Ask Me to Stay (Honky Tonk Angels #4) (15 page)

“It’s been taken care of.” Cooper interrupted.

Callie looked at Hannah and Cody, but Hannah shook her head. “No, we can’t take credit. We were going to, but Jayce beat us to it.”

“Jayce?” Callie asked Cody, then Cooper. “Jayce?”

“Yes,” Cooper said and smiled. “We’ll let you know as soon as the investigator reports back to us, but in the meantime, take Lily’s advice. Relax and don’t stress over it. Ramsey is behind bars and can’t hurt you, so don’t let him rob you of any of your happiness.”

“That’s good advice and I’m going to take it. Thank you again.”

“You’re welcome.” He smiled at her, then at Hannah. “Walk me out?”

“Sure.” She gave Callie’s arm a quick squeeze, then hurried out from around the bar. Everyone watched her and Cooper leave.

“Did she tell you they had a date?” Cody asked.

“No, but I’m glad. They’re a good fit,” Lily answered. “They have similar tastes and do seem to be attracted to one another.”

“Like you and Wes?” Cody asked.

“Wes Pursell?” Callie asked. “I met him a couple of times when he came in here. He’s nice. Hot, too.”

“Yes, he certainly is,” Lily said and smiled. “And yes we have been – talking, but we work together so we see each other almost daily.”

“No dates outside the office?” Cody asked.

“Not really. A couple of lunches at the diner and I did have dinner with Wes and his mother, Mary, at the steak house a few weeks ago. She’s really wonderful.”

“She is,” Cody agreed. “And hey, when are you gonna join the girl’s night out?”

“I didn’t know I was invited.”

“Well, you know now. We’re doing it this coming Sunday, but I don’t know where.”

“How about my house?” Lily asked. “I just bought it and I haven’t had any company.”

“Yeah, that’d be great. I’ll tell everyone. What time?”

“What time do you usually do it?”

“We start around four,” Cody replied. “Have a few drinks and then eat and then have a few more drinks and yak.”

“Okay, great. So how do you do the food? I’m not exactly a world class cook.”

“Tell you what – why don’t Hannah and I bring stuff from here? You do the drinks, paper plates and stuff and we’ll handle dinner.”

“That’s great. Thank you.” Lily looked at Callie. “You’ll be there, right?”

“Uh, I – I don’t know. I mean, I have Lily and—”

“Bring her.”

“Really? She’s two, you know, and can be a handful.”

“I love kids. Bring her.”

“Okay, thank you.”

“This is great.” Lily stood. “I’m looking forward to it. So I’ll see you both on Sunday.”

“You bet’cha.” Cody grinned.

“Okay then. Bye for now.”

“See you Sunday,” Callie said as Lily left, then turned back to the abandoned task. “Okay, I guess we’re about done here. You need any help in the kitchen?”

“No, we’re good. The staff will be here any minute. Listen Cal, what Lily and Coop said – about that Ramsey guy. They’re right, you know. He can’t hurt you from prison. Seems like you and Jayce has something pretty good going on, so don’t let that guy mess up your happiness, okay?”

On impulse, Callie hugged Cody. “You’re the best friend. Thank you.”

“No thanks needed. Just like seeing people happy.”

Callie pulled back. “So what about you? When are you going to start thinking about what makes Cody happy?”

“The minute Mr. Mine walks into my life.”

“Mr. Mine?” Callie laughed. “Don’t you mean Mr. Right?”

“No, I mean Mr. Mine. When the right one shows his face, he’s mine and that’s all she wrote.”

Callie chuckled again. “I like the way you think.”

Cody laughed and offered her a fist bump. “Okay, girl, let’s get those tables set up. I’ve got a feeling tonight is going to be a good night.”

“You got it.”

It was going to be a good night. She had a good job, Lily was safe and happy and Callie was in love with a wonderful man who loved her. It was time to start counting blessings and let go of the pains of the past.

It was time for a fresh and happy new chapter in life.

“Good morning, Mrs. Stella,” Callie said as she walked into the bakery. “God, it always smells so divine in here.”

“Morning, honey. How are you?”

“Fantastic. I thought I’d stop and get some goodies before I head into work to make the morning a little sweeter. It’s end of the month and poor Hannah always starts stressing.”

“Indeed she does. But she says you’ve made it so much easier. And with the new reports you’ve been giving her and Cody, they’ve really streamlined things at the bar and are operating at a much higher profit margin than before.”

“Oh, I’m so glad to hear that. It’s such a wonderful place and so much fun. All the people here are just so great. I think this is the friendliest place on earth.”

“Probably close to it. So, what can I bag you up?”

“How about an assortment? You know what Hannah likes and I love all of it.”

“Well then, let me get you fixed up.”

“Thanks.” Callie looked around. It was early but over half of the tables in the bakery were already occupied.

“So, how are things going over at Jayce’s?”  Stella asked. “Cody mentioned you and Lily are staying there now.”

“Good. Real good. He’s such a wonderful man. The guest room we’re in is really pretty and they even found a little toddler bed Carson once used and moved it in for Lily.”

“The Weathers are all good people, Jayce included, but I have to tell you that people are going to be more than a little surprised to discover that Jayce is settling down.”

“Because he’s a rounder?” Stella looked at her in surprise and Callie smiled. “Yes, Jason, Carson and even Jayce told me about his reputation.”

“And it doesn’t bother you?”

“No. Why should it? We all have a past if we’re beyond infancy, which means we’ve made mistakes in our lives. I’d prefer to think that we learn from our mistakes and move on, trying to do better. Jayce sure seems to be a great dad, and he’s one of the most honest and kindest people I’ve ever met.”

“He is that, and I’m glad you came here, Callie. Jayce is a good man and he deserves a good woman.”

“I count my blessings every day that I ran out of gas that day and got rescued by your Billy and all your family. And you did, you know. You all rescued me and Lily and made us feel like friends and then family. I’ll never be able to thank you enough.”

“Family doesn’t have to say thank you, and that’s what you and Lily have become, honey. And as such, can I give you one piece of motherly advice?”

“Yes, of course.”

“Don’t let what happened to you be something you’re ashamed of and try to hide.” Stella smiled sweetly. “Yes, by now everyone knows about your tattoos, and you can bet that anyone who has said anything negative about them has earned a tongue lashing from Cody, Hannah, KC, or even myself. We understand, and we all admire your strength. It takes a strong woman to survive something like that and a remarkable one to be such a kind and loving soul after having lived through that. So don’t wear those scars as anything other than what they are – a brand of honor.”

Callie smiled and wiped at her tears. “You have no idea how much I needed to hear that. I love you, Mrs. Stella. Cody, Hannah and KC are so lucky.”

Stella smiled and handed her a bag of pastries. “And we’re lucky to have added you to our family Callie… Oh there I go, I have a habit of using middle names and realized I don’t know yours or Lily’s.”

“My real name is Calista Marie, and Lily’s name is Lily Marie. Marie was my mama’s name.”

“That’s beautiful.”

“Thank you.”

Callie dug into her shoulder bag for her wallet but Stella shooed that away with a wave of her hand and a, “Shush, no you don’t. I don’t charge my girls. Now you have a good day, and bring Lily by soon. We’re missing that little sweet pea.”

“I will. Have a good day, Mrs. Stella and tell Mr. Billy I said hey.”

“I will, honey.”

Callie left the bakery with a smile on her face. It felt like a dream come true to be part of a place like Cotton Creek, to feel like she and Lily belonged, had friends and family and people to love.

Life was so wonderful and had been for nearly a month. That was how long she’d been living with Jayce. Well, it wasn’t like they were living together as a couple. She and Lily slept in the guest room, and since they’d been at Jayce’s, she and he had not had a private moment.

She wished that could change. There were times she felt like a balloon with too much air, ready to pop from all the pent up desire and longing.

Maybe it was time for them to have a date night – one that included them ending up in the same bed.

Just the thought of that raised her temperature, and occupied her mind the rest of the way to work.

Hannah was in the office already and looked up as Callie entered. “Fresh coffee in the kitchen and…is that pastry?”

“I stopped by your mom’s place and she bagged up some things for us.”

“Then let’s get some coffee.”

Just as Callie put her shoulder bag down on the desk, her phone rang. “Let me check that.” She dug in the bag for her phone, feeling a nervous niggle in her belly and hoping the call wasn’t because something was wrong with Lily. Or Jayce.

The caller ID did not register a name but she recognized the area code as one from the Nashville area. “Hello?”

“Calista Williams?” a male voice asked.

“Who’s calling?”

“Pardon. My name is Wilson Evanston, attorney at law. I’m representing Deke Ramsey.”

“Representing him for what?”

“His release and upon that eventuality, Mr. Ramsey will be suing for joint custody of your daughter, Lily Marie.”

“He can’t sue for custody. He’s in prison.”

“As I indicated, I am representing him in his appeal. We should have a court date within the month.”

“No. He can’t get out of prison. He killed my mother. Shot me and tried to kill our child by burning—”

“Evidence does not support that story, Miss Williams, and it is not the purpose of this call to discuss that with you. I am simply, out of respect, notifying you of my client’s intent to sue for joint custody. If you require it, now would be the time to hire legal counsel. Have a good day, Miss Williams. We’ll be in touch.”

Callie’s eyes filled with tears but before they could even spill, rage rushed in like a sudden storm, filling her so completely that all fear was erased.

She was sick and damn tired of being afraid, of worrying what other people would do, what Deke would do. She’s spent the last three years feeling ashamed for surviving his evilness, for making the mistake of thinking he was a decent person.

She’d lost the only family she had and she’d suffered for it, physically and emotionally. So much that she’d turned into a person scared of her own shadow, scared that something horrible would happen and release that monster back to the world where he could hurt her baby.

So now here she was, facing that possibility and all at once there was no room for tears or wallowing in fear. She had a chance at a good life here and she’d be damned if she let him screw that up.

“You okay, Callie?” Hannah asked from the doorway.

“No. Yes. I don’t know. I’m tired of being pushed around, you know? Deke has an attorney and is trying to have his conviction overturned and is also threatened to sue for shared custody of Lily if he gets out and – and you know what? I’m going to put a stop to any hope he has of trying to see Lily, and also of getting out of prison. He deserves to be there and I hope he rots in the damn place.”

“I hear ya, girl, and am standing with you. So what’s the first move?”

“Legal advice.” Acting on impulse, she dialed Lily Matthews. “Hey, Lily, it’s Callie. Look I know you’re probably busy and I’m really sorry to interrupt but I need an attorney and I need one now.”

“Are you at the bar?”

“I am.”

“Give me ten minutes and I’ll come over.”

“You sure?”

“I am. Be there in ten.”

“Thanks. See you soon.”

Callie put her phone down on the desk and looked at Hannah. “I’m not going to let him ruin my life here, Hannah. Lily is happy. So happy. She loves Jayce and Carson – heck, his whole family. They treat her like she’s the little princess of the clan. And I’m happy too. I have a great job, wonderful friends and a man I – a man I care deeply for. I’m not going to let Deke ruin that for me. He almost killed me once, but he’s not going to get another chance. I’ll kill him before I let him near my child. That I promise you.”

Hannah hurried to take Callie’s hand. “I believe you, but it’s not going to come to that, Callie. We’ll fight this, the legal way and we’ll win and he won’t get out of jail and he’ll never be a threat to you or Lily again. I’m with you and so is Cody and my whole family. And you know you’ve got Jayce behind you. And Lily and Cooper and all your friends here. We love you and we’re going to help.”

Callie hugged Hannah tightly. “And I love you.” She did. Hannah and Cody were like sisters, something she’d never had and she treasured them.

Deke’s time of making her afraid and threatening her life were over. It was time to pull up her big girl panties and do like her mama would have told her.

Show that scum what kind of hell can rain down on you when you mess with a southern woman.

*****

Jayce hadn’t taken more than two steps into the Honky Tonk Angels Bar and Grill when Hannah grabbed his arm and dragged him back outside. “We need to talk.”

“What’s wrong?”

She quickly told him about the phone call Callie had received earlier and Callie’s reaction to it.

“Yeah, she called and told me.”

“Then why did you let me run on? For goodness sakes, Jayce.”

“I figured you needed to get it out and I think it’s real nice that you and your family care so much about Callie. I do too, Hannah, and I’m going to look out for her. I promise. Lily’s investigator is still looking into that assistant district attorney but he can’t find anything that proves she helped that evidence to disappear.”

“So, he might get out of prison.”

“He might, but that doesn’t mean he can hurt Callie or Lily. I’m not going to let that happen. I promise you.”

“And I believe you. You know that we’re all here for her. We all love her.”

“Yes, we sure do.” He grinned.

“Why Jayce Weathers, did I just hear you come out and admit it?”

“Yes, ma’am. I believe you did. Hey, is that the band starting up? Callie said she and Riley were trying out a new song. I don’t want to miss it.”

“Then let’s get inside.”

They went back in and sure enough, the band was onstage. Riley and Callie stood side-by-side at a microphone. He announced the song they were going to sing, then they launched into it.

Jayce went to the bar, signaled Cody for a beer and leaned one arm on the bar, watching and listening. Callie and Riley sounded good.

“They’re good, aren’t they?” Cody asked as she set the beer beside his arm.

“Real good.”

“Riley said there’s a guy from a record label here tonight to listen to them.”

“Are you serious?”

“Yep.”

“Why? I mean, not that they’re not good enough,” Jayce said. “But how would a record company know about them?”

“’Cause the guy is someone Riley knows and Riley sent him a recording they did during practice one Sunday afternoon and the guy wants to hear for himself.”

“Well, damn. Ain’t that something?”

“It is indeed. Be back.”

She hurried off. Jayce took a drink of his beer and turned his attention back to the people on stage. No doubt about it, Callie was something. She looked like a star, moved like one and definitely sounded like one.

A sudden thought had him jolting up straight. What if that record guy liked her? As in, liked her enough to want to offer her some deal? Would he want her to leave Cotton Creek and move somewhere else?

The pit of anxiety that took root in his gut told Jayce something. It wasn’t just words when he said he loved Callie, and it wasn’t just him thinking he was in love. He loved her and the idea that he might lose her just about made him sick to his stomach.

But he was, as his father would say, putting the cart before the horse. She hadn’t been offered a recording contract and chances were, she wouldn’t be. The guy from the music company probably listened to thousands of people, some good, some not and some outstanding.

But how many got offered deals? Not many, he’d bet.

Shoving those thoughts out of his head, he clapped and cheered when the song ended. He had to take his own advice. He’d been telling Callie every day not to borrow trouble, to not worry about what Deke Ramsey might do and let it ruin her day. Be happy with the now and let the future take care of itself. It was all going to work out. After all, they had each other.

Now he had to own up to those words. Funny how hard it was when the shoe was on the other foot.