Walking on Sunshine (14 page)

She nodded. “And for placing trust in me. So, do you still want to talk about something?”

“Yes, I do. I want to tell you a little bit about me if you're interested.”

“Of course I am.”

“Okay, then.” After taking a swig of tea, he looked out over the pool and said, “I married my high school sweetheart. A girl I completely adored.”

“What happened?”

“It was simple. Patsy couldn't handle me being on the road all the time. And I couldn't blame her. We'd known each other since we were kids. Do you know the George Strait song ‘Check Yes or No'?”

“Of course.”

“We were like that,” Shane said, and then chuckled. “I really did send her a note that said something like that.”

“Oh, Shane, that's so sweet.”

Shane looked her way. “We were friends and then sweethearts and we were inseparable.”

“Until you went out on the road and were separated all the time.”

Shane nodded. “It didn't help that after I won
You Can Be a Star
, my career took off like a rocket. Funny thing is that I entered at Patsy's insistence.”

“She must have believed in your talent.”

“Yes, she did. But neither of us was prepared for what was to come and come so quickly. To her credit she tried, but in the end she just couldn't take it. Patsy wanted the white picket fence with two kids and a dog, and I was no longer that person.”

“I'm so sorry.” Laura Lee took a drink of her tea and then asked, “Do you wish you'd given up your career so you could have stayed together?”

“Oh, at times . . . sure.” Shane looked down at his glass and then over at her. “When I was lonely on the road, not even remembering what city I was in that night. And lots of folks, even those who claimed to be my friends, thought that I dumped my hometown girl because I wanted someone with more flash. Or that I'd been cheating on her. Just because I became successful didn't mean that I changed my values. I let stuff slide off my back, but rumors like that really hurt.”

“Did Patsy really think you would step out on her while you were gone so much?”

“I guess it must have crossed her mind. In the end it just wasn't the life for her. By the time we knew our marriage was on the rocks, I'd become huge . . . a franchise. So many people were depending on me to put food on the table, and I couldn't turn my back on those who'd worked so hard to make me the success I had become.” He inhaled a deep breath. “And there was the music. Not only is it in my blood, but I know what music means to people.”

“Oh, I hear ya.” Laura Lee nodded. “Music got me through some tough times, for sure. A certain song can take you back to memories that just soothe the soul.” She angled her head and looked at him. “You know we all envy celebrities and as you can imagine I've struggled financially, so the envy goes beyond fame to the money too. I guess just about everyone at least dreams about what it would feel like to have adoring fans.”

“I get that. And I'm not going to be one to complain about a life that has been blessed in so many ways. And that's why I want to give back.”

“But no one knows that it cost you your marriage?”

Shane shook his head slowly. “Nope.”

“Is that why you never remarried?”

“Partly. I didn't want to face pain like that ever again. I poured a lot of the heartache into my songs.”

“And you didn't want to put someone else through the pain either.”

“Yeah, I mean, there are those out there who can find a way to combine a demanding career like mine and be happily married, I suppose. It just isn't easy.”

“I guess not.” She seemed to digest this. “Well, so, now that you're retired do you think you'll . . . you know . . .”

“Look for love?” Shane gave her a steady gaze. “I guess I was so caught up in the daily demands of my career that I let the rest of my life sort of just slide by. Now here I am, fifty-eight years old, wishing I had someone special to spend time with.” Someone like her.

“I'm sure you'd have ladies champing at the bit if they knew. We could have a ball in Cricket Creek and find you a wife. You are considered country royalty,” she said with a laugh. “If the boot fits?”

Shane knew she was joking, but he wanted to tell her she could be his Cinderella. “What about you, Laura Lee? Think your Prince Charming is out there?”

“I don't know. I've been too busy getting my life back in order to think about dating.” Laura Lee took her floppy hat off and put it in her lap. “Mattie has been after me about getting out there, but I told her that my ship has sailed.”

“Oh, come on, you don't really believe that, do you?”

“I suppose so. Or at least I did.” Laura Lee shrugged. “But Mattie girl is hell-bent on proving me wrong. In fact, I'm going out to Sully's tonight.”

Shane felt a hollow pang hit him in the gut at the thought of her dancing with someone. “You know, I haven't been out on the town in ages. Would you save me a dance if I end up at Sully's?”

“I thought you wanted to keep on the down low for a while.”

Shane tried to act casual. “Eh, an evening at the local honky-tonk shouldn't cause too much commotion. I'll hover in the background.”

She laughed. “I can't imagine you in the background anywhere, but if you go to Sully's make sure you say hi, okay? And I owe you a drink for saving me from the deadly snake from hell.”

“I do believe I'll take you up on that,” Shane said, feeling much better about the situation. “Would you like to jump in the pool for a swim?”

“I am getting hot,” she answered, and glanced at the water. “But you promise to keep your clothes on, right?”

Shane put the heel of his hand to his forehead. “I will never forget the look on your face. It was almost worth the embarrassment I suffered.”

“I'll never let you live that down. And if truth be told
I think I was much more embarrassed than you. I wanted to tell so many people, but your skinny-dipping escapade is safe with me.”

“Thank you,” he said, but thought that skinny-dipping might be a whole lot of fun. “Are you ready to get in?”

“Yes.” She licked her bottom lip and then said, “But I have to ask you to do something for me.”

“Name it,” he said, and meant it.

“Well, I need some lotion on my back. I got everywhere else, but I couldn't reach below my neck.”

“Sure,” Shane said casually, but the thought of rubbing his hands on her bare skin made a bead of sweat pop out on his temple.

“Thanks,” she said, and then topped a cracker with a slice of cheddar cheese. After she polished it off she walked over to her beach bag and pulled out a bottle of lotion.

Shane walked over to where she sat on the end of a lounge chair. Her swimsuit was modest by today's standards but revealed a good portion of her back. The curve of her neck was so alluring that he longed to place a kiss on her bare shoulder. “I'll get you all lathered up.” He squirted a generous amount on his palms and then started to slather the white cream onto her bare skin. He tried to be casual and used a light touch, but he still felt a jolt of desire that had him wanting to drag her up against his chest. To his complete horror he suddenly had an . . . God . . . erection that was impossible to hide in his swim trunks.

“All done,” Shane said briskly, thinking he needed to take a running dive into the pool before she noticed the tent in his trunks.

“Thanks. Would you like me to do you?”

Would I ever!

Shane nearly groaned. “I . . .” He was about to protest, knowing that having her hands caressing his back would contribute to his, well, growing problem.

“You know I'm going to insist,” Laura Lee said, and
before he could say another word she got up and took the plastic bottle from him. As he predicted, having her hands rubbing the warm lotion over his back had him closing his eyes and trying to think about anything other than how amazing it felt to have her touching him. He started reciting the alphabet backward, but nothing could counteract what she was doing to him. And it seemed to be taking days for her to finish. “There, all done,” she said brightly, and when she stood up to put the bottle back in her bag, Shane jumped up and dove into the deep end of the pool.

The silky water felt delicious against the heat of his skin and he swam underwater for a moment and hoped to cool his ardor. When he surfaced he watched Laura Lee tentatively entering at the shallow end. The sunshine glinted off her auburn hair and she looked so pretty that he couldn't help staring. “It's colder than what I thought,” she said as she waded in up to her knees.

“Dunk beneath the water and get it over with.” Shane wanted so badly to swim over there and pull her into his arms. He wanted her to wrap those long legs around him so he could carry her around, letting the water lap around them.

And he wanted to kiss her.

Instead he swam over to her and said, “Come on in, the water is refreshing once you get used to it.”

“I'm one of those wimps who has to enter inch by inch,” she said innocently, but Shane was again thankful that the bottom half of his body was hidden from view.

“Oh, really?” His answer was to give her a playful splash, to which she squealed in protest. She flicked water at him with her foot, laughing when she doused him square in the face but almost lost her balance. “You wanna play, huh? I think someone needs to be dunked.”

“Don't you dare!”

Shane wouldn't do that to her in a million years, but he loved the sound of her laughter and vowed to keep making her laugh and smile until she let her guard down. “I won't. I promise,” he said, but the look she gave him
said she wasn't sure. “I can turn the heat on in the pool if you like.”

“Oh no, you don't have to do that!”

“No, I will,” he insisted. He wanted her to be comfortable and enjoy the day.

“No . . . oh, here I go!” Her eyes widened and she held her nose and then dipped beneath the water. She immediately popped back up and laughed. “It's all good now.”

“That was so brave!”

“I know! I think I'll do it again,” she said, but before going under she gave him a big splash.

Shane had to laugh. He thoroughly enjoyed her company. Laura Lee made something as simple as taking an afternoon swim so much more fun. He knew without a doubt that he wanted this sweet woman to become much more than his employee. But he needed to gain her trust first. After her painful past he knew he should hold back until the time felt right.

The problem was that every minute he spent with her felt right.

Going slow wasn't going to be easy. But Shane had waited a long time to let someone special back into his life. He looked at Laura Lee's smiling face and knew that she was well worth the wait.

I Only Want to Be with You

W
HEN
G
ARRET REACHED
M
ATTIE'S
CABIN HE LOOKED
at the digital clock on his dash and noticed that he was nearly fifteen minutes early. With a short chuckle he shook his head, thinking that for a guy who usually arrived late, this just might be a first. How did that even happen?

Garret knew how. He was eager to see Mattie and he'd come from a recording session at My Way Records to see her straightaway. He'd hoped to have a chat about Mattie with his father, but his dad had been in a conference with Jeff Greenfield about Jeff's upcoming tour, so he didn't get the chance.

Garret stepped out of his car and looked over at Mattie's cabin. A cheerful wreath entwined with sunflowers hung from the front door. Plump hanging baskets overflowing with colorful flowers twirled slightly in the breeze, and a whimsical wind chime made of forks and spoons played a tinkling song of summer. Two lazy-looking wooden rocking chairs sat to the right on a long porch made for relaxing. He could picture himself strumming his guitar there late in the evening while fireflies flickered all around.

Looking past the cabin, Garret could see the lake appearing still and serene in the background. Cattails poked their heads skyward and swayed slightly to the left when the gentle breeze kicked it up a notch. He noticed that the dock behind Mattie's cabin had a boat roped to it and Garret wondered if it belonged to her. He envisioned himself rowing her about on a warm summer evening such as this.

On the opposite shore he could see the collection of smaller log cabins that added to the picture-perfect scenery. To the right a field of wildflowers abundant with a riot of color seemed to go on forever before butting up to the woods leading back to the marina.

Bees buzzed, frogs croaked, and crickets chirped. As if on cue a big yellow butterfly landed on one of the terra-cotta potted plants Mattie had perched on each step up to the porch landing. Garret felt as if he had fallen into a Disney movie and wouldn't have been surprised if the Seven Dwarfs suddenly marched past him.

Amid all the serenity Garret was surprised when he was hit with a sudden flash of nervousness in his gut. Could someone like him ever fit into a laid-back lifestyle like this? Oddly when he thought about his past he almost felt . . . undeserving.

Garret looked down at his Wrangler jeans he'd worn for Mattie. Without the stiffness they felt better now and he had to grin when he thought of the commercial with the football player advertising the extra room in the crotch area. The short-sleeved cotton twill dress shirt he'd chosen was also Wrangler and he had to say that he rather liked the country-meets-city design. He'd gone online to find cowboy boots in Cricket Creek and had ended up shopping at a local feed supply store that had a large selection of all sorts of boots and work shoes. Plain brown with a bit of trim, they were perfect and surprisingly comfortable, he thought. He'd actually tried on a few cowboy hats and although he thought he looked rather cool, he felt silly and opted not to go that route. He had to admit
that the whole cowboy thing had a certain charm . . . but did he pull it off?

After living mostly with his mum in London before she remarried, moving to America had been an adjustment. Kids his age in L.A. wanted to look and dress like everyone else, and Garret was different. He wore his hair longer and his clothes were colorful and on the hippie side. Whenever he spoke he was made fun of or mocked. Garret never did understand why kids thought that if you had an accent they had to try to imitate it. He worked hard at trying to fit in. Most of them had no clue who his aging rock star father was, so not even that helped with his desperate need for friends.

Of course now everyone thought his accent was cool or charming, but he was finally getting to the point in his life where it no longer mattered if he stood out or fit in. Garret just wanted to be himself. So now here he was, having a flashback of how it felt to be the nerdy kid with the odd clothing and funny accent made even worse by a mouth full of braces.

Why the hell was he playing dress-up? Maybe he should be carrying a Halloween bag and asking for candy. He was about to hop in his car and head to his cabin to change into his own clothes when the front door to the cabin opened and Mattie walked out.

“Are you going to stand there all day or come up and knock on my door?” Mattie asked with a tilt of her head and her hands on her hips. God, she looked pretty.

“I think I'll stand here all day,” Garret said, but then grinned. “A moot point now that the door is already open.”

“Well, then I'm going to have to march over there and drag you inside for a cold beer.”

“A cold beer?” Garret pushed up from the car fender and walked toward her. “Now, that's an offer I can't refuse.”

“Will you just look at you?” Mattie gave him a once-over, followed by a low whistle.

“Be honest. Do I look like Woody from
Toy Story
?”

She tossed back her head and laughed.

“I'm serious.”

“You're missing the hat.”

“Mattie!”

“Well, I think you look amazing . . . like a classy cowboy.”

“For real?”

“Turn around and let me see your butt.”

When he didn't do it she tapped her foot.

“Oh, you're serious.”

“Um . . . yeah.”

Garret turned around and then looked at her over his shoulder. “Well? How's the bum situation?”

“Lookin' mighty fine.”

“Sweet.”

“You haven't said one darn thing about how I look.” She stepped to the edge of the porch and turned in a little circle.

“You haven't given me a chance. Come down here and let me have a look.”

Mattie wore a faded denim skirt that hit a few inches above the knee. A gauzy white peasant blouse came to the edge of her shoulders and had lacy see-through sleeves cinched at her wrists. Small silver hoop earrings and a silver necklace with a peace sign charm gave her a hippie vibe that Garret found adorable. Because of his mother he always paid attention to clothes, and Mattie wore this outfit well. She finished off the look with red cowboy boots that hit midcalf. She wore her hair down but flipped up at the ends with her bangs swooped over to the side. “Well?” She caught her bottom lip between her teeth and waited for his approval.

“Vintage?”

“Yes.” Mattie gave her hair a little toss and raised one shoulder. “Everything is from Violet's Vintage Clothing Shop on Main Street up in town. I like it there better than going to the mall. Violet helped me put the outfit together. I had such fun!”

“You are absolutely adorable.” He took a step closer.

“You really think so?” She smiled at his compliment.

“No.”

Her smile faded. “Oh.”

Garret took a step closer. “You're more than adorable. You look super sexy too, Mattie. If you had go-go boots on instead of your cowboy boots, you'd look like Dusty Springfield from back in her heyday. Dusty was the ultimate queen of mod. And she was a tiny little blond pixie like you. You probably don't know who Dusty is, but she's still an icon in England.”

“Ah . . .” Mattie wagged a finger at him. “Now, there's where you're wrong. I have a huge collection of vinyl records from the fifties, sixties, and seventies, including a couple of her albums. ‘I Only Want to Be with You' is one of my favorite songs of hers. Oh, and ‘Son of a Preacher Man.'”

“Really?”

“There's more to me than meets the eye, Garret.”

He grinned. “Well, I like what meets the eye. I'm going to have to beat the boys off with a stick.”

“You're supposed to encourage them, not beat them away.”

“Right,” Garret said, but he really wanted to chase them all away and have her all to himself. “That was the plan.” A horrible plan. “And one bloke in particular,” he said lightly, but the words felt hollow in his chest. Perhaps he should suggest a practice kiss, but that would be torture as well. “Did I hear you say something about a cold beer?”

“You did indeed.” She waved in the direction of her front door. “Come on into my humble abode.”

Garret followed her inside, eager to see her home. But when he stepped inside he pulled up short. “Wow . . .”

Mattie flicked a glance at him. “Was that a good wow?”

“That was an I'm-blown-away wow,” he explained as he looked around. Garret had envisioned homey, country, or even rustic, but not . . .

Not this.

“Mattie, there's nothing humble about your abode.” As
with most log cabins, the layout was open with vaulted ceilings and an upstairs loft. “And much larger than I thought.”

“The outside is deceiving.” She gave him a shy smile, but he could see the pride shining in her eyes. “It's been a work in progress for several years. And most of what you see was purchased at antique stores, thrift shops, estate sales, or repurposed from odds and ends that nobody else wanted. I'm not beyond Dumpster-diving. See that chandelier?”

Garret looked up. “A weather vane?”

“Rescued from a Dumpster. I had Mason add the circle at the bottom and the lights that look like lit candles.”

“I am totally impressed.”

“About the Dumpster-diving?”

Garret laughed. “Sounds like an adventure. I want to go with you next time around and search for treasure.”

“I'll remember that, but you might be sorry what you asked for.”

“Don't let the accent fool you. I'm hardier than I look. But seriously your home is amazing. Would you mind giving me a tour?”

“Not at all.” She waved her hand in an arc. “Well, this is the main room.” A fieldstone fireplace filled one side of the room, and floor-to-ceiling windows showcased a view of the lake. The décor might have been purchased at secondhand shops or saved from a Dumpster, but it was nothing short of elegant. A jewel-toned Oriental rug graced the gleaming hardwood floor in the center of the room, creating a splash of vibrant color in contrast to the cream-colored leather sectional sofa facing the fireplace.

Garret walked over to see if the leather felt as buttery soft as it looked. “Gorgeous,” he said, thinking that he'd love to snuggle up next to her and hold her close.

“I know.” Mattie nodded. “I bought it from Ty McKenna after Jessica had baby Ben. The light color doesn't go well with a messy toddler.”

Garret grinned. “I met the little rascal when I got the
takeaway from Wine and Diner. Nearly knocked me over and then force-fed me strawberries. But we bonded and he wanted to have dinner with me as long as it didn't include peas or carrots.”

Mattie laughed. “Ben is hysterical,” she said, and then motioned for him to follow her. She pointed to a large glass-topped dining table that took up the side of the room. “Another purchase from Ty McKenna. I wanted a table big enough to have my family over for dinner.” She headed to an arched doorway that led into a spacious kitchen. Stainless steel appliances gleamed in contrast to the cherry cabinets, and a large granite island filled the center of the room. The far wall was made of fieldstone with a baker's rack positioned in front but allowing the wall to show through.

“This is a nice little nook,” Garret said with a nod to the table in front of doors that opened to the far end of the outdoor deck. He could see another smaller bistro table outside. “Do you take your morning coffee out there?”

“Only on Sundays when I don't have to be at the restaurant. But I do eat dinner out there occasionally.”

“By yourself?” Garret didn't really mean to ask the question, but he thought it a bit sad to think of her dining alone.

“Mostly,” she said, and he watched a shadow fall across her face, making him wish he hadn't asked such a stupid question. “But after dealing with the public all day long I don't mind the solitude,” she added quickly. But something in her eyes said that she was sometimes lonely. He could relate. “I cook for Mason and Danny sometimes too. But lately we've all been busy with the summer season at the marina. In the spring and fall we have fishing tournaments. Winters are much more laid-back.” She walked over and opened the fridge. “I forgot all about the beer I offered.” She reached in and pulled out two longneck bottles. She popped off the caps and handed one to him.

“Oh, Kentucky ale. I have to say that I'm growing
fond of all things Kentucky,” he said, and then took a long pull from the bottle. He wanted to add
especially you
, but refrained. He thought it, though, and smiled.

“This one is actually Kentucky bourbon barrel ale. The beer is aged in the bourbon barrels we talked about earlier.”

“I can taste it. It's really nice.”

“And you'll feel it,” she said with a smile. “Along with the flavor comes an extra kick.”

“Sneaks up on you, I would imagine.” He looked at the label on the bottle and took another swig.

“It's my favorite.”

“I can see why.”

“Would you like to see the rest of the cabin?”

“Absolutely.” Garret nodded, thinking again that this interior wasn't what he'd expected from the feisty little breakfast cook. “I need to have you come over and help me decorate my place. You definitely have an eye for this sort of thing. Did you study interior design in school?”

“No, I have a boring ol' associate degree in business that I got mostly by studying online,” she said with a wave of her hand, and seemed a little bit shy at the compliment. “I just know what I like.”

“Me too,” Garret said, but he wasn't talking about the furnishings. “You'll have to show me your record collection later, if you don't mind.”

“Not at all. It's nice to have someone else show interest. My brothers are mostly country music and bluegrass fans, but my tastes go way beyond what's popular at the moment. And there is just something so cool about playing a record. I know I didn't grow up in that era, but it just—I don't know—makes me relax somehow. And of course I love finding a pristine collection at a yard sale or thrift shop. How anyone could part with them is a mystery to me.”