Cash rubbed a hand over his stubbled jaw. Tandy was the president and CEO at his record label. The woman had a keen sense for business, but she was a task master. “I thought the plan was to add the song to the new album that we’ll start working on after the tour winds down.” Cash planned to tour until right before Thanksgiving, which was still roughly four months away.
“Yeah, that was the plan, but somebody at the concert recorded you on their phone, and the thing’s gone viral. Tandy wants to strike while the iron’s hot.”
“Tandy needs to take a chill pill,” Cash muttered.
Howie laughed. “You know that ain’t gonna happen,” he sang. “The woman eats, breathes, and sleeps work. Oh, she also booked you a performance at The Grand Ole Opry on Tuesday.”
“No!” Cash barked. “I need a break.” He let out a long breath. “I’ll record the song, but I’m not doing the Opry.”
Silence.
Cash clutched the phone tighter. “You there?”
“Yeah, I’m here. You sure you don’t wanna do the Opry? It’s a great way to give back to your fans.”
“I’m sure,” Cash shot back. He was all about giving back to his fans, but right now, he needed some downtime or he was gonna blow his cork. His mind shifted to other matters. “What did you think of the opener for the London concert?” When Cash originally went on tour, his longtime friend Ginger Blakely was the opening act. Then, everything went sideways when Ginger fell off the stage during a concert in Italy, sustaining a broken leg and two broken vertebrae. Ginger was lucky to be alive. The doctors expected her to make a full recovery, but she was officially out of the tour.
“You know,” Howie mused, “Queenland Grace is no Ginger Blakely, but I thought they did fairly well.”
“The crowd seemed to resonate with them. After the concert last night, Grace and I had a quick meeting about a few improvements she and her band could make to make their performance pop. I think they’re gonna be okay.”
“I hope so. We could sure use a break. It’s been tough with Ginger’s accident.”
“Amen.”
“Alright, dude. Go enjoy your family. You deserve some time off. Should I tell Tandy she can expect you to come into the studio on Monday?”
Cash didn’t skip a beat. “Tell her I’ll be there Wednesday morning.”
“Will do. See ya,” Howie clipped as he ended the call.
A whiff of freshly cut grass invaded Cash’s senses, taking him right back to his childhood. It was a hot evening, the humidity pressing a heavy blanket on him as he trotted up the steps and into the house.
Cash welcomed the cool air conditioning that splashed his face as he stepped through the door. The fragrant aroma of barbecue made his stomach rumble. He heard laughter and voices floating from the kitchen. Butterflies of anticipation tapped out a fast beat against his stomach as he quickened his steps. “Anybody home?” he called loudly as he stepped into the kitchen.
“Cash is here!” Madison squealed as she ran full force and jumped into his arms.
“Hey, squirt,” he laughed as he scooped her up. She hooked his neck with her arms, giving him a tight hug. A second later, he pulled his head back so he could assess her. He pursed his lips. “This beautiful grownup girl can’t be my niece.”
“It’s me,” Madison giggled.
Cash put her down before hugging everyone. When he got to Jaxson, his older brother pulled him into a choke hold, rubbing a knuckle burn against his hair.
“Hey,” Cash protested, trying to extricate himself from Jaxson’s grasp, but before he could, his four brothers crowded around, joining in on the fun as they poked and wrestled with him. It only took Cash a second to jump back into old habits as he gave as good as he got, grabbing Mason and ruffling his hair.
“No one messes with the hair,” Mason grumbled, which made it all the funnier.
Ramsey hooted. “Don’t be messing with Mr. Pretty Boy. He freaks if a hair gets out of place.”
Mason shot Ramsey a dark laugh, which set all the brothers to laughing. As the baby, Mason had a short fuse. It was fun to get a rise out of him.
“You remember this beautiful lady?” Noah asked as he draped a protective arm around Piper.
Piper smiled. “Hey, Cash.” They embraced in a hug.
“You look more gorgeous every time I see you.” With her long curly hair and big brown eyes, Piper reminded Cash of the actress Andie MacDowell. Noah was truly a lucky man.
Piper’s cheeks were stained with pink as she grinned. “Thank you.”
“Hey now, don’t be scamming on my woman,” Noah said, his eyes laughing.
“Don’t worry, I only have eyes for you,” Piper said as she placed a hand on Noah’s arm.
Daddy stepped up and enfolded Cash in strong arms. “Welcome home, Son,” Daddy said heartily, his voice quivering with emotion. “I’ve missed you.”
The cinnamon scent of Daddy’s cologne tickled his nose. “I’ve missed you too,” Cash responded, his eyes growing moist. That was the hardest part about being on tour, being away from family. “Hey, Mama,” he said as he hugged Birdie. “Happy birthday.”
Tears glistened in her eyes. “Having you home for a few days is the best birthday present ever.” She cupped his cheeks with her hands as she peered up into his face.
A minute later, Cash spotted Milo, watching him with a tentative expression. “Hey, little man. I hear you’ve been tearing it up with the riding.”
That’s all it took for Milo to step forward and give him a big hug. Cash tousled his hair. “Good to see you. You’ll have to show me Blue.”
“I can jump now,” Milo said proudly.
“That’s what I hear,” Cash said, smiling as he looked at Zoe and Briggs.
Zoe and Briggs were standing close together, and Briggs had his arm draped around Zoe. Cash’s heart swelled. It was wonderful to see the quiet glow on Zoe’s face.
“Hey, you two,” he said as he stepped up to them. First, he hugged Zoe who rubbed a hand over his stubbled jaw. “Looking a little scruffy,” she chided.
“Yep, that’s what an entire night of flying will do to you,” Cash lamented.
“Good to see you,” Briggs said as the two clasped hands before hugging.
Cash looked back and forth between them, a pleased smile sliding over his lips. “Now, this was worth coming home to see.” Zoe blushed slightly as she cast Briggs an adoring look.
“You’re looking pretty good, considering.” He motioned at the boot Briggs was wearing on his left ankle.
“I’m getting there,” Briggs said with a casual smile. “I’ve got a great nurse,” he said, giving Zoe a wicked grin. He was obviously needling her because Zoe made a face.
“Yeah, too bad he doesn’t listen to me.” Her eyes widened. “I went out the other day, and you know what I found him doing?” Her voice rose. “He was riding Blue!”
“Well, I had to show Milo a few things, and the best way was to demonstrate. I was perfectly fine.”
A begrudging laugh escaped Zoe’s lips. “See what I have to deal with?”
Cash could tell that Zoe was wildly happy. Watching her with Briggs, knowing all that the two of them had overcome to be together, that, in and of itself, was worth coming home for.
Briggs caught Cash’s eye. “I’ll always be in debt to you for placing that bid at the auction.”
Cash waved a hand. “Best money I ever spent.”
A beautiful, unencumbered smile filled Zoe’s face. “Amen to that, little brother.”
Knox spoke loudly over all of the chatter. “Now that everybody’s here. We can eat.”
“Finally!” Milo said as he exhaled dramatically. “I’m starving!” He looked at Mason, laughter sputtering from his lips. “But don’t eat too much barbecue, or you’ll end up with the Hershey squirts.”
Cash laughed in surprise as did almost everyone else in the room. But Zoe’s jaw hit the ground. “Milo!” she exploded. “That’s unacceptable.”
“Oh, give the kid a break,” Mason said. “You’ve said much worse.”
Zoe whirled around to Mason. “Did you teach him that?” The guilty look on Mason’s face answered her question.
Knox cleared his laughter as he held up his hands. “Alright. No brawling. Not today.” Everyone settled down. A second later, Knox’s jaw started working as he looked around, tears glistening in his eyes. “I just want y’all to know how grateful I am for each and every one of you.” His gaze settled on Birdie as he cleared the emotion in his throat. “We did good, didn’t we?”
She smiled, going misty eyed. “Yes, we did.”
At that, Knox bowed his head and offered a blessing on the food.
A little while later, after the meal and cake had been eaten, Cash found himself on the back patio, talking to Zoe. He shifted in his seat, stretching his long legs. “You look happy, sis.”
“I am.”
“I’m so glad. You deserve to be happy.”
“Thank you,” she uttered, getting teary-eyed. “It took a long time getting here.” Her voice hitched. “What you did, reminding me of one way home, it made me realize what’s truly important.” A smile touched her lips. “I owe you, big time.”
“I’ll add it to your tab,” he grinned.
She chuckled. “I’m sure you will.”
“I saw you and Mama earlier, laughing and talking. I take it y’all worked out your differences?” Zoe had told Cash about Mama asking Briggs to break up with Zoe all those years ago.
Zoe let out a long breath. “Yeah, I was ticked at first. But it’s Mama. I couldn’t stay mad at her forever.” She paused. “Even though I don’t agree with what Mama did, I’ve come to realize that she did it out of love for me.”
Cash nodded. He’d tried to tell Zoe as much himself, but she’d been too livid in the heat of the moment to listen.
“Mama wanted me to have space to get my education and develop my sculpting. I have a daughter. I get that. I just don’t agree with how Mama went about it,” she retorted. “Anyway, it’s all in the past now,” she sighed.
“I’m glad.” A comfortable silence stretched between them before Cash spoke. “How’s Briggs getting along with the kids?”
“Really well. Ever since the accident when Briggs saved Milo, things have changed for the better.” She shrugged. “I mean, Milo still has his days, but he’s definitely coming around.”
“How’s Carl?”
Zoe tensed. “Still as much of a jerk as ever,” she fired back, her dark hair bouncing on her shoulders. She rolled her eyes. “But he’s fallen head-over-heels for one of the realtors he coaches, so at least I don’t have to worry about him trying to get me back.”
Cash rubbed his jaw. “I’m glad you got away from him.”
“Me too,” Zoe asserted. She paused, her voice growing recollective. “Just before Milo went missing, Carl showed up here. There was a big storm brewing. A tornado actually touched down.”
“I heard.” Birdie had called, giving Cash the full scoop, but he didn’t mind hearing it again.
Zoe went on as if he hadn’t spoken. Laughter gathered in her throat as she clutched her neck. “Carl said a bunch of crap about me being selfish by moving back home and dating Briggs.” Her eyes hardened. “I was actually considering going back to that idiot. Then, when Briggs saved Milo.” Her voice faltered. “It’s interesting how almost losing them both made me suddenly see everything clearly. I realized that Carl was full of baloney. The greatest gift I could give myself and the kids is to live a full life with the man I love.” Her eyes took on an inner glow. Zoe radiated such happiness and contentment that Cash was a tinge envious. That’s what he wanted to find—his own one way home. “Milo and Madison—Milo especially—need a good male role model to look up to.” She paused. “Well, I couldn’t ask for anyone better than Briggs.” She shrugged, pushing out a self-conscious laugh. “I’m sure that’s more info than you were wanting, but yes, we’re doing well,” she said lightly.
“Mama tells me your gallery is opening this fall.”
Her dark eyes shimmered with excitement. “Yep, it’s just a few doors down from the boutique.” She cast a glance at Noah in the backyard with Piper. The two of them were playing a game of catch with Milo and Madison. “Noah and Piper are going to put their photography in the gallery, which will help generate interest.”
Cash followed her trail of vision, going past the happy couple to the kids. Wait a minute! His eyes did a quick rewind as he looked, then looked again. He pointed. “Is that a chicken wearing a pink ribbon around its neck?”
Zoe sniggered. “Yep, that’s Roach, Madison’s pet chicken.”
Cash’s jaw dropped. “Are you seriously telling me that my niece has a pet chicken?”
“Uh-huh,” she giggled.
He made a face. “Is that sanitary?”
Her eyes widened. “That’s what I said! But Daddy assures me that it’s perfectly fine.”
“Wow. There aren’t words.”
A grin pulled at her lips, her eyes dancing. “Madison has been after Mama to order Roach some clothes from the boutique.”
An incredulous laugh rose in Cash’s throat. “Well, you do seem to be adjusting well to country life.”
“Yes, I am,” she sang. Zoe sat back in her seat, giving him a speculative look. “What about you? How are you doing?”
“I’m alright,” he said casually, but he could tell that Zoe’s sharp eyes missed nothing.
“It’s been rough, hasn’t it?” she asked. “With Ginger getting injured.”
He nodded, feeling the weight of the situation settling on his chest.
“What exactly happened?”
“As Ginger was performing, she got lightheaded and fell backwards off the stage. It’s a ten-foot drop.”
Zoe’s lips pressed together in a straight line as she shook her head. She leaned in, lowering her voice. “Daddy mentioned that the investigators suspect that there was foul play.”
Cash’s insides tightened. “At first, we all thought it was a freak accident. But then when Ginger was being questioned, she mentioned the dizziness. Ginger takes anxiety medication. She took her pill shortly before going on stage. Her meds were sent to a lab for testing. It was determined that they’d been switched with a high-powered muscle relaxer that looked exactly like her pills.”
“Do the authorities know who did it?”
“No. At this point, the detectives aren’t sure whether Ginger was being specifically targeted or if someone is trying to sabotage my tour.”
The apprehensive expression on Zoe’s face mirrored Cash’s own feelings. “Who would do that?”
“I dunno. A competitor? Maybe a jealous fan or stalker? We don’t know.”
Her brows darted together. “Are you saying that you could be in danger?”
A shiver shuddered down his spine. “I don’t know,” he answered honestly.
She took in a deep breath as she reached for his hand and squeezed it. “I’m sorry. Maybe you should talk to Ramsey, see if he can do anything to help.”
“I plan to.” It was nice having a brother who worked for a private security group specializing in personal safety. The record label hired private detectives to investigate the situation, and they’d enacted extra safety measures during concerts with more security guards, etc. However, Cash wanted to talk to Ramsey and get his take on the situation. He trusted his brother more than a bunch of strangers.
“Good,” Zoe said looking relieved. She tilted her head. “How is the new opening act working out?”
“Queenland Grace?”
She nodded.
“So far, so good.”
“Are they worried that they might be a target?”
“Yeah, it’s a concern, but they’re willing to take the risk to get the exposure for their band.”
She clasped her hands together. “I hope it all gets resolved so
on.”
“You and me both.”
Briggs stepped into the center of the patio, speaking loudly. “Would everyone gather around? I have an important announcement to make.”
Zoe blinked in surprise.
“What announcement?” Cash asked.
Her head swung back and forth. “I have no idea.”
It was all Cash could do to keep a straight face. He knew exactly what Briggs was up to; it was partly why he’d come.
“What’s going on?” Zoe asked Briggs, her eyebrow quirking up.
He flashed a cryptic grin. “Just hold your horses,” he said smoothly as he winked.
Zoe looked at Cash. “Do you know what he’s up to?”
Briggs gave Cash a concerned look that said Don’t spill the beans.
Cash held up his hands, shaking his head. “I’m just an innocent bystander here.”
“Uh-huh. Sure you are,” Zoe grunted, turning her attention back to Briggs.
He took in a breath like he was collecting his thoughts. “It has been a crazy couple of months.” He looked down at his booted ankle. “I’ll be glad when I can finally get this thing off,” he grumbled.
“Me too, so you can actually get some work done,” Knox piped in, throwing Briggs an affectionate grin.
“Hey, now,” Briggs countered with a mock wounded expression. “I have been working.”
“We know what you’ve been working on,” Mason said, throwing Zoe a cheeky grin.
Jaxson and Ramsey looked at one another and laughed.
Zoe’s face flamed as she stuck her tongue out at Mason.
Briggs looked around at all the faces, his voice going throaty with emotion. “Y’all are like family to me.” He threw a smile at Milo. “This guy’s getting pretty good on old Blue.”
Milo thrust out his chest, grinning broadly.
Briggs looked at Madison who was sitting on Birdie’s lap. “And this one has roped me into watching more than a few episodes of Dora the Explorer.” Madison flashed a large smile. Time seemed to slow as Briggs lasered in on Zoe. “And this girl.” His voice caught. “This girl has turned my world upside down …in a good way.” He and Zoe shared an intimate smile. In steps that were surprisingly agile considering his ankle, Briggs crossed the distance between them. He got down on knee, gathering Zoe’s hands in his.
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