Fallen Idol (Love and Music in Texas Book 4)

by Nikki Lynn Barrett

  Kyra took the plaque from her shaky hands and stood in front of the microphone stand again. "Umm, wow. My heart is racing. What a surprise. Thank you! Thank you so much! These songs are my heart and soul, so to know they're doing this well is amazing. I'm honored and touched." Her voice cracked. Kyra put a hand against her chest, feeling her fast beating heart. "I umm... I have a song I want to sing tonight. It's an exclusive that I'm excited and nervous to perform, but it's fitting. But first, a little about it. The song is called Bare My Soul, and it's written about a special man I fell in love with. I hope if he's here tonight that he'll come on up stage."

  She knew he was here, because she'd just seen him, but in case Matt didn't want the spotlight on him or he didn't want to do this...

  Would he come up here?

  The crowd chanted his name. Who started it? Then David and Amy started in. "Matt! Matt! Matt!"

  There he was at the edge of the stage. Taryn and Landon went off stage, as did Amy and David. Only Kyra, Matt, and the back up band remained now.

  He approached her, a look of bewilderment on his face. Kyra stepped away from the microphone and ran into his arms. Matt enveloped her in a hug and she never wanted to leave there again. She cried against his chest as he ran his fingers through her hair. Then, Kyra kissed him. A wild, passionate kiss. She pulled away, cupped his face, and mouthed a thank you. Holding hands, she approached the microphone. "In a short time, this man, Matt Greer, stole my heart. He helped me heal when there were things I still hadn't dealt with. The song is inspired by what Matt helped me do. I'm able to take the stage because of him. I don't know what the future holds for us, but I do know Matt is very special."

  Someone handed her a guitar, and she slid the strap over her head. Instead of facing the audience, Kyra watched Matt. She strummed the guitar and did what this man taught her to do best, bare her soul.

  A world full of disbelievers

  I've got everything to lose, and more to gain

  Like a shining star you're always there

  Helping to ease the heartache and pain

  You pour your heart out in everything you do

  No matter where it leaves you in the end

  I get lost when I'm around you

  We're two souls with hearts on the mend

  We barely know each other

  But my strength stems from you

  So here I go, doing what you taught me to do

  I'll bare my soul

  but only to you

  Always for you

  When I'm down, you're my cure

  Everywhere I go, a part of you is with me

  A feeling like this is rare but pure

  I wonder if I'm only dreaming

  We barely know each other

  But my strength stems from you

  So here I go, doing what you taught me to do

  I'll bare my soul

  but only to you

  Always for you

  A world full of disbelievers

  I've got everything to lose, and more to gain

  I'll bare my soul

  but only to you

  Always for you

  She ended the song on a high note. Matt's eyes watered. He only had eyes for her, and Kyra couldn't tear hers away from him. When the last beat ended, Kyra stepped closer. "I love you, Matt. No matter what. I love you and your son so damn much. All I want is for you to know that." The applause was like a constant thunder, and Kyra had done this without a major panic wave. She'd come up here and bared her soul. She handed the guitar back to someone, and Matt reached for her. They walked off stage together, hand in hand.

  As the announcer spoke to the audience, Landon led Matt and Kyra to a private space behind the stage. "I'll let you two talk." He grinned, then closed the door. The room was small and poorly lit, but Kyra didn't care.

  "I hope you aren't upset at me for that." She faced the man she'd missed.

  "Upset? Are you freakin' serious? Kyra, you made me tear up in front of the biggest crowd I have ever seen!"

  "But that doesn't tell me if you're upset!"

  "I'll tell you what I am, Kyra Renee Sanders. I'm in love. I'm in awe, and I can't believe after I pushed you away, that you gave even an ounce of thought to me." He pulled her in his arms, pressing kisses all over her face and her hair. "I missed you. Congratulations on the download achievement, and even more on getting on the stage! You were amazing!"

  "I've been working hard. The therapy is not very conventional and not for everyone, but it's helped." Kyra smoothed his soft shirt, loving the fact that she was there in his arms.

  "I saw your interview yesterday," he whispered after kissing her again. "You're still holding off on the tour?"

  "I am. I decided that I need time. Not just time to heal and make sure I can handle it, but I wanted to make my move to Texas first. I found a house I like and am thinking about buying it. Nothing fancy, but it works for me. I heard your shop got a boost from the auction funds." She changed the subject.

  "Yes! The owner of the clinic had way more than they needed, so since it was his to use, he helped out. Your parents suggested my shop. I'm also going back to school online to finish what I started all those years ago. So, you have a new manager and you're talking to Taryn?"

  They had so much to catch up on, so their conversation changed drastically. "Yep. I do still keep in contact with Mark, but I felt it was better to part ways. Landon is great. Oh! Speaking of Taryn, she's considering joining Baby Stetson. If it works out, anyway."

  "So that was you behind it. She's been talking with the band here and there, and they clicked well tonight!"

  "Landon is considering signing them, but don't say anything. I don't think I should have said that."

  Someone knocked on the door. Then Landon poked his head in. "Matt's son says he really wants to see you."

  "Let him in!" Kyra waved her hand.

  Andrew burst through the door and headed right for Kyra. "I'm so glad to see you!" He bear hugged her. "I missed you. Tell my dad he's dumb for listening to me. I never meant for you two to break up because I was upset. I didn't mean the stuff I said to you that night, Kyra."

  "It wasn't easy for any of us, Andrew," Kyra assured him.

  He let go. "Are you and Dad going to get back together?"

  Matt laughed. "Playing matchmaker already?"

  "Yes!" Andrew exclaimed. "Duh! She makes you happy, and you make her happy. I heard the song and saw the way you two looked at each other. Hello, the whole world knows you're in love."

  Kyra giggled and rested her head on Matt's shoulder. "He does have a point. I kinda put you in the spotlight."

  "You and I have a lot of catching up to do," he said softly in her ear.

  "My parents said Andrew can stay with them tonight." She'd already planned in anticipation.

  "Yeah, I'm going to go now. I wanted to see you and say sorry." Andrew took off. "Stay away from my tree house!" he called over his shoulder.

  "So, about this house. Can I go see it with you? Someone needs to be there to make sure there's no monsters hiding in the corners. Oh, and what kind of trees are in the yard?"

  She kissed him. "The best kind. I think there's a possibility for two tree houses."

  "I love you, Kyra. I have a lot to learn, but that's one thing I know."

  "I love you too. Hey, I'm going to be back for about a month before I need to do a bit of promotion for the CD release. It gives me time to move in and settle down. I'm not asking you to move in with me, not right away, but I hope we can work things out to where we really can have two tree houses in the back." She got all giddy thinking about it. A house. Her very own house! One day she wanted Matt and Andrew to live there with her.

  "I want that." Matt twined his fingers through hers. "Do you have anything more to do, or can I take you home and show you in a million different ways how much I missed you?"

  "I just have to say goodbye and thank everyone, but then I'm all yours." Hand in hand, Kyra and Matt m
et up with her family and all the performers. She was surrounded by people she loved and felt right at home.

  The next morning, after a long, beautiful night with Matt making love and reconnecting, she bought a house just down the road from her parents. Matt grinned as he leaned close. "Welcome home, Kyra."

  Standing in the middle of her soon to be home, she wrapped her arms around him. "Home is always where you are."

  "Kyra, I want you to have everything. If music is what drives you, I'm going to support you a hundred percent." They stood in the middle of her soon to be kitchen, still taking it in that this was her home.

  "I know. You've already supported me. I know you struggle because of how you felt about your parents, and then what Kendra did, but you always managed to be there for me. This is why I decided to make the move first. I get a month home, we decide on what we want, and even through my travels, I know I want to come home to you." Kyra leaned in his embrace, soaking up the warmth and love. "I think I have the makings for a new hit song." An idea formed in her mind.

  "Oh yeah?" Matt kissed her temple.

  "Yep. It's about a man, a woman, and how they fall in love, even with the differences in their world."

  "Wonder how you got the inspiration?" Matt's grin spread.

  She winked. "The same inspiration that brought Bare My Soul."

  "What do you say we go celebrate privately about your new house and then go tell the news to our family?"

  "Ours," she mused. "I like the sound of ours. Let's go, and I'll even give you an idea on the song title. It'll be called Home to You." She was home now. Home with her family and with Matt. Perfectly fitting.

  THE END

  What's up next? Taryn joins the Baby Stetson band as their popularity explodes and their lives change. She helps Chris Roland let go of his demons and open his heart to the possibility of healing and love.

  BUY NOW

  About The Author

  I'm an avid lover of books. I've been writing as far back as I can remember, completing my first "book" by fifth grade in one of those one subject spiral notebooks. I have a passion for music, photography, jewelry and all things creative. I live in Arizona with my husband and son, but dream of being somewhere much colder and stormier. For now, I'll have to live that life through my characters and stick it out with the summer heat.

  Places to find me on the web:

  wwww.nikkilynnbarrett.com

  FaceBook - https://www.facebook.com/NikkiLynnBarrettauthor

  Facebook Chat group: Nikki's Book Nook - https://www.facebook.com/groups/NikkisBookNook

  Facebook Chat group: Nikki's Book Stormers - https://www.facebook.com/groups/NikkisBookStormers

  Twitter: @Stormgoddess925

  Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6583655.Nikki_Lynn_Barrett

  Email: nikkilynnbarrett@yahoo.com

  I love to hear from readers!

  Other books by Nikki Lynn Barrett

  Secret Santa Series

  The Secret Santa Wishing Well

  On The 12th Date Of Christmas

  Tis The Season for Forgiving

  The Masterpiece Trilogy

  A Masterpiece Of Our Love

  A Masterpiece Unraveled

  Love and Music In Texas

  Baby Stetson

  The Melody In My Head

  The Key To My Heart

  Fallen Idol

  Offbeat

  Thanks for reading Fallen Idol. If you enjoy a second chance romance, set around the holidays, then feel free to enjoy this excerpt of Tis The Season for Forgiving.

  Blurb

  Eric Jensen doesn't need the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future to know he's made his fair share of mistakes. The reminders haunt him every day of his life, but a terrible loss becomes an eye opener this holiday season. A heartbreaking question from a young boy pushes Eric to do some serious soul searching, and helps him strive to be better.

  Forgiving is the key...

  Petra Cavannaugh spent the past two years growing as a person. She left her ex-boyfriend and struggled to make it on her own as a single mother. When Eric shows up at her doorstep one night just needing to see her, she wonders if he's finally becoming the man she always wished he'd be.

  The best gift could be a second chance...

  As Eric shows a side to Petra she's never seen, the two grow closer. But is forgiveness enough to take another chance on love? Eric must learn to forgive himself, and Petra has to learn to put her trust in the new Eric and not let his past dictate her future.

  There are more than presents waiting to be opened. Will this Christmas finally open the two hearts sealed tightly shut?

  Excerpt

  Eric didn't pay much attention to the next kid in line. When the boy came to sit on his lap, his throat went dry. It wasn't Ben, or Desi or even Kinley.

  It was Evan.

  Eric forced out another "Ho ho ho," then asked Evan what he'd like for Christmas. He used a deeper, lower voice in hopes that Evan wouldn't figure out it was him.

  "I want my dad," Evan whispered, tears forming in the corners of his eyes. "He died and left us, and I don't understand why he had to go."

  Aww shit. How the hell did he respond to this one? If it were an R/C truck, a video game, anything else but this, Eric would say Santa would do his best and take a picture, then send him on his merry way. But no way could he play Santa and promise him he'd see what he could do on this one.

  "Do you think you could-" Evan shook his head. "Never mind." The kid's body shook as he broke down. Eric kept trying to think of the right thing to say, but Evan bolted off his lap and ran off.

  Then to top things off, the next kid in line was Ben, and Eric wasn't ready for this. Especially when Ben tugged on his big white beard and gasped.

  "It's you! Why are you here? You aren't a good Santa!"

  How the hell did he pick up on that already? Oh, wait. Ben was probably expecting Jacob. Jacob didn't have eyes that matched Ben's. Well, hell.

  "Ben!" Cheyenne admonished, her cheeks flushing red. She ran up to them.

  "Where's Daddy? Why did he take his place? What's going on?" Cheyenne pulled a very angry Ben away, mouthing an apology to Eric before darting off with Ben in the crowd.

  Two upset kids in a row, and by that time, more kids were crying, yelling, and not willing to sit with Santa any more.

  Gina and Evan were still there, and of course Gina watched his every move. Her expression was unreadable as she held her son close to her while he calmed down. Great. So everyone figured out who he was.

  From the corner of his eye, Eric caught sight of Petra heading his way. Where was Kinley? Then he spotted his daughter holding Robin's hand. Okay, weird. What was Petra doing without Kinley?

  "I'd like to take a picture with Santa." Petra stood at the front of the gate now, amidst the crying upset kids.

  Huh? What was that all about?

  The elf helpers shrugged and let her through. Petra leaned over and whispered in Eric's ear. "Just go with it. I'm trying a calming tactic, to show the kids that Santa isn't scary."

  Eric just shrugged in agreement.

  "Hi Santa!" Petra said loudly, moving closer to sit on his lap.

  "Ho ho ho! What would you like for Christmas, young lady?" He put in as much effort into his cheer as possible. Eric also had to hide the way he felt with Petra sitting on his lap.

  The immediate surrounding area calmed down some. Was this really working?

  "Hmm." Petra pretended to think about it. "I'd like a new car, a nice pair of ice skates for my daughter, and..." She closed her eyes for a second.

  The crowd quieted down. Plenty of eyes were watching them with anticipation.

  "I want a man I know to learn to forgive himself and accept others' forgiveness. He's been trying hard, working to be someone better, he just doesn't know how to let go of the past." There was a tear in her eye when she opened them again and looked his way.

  His breath caught and he kne
w without a doubt she was referring to him. Eric fumbled for the right words to say while soaking in what she'd just asked for.

  "Smile for the camera!" the green suited elf said, snapping the picture when Petra and Eric turned to him.

  "See, all better." Petra grinned, slid off his lap and snatched a piece of candy. "Good job, Santa." Without another word, she walked away.

  AVAILABLE NOW!

  If you enjoy contemporary romances with a cowboy theme, here is an excerpt of Cowboy Bred, Cowboy Born by D'Ann Lindun.

  Blurb

  Freedom or family? Only love can make the choice.

  Photographer Alannah Murphy refuses to be tied down. She watched her parents struggle to hold onto their dairy farm until it killed them. The mere thought of the same fate makes her shudder. When she meets rancher Sterling Gentry she has to face her fears, or lose him.

  Sterling Gentry longs for someone to hand his ranch down to. Like his father before him, he has sacrificed everything to hold onto the land his ancestors settled. But finding Ms. Right proves harder than he imagined. Then he meets Alannah Murphy with her big city ways. How he can ever take a chance with a woman exactly like his mother, who abandoned him when he was a child?

  Despite their determination to stay the course they've each chosen, attraction pulls them together as steadily as a nail to a magnet. Can these two find a way to mesh Alannah's need for freedom and Gentry's desire to hold onto his land?

  Excerpt

  Still snapping photos, the woman approached him. When she came within speaking distance, she waved. "Hello."

  "Who the hell are you? And what are you doing in the middle of the road? Don't you know better than to stand in the way when somebody's herding stock?"

  Her mouth opened and closed a couple times. "I didn't think-"

  "Hell no, you didn't think," Gentry shouted. "Damn it anyway."