed quiet, only asking for things as needed. And once I thought he had everything he needed to start his day, I headed off to mend fences in the back forty.

  By mid-morning I found Sarah in the garden with a wagon full of vegetables and a basket of eggs. She was just making her last row when I went in to help her. It was getting late to start lunch so I decided to give her a hand.

  “I’m almost done.” She smiled proudly up at me, with dirt smudging her perfect nose.

  “I see that.” I leaned against the fence and watched as she unloaded her arms into the wagon and then I went to help her with the last row of squash.

  Sarah dragged the wagon closer between us. “Hey, there’s Lauralee.”

  I stood to see Lauralee Langston crossing the yard toward us, with what looked like a pie in her hands. “Hey there, Lauralee. How are you doing?”

  She glanced around nervously as she stepped into the rows to approach. “I’m good. Brought you all something.”

  Sarah leaned down to get more picking done before Lauralee reached us and suddenly she let out a blood-curdling scream and fell back over the wagon, knocking it over, spilling the contents around her. “Snake!” she pointed, scrambling to get up and get away.

  I ran for the hoe and Lauralee ran forward to help Sarah with one eye toward the plant. “It’s just a garter snake. It’s not poisonous.” Lauralee waved me off.

  “What? Aren’t you going to kill it?” Sarah straightened and dusted off her clothes, all but for the broken eggs that dripped off her behind and back. She sounded another scream and ducked behind Lauralee as it started to move.

  “What the hell is going on?” The voice sounded behind us and brought Lauralee’s head around with a cold, hard stare.

  My brother Ted stopped dead in his tracks and then hurried into the rows with us. “Are you okay?” He spotted the overturned wagon and checked Lauralee over from head to toe, but Lauralee wasn’t impressed.

  “It was Sarah. I was just leaving.” She pushed the pie into his hands and stormed off.

  Ted turned to Sarah and me. “Is everything okay?” We barely gave a nod when he took off after Lauralee, who didn’t slow down as he headed around the corner to the front of the house.

  “You okay?” I offered Sarah my hand and she cringed as the little snake slithered away.

  I held her shoulders and gave her a once over. She would probably have some bruises, maybe a scratch or two. “Did you see what that one looked like? It’s not poisonous so it won’t hurt you. If you see it again, just shew him away.” She nodded.

  “I’m so sorry about the eggs and the food.” She covered her face and I noticed blood on her hand.

  I inspected it to find a few scratches that barely broke the skin and kissed them. “The veggies are just fine and there were only a few eggs broken. The important thing is you’re okay.”

  Her cheeks pinked. “I feel like such a fool. Lauralee came all the way over to see me make an idiot of myself.” I pulled her into my arms.

  “Snakes are scary. It could have happened to anyone, and the only reason she left is because of Ted. She wouldn’t be bringing food over this often if she weren’t trying to get his attention.” I righted the wagon and started to pick up the load. Sarah knelt to help me and I couldn’t help but steal a kiss.

  She eased toward me and I pulled her closer, running
my hands down her back and into a mess of eggs that had splattered there. “Let’s get you in and get you cleaned up.”

  She took my hand as we walked toward the house. “It’s been a pretty eventful day for sure.”

  “Yeah, I’m sorry you had to see Dad that way. He’s not good with change. It’s why he doesn’t encourage me to pursue my dreams. He’d be happy if we were all stuck here forever to work the barn the old-fashioned way like he does. We’ve been wanting to talk to him about getting things lined up on computers and if we’d had cell phones last night, he could have reached us. But he doesn’t understand the perks of all those devices.”

  Sarah stared at her scraped hand. “It seems he’d want to run his business more efficiently to turn a better profit. You have to be making money, but think of how much better you can do.”

  “The sad thing is, we’re actually pretty well-off as far as ranches go.”

  Sarah looked confused. “How is that a sad thing?”

  “Well, since we’re already successful, it’s going to be even harder to convince the old man that we need computers. Truth is, if it were just him for the rest of his life, working the farm, that wouldn’t matter, but with him wanting us to take over, we would prefer to work within a better, more organized system. Ted especially wants a computer and a phone so we can use apps instead of having so many papers. Mr. Langston converted his stuff years ago and he’s functioning way better than we are. That’s another rub between Daddy and him and I think that’s why Ted is so torn with his feelings over Lauralee.” We reached the house and I led her upstairs.

  Once we hit the landing, she slowed down to look at the pictures of me and my brothers. “So, do you think your parents would object to him and Lauralee being in a relationship?”

  I took her hand and urged her on, not wanting her to see the awful mullet I had when I was five. “They were together once and it was complicated.”

  “Sounds like there are lots of things around here that are complicated that don’t have to be. You know. You should talk to your dad about the computer system and cell phones. If you decide to go with me, you’ll need one of those.”