Bourbon Harmony (Bourbon Canyon #5)

Chapter 28

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

June

People milled around me. I was in the middle of a stage on a small amphitheater where kids put on plays and local organizations put on shows for parties and other events. The first summer after my sisters and I had come to live with the Baileys, Mama and Daddy had taken us to see a band from Butte. It was where I’d confessed to Mama I wanted to be a singer. I’d told her that I used to sing on empty stages like this at the campgrounds we stayed at with my parents before they died. Mama Starr would help me imagine a crowd full of people coming to watch.

Today, I had no band. The performance was me on a stool with my favorite guitar. Wilna had managed to secure a microphone and speakers. I was singing a new song I had written last night, one that wouldn’t be on the album.

It was about a girl who walked away from the only guy she’d ever dreamed of. A girl who realized her worth, but was still heartbroken over the guy who didn’t realize it in himself. I’d titled it “Get Out of Your Way.”

A teen girl in the front row dabbed her eyes.

The song could be a hit, but it was too personal. I would sing it today, as a goodbye. To my town. To my family. To Rhys.

Wren was on a picnic table several yards from the stage. I’d been playing for hours. I’d sing, then talk with people and sign autographs. Then I’d sing again. Repeat.

I was tired, and I probably shouldn’t drive after a long day like this, but I couldn’t pass the turnoff to Rhys’s place one more time. I couldn’t be so close to him and know that he hadn’t chosen me again.

I’d been looking for him all day, hoping that just like the Grand Ole Opry, he’d be hiding in the crowd. But just like that day, I’d seen my brothers and sisters and their spouses. Mama. Lane and Cruz. But no Rhys.

I let the last note for the song fade away before resting my hand across the strings of the guitar. “Thank you, everyone.” My voice carried across the park. “Thank you so much for coming and listening to me and for your generous donations. The community of Bourbon Canyon thanks you, and I thank you. This town and everyone in it is special to me.”

One man and two little kids more than others.

Kids laughed on the playground on the opposite end of the park. Families had come and gone, packed picnic materials or donated even more money to eat the hot dogs and chips that the grocery store had provided. Wilna had lockboxes set all over the park, darn near by every tree, for collections.

Every citizen in town had to have stopped by, and while I no longer knew everyone in Bourbon Canyon, I suspected many out-of-towners had joined us. Loads of unfamiliar people roamed, staring in awe at the small-town park that held one of country music’s biggest rising stars.

I switched the microphone off and moved the stand to the side.

Wilna rushed the stage with some more folks who held notebooks or shirts.

As I signed what was thrust in front of me, Wilna rattled on about the success. She’d deployed a team of elderly but tenacious ladies to empty the collection boxes and tally money. Another team had run the money to the bank, and the bank’s president had stayed on call to make the regular deposits.

“...and then Sheila added her total and I think, by gosh, we’ve outdone the year Tate was a bachelor.”

I grinned. My siblings had made sure of it, and I’d given Tate money to drop in a box for me. “I’m glad it worked.”

“It more than worked.” She leaned close and her strong floral perfume surrounded me. “Between you and me, I really hope we can do the bachelor auction again. It’s just too fun. This was really special though. But if I can ever get one of your single brothers to step up on the auction block...” She squinted at me, her pale-blue eyes sharper than a pin. “You think Lane or Cruz would advertise themselves?”

“I’m going to stay all the way out of that, but good luck. If I can ever help again, please call me.”

She winked. “If your phone number doesn’t change again.”

“Yet you always manage to get it.” Mama was behind that, but she always asked me before giving my number out.

More people approached with items for me to sign.

Wilna enveloped me in a big hug with surprisingly strong arms. “I’ll let you finish up here. Take care of yourself, dear. You’re pretty special to us.”

My heart melted. I returned her hug, then smiled at the little girl holding her stuffed bear and a blue marker for me to sign.

I spent an additional hour chatting and autographing.

My brothers started herding the crowd away from the stage. Their years of moving cattle were coming in handy. The day was growing late and I hoped to drive farther than Billings tonight.

I finished tucking my guitar in its case. Tenor had already packed away the microphone and speakers.

The park was back to normal. Another glance at what was left of the crowd and the trees didn’t reveal a hot mountain daddy. I had surreptitiously looked for him all day, and I’d deliberately searched the most obscure places, hoping he was hiding from me and my family.

I’d seen the girls dancing with Wren, but they hadn’t approached me. Had Wren told them to let others have a chance since they’d had me to themselves several times over the last two months? Or was it easier for them to let me go than it was for me to leave them?

Rhys and I might be done, but could I continue sending them recorded guitar lessons and souvenirs?

The hollowed-out feeling in my chest would stick around for a while. At least I had some activities to keep me busy. To keep my mind off weekly guitar lessons, yummy homemade pancakes, and the man who loved me so much he was willing to devastate both of us.

I pushed my hair behind me. My car was a bit of a walk.

“Drive safe,” Tate said and crushed me in a bear hug that reminded me of Daddy.

“Take care of everyone,” I said. “I know you will.”

Tenor was next. He was gentler, much more aware of his size and that he could crack all my ribs in a heartbeat. “Call if you need anything. Lane’s on standby if you have car trouble.”

“Thank you.” I turned to Teller.

Not only did he hug me, he gave me a soft noogie. “You’re gonna be a big star.”

“I already am,” I joked.

He didn’t laugh. “I know, but don’t be a stranger. It’s been nice seeing you around.”

“It’s been nice being home.” The truth rang crystal clear. I loved being home. My house in Nashville did not feel like this. Nor did the condo in Florida that I’d only been to twice in the last five years. The apartment in New York was stifling and I really shouldn’t renew my lease. Same with the place in LA. It was handy, but I had fewer friends in that part of the world than anywhere else.

But I’d figure out my plan after the tour. I’d sell my car, just like before. And I’d buy a new one—one that wouldn’t break down and lead me right into another broken heart.

I looked around the park again. No tall, bearded man in flannel.

Sadness echoed in my empty chest but I forced a cheery smile. “Well. It’s time to go.” I’d done what I came here to do.

I’d done a lot more and that was why it was hard to leave.

He moved to grab my guitar case, but I clenched my hand around the handle. “Nah, I’ve got it. You’re needed here.”

Teller scowled. “I’m trying to dodge Wilna’s bribes to be one of her bachelors.”

I looked over his shoulder. “She’s chatting up Tenor right now.” My other brother was fidgeting with his glasses and more hunched than normal, like he was extra nervous around such a tiny woman.

“God help him,” Teller muttered, a rare look of fear in his brown eyes. “I’ve gotta go... somewhere.” He gave me another quick hug and rushed in the opposite direction of Tenor and Wilna.

My grin faded as soon as I’d walked far enough that my back was to everyone. The moment had arrived. I was leaving.

My stay had turned out so much differently than I had thought when I’d left Nashville, distraught and betrayed. I had thought I’d spend my time at the cabin, healing and writing. And I had, but that part had been such a small portion of my time.

I’d done extra photo shoots with Wynter. We had the Christmas campaign done, images and voice-overs for the next year, and I’d gotten a lot of extra time at Copper Summit. I loved that place as much as I adored the cabin.

My entire family was in one spot, and I’d spent time with all of them. I’d gotten to be a cowgirl again for a weekend too .

And then there was Rhys. Bethany and Hannah. Those two months would stay with me longer than the five years I’d had with Rhys as kids.

Now it was over.

I could return after my tour. Semi-retire and make a home. But I couldn’t fully relax until I got over Rhys. I might as well keep writing and keep singing until no one cared anymore.

Would Rhys stop caring one day? Would we be able to live in the same zip code and not be star-crossed lovers?

I’d have to try not to cry every time I sang that song.

I kept my head down and took the walking path that would lead to my car. Large cottonwoods blocked out the still strong rays of the summer sun. This morning, I had known I would need the time to clear my head, and I hadn’t wanted to clog up spaces closer to the amphitheater.

“June!” Bethany shouted.

I jerked my head up. My heart did a leap and fluttered behind my sternum.

Bethany and Hannah were next to Wren. Her small red hybrid was parked in front of my car.

“Hey!” I let my joy at seeing them radiate out. “I hoped I’d see you again.”

They ran to me for hugs. Wren came close enough to join in.

“You did so good,” Bethany said, and her encouragement meant more than any critic’s review.

“Thank you. I was so glad to see you?—”

“We have to go,” Hannah announced. “Because Daddy has to tell you something.”

My pulse stopped midbeat. Rhys was here ?

Wren squeezed my hand. “Whatever happens, just know you’ll always be a part of our lives.” She released me and started for her car. “Come on, girls. Let’s let them talk.”

Without arguing, they abruptly left me and loaded up in Wren’s car. They all waved as they drove away.

Let me talk with who? I saw no one.

“Bye, Daddy!” one of them hollered through a cracked window.

I spun and pressed my fingers to my mouth.

Rhys was leaning against a tree that must’ve concealed him from me. He wasn’t wearing a cap of any sort and his rich brown hair was neatly combed to the side. His blue eyes glowed lighter under the evening sun, and his jeans weren’t one of the worn pairs he usually worked in. At his feet was a suitcase.

“Rhys?”

He slipped the Grand Ole Opry ticket out of his back pocket. He held it in the air pinched between his middle and index finger. “It was hard as hell to keep you or your family from seeing me. But there was no fucking way I was going to miss your big debut.” He stuffed the ticket back into his pocket. “After your show, when I wasn’t the one waiting offstage to give you the biggest hug and kiss, I admitted that I hadn’t moved on. I finally told Kirstin to go live her dreams because it wasn’t fair to her to be married to me. Even then, I still had no clue that moving on from you was impossible.”

He crossed to me and gently took the guitar case out of my hand. Then he tipped my chin up, his touch light but firm. My gaze turned watery. What was he going to say? What wasn’t he going to say?

I couldn’t get my hopes up again .

“I love you, June. I always have. I won’t ever forgive myself for breaking your heart. I can’t forget the amount of time we lost, but I sure as fuck have realized that I don’t want to waste one second more.”

“What are you saying?” I whispered.

“I’m saying that I talked to Wren about my mom and what she knew.” He clenched his jaw. “Turned out it was a whole damn lot, and she’d been waiting for me to be ready to hear it.” He stroked his hand down to my shoulder. “I also talked to Kirstin. I told her that the girls wanted her around. That she didn’t have to be like Wren to be the mom they needed. I said she needed to try harder and that I didn’t give a fuck about her travel schedule. I’d need her help with the girls while you’re on tour.” His smile was tentative, with a thread of trepidation. “We won’t be able to be on the road with you the whole time, but if you’ll give me a chance, I’ll sure as hell make this work between us.”

Nothing was making sense. The fear was too strong inside me. “You said you were going to come with me once before and you lied.”

“I lied to us both and I’m so damn sorry. I truly thought it’d be the best for you. But when I picked you up in the rain, it was the universe’s way of telling me I’d been a dumbass. I don’t know how I got lucky enough to get a second chance, but I’m not ready to throw it away yet.” He towered over me. “Can you trust me one more time? Can you let me prove that I’ll never, ever let you down?”

Could I? He’d resisted a reconnection for two months. He’d broken my heart, but he also had the key to putting it back together and he’d never used it. “I don’t know... ”

“Can you think about it while I drive?”

While he drove? My gaze landed on the suitcase. “You’re coming with me?”

“Am I, June?” He feathered a thumb over the pulse point in my throat.

My breathing quickened. This was happening so fast. I had to be dreaming. “What about the girls?”

“They’ll stay with Wren. I’ll have to come back fairly often for long stretches of time when they’re in school, but on vacations, they can fly out with me. Otherwise, I can juggle the schedule with Kirstin.”

“What did she—” I shook my head. His ex was none of my business.

“She said it was about time I quit living in a shell. She’d also like to take the girls with her too, and try to bond with them a little more, but she was afraid to ask. She was afraid I’d lock them away.” His smile was sad. “I needed a lot of real talk from a lot of women who really care about me.”

“You’re important to more than just me.”

“Kirstin said she’ll even get her own place. It’s been hard for her to return to Bourbon Canyon and feel like a stranger.”

Everything about that sounded amazing. Except I couldn’t buy the too-good-to-be-true quality of it. “Your ranch?” He didn’t have employees. The whole thing depended on him.

“I can’t be gone for long at a time, but I was told once I could call in a favor for helping work cattle with Bailey Beef.”

“My brothers know about this?”

“I only talked to Tate, but he said whatever I needed, whenever I needed it.” He continued the steady strokes of his thumb along the base of my neck.

As much as I wanted to sink into him, the young girl inside me remembered waking up alone. Only weeks ago, I’d woken up without him and thought he’d left for good. “I don’t know if I can trust you’ll stay with me.”

“I know, June.” His whisper was ragged and he pressed a kiss to my forehead. “I fucked up over and over again. You paid for it. I want to spend my life making you happy. You want to tour for the next twenty years? We’ll do it. You want to retire immediately? I don’t care. I’m just going to be there for you, no matter what.”

“Rhys.” I blinked up at him and tears rolled down my cheeks. I was one more adrenaline pump away from shaking. “I’m scared.”

“Me too. I want to run, to hide in my small farmhouse and let you go so I’m not a detriment to your career, but I keep telling myself that I’ve done that. Just because I was out of the picture didn’t mean it was smooth sailing for you. After talking to Wren... it makes sense. You were right about my mom and I should’ve seen it years ago, as soon as I became a dad. But then I would’ve had to admit that I’d let the most important person in my life get away because of a selfish woman who never really cared about me. She was siphoning money from Dad, and after he married Wren, my mom was even more controlling when it came to me.”

“Oh, Rhys. I’m so sorry.”

“No. I’m the sorry son of a bitch who let you go.” He placed a kiss at the corner of my mouth. “I have no business asking you to give me a chance. But if you’re willing, I’m here, and I’ll drive.”

The difference between then and now was that I had a choice. No, I’d always had a choice and Rhys had made sure giving up wasn’t one of them. He was doing it again, but this time, he was offering a path that included him.

Would I forever be wondering if he’d fly back to Montana and stay? Yes, probably. But if he was serious, he would work infinitely harder to let me know that though we might be apart, we still had each other. He was a dad. He had other considerations. But I would still be one of his priorities.

So my choices were to leave him behind, to endure the heartbreak for decades more and try to heal.

Or let him drive.