Brides on the Run (Books 1-4)

by Jami Albright

  “Thanks.” Crap, his eyes were stinging again.

  “One more thing.” Jack handed him another printout. “We hired a PR team. They want a meeting with us the week before the awards, so we’ll have to go to Nashville for a few days.”

  Beau scanned the information. “Okay, what are the dates?”

  “The twelfth through the fifteenth. I’m setting up some other meetings for us, things having to do with the tour. Also, I’ve got a management team I’m hoping we can work with. Marissa Day and Clay Everson of Everson, Day Productions. There’s also some interest from other artists wanting to collaborate with you.”

  “Like who?”

  Jack nodded his head. “Everything’s on that sheet.”

  The neatly printed names had to be a mistake. “Really?”

  “Really.”

  Several of the people were some of his idols. He blew out a deep breath and tried to act like he wasn’t as starstruck as he was. “Sounds good. Those dates work. I just have to be back by the sixteenth.”

  “I heard about your gig at the elementary school,” Gavin said.

  Beau chuckled. “What can I say? We can’t all be a big-time star like me.”

  “Alright. Get out of here and go talk to Hailey.” Jack rose and extended his hand.

  Beau ignored it and went around the desk to hug him. “Thank you…for everything.”

  Jack squeezed him back. “You’re welcome, man.”

  “If you girls are done, I have one more thing I’d like to say.” Gavin stood and dug in his pocket, withdrawing a set of keys. “You know I’ve cut my tour schedule way back. And now I’m flying to most of my gigs. These are the keys to my tour bus.” He dangled them from his finger. “It’s yours if you want it.”

  Beau didn’t think about what he was doing. He charged Gavin and wrapped him in a hug too. “Thank you.”

  Gavin gave him a slap on the back. “An award-nominated artist shouldn’t have to tour in a rented RV.”

  Beau snatched the keys from Gavin’s hand before the man had a chance to change his mind. “I’m going to celebrate with Hailey and Lottie. If you want to join us, we’ll probably be at the Chuck E. Cheese in Austin.”

  They laughed, and he left thinking life was pretty damn good.

  Well, except for the small issue of him being in love with Hailey, but he’d think about that tomorrow.

  Today was for celebrating.

  “How much?” Hailey couldn’t possibly have heard the walk-in cooler repairman correctly.

  “Three thousand dollars.” The guy wiped his hands on a rag he pulled from his back pocket. “This unit is so old that we have to special order the part. Honestly, you need a whole new cooler. But I can probably buy you a little more time with this one with the right part.”

  She did a quick calculation. Something would have to not get paid to make this work. “Order the part.”

  “I can have it here tomorrow.” He handed her the invoice to sign.

  “Fine.” She scrawled her name across the line marked with an X.

  “See ya tomorrow.” He took the paper and had the audacity to whistle as he made his way to the door.

  She glanced down at her copy of the bill. The sum mocked her with all its zeros. This was going to take some creative accounting to manage. Beau playing at Boon’s every weekend should be her saving grace, and it would be if everything would stop breaking. She barely got one thing fixed before the next stopped working.

  Having Beau play was drawing more customers, but more people meant more staff and higher liquor cost. With all the extra expenses, she was barely staying afloat. Not to mention the added pressure of the deadline to make Boon’s profitable. It was like her father’s ultimatum was a giant chomping head, like in that video game, and she was a confused ghost thingy scrambling and running for her life.

  The silence of the empty bar pressed in on her. For the last ten years, this honky-tonk had been her safe place, where she hid from the ugliness of the world and her problems. But lately, no matter how hard she tried to nestle into the comfort of Boon’s, she didn’t seem to fit. It pinched and squeezed her, like tight shackles looped around her body.

  That wasn’t completely true. She fit perfectly fine on the nights she performed with Beau. A bunch of giddy hummingbirds flapped through her belly at the thought of singing with him, hell, just being with him. She didn’t know when she’d had more fun.

  Fun? What does fun have to do with anything, Hailey?

  Life wasn’t fun. It was hard work and sacrifice. Her mom had proven that over and over, and now it was her turn. And to do that she needed to figure out how to pay her bills this month and stop throwing herself the mother of all pity parties.

  And she would stop…in a bit. Okay, maybe in an hour or two.

  It’d really been a bad day. Besides the janky walk-in cooler, Marla had called to pepper her with questions about the father–daughter dance. Then she’d had a run-in with Derek. All she wanted was for him to make an effort and invite Lottie to the dance so that she would feel special. He’d given her a bunch of bullshit excuses, but in the end, had agreed.

  Thank God he’d cooperated, or kidnapping him and dragging him there was her next tactic. Lottie had a surprise for him, and her clueless father wasn’t going to ruin the night for her.

  As long as she lived, she’d never forget Lottie’s face when Beau suggested she sing a song with him at the dance. She’d said no, but after a little coaxing from the persistent man, she had agreed. Apparently, neither Hailey nor her daughter were immune to the man’s charms.

  “Buy you a drink, pretty lady?”

  As low as she was, just the sound of Beau’s voice lifted her spirits. “Make it ten, and you’re on.”

  He sidled up beside the bar stool where she was sitting and knocked his shoulder against hers. “That bad, huh?”

  She wasn’t going to burden him with her problems, but she wouldn’t lie either. “The usual—Derek, Marla, and now the walk-in cooler is on the fritz. Good news is that it can be fixed.”

  “How much is it?”

  “A lot.”

  “How much?”

  She slid from the bar stool and faced him. “We’ve been over this. I’m not taking your money.” She appreciated it, but that was a firm line she wouldn’t cross.

  He chuckled. “Fine.”

  “Just like that?” He didn’t usually give up so easily.

  His big, warm laugh filled the empty room. “Just like that.”

  Something was up. His cheeks were flushed and he practically vibrated with excitement. “Why are you so chipper?” For a moment, uncertainty played across his face like he wasn’t sure he should say anything. “Tell me, especially if it’s good news. I could use it.”

  “I’ve been nominated for the New Artist of the Year by the Country Music Association!” It came out in a rush of joy and disbelief.

  “What?” She launched herself at him and he caught her without hesitation. “That’s the best thing I’ve heard in a long time.” She peppered his face with kisses. “I’m so happy for you.” And she was ninety-nine percent happy for him. She stomped down the one percent that wondered why things couldn’t go her way just once.

  “That’s not all.”

  “There’s more?” His grin was infectious, and she found her lips turning up in response.

  “They want all the New Artist nominees to perform on the show.”

  Her pulse pounded in her ears, her throat began to constrict, and the grin slipped from her face. “You know I’m not going to do that, right?”

  He kissed her hard and fast. “Don’t worry, we’ve got it covered. But I would like you to go with me. It would only be for one night, two at the most.”

  “Absolutely. Give me the dates, and I’ll get everything set up. It’ll be fun.”

  “Just like that?’

  She threw her arms around his neck. “Just like that.”

  Chapter 25

  “Mom, are
you sure Dad said he’d meet us here?” Lottie adjusted the sparkly headband holding back her black curls.

  Hailey glanced around the elementary school gymnasium. “Yes, honey, but we’re early.” She rechecked her list on the clipboard she held. She’d been at the gym most of the day setting up, but there were always last-minute things to be done. “I need to check with Rusty and make sure he has everything he needs for when Beau gets here.”

  A smile broke out on Lottie’s face like a Texas sunrise, and she leaned forward with her hand to her mouth. “I can’t wait to see everyone’s face when I sing with him.” She rolled her eyes. “They all think I’m lying.”

  Pain shot through Hailey’s chest. She knew some of that was because of Piper and some was because of her reputation. She bent and took Lottie’s face in her hands. “You’ll have to ask them how crow tastes after you and Beau kill it tonight.”

  “And you. You’re singing with us, right?”

  She’d been so busy with the preparations for the dance that she hadn’t had time to worry about getting up on stage, until now. “Yep. I’ll be there.” Who sucked all the air out of the room? The swooshing of her overactive pulse roared in her ears. Was she really about to do this? She glanced at her nine-year-old, who looked cool as a cucumber. Whatever she had, Hailey wanted. “Are you nervous?”

  Lottie shook her head. “No. Beau told me I sing like an angel, and he wouldn’t tell me that if it weren’t true. Beau doesn’t lie, Mom.” The duh was implied.

  The certainty in her daughter’s voice formed a ball of emotion in Hailey’s throat. Beau hadn’t lied, yet. But she knew all too well how people you thought would never disappoint you eventually did. “I’ve told you that you sing like an angel since you first sang your ABCs.”

  Lottie played with the streamers hanging from the refreshment table that was quickly filling with cookies and cakes. “Yeah, but you’re my mom. You have to say that.”

  Hailey laughed. “I don’t have to say it. I say it because it’s true.” She bent and kissed Lottie’s head. “I need to go check with Rusty about the sound. Do you want to come with me?”

  “No, I’ll wait here for Dad.”

  “Okay. Be back in a second. Watch for Beau too and send him my way when he gets here.”

  “Alright.”

  Hailey made her way to the soundboard. “Thanks for doing this, Rusty.”

  The portly older man tore off strips of duct tape and stuck them to the edge of the soundboard. “No problem, Hailey. I like to be where the pretty people are.” He gave her the once-over. “Speaking of which, good Lord, but you are gorgeous, woman.”

  Hailey laughed. “You need to get out more.” Her phone rang before the older guy could answer. “Excuse me.” She stepped away and swiped the screen. “Hey, Luanne. How are you feeling?”

  “I’m fine, just big as a house.”

  Hailey played with her mother’s ring on the necklace she wore. “Everybody still where they’re supposed to be?”

  “The babies are, but have you heard from Beau?”

  “He called a few hours ago to say that he and Jack were stuck in Dallas because of the weather, but that they were renting a car to drive back.” She checked the time on her watch. “He should be here any minute.”

  Luanne huffed out a breath. “That’s the thing. Jack just called and said they’re having to drive so slowly that it’s going to be at least another hour—”

  “That’s okay. It’ll take that long for everyone to trickle in and people to eat.”

  “Hailey, Jack says an hour’s optimistic. He thinks it’ll be two hours if they make it at all. The roads are starting to flood and they may have to find a hotel.”

  The room was beginning to fill with dressed-up little girls and their dads. “So, what are you saying, Luanne?”

  “I honestly don’t think they’re going to make it.”

  “Really? It’s not even raining here.”

  “I know. The problem seems to be north of Austin. I’m so sorry to have to be the one to give you the news.”

  “It’s fine. Thanks for letting me know.” She barely had enough air in her lungs to push the words out of her throat. Her heart smashed into her stomach when she saw Lottie still standing by the door, waiting on Derek. “Oh, no.”

  “You okay, Hailey?” Rusty asked.

  She blinked back the tears that fought to spill over her lids. “Um, yeah. That was Luanne. She’s not sure Beau’s gonna make it. The weather between Austin and Dallas is pretty bad, and the roads are flooding.”

  “Damn, that storm came out of nowhere.” Realization slid over his face inch by inch, and he jerked his head toward the front entrance. “Lottie.”

  All she could do was nod.

  “Alright, new plan.” He picked up a notepad. “I’ll let the boys know it’ll just be you and Lottie when they get here.”

  Hailey’s broken heart jackknifed in her chest. “What?”

  “You and your baby will do the set. You know all the songs.”

  “Rusty, I’m not getting up there without Beau. Nobody wants to see me sing, and Lottie only knows her two songs.”

  “Bullshit. That girl knows Beau’s whole set. There are a few songs we can’t do, but that’s not a problem.”

  “I’m not a singer!” Being on stage with Beau in her bar was one thing. It was easy to hide behind the supernova that was Beau Callen. “I’m not doing it.”

  Rusty’s gaze drifted to her daughter pacing by the entrance and fluffing the sparkly skirt of her dress that she’d told Hailey would look awesome on stage. The older man’s grey brows inched up his forehead like pissed-off caterpillars. “You’re really going to let her down because you’re embarrassed?”

  “You don’t understand, Rusty.” And he didn’t. She’d carved out a place with these people and this town and just in the last year or so was being welcomed back into the fold. Getting up on stage without Beau, drawing attention to herself, would only stir up old gossip. “I need to go talk to Lottie.” She moved toward the door before the man could say another word.

  The walk across the gymnasium to where Lottie was standing wasn’t near long enough for her to come up with a gentle way to tell her daughter that the night she’d dreamed of wasn’t going to happen.

  And if that wasn’t bad enough, just then Derek walked through the door holding Piper’s hand. Her eyes immediately went to Lottie, whose whole being seemed to shrink and withdraw.

  “Hey, Lottie. Sorry, we’re late, but Ariel wanted to take pictures. You know how it is.” Derek said, utterly oblivious to the devastation he’d just inflicted on his daughter.

  “Dad, I didn’t know you were bringing Piper.” The smallness of Lottie’s voice broke Hailey’s heart.

  Derek scrubbed his hand over Lottie’s head, pulling pieces of hair from the sparkly headband. “You don’t mind, do you? Her dad is out of town and, well…” He put his hand on Piper’s shoulder. “I’m kind of like her dad, too, right kid?”

  “Right, Derek.” The little girl beamed up at him, but not before she gave Lottie a smug look.

  Hailey wanted to tear her ex-husband apart piece by piece. “Derek, can I speak to you a moment?”

  Derek shrugged. “Sure.”

  Hailey’s eyes bounced from Lottie to Piper. “Privately.”

  “Why?”

  “Girls, why don’t you go get some punch and cookies? We’ll only be a minute.”

  “Okay,” they said in unison, but one was more perky than the other.

  When they were out of earshot, Hailey lit into Derek. “What in the ever-lovin’ hell are you doing?”

  He slid his hand into the front pocket of his black slacks. “What are you talking about?”

  For a second, Hailey was so stunned by his ignorance that she just stared at him. The ache in her jaw from gritting her teeth fueled her anger. “You brought your step-daughter to the father–daughter dance, changing your plans to pick your actual daughter up and bring her like
a date, and to top it all off, you’re late. Didn’t you see her face? She’s been so excited, and you totally crushed her.”

  Derek pursed his lips and shook his head. “That’s ridiculous, and if it’s true, then Lottie needs to stop being so sensitive. Piper’s her friend. They’ll have a great time.”

  “Derek, I’ve told you and Ariel that Piper has made Lottie’s life a living hell since you two moved in together.”

  “Really, Hailey? A living hell. I know where Lottie gets her oversensitivity.” He straightened his tie. “Now if you’re done bitching me out, I’m going to find the girls.”

  The fireball of anger behind Hailey’s ribs made it hard to get a clear breath. He would never change, no matter how she appealed to him. He would never change. His disregard for her bled over to his feelings for Lottie. She honestly wondered if Derek Odom was capable of loving anyone but himself.

  A group of moms was standing by the refreshment table with their backs to her. Marla was their ringleader.

  “Hailey’s outdone herself with this dance,” one of the moms said.

  Pride helped ease a little of the anger stomping through her body. She had done a great job.

  “Yeah, she has,” Carrie Spalding’s mom said. “Too bad no one will ever forgive her for what she did to poor Derek and this town.”

  Hailey’s feet refused to move forward or retreat.

  “True,” Marla said. “But as long as she thinks she can redeem herself, we can get some good work out of her.” They all laughed.

  A sinking realization became crystal clear. These people would never forget. Never. No matter what she did, or how helpful she was, or how she punished herself with a small life. She’d always be the girl who ruined everything.

  She glanced at Lottie standing to the side of Piper and Derek looking lost and alone, then to the stage, then to the group of gossiping women. Screw it. She was done hiding. It wouldn’t matter to them one way or another.

  With purpose in every step, she marched over to Rusty and the rest of the band that had arrived. “I’ll do it.”