Her Billionaire Bodyguard
Author: Jewel Allen
Date: 2018-08-20 04:00:00+00:00
Description: A Second-Chance Billionaire Romance Luke is the boy from the wrong side of the tracks turned billionaire bodyguard CEO. Madison is his first love—and now a country superstar—who broke his heart. When Madison hires Luke for her two-week Nashville concert stop, old feelings are re-ignited. With a stalker threatening Madison's safety, can Luke protect her and reclaim their second-chance love? A clean standalone romance in Her Billionaire CEO Series. These billionaire CEOs are good at what they do. Can they succeed in love, too? Her Billionaire CEO Series: Her Billionaire Bodyguard Her Billionaire

Contents

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CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

CHAPTER NINETEEN

CHAPTER TWENTY

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

CHAPTER THIRTY

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

EPILOGUE

Her Billionaire Prince

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About the Author

Books by Jewel Allen

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Books in Her Billionaire CEO series:

Her Billionaire Bodyguard

Her Billionaire Prince

Her Billionaire Cowboy

Her Billionaire Spy

Her Billionaire Santa

CHAPTER ONE

Country superstar Madison Kay paused at the start of the tunnel leading to the wings at Dallas’ largest stadium. Two security employees were waiting for her in their yellow vests. She hesitated, peering at their faces to make sure they were trustworthy.

Goll, Madison, chill.

As though she were in an echo chamber, she could hear the crowd making noise. They were revving up.

All these strangers filling one place. Anonymous in the darkness. Like Frank Dell.

Her stalker from a year ago.

Frank had sent Madison weird letters over the years, but no one thought anything of it. Not until he somehow broke in backstage and walked right up behind her. One moment, Madison was singing a ballad, the next moment, Frank was trying to drag her off the stage.

He had papery dry palms. He smelled like a musty attic. When she pulled back, he put a gun to his head and told her he would pull the trigger if she didn’t go with him.

The memory made her woozy. She took a deep breath.

You’ve got this, Madison. You’ve performed to thousands of people before. There’s security in case something were to happen.

Of course this was possibly the biggest crowd she’d ever played to. She was crossing over to pop but she mostly sang country.

That Nashville bunk.

Her ex-boyfriend’s voice jarred her out of her positive place. She hadn’t thought about Luke Parker in a long time. She had been so in love with him until he showed his true colors. If he could only see her now. She shoved aside his memory and focused on the concert, letting the security guys escort her up the tunnel.

“Ready, Miss Kay?” the backstage crew manager asked her.

“Ready.” She took the mic from him and strode onto the stage. The stadium erupted into deafening applause. Spotlights went crazy and the band exploded into a high-energy riff. The crowd’s enthusiasm was infectious. Madison’s spirits lifted as she belted out her first rocking tune.

She went through her playlist, alternating fast songs with her ballads. And then finally, she got to the end of her repertoire, her signature song, “Back When.”

“I wrote this song five years ago,” Madison said. “I was thinking back to my childhood in Sunnyridge, Colorado. Anyone been there?” When some people cheered, she said, “Good, the rest of y’all stay home. We don’t want any more traffic.”

After the audience’s laughter died down, she said, “My momma always told me to remember my roots. So just like how I floss and put on sunblock because of her, I gotta do my momma proud.”

She settled onto a bar stool, put her guitar strap over her shoulder, and plucked the opening chords. Her rich contralto flooded the stadium.

I grew up in a town so small if you blink you’d miss it

Where everyone knows where you’re at and why….

The first two verses segued into the refrain:

I haven’t changed, I’m still that cowgirl

Who rode her horses in her dreams at night

I guess you could say I never did leave

I’m still me

I’m still me

From back when.

The instrumental kicked in and the crowd swayed to the music. Thousands of cell phone flashlights shone down at the stage. Madison felt full in her heart. She loved this life and her fans. Their devotion energized her. She poured her heart into the last verse and a repeat of the refrain. As the last note died down, spotlights scanned the dark stadium.

Suddenly that sense of well-being fled, replaced once again by fear.

Like slow motion, the light focused on a man holding up a sign.

“I still love you,” it said. “Always, Frank D.”

And then that corner went dark. Madison couldn’t breathe.

Frank Dell is out there.

It was time to get off the stage but her body refused to move. The lights, the crowd, the possibility that her stalker was out there…it was all too much. The world swirled and taunted her with voices and applause.

Why is it so loud here? Where is the exit? How can I get off the stage?

“Madison.” From the stage wing, her manager Sally Reeve was holding out her hand, beckoning for her to move her direction. The applause had died down. The crowd and stage crew silently watched her. Madison staggered from center stage while camera flashes went off.

Sally opened her arms and Madison collapsed into them. “He’s out there,” Madison gasped out.

Sally looked back at a security employee in a yellow vest. “We need to get her to the limo.”

With Sally and her stylist Thelma Lopez shoring her up, security opened the back door. Reporters and news crews swarmed to life. Everyone was asking questions, shoving microphones in Madison’s face, crowding her in.

“Madison!” a reporter asked. “What happened up there? You looked scared.”

“Is it true that you had a nervous breakdown at the last concert?”

“Is this related to an eating disorder?”

“She has no comment,” Sally said.

Madison stumbled into the open limo door followed by Sally and Thelma, who shut the door to the media. As the limo pulled away, the paparazzi stepped back. And then the limo was mercifully gliding down the freeway.

Madison shivered in her summer dress. “I saw Frank Dell.”

Thelma’s Latina features grew fiery. “That low-life,” she growled.

“Are you sure it was him?” Sally asked.

“Yes.” Madison’s voice cracked. “Sally.” She put a shaking hand to her face. “I can’t do another concert, not while he’s out there.”

Sally soothed, “We’ll beef up security, don’t worr—”

Madison interjected, “It’s not enough.”

Sally and Thelma exchanged glances.

“But hon,” Sally said. “You can’t just quit now. There are people counting on you. You have four more concerts, and then you’re done.”

“Four more concerts with Frank on the loose?” Madison took a deep breath. “Sally, something’s gotta change. I feel so exposed out there. I don’t even know any of the security people. What if they’re all in on it, too?” She exhaled slowly. “Sorry, I know that’s paranoid.”

“I would be, too, to be honest,” Sally agreed. “Hon, what if we get you your own personal protection service?”

Madison blinked. “My own what?”

“Your own bodyguard.”

CHAPTER TWO

Luke Parker stood in front of the ceiling to ceiling window of his penthouse office suite at Parker Protection Services, surveying the Dallas early morning rush hour. Bumper-to-bumper cars inched forward in the morning traffic. He was glad he didn’t have to deal with any of that. His “commute” nowadays involved a quick glass elevator ride from his sixteenth-floor condo to the top of the premier real estate buildings in Dallas, Texas.

A far cry from where he was a decade ago.

After getting out of a Special Forces unit in the Army eight years ago, he’d built his private protection company into an international business. A self-taught entrepreneur, he’d been a risk-taker early on. When offers for partnerships came in, including a security software company that sold for crazy, he took them, and the gamble paid off. In the billions.

He had more money than he knew what to do with, sports cars in a multi-level garage, and houses in many of the key cities around the world.

He was a self-made billionaire and dang proud of it.

His gaze took in his office: his carved mahogany desk, gleaming leather chair, shelves of books about self-defense, weapons and laws, a plaque from the Chamber of Commerce for launching his first million as the Up-and-Coming business of the year when he started. Autographed photos of him with celebrities he’d worked for covered an entire wall.

Despite all his worldly accomplishments, he still felt this hollow emptiness in his gut. It couldn’t be from loneliness. There were plenty of girls who were willing to be his date for the evening. If he had time nowadays to date, that is. His business was all-consuming, but it was no big deal.

The intercom buzzed. “Excuse me sir, but someone without an appointment would like to see you. Wait ma’am. Where are you going? You can’t go--”

The doors to Luke’s office opened unceremoniously. A woman in a pantsuit glanced over her shoulder at Luke’s secretary. “I can explain to him,” she said. Then proceeded to shut the door and march right up to Luke. “Sally Reeve,” she said with a slight southern accent, offering her hand.

He hesitated. He’d had plenty of interactions with loonies before but he could protect himself, if needed. “Luke Parker.” He shook her hand. “Please, have a seat.”

She looked from the chairs at the desk to the couch near the window. ”Can we sit on the couch?”

“Of course.” He sank down in its supple softness beside her.

“I apologize for the intrusion,” she said, “but I have a plane to catch at three and I’m desperate. I need to know if you are able to help my client.” When Luke didn’t say anything, she continued. “Your schedulers said you had no one available and I didn’t want to take no for an answer.”

“If that is the case,” Luke said, “I’m afraid neither can I help you.”

“Just hear me out. Please.”

“Okay,” he said, resisting the urge to look at the clock pointedly. What did this woman think he did all day? Count his money? He was perfectly comfortable telling her no, but he didn’t want to burn bridges. “Go on.”

“I’d actually considered contacting you before, but I had hoped it wouldn’t come to this.” She paused. “My client had a stalker a year ago. He attacked her in the middle of a concert but he got away.”

Luke stared at her. He knew about this incident. It was all over the news. Luke had felt sick to his stomach when he’d heard, but of course he couldn’t do anything about it because of who it involved.

Sally said, “Madison thinks she saw him in the crowd at the Dallas stadium.”

He was right. It was Madison.

Luke stood and faced the window to hide his shock. He’d never, in a million years, expected someone from her staff to come to him for protection service.

Just the mention of her name made him feel dizzy.

Breathless.

“Madison Kay, the country superstar?” he asked over his shoulder.

“Correct.”

He studied the line of high-rise buildings reaching up to the sky. “Does she know you came to see me?”

“Yes.”

His head swung in surprise. “And she agreed for you to ask me?”

Understanding dawned in her eyes. “Oh, I meant, yes, she knew I was going to talk to a service, but not to you in particular.”

“I thought so,” he said to himself. Luke surveyed her low-heeled shoes, short haircut and direct glance. Everything about her smacked of sensible. “Ms. Reeve—”

“Sally.”

“Sally. May I be frank with you?”

“Of course. I appreciate frankness.”

“My services are not inexpensive.”

“I know.”

“I built my business specializing in clients who demand a lot, and my prices reflect that.”

“Divas, you mean?” She grinned.

“Well, yes.” He smiled back. “But I can assure you that you will get your money’s worth.”

“Based on what my friends in the business tell me, I believe that. By the way, Madison’s not a diva. She’s really a sweetheart. Except for this little blip, she is so easy.”

He pictured Madison as he remembered her ten years ago—gentle and kind. Even to a punk like him from the wrong side of the tracks. It was one of the many reasons he fell hard for her.

Until he no longer fit in her perfect life plan.

“I can see that,” he admitted. “I actually know her.”

Her voice rose. “You do?”

“Correction. I knew her. She and I went to the same high school.”

And dated, fell in love. Kissed a lot.

Broke up.

A dull ache constricted his chest.

“No kidding!” Sally said. “Small world.”

“Yes it is.” He cleared his throat. “I’m sure she’s changed. I have yet to meet a celebrity who isn’t spoiled a little by her success.”

“Perhaps,” Sally said. “But in Madison’s case, it’s really the opposite. I worry about her sometimes. Fame has been tough for her. I can almost sense her withdrawing. And this stalker business definitely hasn’t helped. The poor thing can’t eat or sleep and jumps at every noise.”

He imagined Madison raising vulnerable eyes to his. “Then why does she do it?” he asked.

“Because she loves the music. And the fans love her.”

“Too much,” he said wryly.

“Unfortunately.”

“Don’t they already have pretty tight security at the venues?” he asked.

“I just think she’d feel a lot more confident going out and performing if she had a bodyguard 24/7.”

“I see.”

“So. Can you take on a new client?”

Luke should just say no. He hated losing a potential client, but Madison could hire someone else. “How long is the concert tour?” he said, trying to buy time.

“She headlines in the Nashville Country Bonanza in two weeks. We’ll get there early so she and the crew can do some much-needed R&R. Then it’s Chicago, New York, and Florida.”

“When would you need someone?” Luke asked, thinking through his staff allocations.

“Today. We’re flying to Nashville this afternoon.”

Luke felt a twinge of guilt. Would she be as anxious to sign his company on if Sally knew he and Madison had dated? Wouldn’t that change the equation? Wouldn’t she think hiring the company of Madison’s ex was asking for trouble?

But that was all in the past. Besides, Luke was a professional. His company protected their clients and he could do just as well for a country superstar.

Even Madison Kay.

He smiled and turned. “Okay, Sally. You’ve got yourself a deal. I will get someone assigned to her in a couple of weeks—”

“I need someone right now,” Sally said coolly.

He frowned. “As the schedulers said, no one would be available, but I’m sure we could juggle things around for the next leg of the tour.

She cocked her head. “How about you?”

He blinked. “You mean have me provide the service?”

“Yes.” Her eyes glittered.

He paused before answering. The idea was appealing, in a crazy way. Still, he said, “You don’t understand. I run my company. I can’t—”

“Well then.” Sally stood up. “Thanks for your time.”

He watched her walk like an army general to the door. His lip twitched. “Do you always hardball your way through life?”

She stopped, showing her profile. “If I need to. Why?” She smiled. “Did you change your mind?”

For anyone else, he wouldn’t put up with this. He’d just have security escort them out.

But this was Madison’s manager.

Luke could say he had no one to spare. But the truth was, he could do the job. At least through Nashville, then he could pass it off to someone else. One of his friends kept telling him he worked too much. Maybe this could be the working vacation he needed.

R&R in Nashville. That actually sounded nice. Throw a bit of Madison in there…

But this was no fun and games. This was the real deal. This was why Luke decided to go into the industry in the first place. To protect people from the bad guys. The thought of someone hurting Madison made him rigid with anger.

He wasn’t all noble, though.

This was also his chance to get back at the girl who broke his heart.

How he’d love to see the expression on her face when she realized who was going to be joint at her hip the next little while. Of course, she’d probably feel ambushed when she finds out.

He heard himself saying, “I’ll do it.”

Sally turned around and smiled fully. “It’s all contingent upon Madison meeting you and agreeing to this, you understand.”

“Of course.”

They arranged for Luke to meet Madison at her hotel. Sally breezed out, looking extremely pleased.

Once alone, Luke shook his head. How’d that woman bamboozle him into saying yes to this job himself?

Because he was still a dope about Madison after all these years, that’s why.

He caught a glimpse of his reflection on the mirrored wall. Perfectly tailored suit, clipped beard and longish, but still professionally groomed hair, impeccable shoes. The little flash of amusement gave way to curiosity. He was nothing like the old Luke. Would she even recognize him? And how would he react to her?

He remembered seeing her for the first time, ten years ago, and a sudden yearning flooded his senses.

CHAPTER THREE

Ten years ago

Eighteen-year-old Luke Parker stuffed his hands into his jean pockets and swaggered late into English class. The only empty seat was on the third row. He walked between desks without looking left or right, and slid into the chair.

“Ah, you must be Mr. Parker,” the female teacher said.

Nobody ever called him Mr. Parker. Well, his dad did when he was drunk and mean.

“Luke, ma’am,” he said in the N’Orleans drawl he’d picked up from their last move, like some chameleon.

The girls in the classroom giggled. He glanced casually around the room and that’s when he saw the girl.

She was sitting on the front row, wearing a white dress and bright red cowboy boots. A sassy number with a long blond waterfall of hair. From her profile, he could tell she was gorgeous.

Probably one of those stuck-up cheerleaders.

Wait, would a cheerleader wear cowboy boots?

Why not? Sunnyridge, CO was the sticks.

Seeing the boots reminded him of how far his family had traveled this time from Louisiana for another iffy job for Dad to take in Colorado. The “sure-thing” business some dude had offered was bogus, Luke was sure. But Dad called the shots. Luke was just along for the ride, until he could bust out and go into the Army.

Another high school. Another semester. Heck, this one was even in the middle of the semester. He didn’t know how he’d catch up, but it didn’t really matter. Just going through the motions, he was so sick of it all. But he’d made a deal with his mom—graduate and he could do whatever the heck he pleased.

His eyes strayed again towards the cowgirl. All the other chicks in class were openly checking him out, but she hadn’t even once looked his way. It kind of irritated and intrigued him. He wanted to ball up a piece of paper and lob it her way, just to see what she would do. His hands itched to do that very thing, but he just drummed his fingers on his desk.

The teacher started handing back sheets of paper to the class. “Here’s your poetry from the last time. Good job. There were some really good ones.” He stopped in front of the cowgirl. “Very nice, Madison.”

So, her name was Madison.

“Thanks,” she said. Her voice was clear and carried well across the room. Not a cheerleader’s high-pitched one. It was a grown woman’s.

“Would you like to share it with the class?” the teacher asked.

In that voice? Yes, say yes.

But she said, “I’d just as soon not.”

“Sure,” the teacher said. “I understand.”

Luke was disappointed. He really wanted to see what the girl had to say. It was probably some cheesy poem to a boy. She looked like she could have a boyfriend. He was probably a cowboy, too, with humongous boots and a hat that got caught in doorways.

During the rest of the class, Luke just vaguely listened to others who were willing to share their poems. Some were okay. Some were pukey. Tons were super-cheesy. But his gaze kept returning to Madison, who sat with her profile turned down towards her desk, as though she wanted to hide out from the world.

At the end of class, he hoped to meet her. His brain sifted through a number of pick-up lines, but nothing felt right. When the bell rang, she stood and walked down the aisle his direction.

Yup. Definitely rodeo-queen material. Creamy skin, long lashes and full, pouty lips covered in delicious-looking gloss.

Her blue eyes met his and she paused in surprise. Something tugged at Luke, a sweetness that was nonexistent in his life. She cast her eyes down as she continued walking.

She was going to go past. He had to do something to get her attention.

He put his foot out and tripped her. As though in slow motion, he watched as she stumbled and recovered gracefully.

Okay, not his brightest move.

Turning, she clutched her books to her chest and glared. No more Miss Sweetness for him. He winked and she huffed off.

He made an impression all right.

***

Madison wished she hadn’t gone to the senior party at Rod Engar’s house that weekend. She couldn’t bear the pitying glances, the patronizing smiles, the whispers about her dad. But it was the last hurrah and some of her friends urged her to come. She promised herself she would leave after making an appearance.

She shouldered her way through the semi-dancing crowd, narrowly avoiding a sloshing of soda. A boy from the football team, Evan, or was it Ethan, approached her. They couldn’t really talk over the music. The speakers blared equal parts rock and static. Between the din and the stifling heat in the house despite multiple fans going at once, she was starting to get a migraine. Ten minutes later, she decided it was time to go.

“Leaving so soon?” Evan/Ethan yelled into her ear.

She nodded and shouted back, “I think I’m starting to get sick.”

Braving her way through the crowd once again, she reached the foyer and stepped out, shutting the door behind her. It was so much cooler and calmer out on the porch. The tension in her body loosened. She’d always liked the Engars’ front porch and now it tempted her to linger. It was a wraparound with rounded pillars. Its white paint flaked slightly. There were rocking chairs and magazines lay strewn on a rattan side table. Cushions spilled onto the floor.

Madison walked to the railing at the side of the porch and looked out, chewing a fingernail absent-mindedly. Past the wide, tree-lined street, the town was made up of the little hub of diners, post office, city hall and stores on historic Main Street. Neighborhoods and farmland in neat little rows formed the rest of it.

There was nothing like the country, with its open space and fresh air.

She took a deep breath and stopped short, gagging, as she caught a whiff of something unpleasant.

Cigarette smoke?

“Sorry, my bad,” a male voice to her left said, making her nearly jump.

The new kid from English class stood between a pillar and the railing, a smoldering cigarette butt between his fingers. Really, he wasn’t some kid anymore. His rock band t-shirt and faded jeans molded against lean muscle. With his rumpled hair and scruff, he looked like he’d just rolled out of bed.

He surveyed her with hooded brown eyes, like he had all the time in the world, and her cheeks warmed with embarrassment.

All instincts told her to run away.

She didn’t want to be around all that disgusting smoke, for one. He took the cigarette and flicked it onto the porch floor, grinding it with his sneakers. His worn-out shoe left the crushed butt and a gray streak on the floor board.

He grabbed her hand and studied her raw-looking skin. “You really shouldn’t chew your fingernails,” he said.

She snatched it back. “Smoking can kill you, you know.”

He shrugged. “We all die anyway.”

How dare he? How dare this, this punk, say something so dumb and flippant?

“Especially if you’re being stupid,” she bit off.

He just smiled lazily. “You know, you’d be even cuter if you smiled more. What are you? The spokesperson for the Anti-Fun campaign?”

Tears stung her eyes. She sucked in her breath to control the sudden rise of emotions. She didn’t owe him an explanation. Let him think she was just a grump. But then part of her wanted him, wanted someone, to understand.

She whispered, “My dad is dying,” and instantly regretted it. He didn’t seem capable of any compassion.

To her surprise, his smirk faded and he rubbed his nape slowly. “Well, I’m a moron.” He paused. “Of what?”

She glanced back at Sunnyridge. She wished her life was orderly like that.

“Cancer,” she said.

He was silent for a long moment. “Did he smoke?”

“No.”

“That sucks.”

She narrowed her eyes. “That he didn’t smoke, or that he has cancer?”

“Take your pick.”

Madison would have turned then, without saying goodbye, but he said, “Listen. Can we start over? My jokes are lame, I know. I can’t even make myself laugh.”

It sounded like an apology. Madison wasn’t sure.

“Sorry I bit your head off,” she muttered.

“It sucks he has cancer,” he said softly.

She nodded her agreement, but she wasn’t ready to thaw out. Yet.

“My name is Luke Parker. Yours?”

“Madison Kay.”

“I watched an old, old movie in the most boring film class. The actor’s name was Danny Kaye. With an e at the end.”

“No, it’s not like that. No ‘e’.”

“So, Madison K-A-Y.” His eyes glinted. “Do you have a boyfriend?”

Her eyes narrowed.

“None of my business, huh?” he said.

You bet it’s not.

“If you have one,” he drawled once again in that semi-southern accent, “at least I would know the odds I’m up against.”

She folded her arms across her chest.

“If you don’t have one, I’d ask you out.” He smiled cockily. His eyes held a challenge.

She could just shut him down. Just walk away. But she couldn’t tear her gaze from his dark brown eyes that focused on her like nothing else in the world mattered.

Where was he from? His southern accent seemed to come and go during their conversation, like he was just putting on an act. Why had he moved halfway through the last semester of his senior year? Who did that?

“I don’t have a boyfriend,” she admitted.

What on earth possessed her to give him this little opening?

Surprise registered in his eyes. A slow smile formed on his lips. He looked younger, not as jaded. “So,” he said, “how about dinner tomorrow night?”

***

Luke couldn’t believe Madison said yes. And here he was, standing on her front porch to pick her up. He hadn’t felt this nervous around a girl in a long time.

When she opened the door, he sucked his breath in. She was simply stunning. Her blonde hair cascaded around her shoulders and the blue of her eyes, matching her denim shirt dress, drew him in.

“You look nice,” he said, when he remembered how to talk.

She gave him a little smile. “Thanks.” She glanced over her shoulder. “Can we take a minute and have you meet my parents?”

Great. The parents test. He’d fail it, badly, he was sure. He glanced down at his jeans to make sure they weren’t too ratty.

“You look just fine,” she said.

Something in her voice, a kindness, made him stare. Most girls he’d dated were kind of rough around the edges like him, full of sarcasm. Madison gazed at him innocently.

He sauntered into her house, which was huge. There was a white baby grand piano and a white guitar in the corner, like it was some concert hall. A large painting of a beautiful girl holding a hat in one hand and shielding her eyes with the other covered a two-story wall.

It was Madison.

He didn’t belong here. One look at him and her parents would sniff out his trailer trash background.

But it was too late. A woman was coming down the stairs. “This your date, sweetie?” she said.

She was shorter than Madison. Probably looked a lot like her daughter in her heyday. Unlike Madison, her voice was soft and high-pitched.

The mom shook his hand. He could do the respectful rigmarole like anyone. “Good to meet you, Ma’am,” he said.

Madison was looking at him kind of funny. As though she realized she’d made a mistake saying yes to going out with him, but it was too late. She was probably right. Asking her out was a stupid idea. He’d never fit in with a family who had a memorial for their daughter in their mansion. Like she was some kind of living saint.

There was a squeaking noise, and a man came out in a wheelchair, moving by a shuffling of his legs. He was bone-skinny and had no hair. Luke approached, not sure how to greet him. He had a cousin who had cancer and everyone had to use that sanitizer stuff that stung if you had even the smallest cut before they could go into his room.

Madison’s dad offered his hand so Luke shook it. He tried to let go, but the guy freaked him out by pulling him closer and looking into his eyes. Looking into his soul, or some such bunk.

Luke stared back. This is me, like it or not.

Madison’s dad leaned into his wheelchair, appearing satisfied, as the mom made small talk. It was like having to hit tennis balls left and right. Finally, it was all over. Either her mom was convinced he was good enough for their princess, or the dad didn’t have too long to live to outlast such an interrogation.

“Have fun,” the dad rasped out to Madison, who kissed his paper-thin cheek. Suddenly, Luke felt bad poking fun at the guy.

“Curfew’s ten,” Madison’s mom chirped.

As they left the house, Luke’s shirt was soaked with sweat. He wanted a smoke badly, but he resisted the urge. He got in the driver’s seat and noticed Madison was still standing at the curb, biting her lip.

Waiting for him to open her door.

Luke, you’re a loser.

He got out of the car and did the gentlemanly thing. “Sorry,” he said, “I’m not very good at this.”

Her cheeks turned pink as she slid onto the passenger seat. “No problem.”

Luke fired up the car engine. “Burgers okay?”

“I’m good with whatever,” she said.

He tapped the steering wheel with his fingers. “I have just the place.” Minutes later, he pulled up at Grady’s, the town’s equivalent of a honky tonk bar.

“Love their burgers,” he said. “Don’t you?”

“I haven’t had them,” she said faintly. She looked apprehensive.

“What, you’ve never eaten here? First thing my folks and I tried.”

“My parents just, um, don’t approve of it.”

“Huh. Well you’re missing out.”

He came around to her side this time and helped her out. He caught a whiff of a sweet floral perfume as she stepped out to the curb and stood next to him, looking slightly dazed, as he felt. Goll, she was beautiful. She was all girl, waiting for him to lead her out, and her hand fit nicely in his. He stroked her smooth skin with his thumb, once, twice, and let his hungry glance fall to her mouth. Suddenly, he wished they weren’t going to this burger joint and were instead parked somewhere.

But she wasn’t that kind of girl, was his guess.

Besides, he was in no hurry. The night was young. He led her to Grady’s, opened the door, and in they went.

***

The sour smell of beer hit Madison full in the face as she entered the restaurant. The bar and a little pool hall was clear across the room, but everything about the place felt seedy, from the discolored linoleum and the chipped table tops. She’d never gotten good vibes about this place, so it was easy to follow her parents’ advice to stay way. Why had she said yes to a date with this guy?

She’d be polite and see this date through. They followed the hostess to a table. Madison waited for Luke to pull her chair out, but he just went ahead and sat down.

He glanced at her in surprise. “Something wrong?”

Her cheeks warmed. “A gentleman always pulls a chair out for a lady.”

He had kind of an incredulous expression on his face. She wished she hadn’t said anything. She really didn’t care, but her mother used to say that to her father and it just slipped out.

Too late, he stood and did as she said. As he slid the chair under her, he hovered close. “How about a kiss in payment?” he teased.

“Thank you,” she said primly, refusing to look at him. He chuckled on his way back to his chair.

She ordered a salad; he ordered a burger. When his food came, he picked out the onions and slathered his burger and fries with ketchup. “You live here all your life?” he asked, eating a mouthful of fries.

She nodded. “Where’d you move from?”

“All over,” he said. “New Orleans was the last place. Florida. Vegas. Goll, where haven’t I lived?”

About halfway through his burger, he glanced up and caught her watching him. “How’s the rabbit food?” he asked, his cheek bulging.

Did he really expect a response? She continued to chew and faked a smile.

He set down his burger and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. “So you write poetry?” he asked. “Our teacher seemed to like your stuff.”

She was surprised he’d remember. “I’ve been doing it for a long time.”

“Your poem she praised in class, what was that about?”

She swirled the ice in her water. “Our small town, I guess.”

“For reals? Not much material there.”

“There’s a lot, actually.”

“Oh yeah? Like what?”

She speared a forkful of salad. “You’ll just have to listen to one of my songs, won’t you?”

He whistled low. “You write songs?”

“Yup.”

“Let’s hear one.”

She winced. “I can’t just sing one. I need a guitar. Tell you what.” She paused. “I’ll be performing at the senior talent show tomorrow. Come and watch me.”

His gaze traveled over her face, his frank assessment making her feel exposed. “Oh, I will.”

He looked around, then turned back to her. “Hey, come ‘ere.”

Madison worried he was going to take her to the pool hall, but instead, he led her to an old-fashioned jukebox with flashing lights.

“Pick a song,” he said, giving her a quarter.

Her eyes lit up. She’d only seen a few jukeboxes in person and this one, with its gold-plated finish, was beautiful. She recognized Elvis songs and picked Patsy Cline’s “Crazy.” Putting the coin in, she watched the machine pick up a record and plop it down onto a turntable. The song came on and their eyes met, something like an electric current passing between them.

When that song finished, she held out her hand and he gave her another quarter. His amused eyes never left her face.

Afterwards, they went back to their table, where the server had left the tab. He pulled out his wallet and poked around, counting out bills.

His face turned red. “You don’t suppose you could spare a couple dollars, for a tip?”

“I didn’t bring money,” she said, feeling bad about the jukebox. “Sorry.”

“No, it’s okay. I guess I just won’t tip.” He winked. “It was lousy service anyway.”

She smiled weakly at his joke.

In the car, he turned to her. “I was kinda hoping we’d have some money leftover from dinner for a movie or something.”

“It’s okay.” She shrugged. “It’s getting late anyway.”

He looked at his watch. “Eight-thirty. Right. You sure you don’t wanna go do something else? Go drive around? Knit a sweater?”

She smiled. “Maybe in the winter.”

“So.” His tawny brown eyes studied her. “Just take you home then?”

They could go out for a drive. It could be so pretty. But then it would get dark soon and her mom would want her to go home. “Yes, please,” Madison said.

“Okeydoke.” He pulled the car away from the curb. She noticed there were traces of black grease under his fingernails.

“You have a job somewhere?” she asked.

“Yup, at the junkyard.”

She pictured him working under the sun and moving around heavy pieces of metal. His shirt and muscles all sweaty. And a pitbull, barking at his heels all day.

“Do you?” he asked.

“No,” she said. “Between music lessons and school, there’s no time.”

He cut the engine to a sputtering stop in front of her house. There was still a bit of spring sun out but the lights over the porch and in the living room were already on. Her mom was probably watching from the window.

Luke put his arm behind her arm rest and turned so he faced her. His eyes glimmered. “That was a fun date.”

“It went better than I expected,” she admitted.

“Ouch.”

“Well,” she retorted, “you did trip me in English.”

He grinned. “Sorry, I just didn’t know what else to do to get your attention.”

“How about, ‘Hi, I’m Luke.’”

“I could have, huh?” He looked out his streaked windshield. “You know, I’ve never dated a girl like you.”

In her mind, she inventoried the few guys she’d dated in high school: most of them cowboys, one of them an artist. Nobody remotely approaching the rebel type. “I’ve never gone out with a guy like you either.”

His eyes returned to her face. With his rough-cut stubble and chiseled jaw, he was beautiful in a raw way, like some fallen angel visiting her on earth. He reached over and traced her cheek with a callused finger. Something mysteriously delicious thrummed through her body.

“Why’d you go out with me?” he asked.

She hesitated. “I felt sorry for you. You’re new, so I figured, you needed a friend.” Well, that was a good cover. He was also smoking hot, but she didn’t want to admit it, even to herself.

He gave her a lopsided smile. “D’you take in puppies and kittens, too?”

“I tried sneaking in a kitten, once. But my dad is allergic.”

His laugh rumbled in his chest. “Ah, Madison,” he said, “you’re wonderful.”

***

Luke walked Madison to her front porch. The time of day turned everything golden, even Madison. He knew for as long as he lived, he would remember how she looked, her blue eyes and blonde hair striking against that caramel skin.

“I’d invite you in,” she said, “but Daddy’s probably already resting.”

“No biggie.” He stuffed his hands in his pockets. “How long does your old man have to live?”

She looked sucker-punched, and he felt bad asking. But she said, “One, maybe two months.” She paused. “He hopes to see me graduate.”

“Yeah, that would be cool, wouldn’t it?”

She nodded, looking brave. Then a half-cry, half-laugh escaped from her throat. And just like that, bam, she was crying.

“I’m sorry,” he said. “Geez, um...”

“No…it’s…its okay,” she stammered, taking a deep breath and wiping her tears away with her fingers. She attempted a smile, but the tears kept coming.

He glanced at the front door, worried. What if her mom sprang in on them, thought he was doing something bad and called the cops on him?

What was a guy to do? He pulled her close and let her drench his shirt.

Normally, if a girl started going all emotional on him, he was like, see ya later, but he couldn’t do nothing like that with Madison. The girl needed someone. Gently, he caressed her back.

With a broken sigh, Madison settled in his arms.

He actually kinda liked it.

He ran his fingers through her hair and pushed it away from her cheek. She cocked her head and gave him a lopsided sad smile, making his heart lurch.

When his head inched forward, she didn’t move away. So he planted a little experimental kiss on her lips. And another. With a little sigh, she reached up and pulled his head down, or maybe he pulled her, for a different sort of kiss—deeper, more insistent. Suddenly, he couldn’t get enough of Madison. She was sweet and soft and amazing…

The porch light flashed multiple times, making them jump apart. She raised trembling fingers to her lips.

He chuckled shakily. “I guess that means I gotta go?” he said, even though all he wanted to do was to kiss her again.

“I guess,” she murmured.

She moved away from him to the door and looked back. She was achingly beautiful in the light of the setting sun. He wished she would stay out longer.

“Good night,” she said, her eyes shining. “Thanks for a wonderful evening.” Then she went inside.

“Good night,” he whispered as the door clicked shut, wondering what the heck just happened.

***

Luke thought about her all night and all of the next day, leading up to the talent show.

He ran into Madison in the hallway at school but she was with friends so they just waved at each other, walking backwards with goofy smiles until the other turned a corner. At the talent show, he sat in the back of the auditorium. There were other numbers before Madison. Finally, it was Madison’s turn and a hush fell over the crowd.

“This is dedicated to my Daddy,” she said.

She sang in a low voice about taking one more day. It was a sad song full of longing, but also offered hope in the end. When she was done, the crowd clapped like crazy. Luke stood up and wolf whistled. After the show, he made his way to the stage wing. She was just twenty feet from him holding her guitar, but it took her a long time to make it past everyone who wanted to talk to her.

“Hey, cowgirl,” he said.

Her face glowed. “Howdy.”

“You were great,” he said.

“I couldn’t see you out there.”

“I sat in the back. I was the loudest one cheering for you.”

She grinned. “Thanks.”

No one else was around. Everyone had gone back to class, like Luke and Madison should. But they just stood there, close enough to kiss. He reached for a strand of her long blond hair and twirled it around his finger. “I wanted to call you,” he admitted.

“Why didn’t you?” she asked, sounding breathless.

“I didn’t have your number.”

They laughed.

“Yeah, that makes it tough,” she said.

He let her hair go. She stood stock still, watching him, as he plucked the guitar from her hand and set it against the wall. Neither one moved for a long moment. And then both did, at the same time, him opening his arms and her walking into them, for a kiss.

CHAPTER FOUR

Two months later

Madison splayed her hand on Luke’s shirt as they snuggled on a hammock in the Kays’ backyard.

It was the perfect summer day. Not too warm. Her legs were bare, draped casually over his jean-clad legs. He stroked her hair and his eyes were closed. He looked relaxed and heartbreakingly handsome. As usual, his nose peeled from a sunburn.

She traced his lips with her fingers. Without opening his eyes, he smiled and kissed them. In public, he acted like the rebel. In private, he could be the sweetest, mushiest guy.

They’d only been together for a short time, but she felt like she’d known him forever. He'd been with her through graduation. And especially through the day when her dad passed, no longer suffering here on this earth, and the funeral.

Her hand returned to his shirt. “When can I meet your parents?” she asked.

His eyes fluttered open and zoned in on her face. “My folks?”

“Yes.” She tapped his chest lightly. “Who else?”

His eyes darkened. “You’ll never meet them, if it were up to me.”

She pulled away, hurt by his response. “Never, as in you wouldn’t want to take me home to them?”

“You know what I mean, babe. I’m kinda embarrassed by them, to be honest.”

“Well, you shouldn’t worry on my account.”

“Really, it’s okay if you don’t meet them.”

“But I want to,” she said softly.

“No.” His face shut down.

Tears stung Madison’s eyes. She sat up and swung her legs off the hammock. The contraption shook with her movement.

“Babe, wait.” His arm circled her waist.

She waited.

“You know I love you,” he said.

Mutely, she nodded.

“But my parents are kind of rough around the edges. They’ll say mean things.”

“Come on, Luke, you know I’m not such a fragile flower.”

His hold tightened. “Sorry, I just want to protect you. I don’t want them to drive you away. You’re the only one I got.”

She nodded, but still felt a little let down.

“Come ‘ere,” he said.

She allowed him to coax her back into the hammock, into a sweet kiss. He raised his head and kissed the tip of her nose. Her heart squeezed with love for this guy.

“Okay,” he said, to her pleasant surprise. “You win. But don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

***

Madison dressed carefully for the occasion. She knew this was an important meeting, something that would set the tone for their relationship the rest of their lives. She wanted to make a good impression on her potential in-laws, while not alienating them by coming off as a rich girl.

She finally settled on a jean skirt and a simple cream blouse that echoed the color of her hair and brought out the blues of her eyes.

“Hey, beautiful,” Luke said when she came to the door. Before they even went to his truck, he had to kiss her three times.

They held hands as he drove down Main Street. His skin felt clammy and she realized he was nervous. She was touched that he cared so much about the outcome of this event.

He drove to a trailer park that was a little rundown at the entrance, with overgrown weeds and pink flamingos whose legs were missing. The speed limit was ten mph, so Madison had the luxury of seeing everything pass as though in slow motion: paint chipping off trailer walls, weedy flower beds, piles of junk in driveways, unlicensed vehicles, a basketball hoop repurposed from one that had seen fancier days.

None of these bothered her. She loved Luke, not the place he lived. Besides, these were just humble, down-to-earth people, who were trying to live life on their own terms.

Luke pulled up at the side of a trailer. It was white with faded green trim. A basket of fake red geraniums hung from the crooked front porch. Some carpet had been tossed out, weather-stained. A skinny dog slunk towards them from under the trailer, his tail tucked between his legs.

“This is Hobo,” Luke said, as they got out of the car.

Hobo had gentle eyes, letting Madison pet him. He rubbed into her as though seeking warmth even though it wasn’t cold.

“Git,” a raspy man’s voice said from the trailer.

“Go home,” Luke told Hobo. The dog ran the direction Luke pointed, his tail tucked between his legs.

Luke explained, “He’s the neighbor’s dog. Comes over a lot and causes no trouble, but Dad doesn’t like him.” He glanced at the trailer, where his dad had been shouting from. Luke’s body was coiled for a fight.

She nodded, squeezing his hand to reassure him she wouldn’t bolt at the first sign of trouble.

The smell of cat urine engulfed her as she stepped into the trailer. His parents looked up from where they were sitting on couches and grunted a welcome. Luke’s Dad swept off a bunch of stuff from the couch onto the floor, where it crashed in disarray, and invited her to sit. Madison sat gingerly on it.

“Sorry, I got no champagne or them fancy snails,” the dad said.

“That’s okay,” Luke said. “She’s not twenty-one anyway.”

“Smart, very smart.” Luke’s dad saluted. “Name’s Steve. This here’s Debra.”

“I’m Madison.”

He winked. “Around here, you’re known as Madison-who-can-do-no-wrong.”

Luke gave Madison a pained smile.

“Other times,” Debra said, “it’s hoity-toity-Madison-from-the-right-side-of-the-tracks.” She cackled.

“Mom,” Luke warned.

“’s true,” Steve slurred.

“Well, glad y’all could meet.” Luke stood up. “We’ll head out, Dad. Mom.”

“You can’t leave,” Steve said. “You just got here. So, young lady, you gonna be a singer?”

“God willing,” Madison said.

“That’s the attitude. And I bet you He wills it. Cash is god around here. Ain’t it, Luke?”

Luke didn’t answer.

“You gonna be filthy rich, young lady?” Steve asked Madison.

“That’d be nice,” she admitted. “But that’s not why I do it. I like writing songs.”

“I wrote a song once.”

“Really?”

Madison saw Luke’s warning glance belatedly. Steve stood up and started yelling a bawdy sailor song.

Madison’s cheeks felt warm with embarrassment.

“We’re outta here,” Luke pulled Madison to her feet.

“Wait.” Steve grabbed Madison’s arm.

Luke knocked his father’s grip off her. “Get your hands off Madison,” he snarled.

Steve’s voice got real quiet. “Boy, you will remember your place in this family.”

The two men stood toe-to-toe, staring the other down. Luke was taller and definitely looked stronger.

Steve relaxed and laughed. “You’re too quick with your temper, son.”

Luke didn’t move.

“Luke,” Madison said softly. “Luke, let’s go.”

He blinked and looked her direction, then he was ushering her out.

“Sorry,” he muttered as they pulled out of the trailer court.

“For what?”

“For them. For the trailer. It’s…awful, I know.”

“It’s not a big deal. Your dad was actually nice. I didn’t feel unsafe. And your mom had a good sense of humor.”

“Dad’s a good drunk today. Don’t know about tomorrow.”

He felt in his pocket for a cigarette, lit, and puffed on it. She wished he’d quit.

He parked at their usual spot on the shoulder of a road on a hill overlooking Sunnyridge. They both got out and she leaned against the car while he took one last puff of smoke. Crushing the cigarette butt on the gravel, he pulled her against him. He smelled of cigarette and sun. Spreading her fingers on his chest, she felt his heart beating fast.

“You know what I’m scared of most?” he asked.

She shook her head.

“That I’m gonna turn into my old man.”

“Or you could turn out completely different from him someday.”

“I hope so.” He held her close. “I hope so.”

CHAPTER FIVE

Madison emerged from her bathroom, braiding her hair for bed, when she heard the pebble clatter against the front siding of the house. On the clock on her night stand, the time changed to midnight. She shook her head and smiled. Her bare feet padded noiselessly on the hardwood floor as she made her way to the window.

Illuminated by the moonlight, Luke stood on the driveway. A year since they first met, and her heart still did somersaults whenever she saw this wonderful, crazy guy.

She nodded in answer to the question in his eyes. Effortlessly, he launched from a fence and climbed onto the Kays’ two-story house. Then he sat on the sill just outside her window, spreading his hand against the screen. She splayed her fingers to match his.

“You’re nuts,” she whispered.

“I just wanted to hear your voice.”

“You could have called.”

“Okay, I wanted to see you.”

She picked up on the melancholy in his voice. She sat on the window seat and pulled up her knees to her chest.

“I punched my dad,” he said, closing his eyes.

After a shocked silence, she said, “What happened?”

“He was drunk again, badgering mom for more money. Mom had already told me to hide her wallet so she didn’t have to tell him where it was. He beat the tar out of her.” His jaw clenched. “I yanked him off and punched him. And then Mom was yelling at me to leave the house, so I did.” He closed his eyes, and when he opened them, they were filled with raw pain. “They’re pathetic.”

“I’m sorry.”

His mouth twisted. “I wish she would just leave him. I would have a long time ago, but I just wanted to be there for her.” He snorted in disgust. “Well, no more. I’m gonna enlist tomorrow.”

“What will she do when you go into the Army?” Madison was thinking, what will I do?

“Probably the same thing she’s been doing the last few years, covering his behind.”

“You need to do what’s best for you,” she urged him.

“You think? Some days, I don’t know what that is.” He smiled lopsidedly. “I just know I want you to be in my life.”

Should I tell him?

Earlier that day, a music label had invited her to another round of demos and interviews. But it wasn’t a for sure thing, so she hadn’t said something to Luke. Besides, she didn’t know how to tell him. She suspected as long as she was just trying to make her music career happen, nothing would change between them. Until then, no big decisions needed to be made. But now, he would be going off to the Army.

He cocked his head. “Can you come out just for a second?”

“That’s just trouble, and you know it, Luke Parker.”

“Just a minute?”

“Luke. You should go home.”

“I promise not to touch you.”

“Uh-huh.”

“Last time, you kissed me first,” he claimed.

She chuckled. “Good night, Luke.”

“I love you,” he said, kissing his finger and putting it against the screen.

She kissed her finger and pressed it against his. “I love you, too.”

He climbed down the way he came and stood on the driveway just looking up at her. Then he kissed his finger and pointed at Madison.

She sat there a long time after he left, gazing up at the stars and wondering what the future would bring.

***

Madison chewed on a fingernail while waiting for Luke at the rodeo park. It had been a week since his midnight visit and he’d enlisted as he promised. They’d never talked about the future, just skirting it in conversations, but today was the day.

When Madison called him wanting to talk, Luke had asked if she just wanted to have him over in her yard, but she suggested the park. They needed someplace neutral. Someplace where he couldn’t try to talk her out of her own dream.

Her heart leaped when she saw Luke pull into the dirt lot. He got out in a collared shirt and a pair of clean jeans. He dressed nicer nowadays, and she liked to think he did it for her. He was even trying to quit smoking.

Faking a bright smile, she got up from the park bench and met him in a kiss.

“What’s up, babe?” Luke said, holding her loosely in his arms.

She told him the words she’d been rehearsing. “Mom and I are moving to Nashville.”

He gripped her tightly. “You’re what?”

“A label wants to give me a temporary contract. I’m gonna demo some songs, then they’ll introduce me to some people there.” Her words came out in a rush.

Letting her go, he paced, kicking up dust with his boots. Then he stopped, whirling around to face her. “What about us?”

“It’s just temporary,” she said, but she couldn’t convince even herself.

“I thought you’d given up on this stuff?” Luke said. “You said it was taking forever.”

“Luke, you know this has always been my dream,” she said quietly.

His expression softened. “I know, babe. But can’t you be patient? I’ll be done with boot camp by Christmas, then you and I could get married.”

She touched his face. “I can go after my dream while you go after yours and then, if it’s meant to be…”

“It it’s meant to be!” he exploded.

She refused to be intimidated by his temper. “Is that what this is all about, Luke Parker? You don’t want your little girlfriend to be a big country superstar? Is that it?”

His mouth twisted. “You’d give us up for a shot at that Nashville bunk?”

“Nashville bunk?” she repeated. He tried to reach for her, but she deflected his hands with her arms. Madison was so angry she trembled. “I guess this is goodbye, then,” she finally said.

He blinked several times, then jutted his chin out, a barrier coming up. “I knew you’d leave me someday,” he said dully. “It was just a matter of time.”

“It doesn’t have to end this way,” she whispered.

“Go,” he said, gesturing with his arm. “Just go!”

She walked unsteadily towards her car, numb. Then she heard him coming up from behind. She thought, for one wild moment, that maybe he changed his mind, but he was just stalking past to get in his truck. She got in hers and dropped her keys a couple of times trying to put it in the ignition.

His truck engine roared to life and ripped out of there so fast his tires gouged the dirt.

She bowed her head and could see where she had dropped her keys, but she made no move to get it. The pain came then, hot and merciless, and she wept against the steering wheel.

***

A week later

Luke slid into a booth at Grady’s with his date, Gretchen.

Since their break-up, he had waited for Madison to come running back to him saying she was sorry and she’d made a mistake, but she hadn’t. And sure as heck, he wasn’t going to go begging for her to take him back. In a few days, he would ship off to the Army and put Madison and Sunnyridge behind him.

A group of girls entered the restaurant. Instantly, Luke saw Madison. Her steps faltered as she gazed back at him, then at Gretchen. They filed into a booth across the room.

His throat went dry with wanting.

As always, she looked beautiful. There was a sadness about her that made him want to take her in his arms and protect her.

But she chose Nashville over him. He tore his eyes from Madison and focused on Gretchen.

She was beautiful in a fake, brittle way, with tightly permed black hair and thick eyeliner. Her green eyes narrowed. “Not over her, are you?”

Luke smiled. “Nah. I’m good.” He darted a glance towards Madison. She was watching them.

He put an arm around Gretchen and attempted to nuzzle her cheek, but her permed curls got in the way.

“It’s her loss.” Gretchen giggled and snuggled closer to him, engulfing him with a cloud of perfume.

It felt wrong, making Madison jealous, but oh, it felt so good. When Luke next looked up, Madison wasn’t sitting among her girlfriends.

She was running out the door.

Go after her, you idiot.

Gretchen was stroking his thigh and he felt a flash of annoyance. He pushed her hand away and stood up. “I gotta go.”

“What?” She looked confused.

“Sorry, Gretchen, this was a mistake. I shouldn’t have asked you out.”

Gretchen’s eyes flashed. “Jerk.”

“I can give you a ride home…later.”

“Don’t bother.”

Luke tossed a five dollar bill on the table and left the restaurant. When he came out to the parking lot, Madison was already driving away.

***

Madison entered her bedroom, her footsteps dragging. Seeing Luke moving on with another girl filled her gut with physical pain, she could hardly breathe. It was a girl from their senior class.

She glanced at her pillow, where she’d laid a note in an envelope for her mom. Picking it up, she took out the letter. Through a blur of tears, she read her sloping handwriting.

Dear Mom. First of all, I love you. Second of all, I love Luke, too. I’ve decided I don’t want to go to Nashville after all…

At some point, she hoped Luke and she could patch things up, but now…

She was Nashville-bound.

Luke had a chance to prove his love for her but he not only failed miserably, he had to pour salt on the wound with that Gretchen girl.

Madison ripped the letter in two. Then she shredded the two halves into bits.

“There!” she said, picking up the pieces and pitching them in the air.

She sank to her knees, sobbing for a long time.

Her phone rang. She raised her head and looked at Caller ID.

Luke.

Her heart pounded. Should she answer it? Would he be begging for her to come back? And would she take him?

She bit her lip as she teetered in her decision. But then she remembered Luke nuzzling Gretchen and she steeled her heart.

She just let the phone keep ringing.

Later that day, late, he called, but once again, she didn’t answer. He tried a couple more times. Then he stopped calling altogether.

CHAPTER SIX

Present day

Madison glanced at the clock. It was almost noon. Where was Sally? She should have been back by now. Madison raised her finger to her mouth and started chewing on a nail.

“Nuh-uh,” Thelma shook her head, sending her huge bangle earrings swinging back and forth.

Madison glanced at her manicured nails. “Oops.”

Thelma rolled her eyes and went back to reading her gossip magazine. She was sitting on what she called a “Lou-ee the fourteenth” chair, strappy white sandals matching her white capris. Who wears a dirt magnet like white pants? Thelma did. Nothing fazed her. Madison was grateful she was around. It wasn’t like having a security detail, but if Madison were ever in trouble, she’d want Thelma and her sass by her side.

Madison caught a glimpse of her reflection in the mirror. She was wearing a pale pink peasant blouse and skirt paired with custom-embroidered soft gray cowboy boots. Classy but still fun. She looked calm.

Inside, she was a wreck. She worried about everything: the upcoming concerts, flying out of the airport, getting a bodyguard.

Stop! She put her fingers on her temples and massaged it. Getting a bodyguard was supposed to help.

Her phone rang and she answered it.

“Hon,” Sally said, “I’m done with errands. Sorry it took me so long. This traffic! I’m heading up with the protection service.”

“Great,” Madison said, even as a knot formed in the pit of her stomach. She could face a crowd, but why did meeting a potential bodyguard make her nervous? Maybe it was because she had so many uncertainties in her life, living on tour, she liked to keep the rest of it in status quo.

She jumped at voices in the hall and a knock on her door.

“Madison?” Sally said.

Thelma got up before Madison could move and flung the door open.

Madison’s gaze lit upon the face of the man standing behind Sally, her breath catching in her throat. His lips relaxed into an uncertain smile.

Could that be…no…it couldn’t be…

Sally strode into the suite, followed by the man.

“Hi!” Thelma told him. “I’m Madison’s stylist, Thelma Lopez.”

“Luke Parker,” he said, shaking her hand.

It was him. Madison felt light-headed.

He looked straight at her, his mouth twitching. “Hello, Madison.”

“He-hello,” she stammered.

He was nothing like she remembered in high school. Where were the ratty jeans and rock band t-shirt? The perpetual sunburn on his nose? He was dressed in an expensive-looking business suit with a hanky tucked in his pocket, even. His groomed hair and clipped beard went well with his gorgeous tan. He could have modeled for GQ. But his brown eyes were familiar; a dark sense of humor hinting at something dangerous and coiled.

He walked right up to her and offered his hand to shake. As she put her hand in his, she wondered if he could feel how clammy her palm had become. He had bulked up since high school, with muscles rippling under his pressed white shirt and tailored jacket. A musk aftershave reached her nostrils. He was all male and overpowering.

“We’ve met before,” Madison murmured, kicking herself for stating the obvious. Her voice sounded embarrassingly out-of-breath.

“Yeah.” His eyes danced. “I told Sally you and I were high school classmates.”

His admission felt like a splash of cold water on her face. He obviously hadn’t told Sally everything. She pulled her hand away and stepped back. So close like that, she couldn’t think. Behind him, Thelma was eying Luke and fanning herself.

What is he doing here? Why is he with Sally? Where is the protection service? Please, don’t tell me…

“Of course, Luke needs no introduction,” Sally said, “but he is the CEO of Parker Protection Services.”

CE-no kidding-O.

Luke watched her reaction. She was sure she looked shell-shocked.

Sally continued. “He could pick and choose his clients, but he’s agreed to be your bodyguard for the remainder of your tour.”

She locked gazes with Luke, feeling faint. “Tell me this is just a joke.”

“Er,” Sally said, startled. “I take it you don’t like the idea?”

Madison stared Luke down. “You didn’t tell her, did you?”

Bewildered, Sally looked from one to the other.

Luke smiled wryly. “Madison’s my ex.”

Thelma’s jaw dropped open.

Sally threw her hands in the air. “Ah, crikey.” She glared at Luke. “You could have spared me this awkward reunion, Mr. Parker. Seriously? How could you have left that part out?”

“I need to explain,” he said, raising his hands in surrender.

Madison stiffened. He was digging a bigger hole by the minute, and he still owed her from ten years ago.

To Sally, he said, “I’m sorry I didn’t say anything about me and Madison. I didn’t think it would get in the way of me giving Madison the protection she needs. I would have assigned someone else to her, but everyone else is tied up. Well, there’s me.” He glanced at Madison, his gaze steady. “I would love a chance to offer my services.”

Madison clenched her fists. All this time, and he thought he could just waltz right back in her life? Even if they were no longer together, did he think he could just show up and act like nothing happened between them? No apology, nothing? The thought of them hanging out together, him opening the limo door, helping Madison out, and holding her hand made her ill.

Feeling unsteady on her legs, she looked around for a chair. Like lightning, Luke pulled one out and offered it. Madison sat, her mind in a whirl. Luke kept his brown eyes trained on her face.

“How exactly does this service work?” she said.

“You call the shots,” he said. “Usually, I lodge in the next bedroom over. Where you go, I go.”

“Even the bathroom?”

“That’s not necessary, of course. Whenever you are entering a room for the first time, I can do a reconnaissance. Scope it out. I always check for bugs, video cameras…”

“Video cameras,” Madison echoed.

“Yes. And anything else that could compromise security.”

“Do we have to eat meals together?”

His mouth twitched. “I could always eat in the servant quarters.”

Madison averted her glance, irritated. He thought he was being so cute and funny.

“It would have to be Madison’s decision,” Sally said. “I’m okay either way. It could be awkward and horrible depending on how you guys broke up. Or it could be a good situation considering Luke’s reputation. And obviously you got along, or you wouldn’t have…you know.”

“I don’t care about his professional reputation,” Madison interjected. “Well, I kind of do. But I know enough about him as a person.”

“And?” Sally prompted.

“I’d have to be crazy to let him back into my life.”

He flinched as though she had slapped him. His jaw tightened as he nodded. “Fair enough. I guess that is my cue to exit—”

Madison continued, “But…”

His head swung up in surprise.

“…I need a bodyguard. Right now. Sally and I are hoping that can help me so I can sleep at night and not jump at every single thing.” There was a catch in her throat. “I need my life back.”

Understanding dawned on his face.

She added, “There’s no time to find someone else this late in the game. We have a plane to catch.” She paused. “I’m willing to give you a chance, Luke, if you promise to keep me safe.”

Both of them tried to read the other. She allowed him to see her need, her vulnerability, her fears and her hopes for the future. She didn’t know who this Luke Parker was, but he seemed a more mature, nobler version of the guy she once loved. Conversely, she saw surprise and admiration in his.

“Have I ever broken a promise?” he murmured.

“Once, when it really mattered,” she said simply.

“It depends what you consider a promise.”

“Just let it go, Luke.”

“Okay.” He exhaled. “I promise.”

“Great!” Sally said. “That’s settled then.”

“I think we need to lay some ground rules,” Madison said. “This is a purely business arrangement.”

His eyes glittered with an inscrutable expression. Amusement? Skepticism?

“Oh, definitely,” Sally said. “Luke?”

He turned to Sally. “It would be professional suicide for me—or any of my staff— to get involved with our clients. It’s company policy. If anyone crosses the line, they are assigned elsewhere, or fired.”

“That makes complete sense,” Sally said. “Anything else, Madison?”

She had just scored a victory, but why did Madison feel so drained? “No, nothing else for now. Well, I reserve the right to set more rules.”

His lips formed a slow, infuriating smile. “Yes, ma’am,” he said.

“Does Madison have papers to sign?” Sally asked.

He pulled a paper out of his inside jacket pocket, his eyes never once leaving Madison’s. “As a matter of fact, you do.” Breaking eye contact, he set it on the table.

Madison walked over to where he stood and he pulled out a chair.

A gentleman always pulls a chair out for a lady.

Her words returned to her. She had trained Luke after their first few dates to pull her chair out for her. In turn, he teased, As long as I can get a kiss in payment.

Now he was looking at her mouth, his lips hitched sideways in a smile, as though remembering, too.

Madison’s cheeks burned. She looked the document over, but frankly nothing registered in her brain. He was standing far too close, he was muddling her brain. “Where do I sign?”

He pointed at a line on the bottom and handed her an expensive-looking fountain pen.

As she signed, she hoped she wasn’t agreeing to something she’d regret.

***

Once upon a time, Luke would have bent over and kissed Madison. She’d have opened her mouth to his, pliant and willing.

As she signed, his eyes wandered to her glorious, silky blond hair that fell to her waist, her cheek curving to her delicate jaw, long legs in sassy boots tucked under her gracefully. Time and success had only made Madison an even more potent version of her younger self.

He caught a whiff of perfume.

Chanel No. 5.

A memory he’d long buried overwhelmed his senses. He’d given her the perfume their first Christmas morning together. It cost him a paycheck but he’d wanted to buy his girl the best. With pride, he watched as she opened the bottle and dabbed a drop behind one earlobe, then the other, as though she was branding herself for him. He’d kissed her hungrily after that, her nightgown-clad body pressing against his, until they had to break apart when her mom started coming down the stairs.

Ten years later, and she still affected him as no girl had ever done before.

By the looks of it, how Madison glanced at him sideways, her long lashes masking her eyes, and the way her chest heaved with labored breath, neither was she immune to him.

He straightened up and took the signed paper, tucking it back in his jacket. He said, in what he hoped was a steady-sounding voice, “Great. I look forward to working with you.”

She stood up. The top of her head reached his jaw and she had to lift her chin to look him in the eye. He offered his hand to shake and she put hers in it. Her palm was soft, the back of her hand smooth. Her gorgeous blue eyes held a dazed expression. Hurt lurked in their depths, too. A wistfulness for what could have been.

For ten years, he’d buried the hurt and loneliness when she chose Nashville over him, and now all those emotions came flooding back. She was right. He couldn’t believe he thought he could just walk back in her life and be unaffected. The joke was on him. How could he spend his days around her without wanting even a fraction of what they had before? How could she pass him with that Chanel No. 5 scent and not drive him mad with longing? And how could he hear her speaking and singing voice day in and day out and not want to possess all of her?

Madison’s eyes widened as though she could read his thoughts.

“Shall we?” Sally said.

He released Madison’s hand and made himself useful by picking up the luggage.

“Bless your heart, Luke,” Sally said as they exited the hotel suite. “You are a Godsend. I do believe I will be sleeping good tonight. Won’t you, Madison?”

He didn’t hear her response, but Luke knew that he wouldn’t.

CHAPTER SEVEN

As they sped off in the limo to the airport, Madison was grateful Sally sat between her and Luke. She had to gain control of her emotions, her body’s reaction to him. He sat practically on the other side of the bench, yet every fiber of her being was keyed to his presence—his voice, the way his laughter rumbled in his chest, and occasionally, his intense gaze seeking her.

It’s been ten years. Settle down.

She glanced out her window at the passing Dallas landscape and just listened to the conversation between Sally and Luke. Thelma sat in front with the driver.

“So you grew up in Sunnyridge, too?” Sally asked.

“No,” Luke said. “I moved there second semester of my senior year.”

“And where’d you attend college?”

“School of hard knocks,” he said. “I spent a few years in the Army before building my business.”

“And what a business you have. I’d read up on you. According to Forbes, you’re worth over a billion.”

Luke is a billionaire. Holy wow.

It seemed so far-fetched, and yet knowing the younger Luke, she could believe it. He was always hungry. They were a pair, the two of them, burning with ambition. Too bad what they had in common also tore them apart.

She leaned her head against the window, feeling more alone than ever.

“Really, I lucked out,” Luke was saying. “I had a client who was an A-list actress, and I owe her my first big break. She recommended me to all her friends, and it snowballed from there.”

“Well, you must be doing something right,” Sally said. “You don’t get where you’re at through shoddy practices.”

“Thanks.”

“Did you always want to do this?”

“Actually, no. I hadn’t thought much beyond the Army…and being a husband.”

Madison pictured him coming home from his tour of duty, to her opening the door and rushing out, welcoming him with a kiss…

“But you never married?” Sally asked.

“No.”

No no no no, the word bounced around in Madison’s head.

“Anyone special in your life?”

“No. The only woman I ever truly loved wouldn’t have me. I guess that burned me for life.”

“Wouldn’t have you? That’s rich!”

When Sally and Luke both stared at her, Madison realized she had said her thoughts out loud. Sally blinked at her outburst. Luke raised an eyebrow with a knowing smile.

Thankfully, the limo drove into a private hangar, their chartered plane gleaming white under the Dallas sun. Luke helped Sally out first, then Madison. Her pulse raced at his touch. They’d unlinked hands quickly, she’d made sure of that, but now she felt his hand on the small of her back, guiding her to the tarmac. As they fell in step together, it felt natural, like the old days.

Except he was no longer the Luke from the past. Who was this man in a business suit, with cultured voice? She almost wished that his fingernails had black grease under them. This polished, self-assured stranger unsettled her. Besides, she had a score to settle.

“Listen,” she said, turning to Luke. “Back there in the limo, you gave Sally the impression that I was the one who ditched you.”

His eyes danced. “Well, you did.”

“No, I did not!” she said. She lowered her voice. “No, I did not. You were the one who went out with that flooze.”

“It was just one date, geez.”

“Whatever, but I did not dump you.” She walked ahead of him stomping her boots in a huff.

In the plane, she took a window seat. Thelma and Sally sat across the aisle from her, leaving the seat beside her open.

“Do you mind if I sit here?” Luke asked.

“Yes.” She groaned. “Oh, go ahead. It’s a free country.”

“Thanks.”

He unbuttoned his jacket, took it off and laid it over the seat ahead of her. She gazed, transfixed, at the breadth of his muscular chest and shoulders, his flat abs in his tucked shirt. Tearing her eyes away, she glanced out the window at another plane taxiing down the runway.

“How’s your mom?” he asked.

She turned back towards him. He was sitting so close, their sleeves rubbed against each other. The way the ceiling curved over them made their conversation more intimate.

He raised his brow, waiting for her answer.

She blinked. “Oh, Mom’s great.” She cleared her throat. “Mom’s remarried, did you know?”

“Good for her.”

“She has four kids from his previous marriage and super busy. But she’s loving life. And your folks?”

“They both died. Mom just last year. Dad three years ago.”

“Sorry.”

He shrugged. “I was sad for Mom’s passing.”

She nodded in understanding. “Do you still smoke?” she asked.

He smiled. “No, not any more. I was on a long flight once and when I got to the other side, I pretty much kicked the habit. So I did.”

He wouldn’t quit for me, but he quit on a whim because of a long flight? “Good for you,” she said.

His hand closed over her hand, startling her. He inspected it, his thumb stroking her skin. “Do you still chew your fingernails?”

“Sometimes,” she admitted.

Their glances locked for one moment, then he set her hand back down on her armrest.

***

Luke watched Madison turn towards the window, chewing her fingernail.

This was going to be a harder gig than he thought. He really ought to stop touching her. It wouldn’t do either one of them any good. It wasn’t fair to her and it would make it harder for him to do his job.

Well, there were times where he’d have to escort her and touch her back. That would be the exception to the rule.

You’re a pro, Luke. Act like one.

So for the rest of the flight, he kept his hands to himself and didn’t talk to her anymore. Neither did she, turning resolutely away. A little ways into the flight, he noticed she had fallen asleep, leaning her head against her cushioned headrest. Despite his resolve, he gazed at her openly.

She looked absolutely breathtaking, like an angel, with her blond hair curled over shoulders. Her lashes fanned out on her freckled skin, her pink lips were parted slightly.

The plane dipped and the disturbance jolted her awake. She opened her eyes and focused on him, her lips curving in a welcoming smile until something seemed to click and she remembered who he was.

Gone was the smile as she sat up straight.

***

Paparazzi mobbed Madison as they entered the airport. Madison shrank back and glanced at Luke. Luke put an arm around her, then used his other arm to ward off microphones and camera lenses. Sally flanked her on the other side.

“Can you comment about your panic attack in Dallas?” a reporter asked.

“Is it true you almost canceled the rest of your tour?” someone else shouted.

“She won’t be answering questions right now, thank you,” Sally said. “There will be a press conference when they kick off the Nashville Bonanza Festival in a week.”

Sally and Thelma saw to the luggage, while Luke stuck close to her as they walked down to the limo waiting at the curb. Madison ducked and got in, followed by Luke. He slammed the door shut as members of the media stood around, thwarted.

“Thanks,” she said, collapsing against the leather seat.

“You’re welcome.” His voice sounded muted, muffled. The lights in the limo cabin were dim and she could make out the contours and planes on his face. The shape of his full lips.

The limo engine and the air conditioner were humming in a steady keel, not too cold, yet why was she shivering?

The limo door opened. Sally and Thelma slid in.

“What a nightmare,” Sally said. “The charter accidentally shipped my luggage somewhere else.”

Thelma rolled her eyes. “She’s without underwear, and she’s worried that she lost her barbecue sauce.”

“It’s not just barbecue sauce. It’s Dale’s.” She turned to Luke. “Have you been to Nashville?”

“I have a place up in Gatlinburg. So yes, I fly in here a lot.”

“Lucky you. Gatlinburg is beautiful. Is it a house?”

“A cabin in the Great Smokies.”

Madison remembered that he’d always wanted a cabin in the Great Smokies. She glanced over at him. “So, you got your dream.”

His eyes roamed her face. “Some of it.”

***

The limo pulled through a gate that closed behind them remotely, into a long, graceful driveway made of stamped concrete. Once parked, Madison got out and breathed in the fresh country air. Nashville was a huge city, hopping with entertainment, but it still felt rural, with its grassy fields.

My kind of place.

Their rented house was a gorgeous two-story mansion, with a white stucco and a blue-tiled roof. Huge roses festooned bushes. Water trickled from lavish fountains. The scent of magnolia filled the air from blossoms that covered the ground and the graceful trees above.

An older couple came out, all smiles. “I’m Joe and this is Serafina, my wife. We will be your staff during your stay. Anything you need, just let us know.”

Madison thanked them, entering the spacious foyer, filled with light from a two-story ceiling and large windows all around.

“I thought you could have the bedroom upstairs,” Sally said.

Madison slid her hand on the gleaming banister as she climbed the stairs, picturing the southern belles who lived here generations before. There was a sitting area on the landing with children’s books on shelves. She peeked out a window at the lush grounds and horses pastured in neighboring lots, feeling light and happy. She was blessed to be able to live here even for a short while.

“This is yours, Madison,” Sally called out.

Madison followed her into what looked like one of two bedrooms on the floor. Like everything else in the house, this was airy, feminine, decorated in creams and pinks. Gauzy fabric draped over a king-size poster bed of white linen and dozens of ruffled pillows. There was a dresser with antique brushes and cosmetic vases, and a sea-green wardrobe decorated with flowers. A huge painting of a blond girl walking alongside a white horse in a meadow graced the wall beside French doors.

She set her purse on the bed and opened the doors into a balcony. It faced east, but even without the direct sun, the hot temperatures seemed to cling still to the facade. Moving to the rail, she felt cooler with the movement and a slight breeze. She scanned the impressive grounds. There was a rectangular, aquamarine-bottomed pool to the right, a tennis court to the left. Past the closed compound gate was the main access road, where the horses stood at pasture. It sloped down to a farmhouse and barn.

Sensing movement, she turned to her right. In a balcony next to hers, Luke walked out, his jacket shed and his sleeves folded to his elbows.

Madison stared, then looked away, her hands gripping the rail. She hadn’t seen him in ten years, and now he was going to stay next door to her, a bedroom away. She should go inside, where it wasn’t as hot. And where she couldn’t ogle Luke Parker.

Just as she was about to turn to go inside, she noticed a brown beat-up pick-up truck driving slowly past the gated property. She couldn’t see the driver from the angle she was standing at, but she could have sworn he was scoping out the lot. For a moment, she held her breath, but the truck moved on and out of sight.

Madison exhaled. Her imagination always took a flight of fancy when she was tired. She was still feeling a little jet-lag from the flight. It was the hottest part of the day and she just wanted to stay inside. A nap sounded good.

CHAPTER EIGHT

In her dream, Madison was walking barefoot along the dock at Sunnyridge at twilight. The moon had a reddish cast to it, like blood against its silver crags.

There were frogs hopping along her path and she was trying to be careful to avoid squishing them. Suddenly, all the frogs leaped as one into the water, so Madison was the only one on the beach. Even the whirring of crickets died.

The hairs on the back of her neck stood.

Someone was approaching her from behind, their footsteps echoing.

Drag, stomp. Drag, stomp.

“Hello, girlie,” Frank Dell said.

His voice was soft and gentle. Calming. Why was she so worried about him?

“Hello, Frank,” she said, turning around.

He was an old man, with gray sideburns under a fishing hat and a soft, wrinkled face. His eyes held a gentle expression, like a clear spring sky.

“You have been naughty. You’ll let your ex come between us?”

“He’s just a friend,” Madison said.

“A friend out to kill me.”

“He’s not even a friend, not really. We were friends once.”

He reached up and caressed her throat. “Just like you and me.”

She flinched, but his hand tightened, squeezing her windpipe until she couldn’t breathe. Shoving at him, she jerked her neck out of his grip. Her windpipe burned. She turned and started running from him, towards boats beached on shore.

“Now, now,” Frank called after her. “What’s the hurry?”

The sand burned her feet and she hurried her steps.

Suddenly, the water turned black, full of misery. Dragging a boat with peeling yellow paint to the shallows, she clambered in. She picked up a paddle on the floor and maneuvered the boat away from shore. The black surface reflected her face, creased with worry and exertion.

Behind her, he called out, “Madison, Madison,” in a sing-song voice that seemed to ebb and flow.

A mist crept around her, like gray fingers trying to grab the boat. Over her shoulder, she could no longer see the shore, but she could make out the form of Frank paddling towards her in another boat. Her boat began to slow down, and finally stopped, as though something held it from under the water.

Madison stabbed at the water, sweat drenching her dress.

Still, the boat would not move.

“Come here, darlin’,” Frank said.

Madison pulled up her paddle so it crossed her lap, dripping. She swiveled on her boat seat to face Frank, holding the paddle out for her weapon. When she swung, he caught the handle in his hand. He wrenched it from her grasp.

***

Luke had just changed and was stretched out on his bed when he heard piercing screams from Madison’s room. He sprang to the floor and ran to her door, grabbing his gun along the way.

Madison’s door was locked.

He pounded on the door. “Madison, open up!”

Silence.

He took a running start and jammed the door with his shoulder. The door busted open. Luke instantly took in the scene shrouded in darkness: Madison, lying on the bed, alone; the balcony doors, closed; drapes partially shut.

She was tossing and turning in her sleep, her arms swatting at something. He walked over to the bed and touched her arm. “Madison,” he said.

“No,” she muttered in her sleep. Her hand shot out and struck his cheek.

“Madison,” he shook her more vigorously.

Her eyes flew open. A spark of recognition lit up her face and she reached up for him. It just came naturally, for him to sit on the edge of the bed and take her into his arms. He didn’t even have to think about it. It was like the old days, when she’d wake from a nap in the hammock and circle his neck with her arms for a drowsy kiss.

She ensconced herself, pressing her cheek against his chest. Then he realized she was crying.

“I dreamed about Frank Dell,” she said. “I was at a lake in Sunnyridge. Old Man Keller’s, remember?”

“Yes.” He remembered it as a popular swimming hole. They’d gone there a few times. They swam, hauled themselves out and he and she would kiss…

“He tried to choke me,” she said, “so I ran. I climbed in a boat and paddled out to the middle of the lake. My boat wouldn’t move.” Her voice rose, anguished. “So I turned and was getting ready to hit him. But he grabbed the paddle from me.”

A sob racked her body.

Gently, he brushed the hair away from her face, stroking her cheek and the smooth column of her throat. As tears fell on his shirt, he raised his thumb to wipe away them away from her cheek.

Another time and place returned to his memory. Of them standing on her front porch after their first date. And then a few weeks later, him, comforting her over her dad dying soon of cancer. Her, lifting her face to his.

Just as she was doing so now.

Except she must have just remembered who he was and why they couldn’t be together.

She unlinked her hands and sat back, just as her door opened. Sally and Thelma stood in the doorway.

“What happened?” Sally said.

“Madison had a bad dream,” Luke explained.

Sally’s face fell. “Oh, hon, I’m sorry.” She rushed over and hugged Madison. Luke moved away, stuffing his hands in his pockets. He balled his fists, wishing he could be the one holding Madison.

“You know what this calls for?” Sally said.

“What?” Madison’s voice cracked.

“Some R&R. You know, touring, sightseeing. Just some plain fun.”

“I really don’t want to, Sally. I just want to stay here. There’s a pool and tennis court.”

“For two weeks?”

“Well…”

“Come on, hon, you need to keep your mind off things. Didn’t you say you wanted to do more in Nashville this time around? Luke will be with us, so you won’t have anything to worry about. You’ll make sure she’s safe, won’t you, Luke?”

“You bet,” he said.

“See?”

Madison glanced at him and away. “Okay.”

“I’ll have Thelma look up some tour companies…”

“Ooh, I’d be happy to,” Thelma said.

“If I may,” Luke interjected. “I have a friend who specializes in tours in the area. He’s really good at arranging things at short notice.”

Sally lit up. “That would be great.” She turned to Madison. “That okay, hon?”

Reluctantly, Madison nodded.

CHAPTER NINE

“Madison Kay, I presume?” An Asian man in a pinstriped polo shirt and tan chinos glided towards her on the outdoor patio, taking both her hands in his.

“Yes,” she said, glancing at Luke.

“This is Chan,” Luke said. “Chan, Madison.”

“So pretty in person,” Chan said. “Welcome to Nashville, Madison.” He turned to Luke and shook his hand. “What are you up to, man?”

Madison smiled. She liked Chan already. He had a talent for putting people at ease. Soon, Sally and he were talking like old friends about mutual acquaintances. He also had Thelma talking fashion.

A few minutes later, Thelma brought out tamales, delicious with sour cream. Joe could have cooked for them, but Thelma insisted on cooking when she could.

“Wow,” Luke said, “these are terrific.”

Chan agreed. “I want your recipe, lady.” He wiped his mouth with a napkin. “So Madison, Luke tells me that you want to see a little bit of Nashville.”

“Well, Sally wants me to,” Madison said.

“Sally is a smart lady. What a great idea.” He pulled a notebook out of his shirt pocket. “Tell me a bit of what you like to do. Do you like to hike?”

“Sure.”

“Good. Lots of great trails around. There’s even one that ends at a waterfall. Are you an early riser?”

“If I get a good night’s sleep, yes.”

“How does sunrise on a pedestrian bridge sound?”

Madison smiled. “Fun.”

“Great! Do you like heights?”

“As in standing on the ledge of something?” Madison winced. “Not really…”

“Well, how about a hot air balloon ride?”

Madison beamed, caught up in Chan’s excitement. “That sounds terrific.”

“Maybe some tickets to the Grand Ole Opry?” Sally suggested.

Chan slapped his forehead. “Of course. How could I leave that out? They will be absolutely disappointed if you don’t stop in.”

Madison took a refreshing sip of her lemonade and set it back down, her fingers sliding on the condensation. She hesitated. It would be such a public place. Was she the only one that worried about this?

“I guess,” she said.

“My dear, why wouldn’t you want to?” Chan asked, mystified.

For a moment, Madison wanted to tell him the real reason she didn’t want to go out much. Instead, she said, “I…I don’t want to distract from the other performers.”

“I’m sure they wouldn’t mind,” Chan leaned forward, “but I think they would appreciate a little advanced notice. They like to roll out the red carpet for country stars.”

“Okay,” Madison said quietly. She felt Luke’s eyes on her.

“You can’t forget Monell’s,” Sally said.

“Gotcha,” Chan agreed.

“It’s a great family-style restaurant,” Sally explained. “Southern food and hospitality.”

“Yeah, it sounds fun,” Madison said, suddenly overwhelmed by all their attempts to have her go out in public. Vulnerable to stalkers.

“That’s probably enough,” Luke said.

Madison raised grateful eyes to his. Their glances collided and skittered away.

“Oh,” Chan said, his face falling. “I’ve been helping with this charity event for a while. But if you’d rather I didn’t tell you about it…”

“It’s okay,” Madison said. “Go for it.”

“Do not feel obligated to attend,” Chan said, “but there’s a benefit for young cancer patients this Saturday at the governor’s mansion.”

“I would love to come,” Madison said in a heartbeat.

“You would?” Chan grinned.

“Madison’s dad died of cancer,” Sally confided.

“Oh.” Chan’s expression turned solemn. “I am so sorry.”

Madison nodded, a lump forming in her throat. She and Luke exchanged glances, then she looked away.

Chan settled back in his seat and studied his notebook. “Our list is looking good. What else should I add?”

A smile hovered over Madison’s lips. “Well, I’d love to ride a horse.”

“Perfect.” Chan winked. “I think I can arrange that around here. How about caves?”

“Yeah, that would be great.”

“There’s one by Gatlinburg,” Chan said, looking at Luke. “Just a few minutes from your place. Forbidden Caverns.”

“If we have time,” Luke said.

Chan nodded thoughtfully. “Right. The challenge is squeezing it all into a week. Is that right?”

“Give or take ten days,” Sally said. “There will be rehearsals to work around.”

“Duly noted.” Chan clicked his pen and stuffed it in his pocket. “If you think of anything else, let Sally know.”

“Yes, thank you,” Madison said.

“Sometimes, I’ll be at your tour, sometimes I won’t be. Just depends on the manpower at the activity. Could you please send me your rehearsal schedule, Sally?”

“Of course.”

Chan stood up. “I will book everything and email Sally the itinerary. You won’t have to worry about a thing, Madison.” He turned to Luke. “Nice to see you, man. Hope business is going well.”

You won’t have to worry about a thing.

Chan’s words reverberated in her head as Luke escorted Chan out to the other side of the house. Luke strode casually, his hand in his jeans pocket. Every inch a gentleman.

So why was Madison so worried about sightseeing with him for two weeks?

CHAPTER TEN

A candy apple red Corvette stopped with a quiet whoosh at the curb where Madison stood. Luke got out, wearing a snug golf shirt and jeans he filled very nicely (not that she was staring), opened the door for her, then slid back into the driver’s seat.

“Nice car,” Madison said.

“Compliments of Chan,” Luke said.

Madison raised an eyebrow. “It helps to have friends in high places.”

“Actually, it’s mine.”

“But you said…”

“Chan had it fetched for me from Gatlinburg.”

“Oh.”

His glance flickered at her dress and lingered on her face. “You look very pretty, by the way.”

It had taken her several minutes of changing before she settled on her dress, a pale yellow sport dress with tiny white polka dots. At his compliment, her cheeks warmed. “Thanks.”

He cleared his throat. “And away we go.” He circled the driveway, then waited for the gate to open.

She smiled to herself.

“What?” he said, driving the Corvette out of the compound.

“I was just remembering your Toyota,” she said.

He cringed. “This is a bit of a step up, wouldn’t you say?”

“Uh-huh.” Madison nodded.

“It died and went to hubcap heaven.” He chuckled.

“None of its hubcaps would stay on, if I remember correctly.”

“Well, yeah. They were reunited in heaven.”

She laughed. “I was always afraid of putting my foot down too hard. It was like my foot was going to bust right through that rusted floor. You kept it alive far too long than was kind to that beast.”

“It got us around, okay?”

At the mention of us, the air got thick with memories.

“Actually, I have a fond memory of it,” she said. “I borrowed that thing once, remember? My car had broken down so you loaned it to me. You had an ROTC camp so you were gone for the weekend. It would only go into first or third gear.”

“Really? You didn’t tell me that.”

“I didn’t want you to think I was whining. I was just happy to have a car to use.”

“First or third?” He scrunched his nose. “I thought the second worked.”

“I had to pull up my seat so that I could reach the pedals, so that kind of took the second gear out of commission.”

“Slow or fast, and no in-between.” He tapped on the steering wheel.

“Precisely. And it was winter. Going down the hill in third gear was scary. Actually, going fast in third down the hill was fun. It was the stopping that was the problem.” She watched him shift into third gear, easing them into a smooth ride onto the highway. “Crashing into a snow bank wasn’t a great way to stop, but it worked.”

“What?” he raised an eyebrow. “No wonder my bumper was all bent out of shape.”

“It already was,” she reminded him.

This was like the old days, bantering and trash talking, and then usually ending at the park overlooking the town. One kiss would lead to another kiss…

Their gazes met and held. She bit her lip and watched the road instead, but she was suddenly aware of his bulk filling his side of the car, the confident way he steered, how his hand shifted gears rhythmically. Always moving.

He taught her how to use that stick shift. It was, thinking back, pretty suicidal. He sat her on his lap in the driver’s seat, covered her hand in his and drove down a county road. Between the natural inclination of stick shift to die between gear changes and him distracting her, they went off the road a few times.

She wished they could return to that easy camaraderie. But it would never be.

The landscape was simple yet breathtaking, the green meadows leading the eye to the expanse of blue skies. Occasionally, an intriguing barn and a dilapidated shed flashed past and she’d look back at them.

“That is so cool,” she murmured.

“Wanna stop?” he asked.

“What, here?” she looked around. They were in the middle of nowhere, with just large trees along the highway, green grass and nothing else.

“I can double back so you can check out that house.” He was already making a U-turn. Signaling with his blinker, he pulled over to the shoulder.

“I’m game if you are,” she said.

An abandoned house was set back a ways from the highway. It was a small, white structure with one gable and what looked like extra rooms added on over the years. A No Trespassing sign hung on the wall.

“Should we even be here?” she wondered aloud.

But Luke was already poking around in the entry where a door used to be.

***

Luke stepped over the threshold, his shoes crunching on the pieces of wood and other junk that had rotted and blown in over the years. There were signs of termites, with crossbeams sloped unevenly, and rain damage from holes in the roof.

The gaping windows framed a perfect day. Sunbeams glistened on the wildflowers and tall grasses surrounding the property. From behind one clump, a bunny popped up, then bounced into the trees.

He heard Madison follow behind him. She stood to his right, looking out the window, too.

“Let’s buy this and fix it up,” she said.

“We’ll call it The Mansion. Oh, wait. We can call it the Madison Mansion.”

She giggled.

“It has everything I could ever want in a house,” he said. “I’ll add it to my collection.”

He could sense her studying his profile. “Where are you based nowadays?” she asked.

“Dallas. New York. L.A. A few more places.”

“You’ve really done well, haven’t you?”

“I’m as surprised as you.”

“I’m not really surprised. You always came across as hungry.”

“Yeah,” he frowned. “I was hungry alright.”

She smiled. “I mean that you wanted to succeed.”

“I just wanted to get out of that miserable trailer. I wanted what you had.”

Sadness washed over her features. “My dad dying and my mom remarrying someone else?”

“Not so much the other stuff…but your folks were great. Your house, your life. Heck, even the fake cookies your mom set in that jar.”

Madison laughed. “Serves you right, snitching from the cookie jar.”

“How was I supposed to know that they weren’t real? I swear, I almost needed a dentist.”

“But anyway, you deserve every success. You ever get lonely?”

He slowly turned to her. Her question sounded innocent enough, but he felt a flash of irritation. “All the time,” he admitted. “Did you expect anything else?”

She swallowed, then looked away.

“Well?” he asked.

“You really want me to answer that?”

“You brought it up, so yes.”

Her eyes flashed. “Why are you shouting at me?”

“I am not!” His voice softened. “I am not. Sorry.”

She crossed her arms. “Fine, you asked, so I’ll answer. I was sure you’d be married by now and have kids.”

“Why? I know marriage sucks.” His hand gripped the weathered window sill.

“I’m sure you had girls checking you out, especially in uniform.”

“Yeah, I guess. So?”

“So you could have picked any of them for a wife.”

“I didn’t want any of them for my wife. The only one I ever wanted…bailed on me.”

She flinched.

He felt a stab of guilt. He wasn’t really being fair. All this personal talk, and there wasn’t anything either of them could do about. “Anyway,” he said, leaning over the sill and hinting at the end of the discussion. “How about you?”

“I’ve gotten used to going solo. I actually like the quiet. It’s good for my creativity. I can knock out several songs in one afternoon. So that makes for a lot of songs in a week.”

“What happens to all of the songs?”

“Some of them, I just keep. And then one or two will float to the top and it’d be right for my next album lineup.”

He stared at her. “You’re amazing. I mean, you just write songs. They come to you? Heck, I can’t even rhyme verses.”

“You rhymed earlier. Madison Mansion, remember?”

“I think that’s a stretch.”

“I guess.” She laughed. “Sometimes I don’t rhyme. It’s enough that I get the general idea out. It’s just a draft anyway. Later, I can edit the general idea, if I have time.”

“Speaking of time.” Luke glanced at his phone. “We should probably head out, or we’re gonna be late for the hot air balloon ride.”

Her eyes lit up. Madison followed him across the rotting floorboards. He heard her quick intake of breath and turned to see her flail an arm out. He caught her around the waist and held her against his chest for several moments. Her arms went ‘round his neck, bringing her face was so close to his, he could feel her warm breath on his face. His throat went dry as she moistened her lips.

No, he was a pro.

With dogged determination, he straightened, bringing her upright with him.

She gestured towards the floor. “I lost my shoe back there.”

He blinked. What shoe?

“Um, Luke?” she said. “Help me get my shoe?”

“Of course.” He walked over to where her shoe got caught on a board, placing it on the floor beside her. She put out a hand to steady herself and he resisted the urge to hold it.

He was just hired help. The sooner he got that through his thick skull, the better off he would be.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Madison followed Luke to the car, bewildered. For a moment there, suspended in his arms, Madison nearly broke her resolve to keep their relationship professional. But then he helped her up and would have left her there had she not asked for his help with her shoe. Now he simply marched beside her unsmiling like some robot bodyguard behind those dark shades. He was obviously no longer attracted to her.

It was for the best.

Too bad she couldn’t claim the same. Her traitorous body tingled over the mere act of him opening her door. Maybe because it reminded her of their dating days when he would often take her into his arms for one more sweet, slow kiss before letting her slide, weak-kneed, into her seat.

Despite the car being in the shade, she felt hot under the collar.

Back on the road, the car cruised along above the speed limit, but the vehicle hugged the curves of the highway with no problem. An awkward silence hung between them. They pulled into a shopping center, like Chan had arranged with the hot air balloon company, where a white van waited. As soon as they pulled up, this crew of four hopped out and let them have the middle bench. They then whisked them away to the place where they would launch the balloon from.

In a huge field, a trailer bed truck waited with the passenger basket, and the balloon itself, lying on the ground. Their van driver made a call, asking about the wind, its direction, where the spot was, and after half hour of driving around, they must have found the sweet spot, because they then proceeded to unload everything and inflating the balloon with giant fans.

“Go on,” one of the crew l said, “check out the balloon.”

Madison entered the balloon, still lying on its side, and twirled slowly, the colors spinning in front of her eyes like a kaleidoscope.

***

Luke watched Madison circle ‘round like a kid. She saw him and beckoned him over. “Come,” she said. “Check this out.” She made him circle, too, holding his hands and giggling. Luckily, it was time to exit the balloon; Luke could only withstand being in her presence for so long, touching her but not able to do much more.

As the balloon inflated, she murmured, “I signed autographs at a balloon event once,” she said. “But the line was so long we ran out of time for me to ride one.”

“Today’s your lucky day then,” Luke said.

She flashed him a dazzling smile, making his breath catch. As she turned at the approach of their pilot, Luke shook his head to clear it. They hadn’t even boarded yet, and already he felt like he was soaring in the sky.

“Hallo!” a middle-aged man said in a Spanish accent, shaking their hands and gazing worshipfully at Madison. “I have every single one of your CDs. My wife, she like your music a lot, too.”

“That is so kind of you to tell me,” Madison said.

“I hope you enjoy your day on Miguel’s hot air balloon,” he said, gesturing for them to come on board. The employees helped Madison in, who had to push down on her skirt from wind, flashing him a pair of long legs, and then he followed.

“Normally, we have ten passengers,” Miguel said from his control booth, over which were two flames, “but your friend Chan booked a private ride.”

They took off sideways, up, down, skidded on the ground, and then eventually up. They continued to climb sideways.

As they lifted up and over all of Nashville, Madison glowed. She pointed out the Grand Ole Opry and the river where the concert would be held, already set up with their gigantic concert canopy.

Miguel quipped about his childhood growing up in Nashville. “My mother worked for Johnny Cash. He didn’t give her no’ much cash, though. Or maybe my dad, he got all the cash. Can’t remember the story.”

Madison gripped the edge of the basket and leaned out.

“No, no, no,” Miguel warned. “No leaning out, please.”

Blushing, Madison stepped back. Her hair swirled in the wind. “This is the way to go,” she said. “Can you imagine taking a hot air balloon to work? No more road rage or traffic gridlock.”

“You could enter a stadium in a hot air balloon,” Luke suggested.

“Like Wizard of Oz.” Her voice turned wistful. “Sometimes I feel like Dorothy. I wish I could just go home. Much simpler times.”

She stood there gazing out over the expanse that was Nashville, but his mind transported them back to Sunnyridge. The rough start, moving. Zero friends in a new town, thinking that this was going to be like all the other generic towns he’d breezed through before.

Simple times, indeed.

Until he met Madison.

He gazed at her intently. “Would you really turn back the hands of time?”

“I don’t know about that.” She shrugged. “High school was kind of rough.”

“Yeah,” he said, steely-eyed. “I wouldn’t want to go back either.”

What a liar he was.

Luke would give anything to bring back the past. Just the past two days had him in a perpetual state of yearning.

She had moved to the rail, her hair streaming behind her. He wanted to hold her against his body and wrap his arms around her tiny waist. Then he would nuzzle her cheek, ear, neck, and, lips, cheek, lips…

He averted his gaze, his jaw tightening.

Miguel glanced at him with knowing eyes. “I am doing my part, Señor,” Miguel said, gesturing to the balloon. “So romantic. Now you make a move.”

“I can’t,” he said in a low voice, hoping that Madison wasn’t listening. Or maybe he wished she was listening.

“I don’ believe that. She give you the smile, and the eyes.”

“It’s kind of complicated.”

“Love is complicated, si,” Miguel intoned formally. “I am on wife dos and I’m still figurin’ things out.” He held up two fingers.

Luke smiled. “Good luck, my man.”

“You, too.”

Madison turned and beckoned at him excitedly. “It’s so pretty!”

They were soaring over a green ridge of wilderness. Pine trees dotted a valley of green nearly blue mountains and clouds hung low. “The Great Smoky Mountains,” he said.

“I’d love to go there someday.”

“You will. Gatlinburg’s at its foothills.”

She sighed. “I wish I could just do this all the time. Forget performing.”

“Don’t they say, ‘All work and no play makes Madison a dull cowgirl?’”

“I’m the biggest phony cowgirl ever,” she said, laughing. “I love horses, don’t get me wrong. But I haven’t ridden one in a long time. And I sure don’t have time to own one. Otherwise, I would.”

“Doesn’t stop people from owning horses.”

“I’m not going to be one of those kind of owners.”

“I have a neighbor like that in Gatlinburg. The horse’s main purpose is to make her front yard look pretty.”

“That sounds dreamy.” She rested her chin on her hand and sighed.

Luke studied her profile, his chest tightening with longing. He turned away and walked back to where Miguel stood.

“Ay, but you got the love bug bad, Señor,” Miguel said. “What the matter with her and you? Is she married?”

“No.”

“Are you married?”

Luke shook his head.

“Then what is the problem?”

“I’m her bodyguard.”

“Ah. Well, why should that stop you? Rich and poor people can marry now.”

Luke chuckled. “If only that was the problem.”

“You are being loco, like my uncle once was. He was cra-zy. Had a girl who loved him, but he left her for someone else.”

Madison turned, looking from Miguel to Luke, and swung back to the scenery.

“She’s hearing every single word,” Miguel said. “And she not complaining. You understan’?”

“She could be laughing at us. Me.”

“Very possible.”

***

Madison could hear them, loud and clear. She didn’t know what else to do but to let the conversation roll off her back. Miguel was funny. But Luke was not being funny. She didn’t know what to make of his comments. Did he want her back? Could they make things work? After Nashville, did they have a future together?

Her thoughts felt scattered like her hair, waving in the wind.

Thing was, she really had no room for him at this juncture in her life. A punishing pace of concerts. Fan meet and greets. Rehearsals. And surely, with his business that took him all over, he couldn’t afford to escort her around. Sooner or later, one of them would have to choose.

Then what is the problem?

I’m her bodyguard.

Sure, getting involved with a client was bad for Luke’s business. Sir Luke Parker was so noble. Well, he’s right. It was best if she nipped anything in the bud right now. That was safer. That made the most sense. Then he wouldn’t need to be tempted.

She sensed him standing to her side just as the balloon started its descent.

“I guess the balloon ride is almost done,” he said.

“I guess.”

“Did you have fun?”

“I had tons of fun,” she deadpanned.

He stared at her. “Are you being funny?”

“I’m just trying to match your mood,” she said.

“My mood?” He raised an eyebrow. “And what mood would that be?”

“Indifferent. Neither happy nor sad. Neither warm nor cold. Just here. Like a cold fish.”

“Now I’m a fish?” There was an edge to his voice.

“I’m just warming up with lyrics for a break-up song,” she said sweetly, before moving away.

Miguel expertly guided the balloon to land. As Madison prepared to get out of the basket, he touched her elbow.

“M’ija,” he said. “I must tell you that you are making a big mistake. Big mistake. You and the boy seem made for each other.”

Madison glanced around nervously. Luckily, Luke was already moving away from the balloon. He was out of earshot.

“He doesn’t seem to think so,” she pointed out.

“Because you aren’t very nice to him.”

Madison stared at this little man with an arsenal of advice. “Thanks,” Madison said. “I’ll think about it.”

“No,” Miguel said, tapping his temple. “Thinking no good.” He tapped his chest. “Feeling is good.”

“Do you do a relationship radio talk show?” Madison teased.

“As a matter of fact, I do. In Spanish.”

“Drats. I won’t be able to understand it.”

“No, m’ija, you wouldn’t.”

***

Luke parked the car in the driveway, letting Madison out.

“Aren’t you going to put this in the garage?” she asked.

“I will in a minute.” It was already dark, and for a change he wasn’t wearing his shades. His eyes glinted.

“I said something mean back there,” she said softly, raising her eyes to his. “I actually had fun.”

He nodded. She tried to move past him, but he said her name. “Back there, in the balloon,” he said. “I’m sorry you heard what Miguel was saying.”

“It’s okay. He was just trying to be helpful.”

He searched her eyes. “It’s funny, I used to fantasize about seeing you again. I thought maybe you would have a couple of little kids in tow, and be married to an accountant.”

She made a face.

He smiled. “Or a bodybuilder.”

She shook her head. “Not that much better.”

“Anyway. Settled already and happily married is what I mean.”

“The first, yes,” she said. “The second, no.”

“Madison.” He said her name like a caress. “When all this is done, maybe…” His words trailed as he took a half-step forward.

“Maybe what?” she whispered as his mouth came closer and closer to hers.

“Madison, hon,” Sally called out from the front door. “Did you have fun?”

Luke took a step back and cleared his throat. “I’m going to park the car.”

He caught a glance of her crestfallen face before he turned at his heel. Within a minute, the women’s voices became muffled as Luke got in the Corvette. He drove it to the detached garage and killed the engine, stuffing the keys in his pocket.

He expelled his breath slowly.

What a fool he was, suggesting to Madison that he was interested in a future between the two of them. She didn’t need him, just as she didn’t need him ten years ago. She could have anyone she wanted. And why would she want him anyway?

As he brooded over these dark thoughts, he was surprised to hear a car moving down the street. He hadn’t seen lights or anything, and yet a vehicle was definitely moving away from the gate and down the street. He walked over to the gate and pushed the combination lock to open the man door.

The street was empty. Whoever had been there was gone.

He was about to turn back to the compound when he saw something odd on the ground near the curb, to the right of the gate.

An oil leak.

He knelt to look at it closer. It was fresh, the fumes rising in the summer evening heat.

Frank Dell?

As he straightened up, he hoped his hunch was wrong.

CHAPTER TWELVE

“Places,” Chan said, clapping. “Madison, you need to walk just slightly ahead of everyone to make the best entrance.”

Madison glanced at the others—Luke in his shades and suit, Sally in her pantsuit, and Thelma with her dyed hair—and rolled her eyes.

“Chan, this is the Grand Ole Opry,” Sally teased as their group started making their way from the limo to the front of the building. “Not some musical.”

“My dear, life is a performance.” He straightened his collar. “The trick is to do things well without looking like you’ve been practicing for it.”

“Uh-oh, but we haven’t been,” Thelma pointed out.

“Well, you are all a natural.” He turned to Luke. “As for you, Luke. Do you need to look so…bodyguard-like?”

Luke folded his arms across his chest without cracking a smile.

“He does it so well,” Thelma said.

Beside him, Madison grinned. She loved this little posse of hers.

Even Luke. During the day, he was all business again. The girls had gone swimming but Luke stayed in his street clothes, reading a book at the cabana, his eyes hidden behind his shades. She thought that maybe he would come over to talk, but he didn’t.

After their fun non-date the day before, Madison felt a stab of disappointment. But then again, what was she expecting? They’d made a deal to keep things platonic. She could hardly expect him to start flirting.

With her, anyway. He smiled at something Thelma said, and jealousy flared within her.

Inwardly, Madison sighed. Thelma was like a sister to her. Resolutely, she turned to Chan and talked to him. By the time they reached the giant guitars at the start of the walkway leading up to the Grand Ole Opry’s doors, he had told her that he was Filipino-American, he was named after the martial arts actor Jackie Chan, he moved to Nashville because of a girlfriend, and that said girlfriend left him for a country singer.

“He dumped her, so we’re even,” Chan said. “And I still can’t stand country music.” He shuddered.

“What about tonight?” Madison asked. “It’s all country.”

“Oh, but it’s different. It’s more of stand-up comedy with music, if you ask me.”

Some girls were posing by the guitars. One of them turned to Madison and slapped the phone into her hand. “Can you take our picture?”

Madison stifled a smile. “Sure.”

The girl did a double-take, her mouth forming an O. The other girls whispered among themselves until someone confirmed, “It’s Madison Kay!”

“Go,” Chan said, grabbing the cell phone out of Madison’s hands. “I’ll take your picture with them.”

A trickle of autograph-seekers turned into a gush, then a downright deluge. Luke shadowed her, a hand occasionally guiding her by the elbow. Madison barely got in through the door just as the house lights were going down. An usher, recognizing Madison, led their group to empty seats towards the front. As the house lights dimmed completely, the chatter in the auditorium reached fever pitch.

Once the show got going, it was non-stop music, entertainment, and schtick throughout. When banjo player Al Groker took center stage, he shielded his eyes and looked right at Madison.

“I see someone special in the audience,” he said.

Madison mouthed, “Who, me?”

He replied, “Yes, you.”

Madison stood up, followed by the spotlight, and the audience cheered wildly. She was about to sit down again but Al motioned for her to come up to the stage.

Madison was so glad she decided to dress up tonight. She was wearing her favorite sunflower yellow dress, and had even done up her hair with a matching scarf. The audience applauded with lots of wolf whistles.

Al patted a chair across from him. “Whatcha doing in our neck of the woods, sweetheart?”

She probably should be a little nervous, but Al had a kind twinkle in his eyes, and the audience was smiling and friendly. “I’ve got a concert at Riverside two Saturdays from now,” she said, “and you’re all invited.”

“Didja all hear that?” Al said.

The crowd clapped.

“Can we give this group a taste of your concert, Madison?”

“Of course.”

Down on the floor, Sally was holding up tickets.

Al squinted. “I do believe your friend there has some giveaways for that.”

“How should they win it?” Madison asked.

Al thought for a minute, then said, “How about if they can name all your songs in the past year correctly, they get the prize.”

A young man with a yellow shirt and cowboy hat raised his arm.

“Your twin can’t enter,” Al said. The audience laughed. “Okay, you look like a through and through country music fan. Go for it.”

He recited a complete title listing to Madison’s nod and the audience’s approving roar.

“Young man, if you can sing like her, you can win…my day-old donut.”

Madison’s fan grinned and started to walk up to the stage.

“I’m just foolin’,” Al said. He turned to Madison. “I think what they’d really like in the world is to hear a song from you. What do you say, young man?”

“Heck, yeah!” he shouted.

Cheers from the crowd erupted.

“Got a guitar I can borrow?” Madison asked Al.

“Oh, I can probably wrastle up one for you around here.”

A stage hand brought a beautiful mahogany guitar. Madison cradled, then plucked a few notes to hear its beautiful sound. Madison started the chords for “Back When.” Pretty soon, Madison was singing her song and everyone was swaying to the music.

When the last note died, Al pointed at Madison. “Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Madison Kay.”

Madison’s eyes shone as she stood up to a raucous applause. Her eyes searched the crowd for Luke. To her surprise, he wasn’t sitting in the seats. Where was he? She panicked for a moment until she saw him at the stage wing.

Oh, right, he was doing his job.

He slow-clapped and wolf whistled, his eyes shining. For all her previous success, seeing Luke respond to her music made her feel like she finally arrived.

***

“Good night,” Sally told the two as they parted ways at the vacation house foyer.

Madison and Luke walked nearly side by side up to their second floor bedrooms. The lights had been turned down for the night, and lamps cast yellowish circles in intervals. Their footsteps sounded muffled, matching the beating of her heart. She turned self- consciously towards him. His eyes no longer had his shades for cover and his eyes drank her in.

“Good night,” she said, touching her door knob.

“Good night,” he murmured, backing up. His eyes were hard to read in the darkened hallway.

She bit her lip as she watched him walk away. A far cry from those nights that last summer in high school when he couldn’t bear to let her leave him. It was always one more goodbye, one more hug, one more kiss…

Madison entered her bedroom and shut the door. She kicked off her boots and dug her toes into the carpet with a tired but contented sigh. It had been a fun day. Chan was a hoot and she looked forward to more of his “non-practiced” activities.

The silence in her room felt like a balm. After the crush of crowds, it felt good to just be. The only thing that would have made the night perfect would have been…a good night kiss.

Stop it, Madison.

She changed into a shirt and shorts, but she wasn’t quite ready for bed yet. Eying her white guitar, she plucked it off its stand and headed out the balcony door.

The night was lovely, with the moon hanging like a huge silver orb in the sky. The air had cooled off and even had a hint of rain. Crickets whirred and owls hooted. The full moonlight illuminated the fences and horses still grazing for the night.

She sat on a patio chair and loosely held the guitar on her lap. Her shoulder muscles relaxed. It felt good to be in her shirt and shorts, sitting like a tomboy overlooking Nashville. She started out some chords and settled for a simple combination.

***

The guitar music floated into Luke’s bedroom. He hadn’t bothered to turn on his light to change for bed, and just relied on the bright moonlight. Walking to his window, he looked out. On her balcony, Madison was sitting on a chair with her guitar, looking like a golden cowgirl.

Like Juliet. Except Romeo couldn’t make an appearance.

A dull ache spread in his chest. How many times had he seen her in that exact same pose when they were dating? Her expression was concentrated and thoughtful. He knew that by night’s end, she’d have a song, complete with a catchy melody.

It was hard to deny that Madison had a lot of talent. At the grand Ole Opry, he had watched her with a plummeting feeling that even if things had turned out differently, he wouldn’t have had her completely because the world needed her. It needed her spunk, her talent, her music.

Who was he to get in the way of all that?

Her voice carried clearly in the night:

You and I dreamed of things, we drew them on the clouds

Simple times, filled with love, we thought that it would last

Those days of flitting beauty, as we laid out on the grass

But fate had plans and you and I grew apart so fast.

My star has since soared in the sky

My dreams grew real from a lullaby

I wish that I could go back
to that sweet sweet ol’ time
when…

the boy was mine

I moved away, cut my teeth on things I thought I loved

Grew my star, went so far, as high as eagles fly

Life’s not that simple and I send my pray’rs above

That fate will bring us closer, you and I.

Why can’t I go back in time?

Why can’t the boy be mine?

Truth is, we belong to other skies

Our stars have since soared in the sky

Our dreams grew real from a lullaby

I know that I ne’er can go back

To that sweet sweet ol’ time
when…

the boy was mine.

In the darkness of his bedroom, Luke swallowed painfully. Madison. I’m still yours.

***

Madison strummed the final chord, and sadness washed over her. The song summed up how she felt about Luke. She turned her face to the moon and implored it to shine some light in the darkness she felt in her heart. As though in answer to her prayer, a shooting star streaked across the darkness.

It was a sign. She may never go back again to the past, but she could still be happy.

Her heart lightened with hope.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Madison adjusted the strap of her canvas bag and walked out to where Luke was leaning against his Corvette. For a change, he was wearing a pair of cargo shorts and a plain white tee. She couldn’t see his eyes past his shades and felt like she was at a disadvantage.

“You got your swimsuit and a change of clothes?” he asked.

She patted her canvas bag.

“Want to drive?” Luke jangled the car keys in his hand.

Madison gaped. “Really?”

“Sure, why not?” He grinned.

“I don’t know where anything is around here.” But she was already checking out the car, this high-octane, red speed machine.

“Doesn’t matter.” He shrugged. “Just stick to the highway. I’ll tell you where to go.”

“I bet you would.” She stuck a tongue out at him. He swallowed visibly. She’d be a liar to deny that she felt it, too. A little tug of desire between them.

“Keys are in the ignition,” he said, his voice husky.

Madison turned away with a little nod and shook her head to clear it. She slipped into the driver’s seat, excitement running through her veins. She had to adjust the seat and the mirror, and get used to the feel of being behind the wheel.

“I don’t get to drive much, so this is fun,” she told him.

“I figured.” He slipped his shades on and smiled.

With a grin, Madison turned the ignition over with the key. The sports car roared to life, and off they went, the engine bumping the hood of the car, it seemed, every time she goosed the gas pedal. “This is a car, all right,” she said, laughing.

Madison started out conservative. There weren’t very many other cars on the road, so she added a bit more gas to it. Soon, she was skirting 80s, and the car didn’t let up one bit.

Luke pushed a button on the dashboard and the sunroof opened up. Madison grinned at him as her hair started whirling around to follow the path of the wind.

“This is a blast,” she shouted over the rushing noise.

“Wanna go faster?”

“I dunno,” she said, “do I dare?”

For answer, Luke leaned his seat back and put his arms behind his head.

Madison felt impish. She would show him. She eased into the 90s, watching as the dial went up by increments. Finally, she was hitting 100s, and the car hugged the road flawlessly.

At the turn, she slowed just for a bit, and then realized that someone up ahead was in her lane. Their lights flashed on and off, frantic.

For a split second, she saw the car, the brush, the slope of the mountain. There was nowhere for her to go but off-road. She turned the wheel and prayed.

We’re dead we’re dead we’re dead

When the car stopped just shy of a fence post, her seat belt kept Madison from bouncing right out of the car through the windshield. Dust swirled around and into the sunroof. Coughing, Madison opened one eye, and the other. Luke, she was sure, would be mad at her.

“There was a car…in the other lane…and it was passing.” She finished lamely then snuck a glance at Luke. To her surprise, he was shaking with laughter.

“Don’t worry,” he said. “You didn’t scare me. Much.”

“How could you stay calm in times like this?” she asked, amazed.

“I’m used to all sorts of mayhem. This is nothing compared to what you have to deal with in the combat zone.”

“Do you still want me to drive?”

“Sure, if you want.”

She wrinkled her nose. “On second thought, you drive. I’m good.”

***

Luke smiled to himself. Madison had looked so cute and sheepish. Thankfully, nothing happened to the other car and his. Before getting in the car, he inspected the Corvette. Except for a few scratches from rocks on the undercarriage, it was fine.

Relaxed back in the passenger seat, she asked, “Where are you taking me this time?”

“Fall Creek Falls,” he said.

“That’s a funny name.” She smiled.

“It’s cool. You’ll see.”

An hour later, they arrived at a trail head packed with cars and people. “It’s a popular place,” Luke said.

“No kidding.”

“This will take us to a bridge, then a waterfall.”

Her eyes widened with pleasure. “That sounds cool.”

They started hiking, with a few people doing a double-take when they saw Madison. Once a couple started asking her for autographs, others did, too.

Luke caught Madison’s helpless expression as she politely posed and signed.

“Excuse us,” he told everyone, maneuvering Madison ahead of him. “She needs to move on.” But still, some people lingered. He steered her to a souvenir shop and bought a baseball cap. Her eyes lit up in understanding.

She tucked her long hair in a ponytail, and pulled down her baseball cap to hide most of her face. “Better?” she said.

A long moment passed before he could reply. She looked so cute, spunky.

So kissable.

He cleared his throat. “Yup,” he said. “Much better.”

***

Madison’s spine tingled at Luke’s touch. He still had his hand on the small of her back, guiding her away from the crowds and to the trail. Back at the shop, when she put on the baseball cap, she was sure he was going to kiss her.

But of course he did no such thing. That was the deal, right?

The sun bore down hot on them. She wished they had bought a lighter-colored hat, but at least her dress was cool and comfortable.

“You’re the best-dressed hiker in these parts,” Luke said.

She smiled. “I love skirts and dresses. I live for the summer.”

“I remember.”

She tried to ignore the fluttering in her tummy at the way his voice lowered. “You told me I was obsessed with skirts, when I wore one to help build that Habitat for Humanity house.”

“I wasn’t complaining.”

Was Luke Parker flirting with her? She couldn’t see past his shades. “Yes you did. You said why did I want to show off—how did you put it—my magnificent legs for all to see? I was wearing shorts under the skirt.”

“I didn’t know that. And well…many of the guys were staring at your legs.”

“Speak for yourself.”

He smiled a slow smile that made her weak at the knees. “I was.”

They came to a point where they had to go single-file. For one crazy moment, she wondered if he was staring at her legs.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Madison stole glimpses of Luke as they walked side by side on the trail. His body was taut, like a well-oiled machine, power rippling through his biceps and leg muscles.

“What?” he said when he caught her looking.

“I was just thinking how different you are from your dad,” she said in a quick-save.

He winced. “Thank heavens, huh?” He kicked a pebble and watched it bounce off. “He just didn’t know how to live a better life.”

“Funny how he outlived my dad,” she said. “Dad tried to eat right and exercise.”

“Yeah, pretty ironic. Still better than being a drunk though.”

They hiked in silence for the next half hour. Once in a while, Madison stopped to take a photo. It was a pretty time of year to go hiking. There were wildflowers at the edges of streams and butterflies flitting about them in dozens. Madison stopped often to pick up a stone or to smell a flower.

A bridge loomed. It was a long suspension bridge, with railings that didn’t seem intent on keeping anyone from falling, if they really wanted to.

Luke paid for the fee—eighteen bucks for each of them—and turned to Madison, who balked. She wasn’t a scaredy cat, but she didn’t like heights. She looked over to the side, at the gorge where the bridge hung over, and already, her vision seemed to swim.

“Hey,” Luke said. “You okay?”

“I’m trying to psych myself into crossing it,” she admitted.

“Come on, it’s really cool. Don’t look down.” He gave her an encouraging smile.

Madison took one step, then the next. It wasn’t too bad, unless she looked down, reminding her that a fall was a long ways down. Her canvas bag felt vulnerable as she hefted it over her shoulder. It seemed like its contents could spill over the bridge any moment.

“Good job,” Luke said. “Keep going.”

She watched his back most of the time, so she didn’t have to look down. That, or she watched the clouds scuttling across the sky.

Suddenly, the bridge started shaking.

Madison swayed along with it. She clutched the railing, wondering what was happening. The bridge was falling; she was going to fall into the gorge.

The bridge attendant yelled something behind her. Clinging to the handrail with everything she had, Madison glanced over her shoulder. A group of teens was swaying the bridge. The bridge kept moving, even after the kids scuttled off it.

Luke made his way back to her and touched her arm. He looked into her eyes. “Are you okay?”

The sensation of swaying intensified. But it wasn’t the bridge or even the brats causing this; the tumult was happening in her heart. He had such a concerned expression on his face, and she felt like she belonged in his arms. She was suspended someplace high up, and she was falling hard for him.

“Yes, I’m good,” she said.

Did he feel what she felt, too? Was the tremor in his hand because he could feel this powerful emotion that could be both dangerous and exhilarating all at once?

He pulled away, back to bodyguard mode.

***

They reached a spot on the trail where Madison could hear a huge body of water rushing. At the bend, she paused, her breath catching in her throat.

“Beautiful,” she whispered.

The falls toppled from hundreds of feet above, into a blue-green paradise of water and rock. The water was so clear she could see the boulders that were on the creek floor. Dozens of people were swimming in the water and jumping in from ledges.

“We’ll find a spot on the rocks for our stuff,” he said. “Then we can swim.”

Madison picked her way gingerly down rocks hot from the sun and left her belongings just a few feet away from the water. She shed her clothes down to her swimsuit.

As Luke took off his shirt, she caught a glimpse of him, her breath stilling. For one long second, she let her gaze roam over his sculpted torso, dark chest hairs, his flat stomach. A heat spread through her body and she tore her gaze away.

Boy, was it hot, or what?

He jumped in the water and beckoned for her to join. As her body sliced the water, she squealed at the frigid temperature, sputtering to the surface.

“It’s c-o-o-o-l-d,” she said, her teeth chattering.

She dove and swam close to the falls, where she and Luke huddled under its spray.

“How about another fifteen minutes?” Luke asked. “Make it out of here in time for dinner.”

“Okay.”

As Madison half-swam, half-walked in the crystal clear water, the shelf she was on suddenly dropped off. Madison could swim, but the water was deep and she couldn’t feel the bottom. She panicked, her hands flailing for anything to grip.

“Help!” she sputtered, before her head sunk back into the water. Powerful arms scooped her up, propelling her to the surface. Her nose and mouth were clogged with water but at least she was able to breathe again.

As Luke held her to his chest, her heart slowed down, but not by much. He held her at the waist, the length of his body flush against hers. A languorous sensation pulsated through her veins. Water droplets hung from his lashes, screening his eyes that were transfixed on her mouth. Her eyes fluttered shut. Their breaths mingled, his lips grazed hers and she wanted nothing more than for him to kiss her.

Someone cannonballed into the water, splashing the two.

Madison gasped, while Luke recoiled. He wiped his face with his hand and gave her a crooked smile. “Careful there,” he said, letting her go and turning towards the rocks.

She wasn’t sure if he meant the cannonballer, Madison, or themselves.

***

After swimming, they sat on the rocks, dripping on their towels. She turned her face to the sun, the column of her neck lovely and graceful in the summer light. He tried to not stare at those amazing legs that always looked good regardless of what she wore. She thought he was staring at her legs, but he averted his glance.

“I’ve been thinking,” Luke said. “After Nashville, I’m going to assign someone else to you.”

She let his words sink in. “To be my bodyguard?”

“Yes.”

A group of hikers jumped into the water, squealing and horseying around. She was glad for the noise. She didn’t like her thoughts jumbling up in her head. Suddenly, she felt inadequate, like maybe she’d done something, or said something to cause this change.

“Why?” she asked.

He gazed at her intently. “You know why.”

“So you could be free of me?”

“Yeah,” he said slowly. “That’s it.”

She turned her face, glad for her wild, long hair she could hide behind. She felt her throat tighten with tears. It felt as though he had just wrenched her heart open, laid it out and stomped on it.

Yet isn’t this what she wanted—that he no longer would be part of her life? So why did she feel like bawling?

She stood, turning away from him while putting on her clothes as quickly as she could. She squirted a leave-in conditioner in her hand and massaged it into the strands of her hair. Then she roughly tried to brush through it, but it was too snarled, or maybe her hands were just so uncoordinated, they were trembling so much.

He just wants to be rid of me.

“Here, let me do it,” Luke said.

Her hand stilled.

Should I let him?

An unbidden memory returned to her. Luke brushing her hair after her dad died. An act of kindness that melted her heart towards him. She had forgotten about this, but now that image came rushing to her. It was dangerous, she shouldn’t…

As she stood there in indecision, he plucked the brush from her hand. Her breath stilled. Just like the old days, he insisted and got his way.

Gently, he brushed, then tugged at the snarls. In long, hypnotic movements, he pulled the bristles through her hair, all the way from her scalp to her hips.

She closed her eyes at the pleasure of the sensation. And then reason returned. After Nashville, she wasn’t going to see him again.

Because he wanted to be free of her.

She wouldn’t let him know how much his rejection hurt her. “Thank you,” she said, holding out her palm for the brush

“I can finish—”

“No, thank you.” She snatched her brush from him.

***

Luke wished he could have brushed her hair longer. Bury his face in it. Put his arms around her and pull her against him. Tip her face so he could kiss her. But most of all, hold her in his arms and admit that he’d still cared deeply.

Instead, he just said, “You’re welcome.”

He was glad she finally knew what his plan was. After Nashville, when he was no longer her bodyguard, he would be free, for sure. Free to date her again. He just hoped she would take him back.

Suddenly, he realized that she was already picking her way through the rocks, her canvas bag slung behind her. Rousing himself from his thoughts, he gathered his things and slipped his shirt over his head. “Hey, wait up!”

She slowed but not by much.

“Hey,” he said, catching up with her, “what’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” she said, walking briskly again.

He gazed, frustrated, at her back. He resigned himself to marching, no, running after her, all the way to the trail-head. By the time they got there, Luke was sweating buckets. He opened his car door by remote and she let herself in.

His eyes narrowed as he panted.

What was going on?

As he got in his side and started to drive, she sat ramrod straight, her face impassive.

“Was it something I said back there?” he asked.

“No,” came her curt reply.

After a few minutes, she said, “Why do you flirt with Thelma?”

“What?”

“You know, Thelma, my stylist.”

“I knew who you meant. What on earth? I haven’t been flirting.”

“Yes, you have.”

He focused on the road, wondering what had gotten her snoot out of joint. Surely it couldn’t have been Thelma. They’d not even talked about her all day.

“I just talk to her, that’s all,” he said.

“And laugh at her jokes and compliment her on her tamales.”

“Her tamales are out-of-this-world, surely, you agree.”

“I know,” she said, sounding miserable. “I can’t cook worth a darn.”

He glanced at Madison, mystified. “Is this what it’s about, you’re upset over Thelma’s tamales?”

She looked out the window without answering.

He sighed. “Madison, I give up.”

“Yeah, you should. You’re good at that.”

“And what’s that supposed to mean?” He let up on the gas a bit, this conversation was getting him so riled he was pushing 90 on the speedometer.

Madison said, “When the going got rough way back when, you gave up on me.”

“I beg your pardon.” He gripped the steering wheel. “You’re the one that left me for Nashville.”

“I didn’t,” she said. “In fact, that day, I almost…oh, never mind.”

“What were you going to say?”

“I said never mind.”

“But it doesn’t matter, does it?” he said. “It’s not like we’re getting back together or anything. You’re a superstar now. You don’t need me. Well, not anything more than a bodyguard.”

She hugged her bag on her lap and didn’t answer.

They drove home in icy silence. At the front porch, she didn’t wait for him to open her door, yanking it practically off its hinges. She slammed it shut and stalked off.

Taking a deep breath that didn’t loosen the anger that had built up within him, Luke parked the car. He didn’t understand what happened back in the car. No, it had been clear back at the falls. Right around when he brushed her hair.

He groaned silently. He had had high hopes, but it was as though this whole evening, everything unraveled. Maybe he was better off assigning someone else after Nashville. He wouldn’t be able to withstand any more rejection from her.

In the hallway, upstairs, he paused at his door and looked towards hers. It was shut firmly, just like her heart was to his.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Madison’s head throbbed. Like Luke, she hid behind a pair of shades.

“Hello, darlings,” Chan greeted the group the next afternoon. “Did you miss me?”

“Terribly,” Sally answered drolly, then went back to cooling herself with a huge woven fan.

They were sitting on the back patio, in the shade. Everyone was in a foul mood. Even Sally complained of a headache, from the heat, she said. Well, everyone except for Thelma, who was reading a gossip magazine and making snarky comments about celebrities. Luke sat apart, at a different table, tossing back a root beer and crumpling the can. Chan wandered over to him.

“Should we take the limo?” Chan asked. “Or do you want to drive?”

“The limo’s fine,” Luke said.

Madison felt a pang of disappointment. She’d enjoyed their rides in the Corvette. But of course she knew that those rides didn’t mean anything.

Luke wants to be free of me.

“Great,” Chan said. “The limo it is.”

“Where are we going?” Sally asked.

“Monell’s, where else?” Chan’s eyes glittered. “The best family-style restaurant in these parts. It used to be a plantation house. The owner had this brilliant idea to change it into a restaurant. They opened on Thanksgiving day and eighty people showed up. Can you imagine? Without advertising.”

“Ooh, sounds terrific,” Sally said. “I hope they have air-conditioning.”

“I’m sure they do.” Chan nodded.

When it was time to go, Luke sat in front of the limo, with the driver, while Chan took his place in the cab. Madison took a deep breath and massaged her temples.

Thelma nudged her. “You guys having a lover’s quarrel?” she whispered.

“What?” Madison said, her eyes searching for Luke to make sure he couldn’t hear. He faced forward, seemingly oblivious.

“You and Luke. You’re both so crabby today.”

“It’s just…hot,” Madison finished lamely.

“Mmm, yeah, I guess. I don’t know. You seemed to be getting on just fine yesterday, before you left for the waterfalls.”

“Thelma, can you please just stop the third-degree?”

Thelma raised an eyebrow. “You got it, ma’am.”

Madison closed her eyes and chastised herself. Did she have to be so snooty with Thelma, too? Having Luke around was just not a good thing. The sooner this Nashville concert was over, the better.

***

At Monell’s, they sat around a huge table that could have seated twenty people. Their group got interspersed with other customers. Anyone could sit wherever they wanted.

Luke deliberately sat on the opposite side of the table as Madison, so he didn’t have to sit by her. It was getting harder and harder for him to be unaffected by her presence. And if he weren’t careful, he could jeopardize his job…and her safety. Switching bodyguards out at the last minute before her Nashville concert could spell trouble for her.

Luke helped himself to some good ol’ fried chicken, grits, and cornbread. The meal certainly looked fantastic, and he couldn’t wait to get a bite of it. If only his new female acquaintance to his right would let him eat. She was leaning so close, he could smell her lavender-chamomile-mumbo-jumbo essential oil.

“You’re a bodyguard?” She said, touching his arm. “How exciting.”

He nodded. “From Parker Protection Services.”

She stared at him. “Protection Services. Like Child Protection Services?”

“I believe it’s Child Protective Services.”

“Oh.” She breathed a sigh of relief. “For a moment there, I thought you were involved in freeing children from trafficking.”

“I wish,” he said. “I know guys who do that.”

Across the table from him, Madison was talking to a nerdy-looking guy and laughing at his jokes. Why, if he wasn’t mistaken, she was flirting with him. He looked like an accountant. Definitely not a body-builder.

Luke poked around on his plate, tearing a piece of chicken bone viciously.

The lady beside him started another thread of conversation. Luke turned dutifully to her. After all, according to Madison, flirting was his forte.

***

Madison strained to hear the guy talking to her over the din. But honestly, she sat there distracted, wondering what was so interesting that Luke leaned so close to the woman beside him. She looked to be about fifty, with huge jowls and fat fingers.

Her mother’s voice came to her, reminding Madison that a lady didn’t think that way about others. But in her dark mood, Madison didn’t particularly care to play nice.

Her seatmate, whom she nicknamed Mr. Britishman, was saying in his cool British accent, “And I do believe we get far more rain in London than any place in the United States,” he said, in a har-har mode. Which Madison didn’t find the least bit funny, but she smiled along, to be polite.

“I was in London once,” Madison said. “It rained the whole time.”

He slapped his knee. “Hi-la-rious!”

“The rain part?”

“Why, yes. Did you have a jolly good time nonetheless?”

She tried to recall that concert in London. Actually, she was pretty miserable. She had a cold and the rain didn’t help. But the fans seemed really eager, and stayed despite the sheets and sheets of water that poured from gray, gray skies.

“It was very…wet,” she said.

“Har har,” he said, wiping tears from his eyes.

“And the umbrellas didn’t hold up. They kept blowing so then I wondered if I had arrived at a Mary Poppins revival.”

“Hee hee!” he guffawed, or whatever it was that Brits did in their off-time. “That is quite the vision in my mind. What is it that you do, my dear?”

“I am a singer.”

“I was a singer in a cabaret once.” He paused for effect, with the far-away looks that singers give in cabarets, apparently.

Madison decided to change the subject in case he wanted to belt out a show tune, but she was too slow.

“Would you like to watch one of my performances?” he asked, shoving back his chair and getting to his feet.

“Oh dear,” Madison said, looking around and hoping that the karaoke police would show up. She even turned imploringly to Luke. Wasn’t he supposed to protect her from unsavory characters? Well, here was one.

Get on it!

But Luke kept flirting with Ursula from Little Mermaid.

Mr. Britishman went into a super-cool, out-of-body experience type of rendition of New York, New York. At the end of it, Madison got to her feet and applauded. Even Ms. Octopus was visibly moved. Or maybe she was just wiping her full mouth with a napkin.

Michael, the restaurant owner, clapped Mr. Britishman on the back.

“Say, ol’ chap,” Mr. Britishman said, “by chance you want to hire a singer?”

***

Luke could have rolled out of Monell’s. He was so stuffed. He should have stopped at the third serving, but it was so good, he couldn’t. Besides, his new lady-friend kept urging him to eat sweet potato pie.

Madison walked ahead of him. The guy she had been talking to stayed behind to entertain everyone with more of his cabaret schtick. It was kind of fascinatingly bad it was good. Sally found it amusing, too, so she stayed around after asking Luke for dollar bills to tuck in the man’s cravat, or that tie-magajig that he had around his collar.

“I don’t want to see Sally tucking the money,” Madison said with a shudder. “That is so beneath her.”

“Agreed,” Luke said.

Once outside, Madison paused at the front porch, squinting. “Hey,” she said, softly, “are those what I think they are?”

Luke followed her gaze. She was staring at the lawn.

“Luke!” she said breathlessly. “There are fireflies!”

She was right. They were twinkling all over like some magic pixie dust—by a little waterfall by the porch, on the grass, in the trees.

“Yes, ma’am,” he said.

Madison walked out to the lawn. Luke decided to hang back and just watch. He would uphold being an “uninterested bodyguard” as best as he could. She touched the grass, which seemed to move with little pinpricks of lights.

She looked like a beautiful nymph, touching everything with her magic. He was falling under her spell.

So much for being an uninterested bodyguard

Sally came out with the cabaret singer, linking arms with him. Amazingly, in just a short time, she seemed to acquire a British accent, too.

“That is jolly funny!” she was saying.

They parted ways, but not before they traded business cards. Sally promised that she would be on the lookout for cabaret gigs.

“He’s in the wrong part of the country,” Luke said. “He should go to New York.”

“That’s where everyone goes,” Sally said.

“I’m from New York!” Thelma chimed in.

Sally sighed. “I’ve decided I love me a British gent.”

“Too bad the last eligible prince of Britain was snatched up,” Thelma said. “I read it in People.”

Sally made a face. “He’s a little too young for me.” She squinted into the darkness. “Is that Madison?”

“Yes,” Luke said.

“What is she doing on the grass?”

“Practicing for her dance performance at Riverside?” he suggested.

“No, really. Why is she rolling around on her stomach? Is she colicking?”

“To get close to the fireflies.”

“Oh. So that’s what those twinkling things were. I thought maybe my contacts were going bad.” She yawned. “I’m pooped. Madison, darling!” She called out and joined her.

Luke sat on the bench of the porch. He wished he could have joined Madison on the grass. But that was dangerous territory. When he thought of Madison, grass, and twilight, he thought back to an evening so many years before, when they lay side by side on her parents’ lawn.

“Look at the stars,” she’d said. “They’re like fireflies.”

He had raised his head and rested his jaw on his fist, looking down at her.

“Have you ever seen fireflies before?” he asked.

“No. Have you?” Her voice was full of wonder.

“They had them back south when I lived there. They’re pretty cool.”

“Take me there someday?”

“Yes’m.” And they’d kissed to seal his promise.

Luke blinked. The visceral desire that hit his gut, wanting this beautiful woman, made him catch his breath. Those were some good times. He had never had as good or as long of a relationship with anyone. No one could ever supplant Madison in his memory.

She would never know now.

Sally was ushering Madison back, who had cupped her hands to catch fireflies. She was giggling, happy as can be. It was a far cry from how she had been at the start of the evening. Almost as though she was friends with everyone—even Luke—and the world was all right as they knew it.

He wished that were the case.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

A little before dawn the next day, Luke knocked on Madison’s door.

She opened it a crack. She was still in her shorts and t-shirt, her long hair hanging over one shoulder, like a drowsy mermaid. Her flawless skin and bare lips looked dewy. Man, it was all he could do to not push his way past the door and take her into his arms.

“Ready?” he asked. To his embarrassment, his voice cracked.

“I snoozed my alarm and overslept,” she said, flustered. “Can you give me five?”

“Take your time.”

As he waited in the hall, Luke felt proud of himself. Despite the cutting words they had exchanged, despite the chill all day yesterday, they were actually talking like civilized people. He no longer felt angry, just a little sad. He had gotten over her once, he could get over her again.

She emerged in a pair of shorts, a Nike shirt and running shoes, her hair in a pony tail. Beautiful this early without make-up. She crouched to tie a shoe lace. “My personal trainer said if I run the bridge, I don’t have to do today’s work-out.”

Thankfully, Luke was already dressed for running.

She was quiet on the ride over to Shelby Street, where the bridge was. It was as though the fireflies had mellowed her, and she was no longer angry at the world. At Thelma’s tamales anyway.

Gah, what was that all about?

***

Madison was in her element.

She loved fireflies, shooting stars and night skies, but she also loved sunrises. This sunrise was worth getting up for. Luke parked the Corvette in two-hour parking. While he slipped coins in the meter, Madison was already snapping shots with her phone.

Sherbet colors of orange, plum and pink streaked across the sky. They bounced off the water under the bridge, like an impressionist painting.

How could commuters keep commuting without stepping on the brakes and stopping?

She crossed her arms over the rail and sighed contentedly as nature rolled out her show. She could feel Luke’s eyes as he joined her on the rail. She refused to let him spoil her mood. In fact, she was feeling so good, she decided to be extra nice to him.

Shoving him by the shoulder, she declared, “Race you!”

***

Luke pumped his arms methodically. He was a lot bulkier than Madison, but made up for his speed with his longer legs. She bumped against him playfully, messing up his stride.

“Oh, no you don’t,” he said, pushing back at her.

Other pedestrians leaped out of their way, looking either worried or amused. Bicyclists dodged them, too. The race was brutal. Luke hadn’t gone from zero to super-fast in a long time. Madison ran like she didn’t need air. Still, he managed to beat her at the end of the bridge. Just barely.

He was bent over, panting, holding his knee.

She patted him on the shoulder. “Are you okay?” she asked. Her eyes danced and her face glowed with perspiration. She grinned and stuck her tongue out. He reached out and grabbed the side of her face before she could get away.

Seconds ticked by as Madison and he froze. He didn’t know if his heart was still pumping hard from the race, of from her nearness. His thumb stroked the side of her face as he straightened up. Her breath warmed his lips.

What was one kiss? So what if he got booted off bodyguard duty?

She turned away. He had waited too long.

A muscle ticked in his jaw. He released her and let his hands fall to his side. She started slow-jogging to the other side. He didn’t join her.

Luke needed to clear his head. What was wrong with him?

You can’t have her, Luke. Face the music.

As she approached the Corvette, Luke noticed a brown truck stopped at the intersection nearby. The driver had on a hat, like a throwback from the 50s. He wore a suit that could also belong to that era. In his mind’s eye, he recalled the pictures of Frank Dell.

It was him.

Frank was watching Madison. Then his eyes flickered towards Luke, a burning hatred in their depths. Luke watched as the traffic eased and Frank Dell burned rubber making a U-turn.

Madison got to the car and noticed his frown. Her expression clouded. “Something wrong?”

“No,” he said, not wanting to worry her. “Let‘s get out of here, shall we?”

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Madison shifted on her tummy and sighed contentedly. The Nashville sun felt good poolside.

“Madison, hon,” Sally said from the next lounge chair over.

“Mmm?”

“We need to go shopping tomorrow.”

“Whatever for?” Madison asked sleepily.

“For the Governor’s Ball.”

“Oh, right.” She kept her eyes shut. She didn’t hate shopping, but sometimes it could be tedious. She’d just as soon write songs with all that time. But she humored Sally. “As long as it doesn’t take the whole day.”

“We’ll bring Thelma with us. She’ll have you dressed in no time.”

“Mmm,” Madison repeated. She liked this down time in Nashville. In the other venues, she wouldn’t have it this way again. She might as well make the most of it. She drifted in and out of sleep. She shifted, her skin smarting at the movement. It had been hours since she’d put sunblock on.

“Sally? Would you be a sweetheart and put lotion on my back?”

“Be happy to,” Luke said.

Madison’s eyes flew open. Luke was standing over her. “Where’s Sally?” she asked.

“Back in the house. She asked me to check in with you about your schedule for the afternoon. If you still wanted to ride horses?”

Madison felt self-conscious, with her backside exposed. Even if it was in a modest swimsuit. “That’s fine, you don’t need to put sunblock on me.”

His hand was already poised above her, holding the bottle. “Are you sure? I don’t mind, really.”

Neither did she, to be honest.

He did it very matter-of-factly. If Madison thought he would flirt and massage her, she was wrong. Within a couple of minutes, she was slathered up.

“Thanks,” she said.

“You’re welcome. You’re getting burned, by the way.” He traced a spot with a finger and she flinched. “Sorry.”

“I should have put lotion on sooner,” she lamented.

“So,” he said, clearing his throat. “We’re riding horses. Chan arranged it.”

She pushed up to her belly. “What time is it?”

“Two.”

“Okay.” She stretched and turned over to her back, running her fingers through her tangled hair. She recalled that incident at the waterfalls, when he brushed her hair and wondered, looking at her reflection in his shades, if he was thinking of it, too.

***

Luke averted his eyes from Madison’s perfectly toned body. She was driving him to distraction. That little stunt, with him putting lotion on her, was excruciating. The least he could do was to just pretend that she didn’t affect him, not one little bit.

Right.

The more casual she was around him, the more of the old Madison he was seeing. The girl he had fallen in love with way back when. And the Luke of the past was falling for her again.

Stop it, Luke. Don’t go down that road.

Suddenly, she sat up. He got into protect mode, tensing up, too.

“Sorry, a lyric just popped in my brain,” she said. She sat unself-consciously in front of him in her modest swimsuit which made her look attractive nonetheless. She grabbed a little pink notebook from a canvas bag beside her and started scribbling something down. He stared at her long hair, flowing over one shoulder, her long, long legs, and her sun-kissed skin…

Like the old times, at the lake.

Her, lying beside him, sun-drenched, while Luke dozed, too. And then all of a sudden, he felt this ice cube down his back.

“Hey, you,” he said, chasing Madison down the beach to the water’s edge. She dove cleanly into the water, and he followed after her. She was like a mermaid, twisting and turning, diving to the bottom, then hurrying to the top. They both broke the surface and he caught her in his arms.

“Come here,” he said.

She didn’t need any more convincing. She melted into his arms and raised her lips for him to take…

“…heaven,” Madison broke into his thoughts. “What rhymes with heaven?”

“Seven?”

“Mmm.” She tapped her jaw with her pen. “Yeah, but what does that have to do with heaven?” She shook her head and scribbled some more in her notebook.

“Do you always compose like this?” he asked, intrigued by her process.

“It just depends,” she said. “There’s been times when all I had was a napkin from the restaurant, so I write on there, and then I have to reconstruct my thoughts once I get to a piece of real paper.”

“I wouldn’t do well in poetry,” he said. “You know. I nearly failed that high school English class.”

“Not because you weren’t smart,” she said, smiling. “You just didn’t show up enough at school.”

“What your mom must have thought of me,” he winced.

She cocked her head and gave him an impish look. “She was a little scandalized at first, I think. She could tell that you smoked, from the smell of it.”

“Why did she not stop you from seeing me then?”

Madison’s eyes rose to meet his. Softly, she said, “Because she knew that I would be moving away.”

Luke wished he hadn’t asked. The wound gaped open again. That Madison had chosen to move away instead of sticking it out with Luke. He would have tried to help her.

But who was he kidding? He could about help her as much as Sally could resist cabaret singers with British accents.

“We’d better get ready for the horse ride,” he suggested.

“I’ll just be a minute,” she said.

When he looked back, she wasn’t looking at him. She was still engrossed in her writing, tapping that pen against her jaw.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

“Ouch,” Madison said, as she stretched her leg to mount the horse. “I think my legs got too much sun, too.”

She and Luke met their riding guide at the stable offices just ten minutes away at a thoroughbred breeding facility which also did trail rides. Their guide, Dirk, was a skinny, long-haired dude who looked like he’d spent most nights on someone’s couch jamming on the guitar.

“Welcome to Airedale Stables, where we have no Airedales. We just named it that because we wanted to be first on the alphabet. Brilliant, eh? Now, mind you, you are here on a private tour. We’ve already ensured that. Is it okay though if I get your autograph, Miss Kay? My grandma really likes your music. In fact, she’s already requested it for her funeral.”

Madison didn’t know if she should laugh or cry. She went ahead and signed his Maverik super mug while stable hands brought out three horses.

“Have you both ridden before?” Dirk asked.

Madison said yes. Luke said a little.

Dirk squinted at Luke. “What ‘xactly does ‘a little’ mean, sir?”

“I have gone on trail rides with clients. I’m a bodyguard. I can stay on a horse, but if you ask the horse to lope I might bounce off like popcorn.”

“It’s all in the legs, man. And I won’t be asking your horse anything. You will.”

Luke didn’t smile. “I know.”

“Well then.” Dirk rubbed his dry-looking hands. “Let’s go meet your horses, shall we?”

Dirk led Madison to a red roan. “So, you’re an accomplished horsewoman, eh, Miss Kay?”

“No. Nothing like that,” Madison clarified.

“I wouldn’t have guessed that. Your songs are always about horses.”

“I once told someone, I’m a cowgirl wannabe.” She flicked a glance at Luke.

Dirk winked. “I’m a cowboy wannabe, too. But I kind of fell off the wagon.” He rubbed the roan’s nose. “This here is Penny. She’s like the real penny, kind of small and insignificant looking, but if you add ‘er up, she’ll amount to something. She never gives no one trouble. She’s a real sweetheart.” He lowered his voice confidingly. “One thing. She used to be in the circus, so if you raise your arm so,” here he raised his arm, “she will rear up.” And Penny did rear up.

Dirk turned to Luke. “And for you, sir. Mr. Bodyguard. I got you one of our macho horses. This here is Goliath. He’s good for carrying a buff body like yours. He can carry boulders. The only thing you have to watch for him is he is blind on the right side. So you just need to give him a bit of a warning that you’re there, or he will kick.”

“What a pair,” Luke said.

“I know, right? I seen you coming over in your limo and I thought to myself the same thing. If you hadn’t said you were a bodyguard I’d have guessed that you were a bickering married couple.” He grinned, showing off semi-healthy teeth. “Just kidding. You are the epitome of wedded bliss. Or you can be, just name your poison.”

“Shall we ride?” Luke said. “Do we mount right here?”

Dirk bristled. “In time, my man, in time. First, I need you to sign waivers. Just the usual spiel.” He shoved papers under their noses. “That you won’t sue me if you die, get dismembered, crash into poison ivy, and the like. I’m sure every event is covered in here.”

Madison glanced at the legalese, and couldn’t read the fine print well enough. She signed her name and waited by Penny while Luke signed as well.

Dirk rubbed his hands together. “Now, we can mount.”

“How did Chan find this place?” Madison asked Luke in a low voice.

“Who knows? Online?”

“From people that survived?”

Luke smiled, and Madison’s heart skipped a beat. “Don’t worry, your chances of surviving are greater than mine.”

“What was this, Groupon? We probably could have sprung a few more dollars and gotten someone more…put together.”

“At the last minute? Chan said he had the hardest time getting anyone to even answer their phone. Dirk was the only one up last night.”

“Okay, it’ll be okay,” she said, mostly to assure herself.

Dirk rode up to them on a bay horse who kept sneaking bites from the grass. “This is Quinn. He likes to eat, as you can tell. So I need to keep moseying everyone along, or we’ll be sidelined like an out-of-control semi on the freeway. Everyone good with their mount?” He stared at Luke. “Where’s your helmet?”

“I don’t do helmets, thanks.”

“Too tough for one, eh? Well, I also don’t like broccoli, but I decided early on you don’t fight with common sense. Go on, we’ll wait for you to get some sense on.”

Luke ‘s expression soured. Madison suppressed her urge to laugh. Luke snapped his helmet on with a scowl.

Dirk turned to Madison. “Your helmet good, miss? And away we go.”

They started from stables along trees. It was already promising to be a hot day, but in the shade it wasn’t too bad. Madison liked Penny. She made a cute snuffling noise as they got along. Birds darted in and out of the canopies above. Madison felt her stress melt away.

She smiled at Luke, offering an olive branch. “I’m glad we can ride today. I’ve forgotten how much I love this. It’s so relaxing.”

Mr. Bodyguard smiled back, his shade-covered eyes a mystery.

“Now don’t you go falling asleep on us,” Dirk said.

“Don’t worry,” Madison assured him. “I won’t. It’s too pretty out here for that.”

Dirk smiled. “You are too pretty for that. So, how is the country superstar life?”

“It’s ordinary, until I’m on stage.”

“I wouldn’t say that riding limos is pretty ordinary,” Luke said.

“Well, there are perks, certainly. Like private horse rides.” She patted Penny’s head.

“You don’t need to be no celebrity to get on one of my private horse rides, ma’am.” He glanced at Luke. “Your britches too tight?”

“No.” Luke’s scowl deepened. “I was just thinking of something.”

“Good. We don’t want to have you go back with a high-pitched voice.”

Dirk turned forward. Luke made a face and Madison laughed.

“Why didn’t Sally come?” she asked Luke.

“She said she didn’t want helmet head.”

“Well, that could have been your excuse,” she teased.

Dirk led them single-file through a narrow path between trees. “Watch your head now. Not you, miss, but you, sir. You don’t want to clothesline off your horse.”

***

Luke was a bit irritated by the prattle kept up by Dirk. He was friendly enough to Madison, but he couldn’t help but feel that Dirk liked to poke him in the eye when he could. He wondered why he subjected himself to this. He should have admitted to Madison that he wasn’t all that comfortable on horses. She could have still gone on a horse ride, just with someone else. But of course, for Luke to do his job well, they needed to ride side by side.

This was the best gig ever, if only he could do something about the feelings that were threatening to surface. For a moment, he took off his shades.

She’d pulled back her hair so that it was drawn away from her face. The sun had tinged her cheeks a pretty tan. Her eyes sparkled with good health and contentment. She had worn very little makeup, not that she needed it. He thought he was immune to Madison’s charms, but here he was again, starry-eyed like one of her fans.

He averted his eyes and put his shades on, in case Dirk caught him staring, but he wasn’t quick enough.

“Ah,” Dirk said. “So I now know the lay of the land.”

Madison gave him a questioning glance.

“You two know each other from before?” Dirk asked.

“We were in high school together,” Luke said.

“Let me guess. Exes?”

Madison and Luke exchanged glances. “Yup,” he said.

“My, my. How interesting. Well now, do you intend to stay exes?”

“Yes,” they both said firmly.

“Life is too short. I’m frankly surprised that you would choose that. Now, I been married three times, and each time, my wife never changed.”

“To the same girl?” Madison asked.

“Yes, didn’t learn my lesson until the third time. And then she died. So we couldn’t get married the fourth.”

Dirk led them along a stream. “You go on and let your horses catch a drink, and we’ll be heading up them hills.”

Penny drank her fill while Madison got off and dipped her finger in the water. She splashed some drops against her face to cool off. Loosening a button, she wiped the sweat trickling down her neck with her sleeve.

Luke stared at her, but only for a second before resolutely turning away.

***

Madison felt a heat spread under her collar. For a moment, she thought Luke was looking at her like he wanted her. But he shuttered his eyes and he was back to his solemn self.

Penny pranced, anxious to move on. Madison was about to mount again when she sensed movement in the trees. “Are there wild animals here, Dirk?” she asked.

“Not unless you consider rabbits and badgers. Why?”

“I thought I saw something in the trees.”

Luke sat up, turning at his saddle to follow her gaze. He felt for something in the back of his waist. His gun. Madison shivered. She hoped that Luke didn’t need to use it now or ever.

“Ready to move on?” Dirk asked. “We have a bit more of just flat work, then we’ll go up higher in the trees, where it’s cooler.”

They rode on, Madison trying to relax. Once in a while, Madison thought she heard a cracking branch, or an extra hoofstep, but when she turned she couldn’t see anything.

“You hearing things, too?” Luke asked her.

Madison nodded, her throat dry.

“Stay on your horse, no matter what happens, okay?” he said.

She nodded, fear spiraling from the pit of her stomach.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Luke turned Goliath back and returned to the trees.

“Where you going?” Dirk asked.

“Just checking something out,” Luke called back.

Goliath didn’t like being turned away from his buddies. He snorted and stomped, grabbing the bit and trying to pull back towards the others. Luke wrestled with the reins, trying to force Goliath into subservience, but he was too stubborn and strong.

“Don’t yank at his mouth,” Dirk advised. “Won’t make him work any better for you. Horses are like women. You gotta treat them right or they’ll buck you off.”

Luke loosened his hold on the reins, and Goliath immediately calmed down. He circled him through the trees, his eyes roving through the shadows and shapes.

“Is this private land?” he asked Dirk.

“No. It’s national forest. There’s plenty of ranching going on, too. Could be a cow.”

Luke wasn’t so sure of that. The noises he’d heard seemed more horse-like, and too close to be coincidental. Luke repositioned himself on the saddle, so that he was leaning slightly to the side. Something was tickling his Special Forces hunches and he didn’t want to be exactly where an enemy suspected him. Just then, a shot rang out.

The bullet barely grazed the air by his face. It ended up in a birch tree next to him, shattering it.

“Go,” he ordered Madison and Dirk. “Go back to the stables!”

Madison hesitated.

Dirk said, “Follow me.” He lifted his hand to urge Penny to move. And move she did, rearing up with Madison circling her arms around the horse’s neck.

***

Madison’s reins snapped so she could only pull on one side, unable to control her horse. As Penny went back down on her front hooves, it was all she could do to stay on. Penny decided she wasn’t going to stay here for anyone, especially Madison, and went galloping off into the forest.

Madison clung to Penny’s mane, clutching the sides of the horse with her legs as she’d been taught during a riding lesson for one of her music videos. Penny was crazed by now, not heeding anything, and Madison just prayed that wherever she ended up, she could stop safely.

Madison thought of the gunshot back there. Could Frank be after her? Was he targeting Luke?

Goliath’s hooves thundered as he brought Luke forward, bursting into the clearing. “Madison, pull back on her reins!” he said.

“I can’t,” she yelled. “They broke.”

Dirk appeared alongside her. “Penny, girl, whoa!” He swerved to slow down Penny, but she just dodged him and veered the opposite way. Right into Goliath.

When the horses collided, Madison bounced off like a rag doll, tumbling onto the grasses and hitting her head against something hard.

That was the last she remembered.

CHAPTER TWENTY

When Madison came to on the ground, strong arms were holding her. She was in Luke’s lap and his dark eyes gazed at her with desperate concern.

She tried to sit up, but got dizzy. “What happened?” she asked.

Relief washed over Luke’s features. “You fell off the horse,” he murmured. “Someone tried to shoot at us. Dirk tried to stop your horse, but got her rearing up and taking off instead.”

Now she remembered. As she shifted in his arms, pain shot through the back of her head.

“You got a pretty nasty bruise on your head,” he said. “Just take it easy.”

“Where’s Dirk?”

“He’s gone for help.”

“Frank’s out there, isn’t he?” she said, clutching at his arm.

“Probably. We don’t know that for sure.”

“Who else would be trying to shoot at you, to get to me?”

Luke’s expression gave him away. He was worried, too. “You’re safe for now. Whoever it was took off in a hurry. We’ll have to file a report with the police. See if we can get a warrant for his arrest.”

“As if he would follow some law,” she said glumly.

“Shh. Just relax.”

She felt sleepy. His touch was comforting. Her eyes flew open at the sound of horse hooves. Dirk appeared with a medic on a horse.

“This here is Roger,” Dirk said. “He’s an on-call medic.”

After checking her vital signs, neck and back, Roger suggested that Madison go to the E.R. to be fully checked.

“No,” Madison said. “Really, I’m okay. I just need to take it easy.”

“Yes, you do that,” Dirk said. “Glad you signed that waiver.”

***

“Sgt. Castro,” the cop said, shaking hands with Luke and Madison. “I’m going to ask you a few questions, if I may?”

Sgt. Castro was short, with tanned skin and a spike haircut. He walked around with a strut which reminded Luke of a turkey. Luke had seen his type in the Army. He made up for his short stature by pouring on the arrogance. But as much as Luke disliked him, he needed to play nice so that this cop would help Madison.

“Sure,” Luke said.

“Ladies first,” Sgt. Castro said, gesturing to Madison. “I understand, looking at your file that you’ve had a stalker before.”

Madison still looked shook up, her eyes wide and her face pale. “Yes.”

“Did you see anything during your ride that indicated it might have been him?”

Madison thought for a long moment. “No, not really.”

“So it could have been a hunter or poacher?”

“What would they be hunting this time of year?” Luke said crossly.

“Dove? Still, Mr. Parker, I was asking Miss Kay.”

Luke forced himself to not respond. This cop was badgering Madison and she’d already been through enough, hadn’t she?

“Maybe,” Madison said.

Sgt. Castro closed his notebook. “Miss Kay, unless we have clear evidence to tie this shooting to Frank Dell, I’m afraid it’s all just supposition.”

“Supposition!” Luke exploded. “Do you even know what that means?”

Sgt. Castro put his face right in Luke’s. “Sir, settle down.”

Luke fumed. He paced away or he’d be tempted to deck this guy. He whirled around. “So you won’t do anything about this other than just close the file?”

A deep dislike flickered in Sgt. Castro’s eyes. “We’ll keep the file active. If you see any other evidence of a connection to her stalker, call me.”

***

Madison slumped in the chair after the unsympathetic policeman left. Luke knelt beside her. “Buck up. Don’t mind him. He’s an idiot.”

She bit her lip. “Maybe he’s right. I’m just so keyed up right now, I might really be imagining things.”

“No one just shoots at riders on trails, Madison.”

“I know. But I’d also just as soon not ruin my stay in Tennessee by dwelling on what might or might not be lurking out there for me.”

“That’s what you pay me big bucks for,” he said, smiling. “I get to worry for you.”

She smiled back, but her smile didn’t quite reach her eyes. “I just might take you up on that.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

Madison faced an agitated Sally back at the house.

“Imagine my worry when I got a call from the Herald Weekly asking if Madison Kay survived her horse fall.” Sally glared at Luke. “No more adventuring for the two of you. I don’t think my heart can take it.”

“Don’t worry,” Madison said. “I think it’s time to rehearse for the concert anyway.”

“And shop,” Sally said. “Don’t forget shopping for the benefit.”

Madison groaned. She’d forgotten. Just the thought of shopping aggravated her headache. “Do we really have to?”

“Just keep in mind who you are doing the benefit for, sweetheart. Think of the kids. How about you clean up?” Sally leaned close and sniffed, making a face. “I think horse smell isn’t what you’re going for.”

Madison gave her a resigned smile.

“Attagirl,” Sally said. “Now get a bath and calm your nerves down. Shall we go in say, two hours?”

***

The shops at Escudero Street were all lined up like candy stores, their wares displayed in bright color patterns. The limo pulled up and dropped them off at the curb, with Madison and Luke following Sally inside Lily’s. Evening gowns glittered on a few racks. A woman stood behind the counter adding pastries and cookies to a dessert buffet. A bottle of champagne sat in an ice bucket.

“She needs a special dress,” Thelma told their attendant, Myrna. “We’re going to the Governor’s Ball.”

“Ah, that is a wonderful event,” Myrna said with a trace of an Eastern European accent. “I have had many clients attend and come back with glowing reviews. You will need something special indeed.”

“While she’s fitting, can one of your associates please help Luke, as well?” Sally asked.

“But of course.” Myrna gave Luke a flirtatious glance. “This way, please, sir.”

“Me?” Luke raised an eyebrow.

“Did you pack a tux with you?” Sally said.

“No, but—”

“Then go.”

Luke wasn’t doing cartwheels of joy but did as he was told.

Madison waited in a sitting area while three shop employees brought over dresses for her to try. The first was a pink high-low dress that felt so heavy she literally was being dragged down to its hem. That had to go. The second was a cream-colored sheath that was beautiful but a little too bland. The third was a gold gown that was simple, with cap sleeves and a nice contoured skirt that accented Madison’s slim figure.

“Now that is gorgeous,” Thelma said as Madison came out to model the dress for her. As Madison walked up and down the aisle, she could see Luke talking to an employee on the other side of the store. He was wearing a tux that looked like it had been custom-made for him.

Yowza.

He looked gorgeous, with the jacket and pants fitting his shoulders perfectly. He was twisting around to check his reflection out, when he caught her gawking at him. She averted her eyes in a hurry.

“Earth to Madison,” Thelma said.

Madison started. “Oh, sorry, what?”

Thelma asked, “Is it comfortable?”

“Yes.”

“How much…?” Sally asked Myrna.

“For mademoiselle, it will be only twenty thousand.”

Sally didn’t bat an eyelash. Madison knew what she was thinking. In the whole scheme of expenses, it was nothing compared to other dresses she’d worn at other events. “Do you like it?” she asked Madison.

“I don’t know,” Madison hedged. “I could donate that money to the benefit instead.”

Myrna lifted her chin haughtily. “If Mademoiselle wishes, she can get one of our cheaper lines.”

“Only if they’re pretty,” Thelma said.

Myrna put her nose up in the air. “Of course we only sell pretty things.”

Thinking of the kids, Madison made her way to the cheaper rack of dresses. Some were promising. Best of all, the price tag was only four figures. She tried on a white dress.

“Too virginal,” Thelma said.

“Isn’t that good?” Madison asked, confused.

“It’ll show every single stain. Besides, you aren’t getting married are you?”

A green dress was “too Robin Hood,” a yellow one “too conspicuous,” a red one “the wrong shade of red.” Madison refused to come out in the last one, a simple silver sheath.

“Come on, hon,” Sally cajoled. “Let’s see it.”

“If Thelma promises not to rip it apart at first glance.”

“I promise,” Thelma sang out.

At first, Madison wasn’t sure what to think of the ladies’ stupefied reactions. No one spoke for a long moment.

“Well?” Madison said crossly. “Is it good?”

“Is it good?” Thelma echoed. “It’s fabulous!”

“Do you like it?” Sally asked.

Madison had already checked the price tag. “Yes,” she said.

***

Luke could see Madison standing on the other side of the store in a beautiful silver gown. He was a little distracted, being peppered by questions to find out his preferences, while trying to catch another glimpse of Madison.

There she was, a vision of perfection. Thelma chose that moment to stand in the spot blocking his view of Madison.

“So, monsieur, which one did you like best?” The saleslady held up two tuxes, a gray and black.

“The black is fine.”

“Ooh, it’s more than fine. And how would you like to pay for your tux?”

“Why don’t you throw in that beautiful lady’s dress with mine? I’ll pay for both.”

The attendant’s brow rose. Speculative. Until he paid with his credit card. The saleslady’s eyes bulged out. “You’re Luke Parker?” she said. “The billionaire?”

“Correct,” he said.

She couldn’t fawn over him quick enough.

***

Madison waited with the others as Luke went ahead into the spa to check out the place. All the women inside turned, their eyes checking him out from head to toe. He opened the door for the ladies.

“Well, well,” a woman came forward, greeting Sally. “Look who we have here.” She was staring straight at Luke.

“Verna darling,” Sally said.

Verna kissed the air around Sally’s cheeks. “Mwah, chica. Won’t you introduce me to this, um, beautiful specimen?”

“Luke, this is Verna. She’s the most brilliant artiste on the planet. And this, Verna, is Luke Parker, CEO of Parker Protection Services. Madison’s bodyguard.”

Verna offered her hand for Luke to kiss. He bowed over it and obliged her. She laughed. “Thank you. Most men don’t know what to do with my hand.”

Luke smiled politely. “It’s my pleasure.”

Verna gave Madison a speculative look. “Lucky girl.” She turned to Sally. “I’m so glad you brought your little protégé here. I so want to get to know her better.”

Madison cringed at Verna’s patronizing tone.

“My little protégé raked in over six figures last year,” Sally reminded Verna.

Verna’s eyes glittered. She was a beautiful woman, not in a natural way, as it was obvious she’d had a nose job and her hair was dyed a black-blue. Still, she was one of those women who aged well.

Nail technicians brought the three women back to the pedicure chairs. Verna and Sally sandwiched Madison. Luke, sitting by the entrance, was causing quite a bit of a stir among the women getting pedicures, giggling and whispering among themselves.

“Silly twits,” Verna said, eying the women. She turned to Madison. “You have quite the bodyguard. I’ve heard of his company. Very impressive. He has some high-profile clients.”

“I’m lucky to have him,” Madison said. At least through Nashville, she thought glumly.

“We only hire the best,” Sally said.

The tech applied oil on Madison’s hand and feet and started massaging them. Madison turned herself over to her, shutting her eyes at the pleasant sensation.

“What is he like?” Verna interrupted her relaxation.

Madison feigned ignorance. Verna’s obsession was starting to get annoying. “Who?”

“Luke.”

“I knew him in high school.”

“Really? What was he like back then?”

“Oh, the rebel type. Intense, brooding. He had transferred from school to school. His grades weren’t all that great.”

“I can see him as the rebel type,” Verna said, glancing his direction. “He seems so…dangerous.”

“Yeah, that he was.”

“I bet he rode a motorcycle,” she said.

“No, he didn’t have money for one. He probably would have wanted one, though. He drove a little Toyota.”

Madison’s nail technician finished manicuring one hand, the deep red of the polish flattering against her skin.

“What else do you know about him?” Verna leaned forward. “Dish.”

Madison really didn’t want to say any more to this gossip. Besides, what would she think if Madison had said, “In the summer, his hair lightened so much. He had puppy dog eyes. I couldn’t stay mad at him for too long. Some guys worked out at the gym, but Luke was the real deal. He worked at the junk yard, lifting car parts and using heavy tools all day. At the end of the day, he came to my house and made a pretend owl call so that I would look out my window and he could blow me a kiss. And sometimes, when he wanted to, he scaled our house and gave me a real one…”

She thought of the balconies where they were staying at. The young Luke would have scaled her balcony easily. What she would give to go back to those days.

Verna interrupted. “Well, huh?”

Madison blew on her nails and shrugged. “That’s about it.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Back at the vacation house from the spa, Madison could have slept in the warm bath. It felt good to relax. But it was time to get ready for the Governor’s Ball. She emerged from the tub, dried off with an over-sized, ultra-soft towel and dressed in her robe. Thelma and a swarm of assistants from the spa came in to get her ready for the evening.

Someone brushed out her long, wet hair, massaging Arghan oil throughout the strands. Another rubbed a soothing cream all over her body. Thelma put Madison’s face in an avocado mask.

Madison’s nose twitched. “I smell like a vegetable,” she said.

Thelma retorted. “Didn’t your mother tell you, vegetables are good for you?”

An hour later, the ladies had done their magic. Her hair shone and fell in soft waves around her face. Her skin glowed and shimmered with some body glitter. Additional drops of Arghan oil on her nails made them shine. Harry Winston had loaned her diamonds, just a simple strand necklace and teardrop-shaped earrings.

When Madison looked in the mirror, she smiled in pleasant surprise. Her long hair and the way the dress twisted around her figure made her look slender and graceful.

“Beautiful,” Thelma declared, clapping her hands with glee. “A picture, a picture, we need to take a picture!”

Madison took several campy ones, by herself and with the girls, until someone knocked on the door. It was Sally, checking on her.

“Ooh-la-la,” Sally said. “You look gorgeous, hon. It’s a beautiful dress.”

“It is,” Madison conceded, turning this way and that.

Sally herself looked fabulous in a pink pantsuit.

“Will there be a dinner at the Ball?” Thelma asked. “You should bring your lipstick if that’s the case.”

“For that price, there’d better be,” Sally declared.

The door was open. Luke passed by and stopped. Madison’s heart raced at the sight of him. The tux fit him beautifully. Despite everyone buzzing around her, Madison felt as though time slowed, and it was just her and Luke looking at each other the length of the room. He had no shades on, for a change, and his eyes frankly gazed at her. She could almost believe that it was like the old times, when his eyes lit up whenever he saw her. He gave her a little smile, then averted his eyes.

“Ready, ladies?” he asked, mostly directing his question at Sally. “The limo is waiting downstairs.”

“Come on, Luke,” Thelma chastised him. “Are you blind? No compliments for Madison over here?”

A smile hovered over his mouth. “She’s as pretty as a tamale wrapped in foil.”

Madison blushed with embarrassment. His jokey compliment shouldn’t sting, but it did. She smiled like she wasn’t offended, and picked up her matching silver purse. She was just going to pass Luke, but Luke offered his arm.

He squeezed her hand. “That was a joke,” he said.

“I know,” she said curtly.

“If you must know,” he said in a low voice, “you are the most exquisite thing I have seen in my life.” He reached up and traced her jaw with his finger.

Her step faltered and would have stumbled had he not steadied her with his arm. They had reached the bottom of the stairs, with her a rung higher than Luke. He turned and she instinctively put her hands on his broad shoulders. They leaned closer, the smell of his musk aftershave driving her insane, his face nuzzling her neck just like old times.

Sally’s heels clicked loudly on the floor upstairs. By the time she reached them at the bottom of the stairs, Madison was walking sedately beside Luke.

***

As the limo pulled up to the curb of the governor’s mansion, Luke sensed Madison tensing up beside him. Her right hand gripped the fabric of her skirt, while her other hand massaged her throat. Even with Sally there, Luke reached for Madison’s hands and squeezed them. Surely Sally couldn’t fault him for simply reassuring Madison.

“Hey,” he said. “You’re gonna knock ‘em dead.”

“I hope not,” she joked back with a weak smile. But at least she was smiling. Trusting. Believing.

His heart squeezed with love for this woman. He wanted to protect her from everything and everyone. And to love her openly. But that would have to wait, although he was getting impatient.

As soon as Luke opened the door and helped Madison out, members of the media surged forward, clamoring for her. Luke warded off the obnoxious photographers, while Madison clung to his arm.

His voice boomed. “Give Miss Kay some space and she’ll pose.”

He stepped back so the photographers could get a fill of her gorgeousness, but some in the press wanted them to be in a photo together. There wasn’t room for him to step away, even if he wanted to. So he was stuck in a kind of holding pattern beside Madison. Touching the small of her back. Standing so near he could smell her Chanel perfume. Her hair caressing his sleeve.

Which he didn’t mind one bit.

“Is it true that you and your new bodyguard were high school sweethearts?” a reporter asked.

Madison’s glance slid to him. She stammered, “Well, yes we dated, but…”

“And is it true that you are now dating again?”

Madison sought out his eyes. “No, that is not true,” she said firmly.

But we sure would love to.

“Then do you deny that you were hiking at Fall Creek Falls, and also hot air ballooning?”

Madison’s face flamed. “I’d really rather tell you why I’m here to support this benefit.” But the way her delicate nostrils flared and her body turned towards him, he wondered if she was distracted by his nearness. He certainly was. He wished they could just escape everyone and go outside.

The cameras paused for a minute in their whirring. Cameras rolled on, and reporters waited with rapt attention. “Go ahead,” someone prompted.

Madison took a deep breath. “When I was in high school, my father fought a valiant battle with cancer. He went from a vibrant, talented man, to just a shell of himself. His cancer was vigorous, rampant. The doctors said it was one of the most advanced cases they had seen. They gave him two months to live.”

She paused, her chest tightening with pain. “He passed not even a month into his treatments. There was nothing else we could really do at that point, other than make his last days comfortable.” She teared up. “If I could spare even one other human being the cruelty of cancer, I would do everything in my power to do so. Thank you.”

There were appreciative murmurs in the crowd, and beyond, Madison’s fans clapped and called for her.

As she passed Luke, he gave her an approving glance.

***

Madison got through the paparazzi to reach the people who mattered the most to her—her fans. They were sweet and boisterous and funny. Of course there was always the fan who wanted her to sign his bicep. Most carried CD liners. Some just had pieces of paper. Her heart warmed to them; they were more than just fans. They were like family to her. They kept her going despite the long nights and the doubts and frustrations of superstardom.

Behind her, she could sense Luke’s presence, which both calmed and made her happy. The questions back there were embarrassing. But celebrity cost one’s privacy, and poor Luke was the resulting casualty. She felt his hand on the small of her back. Someone was beckoning for her to come into the venue to get started. She moved along with him, his hand still pressed there, warmth seeping through.

Did he know how much he affected her? He’d have to be blind to not sense that she wanted him more than ever, that the teenage boy she’d fallen in love with was no match for this beautiful man by her side.

***

Luke stepped back from Madison’s side. It was time to take their seat at the tables and he wanted to defer to the other guests. Maybe he could even walk to the side, so that he could really scope out the venue. Fortunately, there was so much security crawling around, Madison’s safety was pretty assured.

A blond man in a green tux walked up to Madison and kissed her on both cheeks. “Madison, darling!”

These Hollywood types grated on Luke’s nerves.

“Billy,” Madison greeted him back.

Billy ushered her to one of the head tables near the stage. “Chan instructed me to make sure I get you seated when you arrive. We’re at this table together.”

“Great,” Madison said. She turned to Luke. “This is my bodyguard, Luke, who’s also my…my good friend.”

Luke acknowledged Madison’s words with a smile. Something seemed to have changed between them. A more open acknowledgment of their mutual attraction? A more open affection? He wondered if his support for her in the limo, before the paparazzi swarmed upon her, made a difference. Whatever it was, Luke welcomed it.

“Luke,” Madison said, touching his arm, “this is Billy Russ. He emcees American Country’s Sweetheart.”

Her fingers were on his sleeve just for a moment, but their exquisite warmth left a distinct imprint on his senses.

The two men exchanged glances. Billy’s was speculative. “Yes, I heard the questions the media asked when you first arrived. So, you two dated in high school?”

“Yes,” Madison said, her cheeks tinged with pink.

“And now you’re her bodyguard.”

“I don’t see what’s so odd about it,” Luke said. “I’ve always been protective of Madison. I just get paid well to do it now.” He grinned.

Billy laughed. “Clever, my man.” He took the seat to Madison’s right.

Madison smiled, too. Luke was about to take the seat to her left when Billy said, “Wait, aren’t you supposed to do a job here? Watch from the sidelines and all?”

Malice lurked in the depths of those weasel-like eyes.

Luke stood up but felt a hand on his arm. “Well, hello Luke,” Verna said, cozying up to him in a hot-red dress. “Sit by me and keep me company, won’t you?” Normally, Luke would have fled Verna, but he welcomed keeping the seat.

So Luke ended up sitting beside Madison anyway. Not that it mattered. Madison hung on to Billy’s words and laughed at his silly jokes.

Chan emerged from a side door, grinning when he saw Madison. “Welcome to my party, lovely lady. It looks like Billy found you like I instructed him.”

“Congratulations, Chan,” Madison said. “This party looks like a success.”

“It’s too early to say, but so far, so good. Luke! Looking sharp, man.” And then he was off to douse another fire.

“That was simply brilliant, my dear,” Billy fawned over Madison as the shrimp appetizers were brought out to the table. “What a great p.r. message that was. I’ll have to watch footage of your speech and see if I could tweak and add it to my cancer repertoire.”

Cancer repertoire. Was he for real?

“It wasn’t a p.r. message,” Madison said. “It was what I truly felt.”

“I know, right?” Billy said, his voice rising. “And isn’t that just so perfectly perfect? Imagine that, how handy it is to have such an experience, so you can call it up at an important time like tonight.”

Her voice strained, Madison said, “I wouldn’t wish it on an enemy.”

“What are you doing nowadays, darling?”

Madison set her glass down. “I have some new songs this year. More in the pop style. I’m trying to crossover.”

“Brilliant. I loved your last song.”

“Thanks. It was fun.”

Luke attacked his shrimp appetizer, even though it tasted like cardboard. What an overpriced mess of a meal. And now they were bringing out a French onion soup with soggy bread floating in it. He was surprised that the normally fussy Chan would let details like that slide.

He groaned inwardly. He needed to get a better attitude on, or this was going to be a long night.

“Luke,” Verna said, walking a couple of fingers along his sleeve. “We should go back to my condo later, mmm? I want to discuss your services.”

Luke glanced at her ring finger, which sported a huge diamond solitaire. She also had huge veins on her hands that no amount of makeup or tanning beds could fix.

“Yes, I’m married,” she said, “but there’s always room for friends.”

“I don’t believe in cheating,” Luke said. “Besides, I’m working 24/7. I can’t leave my client for a…one-on-one party.”

Verna’s eyes turned into slits. “Too bad. You look like you could use a friend. I could create and destroy someone in this town.”

“Oh, don’t be such a diva, Verna,” Sally said. “Leave the poor man alone.”

Verna’s smile didn’t reach her eyes.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

Madison was just half-listening to Billy talk on and on about his newest career move, making online channel skits. She could hear the conversation drifting from the other side of the table, where Verna was flirting with Luke.

Ugh.

Luke didn’t seem to mind. Madison stole a glance over. Verna was practically in Luke’s lap, she was leaning so close.

“We should go back to my condo later, mmm?” Verna said. “I want to discuss your services.”

Oh, I’m sure you would.

Madison resolutely turned back to Billy, who was still droning on and on about the joys of being an online star. With a little alarm, she also noticed that he was on his fourth glass of wine. The conversation with him was unraveling to a slurfest.

Madison speared her salad on her fork and ate it half-heartedly. There was too much dressing on it, and the croutons were kind of crushed into it. The water was almost all gone.

Why had she even come? She was getting a headache.

Wait, it’s for the kids, always for the kids. Her mood lightened.

“…and now I never really did like the guy…” Billy was now regaling her with a prolonged joke where she couldn’t make out the start nor the end, nor where the punch line lay. She just sipped her water and nodded.

Madison felt bad that she wasn’t as engaged in his conversation. “You’re so talented, Billy,” Madison said. “What’s your secret?”

Billy gave her a tipsy grin. “That, my dear is intellectual property. But I certainly can tutor you sometime. Tonight, perhaps? Afterwards?” His wet lips grazed her ear.

“No, thanks,” Madison said, inching away.

But he persisted. “I can do wonders for your career, darling…”

With revulsion, she stuck out her hand and knocked his glass of water into his lap. He yelled and stood up, soaked through.

“I am so sorry,” she said, blinking innocently.

Billy wiped the water off his lap, the cloud in his face giving way to a drunken smile. He staggered back. “I’m going to the bathroom,” he told Madison. “Don’t move.”

Where would Madison go to anyway even if she wanted to move?

“Never married?” Verna was asking Luke. “Why ever not?”

“There was a girl I wanted to marry a while back, but she dumped me.”

“Her loss.”

“Yeah, I guess.”

“What was her excuse?”

“I guess she never loved me enough.”

Madison wanted to scream. Between Billy’s advances, Verna’s flirtations, and Luke’s accusations, she’d had enough. She tapped Luke’s arm.

“I’m going to the restroom.” She got up without waiting for his response.

***

The restroom was situated in the far end of the ballroom. On her way there, several people hailed Madison, making small talk and complimenting her on her dress. Finally, she got away, shutting the door to the outside world. She felt as though there was a weight on her chest. She had to take a few deep, calming breaths to regain her composure.

As she washed her hands, she studied her reflection in the mirror. The lights in the powder room were perfect for makeup. If Thelma could have seen it, she would freak.

Objectively, Madison looked at her reflection. She looked pretty and the dress was gorgeous, but her eyes looked haunted. Unhappy. Reflecting the girl deep down inside.

Sighing, she wiped her hands dry, rubbed lotion from a fancy dispenser into her hand, and exited. She suppressed a scream when she saw a man leaning against the wall directly opposite from the restroom door.

“Don’t do that,” Madison said. “You scared me.”

“I scared you?” Luke smirked. “I was just standing here.”

“Why?”

“Um, it’s my job?”

“I didn’t even notice you following me,” she said.

“No, I figured you probably wouldn’t.”

Her eyes narrowed. “Why would you say that?”

“You’ve been preoccupied with that Billy Russ, for one.”

“Oh, him.” She looked around in a panic. “He’s not around here, is he?”

Luke smirked. “He staggered back to our table.”

“He and Verna can hang out together tonight,” she said.

His eyes, usually solemn nowadays, glimmered with amusement. She tried to suppress a smile, but the laughter just bubbled up. Soon, they were both laughing, holding their sides. When their chuckles subsided, she realized they were practically side-by-side, their backs against the wall, their arms next to each other.

Close enough to touch.

She turned her head just as he turned his, their gazes colliding. A yearning rose from the pit of her stomach, overwhelming her senses. She inched closer, lifting her lips for him to kiss.

“No, Madison,” he said, grabbing her by the shoulders and keeping her away from him.

Tears of humiliation stung her eyes. Blindly, she struck out. “Why don’t you go with Verna tonight, then?”

“Verna?”

“She wanted you to go to her condo.”

“You know I can‘t do that while I’m protecting you.”

“Right,” she lashed out. “Because that’s what I am, just a job. A client. Yup. Got it. Go be with Verna tonight. I’m giving you the night off.”

She pushed off the wall to stalk off, but his hand circled her wrist. “Stop being so bratty.”

“Is that why you haven’t kissed me all this time?” she said. “You still look at me like some child? You’re attracted to older women like Verna?”

“Madison, stop.”

But she couldn’t. He was right about her being a brat. She was being petty, but she couldn’t help it. She wanted answers. “Why won’t you kiss me, Luke?”

Luke gazed at her mouth, then looked away. “You’re not being fair.”

She threw her arms around his neck and pulled him down for a kiss.

***

As soon as her lips touched his, all bets were off.

She pressed herself against him without any finesse, just barreling through like a brat. She pulled back and was breathing hard.

She wanted a kiss? She was going to get a kiss.

He circled one arm around her waist and threaded the fingers of his other hand through her hair, cradling her jaw. And then he just waited.

One second, two, three, slow painful strokes where she watched him, fascinated and yearning. He lowered his lips and brushed them gently against hers. Then pulled back again. Her eyes were clouded with wanting. Her mouth was his for the taking.

Suddenly, his self-control broke. With a groan, he kissed her fully, deeply. He was as a thirsty man in the desert, giving and taking. She clung to him, her body straining to get close. He was lost in the sensation of finally having her in his arms, and kissing her sweet, sweet mouth. They could’ve been there fifteen minutes or they could have been there for ages.

He drew back reluctantly and leaned his forehead against hers. “Go along,” he said, his voice shaky.

She blinked several times. “What?”

“Join the others. I’ll be right there.”

Her brow furrowed in confusion.

“I made a promise and I’m going to honor that promise,” he said.

The light in her eyes dimmed. “I see.” She took a step back, hurt reflecting in her expression. “How very noble.”

“If you could only wait until after Nashville—”

“Don’t worry,” she bit off. “I get it. It’ll be a clean break then.” She turned and marched off.

“Madison,” he said, but she kept walking.

He expelled a frustrated sigh. Had they made such inroads only to lose ground again?

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Luke was back into bodyguard mode, scanning the hallway and spotting Verna as soon as he rounded the corner.

“Well, well,” she said, walking right up to him. “Guess what I saw just now?”

Luke had a sinking feeling, confirmed by her holding up a phone photo of him and Madison kissing.

“Caught in HD resolution,” she said.

Luke closed his eyes, then opened them again, oddly at peace.

“Does Sally realize the snake she’d allowed in her nest?” she said.

“Really, Verna?” he said, anger simmering to the surface. “You’d actually stoop to blackmail?”

“Who said I would blackmail you?” she retorted. “I don’t really give a hoot if you kiss the princess or not. But you speak of integrity, how you won’t stoop to lower standards. But you breach your bodyguard arrangement. I was curious as to why she’d even consider hiring someone with such back history. She told me you promised to keep things platonic with Madison. Oh, la la. No wonder the girl couldn’t take her eyes off you. All that frustration. A perfect recipe for a sappy love song.”

“I don’t care if you show that to Sally,” Luke said, pushing past Verna.

He straightened his suit as he approached the table. Madison raised her eyes to his, then gave him a tentative smile. Her sweetness shone through. Despite what happened in the hallway, she continued to offer him her friendship.

Madison sure was one of a kind.

As he took his seat, she turned towards him. “Hi,” she whispered.

Which made what he was he about to do even more difficult. But it was for the best. For her. If they kept the status quo, he could continue in his work. They would cross the bridge after Nashville.

“Hello,” he said coolly, then deliberately turned so that he faced away. Verna approached, looking like a cat who ate the cream.

For the rest of the evening, he avoided Madison’s gaze, talking to Verna entirely. When he faced forward, he caught Madison studying his profile, looking hurt and bewildered.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

Madison tried to put on a brave face even though all she wanted to do was run off and leave.

The emcee called for some children to come up. They were cancer survivors, and some were survivors the second time around. Suddenly, Madison’s plight didn’t seem so very hard anymore. Compared to what these kids were going through, her problems were nothing.

Applause brought Madison back to present. She realized she was crying. To her left, she could sense Luke glancing at her. She refused to turn to him tonight for comfort. Not after his bewildering about-face.

A little boy who looked to be about eight came forward from the line of children on the stage. “My name is Danny,” he said. “I’m six years old and I have cancer. My mommy tells me I can be whatever I want to be someday. I want to be an astronaut.”

People clapped.

Danny continued. “I go in for the pokeys every week. I don’t like that part, but I like the toys. And when people come and say hi. Especially basketball players. They’re really nice. My favorite movie is ‘Cars’ and my favorite singer is Madison Kay. My mom likes her music a lot and plays it for me at night.”

Madison’s eyes teared up at the sweet mention.

“Aww,” Sally said, leaning over and looking at Madison. “You should go and get a photo with him later, hon.”

***

Luke watched Madison from the sidelines. Madison was a natural with kids. She chatted with them as though they’d known each other for a long time. Not just kids, really. She had a gift of making anyone feel special. Heaven knew Luke needed that gift years ago.

Back then, he had no one except for Madison. She was a light to him when there was darkness. She gave him a lifeline when he needed one. He wished things had worked out differently between them. And watching her now, interacting with Danny and other kids who’d lined up for photos with her, he knew she’d make a great mom.

Chan sidled over to him. “She’s terrific, isn’t she?”

“Yes, she is.” Luke said. He watched as she laughed, and hugged, and posed in that lovely dress. He remembered the kiss and the sensations. After ten years, nothing had changed. He was still as besotted over her as he had been then. Maybe even more.

“Oh, no,” Chan cut into his thoughts. “I need to get the eclairs out.” He punched Luke’s arm. “Don’t blow it with Madison, man.”

And then he moved away, leaving Luke bemused.

“You should get a photo with her, Luke,” Sally said. “You don’t look too bad yourself.”

Her trust in him was ironic. If only she knew. “After the kids,” he said.

When the line didn’t seem like it would peter out anytime soon, Sally pushed him and had him cut ahead.

He protested. “This is like putting me ahead of kittens. It’s criminal.”

Madison’s face didn’t give any hint that anything was amiss. She just smiled at him brightly, if a bit forced, and hammed it up for the photographers. She raised an arm to him, but he didn’t take the bait. Instead, he kept his hands to himself, just as her bodyguard ought.

Her smile turned brittle, her eyes glittering with hurt. He hated himself at that moment; hated what he was doing to her and letting her down yet again, but it was for the best. When the photo shoot was done, Madison gave him the cold shoulder. Chan’s advice came too late. He’d already blown his chances with her, he was sure.

***

Through the limo window, Madison watched Nashville flash past.

Beside her, Sally groaned. “Ah, my feet. Next time, I swear, I will not wear heels to these events. I will go barefoot like a gorilla. I saw you talking to Billy Russ, Madison. Did you do as I say and get a gig on his show?”

“No, I didn’t,” Madison said dully.

“Oh, never mind. That’s okay. He was embarrassingly sloshed tonight. His daddy would have a fit.” To Luke, she said, “His daddy’s a pastor.”

“No kidding,” Luke said.

“Did you have fun?” Sally asked Luke.

“Yeah, sure.”

Madison closed her eyes and leaned her weary head against the window.

“Something wrong, honey?” Sally said.

“Just…just tired, that’s all.”

“For sure get some rest tonight. Remember that tomorrow is that church potluck, and that’ll make for some cute photo opps.”

Who cares about photo opps?

When they got to the house, Luke opened Madison’s limo door. Without looking at him, she went on past and entered the darkened house. It was quiet; Thelma must already have gone to bed. She climbed the staircase. Jaunty, like nothing was wrong, even though her whole world felt like it was caving in. She listened for Luke’s steps behind her, but he didn’t follow right away.

He doesn’t want me, after all.

Entering the sanctuary of her bedroom, she shut the door.

For several moments, she just stood surveying the semi-darkness. She didn’t think her heart could hurt badly again, but it did.

She wished she hadn’t flung herself at him. She wished they hadn’t kissed. It just opened floodgates to emotions she should have buried a long time ago.

Her guitar glowed a dull white. She thought about writing a poem, but the wound was still too fresh. She just wanted to crawl in bed and sleep off the pain.

She thought she could love him again. She thought he could love her. Well, she was wrong on both counts.

And you know what else? He could go to Verna’s penthouse. And eat as many of Thelma’s tamales as he wanted. She didn’t care!

She threw herself onto her bed and sobbed.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

“Have you been crying, honey?” Thelma asked Madison when they got together for makeup in the morning.

It was Sunday. They were going to church, after which they would stay for the potluck.

“Yes,” Madison said, feeling like her head was going to split open.

“But why? Tell Thelma all about it.”

Madison shook her head and just bit her lip to try to keep herself from crying some more.

“Is it man trouble?”

Madison nodded and burst into a fresh round of tears.

“There, there.” Thelma patted Madison on the back, then grumbled. “I’d like to give him a piece of my mind. Is it a certain, ahem, bodyguard?”

Madison didn’t answer. She didn’t have to.

“And I thought he was a gentleman,” Thelma said.

“You can’t say anything to anyone about this,” Madison implored. “Especially Sally.”

Thelma sighed. “Sally is a wonderful lady, don’t get me wrong, but she sure isn’t very smart about the heart. I could smell this romance a mile away. I knew it was going to be plain trouble.” Her voice softened. “But that’s not going to help my gal, is it?”

Madison shook her head as she roughly brushed off the tears with her hands.

Thelma lifted Madison’s chin. “Buck up, girl. Let’s get to work, shall we? We’re going to show whats-his-bucket what he’s missing.”

***

Luke knocked on Sally’s bedroom door, shifting his weight from one foot to the other.

Sally opened it. “Come in, come in.”

Luke stepped over a little rolling suitcase full of papers.

“Have a seat wherever, Luke,” Sally said. “We’re not stuck-up formal around here.”

“It’s okay. I just need to tell you something.”

“All right.” She glanced at him curiously. “What?”

“Madison and I kissed last night.”

The words echoed in the room. Sally sat there absorbing this news. The wonderful feeling of Madison in his arms crept into Luke’s mind.

Sally held up her phone. “Verna sent me proof this morning.” She crossed her arms. “But you ‘fessed up without me busting you first. Interesting.”

“It’s not his fault, it was mine,” Madison chimed in.

Luke’s head swiveled so quickly, he got whiplash. Madison had joined them from the hallway and came to a stop alongside him. “Sorry, I couldn’t help but overhear.” She gave Sally a wry smile. “I forced myself on him.”

“That’s not exactly true,” Luke said, raking his fingers through his hair. “Madison, you shortchange yourself. I hadn’t exactly kissed you against my will.”

“Well, yeah, you kissed me back,” she said, blushing at the memory, “but I pushed you into it. Badgered. You can admit as much.” There was a catch in her voice. “I was being a brat, so I take responsibility for it.”

Sally looked from one to the other. “Although I appreciate your coming to me, Luke, this presents a dilemma. You’d said you would basically fire yourself as her bodyguard if something like this were to happen.”

“Yes,” he said, “I did say that. And I intend to honor my promise. I wish things could have turned out different.” He gazed meaningfully at Madison.

“Geez,” Sally said. “Listen guys. With the concert just around the corner, I don’t know that we want to do drastic changes.” She gazed steadily into Luke’s eyes. “I like you, Luke. You seem like an honorable man. I can see why Madison can’t resist you. But let’s keep things chill right now until the concert. Can I count on you that much?”

He glanced at Madison. “Chill, as in…?”

“We’ll just pretend nothing happened. You won’t give Verna and the other journalists an excuse to rake Madison through the coals right now.” She held up her phone photo. “No kissing. No romance. No official dates. I think that’s a pretty reasonable expectation. If you go somewhere, go with others.” She raised an eyebrow. “Okay?”

“Okay,” both replied.

The pair walked to the door. Luke got to the door first but deferred to Madison. That simple act, of letting her pass him in close proximity, reminded Luke of their kiss in the hallway. Heat suffused her cheeks as his lingering glance indicated he had remembered, too.

Thank goodness Sally didn’t forbid thinking about kissing.

***

Luke adjusted his suit jacket and tie and came out of his bedroom. He dreaded running into Madison in the hallway and see her accusing glare. Her bedroom door was open, and it looked like she had already come out.

Madison’s laugh echoed from downstairs.

He was surprised to hear her so happy. Last night, she had looked so down. Apparently, she rebounded pretty quickly. As he came down the stairs, he heard a man speaking. It was that annoying Billy Russ.

What was he doing here?

And then he remembered. Billy’s dad was the pastor of the Sunday congregation they were going to attend that morning.

Luke entered the kitchen, where everyone was eating breakfast. Madison glanced haughtily at Luke, then turned her attention back to Billy, who looked badly hung over.

Heck, Luke’s head hurt and he didn’t even drink. He ate his toast and bacon in silence and sat apart from the others until it was time to go.

Billy joined Madison in the limo cab, so Luke sat in the front passenger seat. He seethed as he listened to Madison and Billy finishing each other’s sentences. As they drove through Nashville neighborhoods, Luke tried to focus on the passing scenery. He was on the lookout for a brown truck but didn’t see one. Relaxing, he remembered his days in Louisiana, on Sundays. People cleaned up good and shared their bounty.

Billy beat him to Madison’s door, so Luke went ahead and scoped the chapel out. He was on the lookout for anything out of place, but the congregation was just your normal church folk in their Sunday dress.

Luke sat a row behind Madison. He couldn’t help but every so often glance at her, at her lovely silk-like hair and the way she sat, poised and lady-like. He ached to be close to her again, to kiss her.

At that moment, she turned.

He lowered his eyes to his hands, clasped together as though he was devout in his service. When he knew she had turned forward again, he got up.

He longed for something he couldn’t have. This was an impossible situation. He would wait outside.

As he leaned against the outside church wall, warm from the afternoon sun, he recalled those old days when he’d sneak outside for a smoke.

He wished he had one.

A brown pick-up truck came into view. Instantly, his senses were on high alert. But the truck just rattled past the church. Luke reminded himself to pay extra close attention to this crowd.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

Madison had written off Billy last night, but when he was sober, he really was charming. Just the right kind of silliness that could distract her from her worries. In his father’s congregation, he was also friendly, putting the members at ease.

She had misjudged him harshly, just as she had misjudged Luke. She thought Luke cared about her, but all he cared about was his bodyguard job. Well, that was all right. She wasn’t stupid enough to fling herself at someone who didn’t want her.

With the services over and done with, the crowd filed out into the sultry summer afternoon. Magnolia trees shaded the church’s spacious lawn area, where tables were laid out with Southern dishes. Madison’s mouth watered as she noted the fried chicken, potato salad, rhubarb pie, and buttered corn. Dozens of people milled about so they could be first at the buffet line. More people streamed from the direction of the congregation’s cars.

As Madison stepped out into the sunlight, several parishioners converged upon her.

Where is Luke?

The parishioners shook her hand and warmly welcomed her to Nashville. One woman went so far as to ask her for her autograph. Madison felt funny doing this at church, but she did it for the woman anyway. She went away, beaming.

“Miss Kay!” Billy’s dad came up to her. He was an older, white-haired version of Billy. “I’m Pastor Greg and I wish to welcome you to our congregation.”

“Thank you so much,” she said.

“I was wondering if you’d like to give us the pleasure of giving the blessing on the food.”

“I’d be happy to.”

After she prayed, Pastor Greg insisted that she be the first in line. She declined. “That would be prideful,” she protested.

“No ma’am,” he said. “We’re just so thrilled that you can be here.”

In the end, she compromised and didn’t go to the very back of the line. Billy kept her company with his usual prattle. Madison looked around for Luke but couldn’t see him. She wondered where he had gone.

Madison and Billy sat near the back church wall. Tucking into her plate, she savored the down home southern comfort food: puddings, meat pies and tartlets, fried chicken, chunky potato salads, sweet potato and pecan pie and collard greens.

Luke joined them from the parking lot and was looking around, as though he were searching for someone. When his eyes lit upon her, his facial muscles relaxed. He slowly made his way towards her.

She lowered her gaze to her food and tried to focus on what Billy was saying, “I’m still up for my online channel interview if you are,” he said.

“Of course,” she said, aware that Luke had arrived, and was standing next to her.

“I was just checking in,” Luke said. “Everything okay?”

“Sure,” she lied. Everything but her heart was okay.

She couldn’t see the expression behind his sunglasses. “I’m going to get some food now that the lines have died down.”

“Of course,” she said.

Luke made his way across the church yard, making every woman on that Sabbath day stare.

***

Billy was solicitous and kept Madison company, bringing her back a limeade drink. She sipped the refreshing concoction as Billy settled beside her. And then someone approached.

She saw his scuffed shoes first. She had seen them somewhere before…at a concert with thousands of screaming fans.

When Frank Dell had come up to the stage to put his arms around her.

She’d looked down at his shoes. They were stained with white paint. The same white paint he had used to write his message on his poster board for Madison to see:

I love you, Madison. ~ Frank

She was afraid to look up but forced herself to do so. She’d only had a fleeting glimpse of Frank Dell’s face, and even now, would she have been able to pick him out in a line-up of devout church goers? He was a Southern gentleman, with his old-fashioned suit and narrow tie, hat askew on his graying hair. But there was something off with his eyes. His light blue, translucent eyes devoured her face.

“Hello, Madison,” Frank Dell said.

Blood drained from her face and she felt faint. In her nightmares, his voice sounded folksy, sincere. As it did so today.

In the waistband of his pants, he had tucked a gun. His hand inched to it now.

Does he plan to shoot me?

Luke, where are you?

Madison frantically searched the crowd for Luke. There he was coming her way with a plate full of food.

I need you now!

But the pastor crossed paths with Luke and started talking to him.

No.

“Hey,” Billy’s voice cut through the madness. “What are you up to, dude?”

Frank Dell’s expression turned wild. He pulled the gun. Billy’s eyes grew wide and he raised his arms in protection. Frank shot Billy in the stomach.

Madison heard screaming, over and over, and realized, it was coming from her.

***

Luke heard the gunshot, then Madison’s scream. He shoved his plate at the pastor and spotted Madison instantly in her light blue dress. A man he presumed was Frank Dell yanked her to her feet. She struggled as he dragged her, kicking and screaming, until he let go and fled into the pandemonium.

Madison was kneeling on the floor trying to staunch Billy’s gunshot wound. Blood seeped into the concrete. Luke was relieved to see that she seemed unscathed.

“Are you okay?” he asked Madison, and she nodded mutely, her eyes ringed with fear.

“I’m a doctor,” a man said, and everyone made room for him to help Billy while someone called 911. Luke stood up to chase after Frank Dell. He could see him running towards the church’s back lot. He was about to go when he felt Madison’s hand on his sleeve, leaving a bloody imprint.

“Don’t leave me,” she implored. Fear filled her eyes.

Luke knelt and put his arm around her. Sally rushed over.

“I need to catch Frank,” Luke told Madison. “Sally will stay with you, okay?”

Madison nodded as Sally took over. By the time Luke went the direction he’d last seen Frank, there were too many other people rushing away from the church and to their cars. The brown truck was gone.

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

Luke scooped a sedated Madison from the car and carried her to the house. Sally led the way, opening doors and telling Thelma in hushed tones what happened. Thelma looked frightened.

“Help me get her bedroom ready,” Luke instructed.

Thelma ran ahead of him, opening Madison’s door and turning down the comforter. She was about to pull back the drapes, too, but Luke said, “Just leave them shut.”

He left Madison in Thelma’s care so she could change her out of her clothes into something more comfortable, and when that was done, he returned to Madison’s bedside. Luke sat on the edge of the bed, pushing back the hair from her face. Her chest rose and fell with each breath. She looked peaceful, and his chest loosened.

Luke blamed himself for what happened. If he would have hurried over to Madison’s side, he could have gotten the perp. And he shouldn’t have stopped when the pastor started talking to him. But of course, Luke couldn’t have guessed that in that church, that evil man had entered, like a snake in the grass.

He rubbed the back of his neck, trying to loosen his stiff muscles. What a day it had been.

Billy had lost some blood, but he was going to be fine. The congregation was shaken and would hold prayer rallies.

Luke’s thoughts turned once again to Madison. Until Frank Dell was disposed of, she would continue to live her life in fear. Luke vowed that he would do everything in his power so Madison could be happy.

He reached out again and caressed her cheek with his thumb. “That’s my promise to you,” he whispered.

***

Luke answered the door to Sgt. Castro and his men.

“May I come in?” the cop said.

Luke grudgingly let him in. Now that Billy Russ was injured, maybe they would take this guy seriously.

“I’ve been studying your perp,” Sgt. Castro said. “Fifty year old male, high school dropout, but known in his school as a bookish person. Self-taught himself how to fix cars, then he moved on to sewing machines, of all things. Whenever he’d deliver sewing machines to women, he got kind of creepy so he’d get reported to the Better Business Bureau and he’d skip town and target a new set of housewives.”

“Eventually married Angie Peterson,” the cop continued, “and they had a child. Child’s name was Paisley. He loved Paisley so much that he built her a doll house that rivaled a shed. His wife didn’t like him spending that kind of money, so he hit her around and she filed for divorce. He shared custody of Paisley. One day they were out hiking and Paisley went missing. Frank was accused of murdering her. Verdict is still out today. We think he didn’t do it, but considering he’s just shot a man in the stomach and tried to kidnap Madison, I wouldn’t put it past him that he might have made his own daughter disappear.”

Luke frowned. “Why did he target Madison?”

“Who knows?” Sgt. Castro shrugged.

Luke rubbed his jaw. “This guy should have been locked up years ago.”

“Jails are overflowing with worse criminals.”

“So where does that put us?” Luke said.

Sgt. Castro shrugged. “Unfortunately, until we track him down, nowhere.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

Madison woke in darkness. Confused, she glanced at her bedside clock. It was eight in the morning and the drapes had been pulled shut. Memories of yesterday afternoon’s attack returned to her in full force. Had she been asleep this whole time? And what about Billy Russ? Was he going to be okay?

She replayed the shot in her mind—that sulphuric smell of gunpowder, the loud gunshot, Billy collapsing onto the concrete patio, the panic that ensued. Despite her protests, the EMTs gave her drugs to calm her. She had given herself over to Luke and he carried her to the limo and to the house.

As her eyes got used to the darkness, she realized that Luke was asleep on the chaise lounge, his tie undone, his jacket off, his muscular body and legs splayed out. His shoes were off and his feet were encased in black socks. Had he slept there the entire time?

She stretched, waking him with that slight sound. “Hi,” he said, his voice thick with sleep.

“Good morning.” She smiled shyly. “You stayed there all night?”

“Yup.” He yawned. “I didn’t want you to wake up alone.”

A warmth seeped into her chest. He leaned forward, rubbing sleep from his eyes. He looked rumpled, with the top two buttons undone and the sleeves folded to his elbows. Rugged.

“Thanks,” she said.

“You’re welcome.” He stood up and padded over, carrying his shoes. “I’m going to go shower real quick. Would you like me to send in someone to keep you company? Thelma had offered.”

“I’ll be okay, I think. Thanks.”

His dark eyes held mysteries and surveyed her warmly. To her surprise, he leaned over and brushed a strand of hair from her cheek. “Holler if you need anything.”

She nodded. He left, shutting the door behind him. She touched her cheek and smiled at the memory of his touch.

***

Sally went in to see Madison, offering to bring up breakfast, but Madison wanted to return to normalcy as fast as she could. Her room, facing out to the street with the balcony, made her feel vulnerable but she didn’t want to be a burden to anyone, so she didn’t say anything about that. She came down to a breakfast of a fruit smoothie and everyone spoke quietly around her until she wanted to scream.

“I’m not an invalid,” she reminded Sally.

Luke joined them at the table and sat beside Madison. He gave her a tired smile.

“Hon,” Sally told Madison. “The concert people called and said that the stage is all set for your dress rehearsal. I told them I wasn’t sure if you were ready.”

Madison drew a deep breath. Being on stage sounded like the scariest thing in the world right then. Every fiber of her being fought the idea.

But people were counting on her. The concert organizers, the advertisers, her fans.

“Would people be allowed to watch?” she asked.

“Nobody that you don’t want there will be allowed to watch. The gates will be locked and the premises secured.” Sally’s voice gentled. “You don’t have to go out there until you’re ready.”

“I’ll…I’ll give it a shot,” she said.

Beside her, Luke was quiet, not eating much. She glanced at his large hands, capable of violence with his weapon but also tenderness. Last night, she thought she dreamed that he’d sat by her on the bed and caressed her face.

“I want a gun,” Madison said.

Luke and Sally exchanged glances. “I can arrange to get you one easily,” he said.

Sally hedged. “I don’t know, hon, we have Luke here for that very reason.”

Madison averted her eyes. “I want to have a weapon in case…” She took a deep breath. “…in case something were to happen and Luke isn’t there.”

Sally nodded, though her eyes looked troubled. “That’s fine, hon.”

“I have an extra gun,” Luke said. “We can train…”

“I took shooting classes,” she interjected. “I just need to brush up on using one.”

“Good. That makes things easier.”

Minutes later, Luke was delivering a gun to Madison. She traced the weapon with her fingers. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” His eyes held anguish. “It’s loaded, but the safety’s on.”

Madison wished she could say that having a gun made her feel safer, but it didn’t. Nothing but having Frank Dell behind bars probably would.

CHAPTER THIRTY

The limo pulled up to the Riverfront Park. It had been three days since the attack at the church.

“Give me a moment, ‘kay?” she asked Luke.

Luke nodded. “I’ll be right here when you’re ready to come out.”

Sally touched Madison’s arm. “You don’t have to do this, hon, if you don’t want to.”

Madison nodded.

“I have to chat with some of the stage crew,” Sally said. “Are you gonna be okay if I go do that?”

Madison didn’t like being coddled, but she knew that Sally meant well. “Yes,” she assured her.

But Sally was right. Nothing felt normal anymore. The gun that Madison carried in her purse didn’t make things feel normal. She wished she could just wake up and it would all just be a bad dream.

Like Sally promised, the Park was empty except for a few people on the stage next to the water. She’d performed here once before, as a front act for Kacey Peters, who was one of her mentors early on in her career. And now Madison was back as the headliner.

How times had changed.

Madison took a deep breath and pulled on the limo handle. Luke opened the door all the way and helped her out. She clung to his touch for comfort. He gazed at her intently and squeezed her hand. She squeezed it back before appearances dictated that they let go of the other.

Today, Luke wore a white polo shirt with the logo of his company on the upper chest. He looked burly, muscular, and tough. Someone to not reckon with.

Are you watching Frank Dell? You have nothing against Luke. Nothing.

She hated thinking of his name. It was almost like legitimizing the non-relationship that she had with him.

Madison put on her sunglasses, walking down the steps leading to the stage. She loved this venue. Too bad that the performers themselves have to face inland, so they couldn’t see the blue of the waters, or the riverboat cruises that floated lazily along. She let the view of fat white clouds lift her spirits. It felt great to be outside, and to not be the prisoner of her own success.

Her phone rang. Madison stopped and took the call.

“Hey, how’s my baby girl?” Mom said.

“Fine, Mom.”

“Sally called me.”

“Good. She said she would.”

“I wish…I wish I could take this all away from you.”

“I wish you could take it all away, too.”

“But it’s all right, darling, you’re gonna come out on top. You always do.”

“Thanks for always believing in me, Mom.”

“Of course.”

“Also, I think that’s great that Luke is protecting you. I always did like him.”

Madison chuckled, because her mom was kind of stretching the truth. “Mom, you know he scared you at first.”

“Well, yes. Any boy who looked like him—ahem, ruggedly handsome—would. I was afraid he was gonna take you out of my nest at the very first chance he had.”

“Well, he didn’t,” she said, without any trace of bitterness.

“Tell him hi from me.”

“I will.”

Madison leaned into the phone, suddenly wanting her mother badly. She knew, if she asked her, she’d be over there in a lickety split second, making her some comfort soup. In Madison’s case, it was broccoli soup. But Mom had her obligations, soccer games, play dates, and a household full of little ones running underfoot.

“Mom,” Madison said, her voice softening, “when this tour is over, let’s go and travel somewhere fun together. You can bring the kids and George.”

“That sounds super, sweetie. That’s a date.”

When Madison hung up, Luke was watching her.

“Mom says hi,” she said.

“That’s nice of her. I always did like her.”

“She likes you, too. She’d probably be impressed with how your life turned out.” She opened her mouth to say something else, but changed her mind.

“What?” he asked, as they continued to walk down to the stage.

“I was just remembering something she said after we’d been dating for a while. “She called you a diamond in the rough.”

He chuckled. “I take that as a compliment.”

“I would, too,” she said.

***

Once she was on stage, she met the band who were locals hired for this venue. She knew they would be the best in what they do, and soon they proved her right, by jamming casually to one of her songs. The speakers needed some adjusting, so Madison talked for a bit with the crew. They were warm and welcoming, and, as a lone girl in the mix, they treated her sweetly like a lady.

A sudden noise startled her from the side of the stage. When she looked over, it turned out it was just a flock of birds. Even though it wasn’t anything to worry about, she felt like someone was pushing down on her chest. She turned to look for Luke. He sat on stage, too, on a chair near Madison. Madison knew that behind his shades, he was scanning the stage, the amphitheater. She felt much better.

The music finally adjusted, Madison waited for the cue for her song, and she started swaying to the music. As the song swelled to its rousing start, Madison tapped her cowgirl boots. The band fed off her energy. They were a fun group of musicians. She went over to the drummer, the bassist and the pianist several times, just improvising and hamming it up.

When it came time for a ballad, Madison signaled for a little break. She went over to where Luke was. He gave up his chair for her to sit on and got another one, so he was facing her but sitting on the chair backwards.

“What do you think so far?” she asked.

He took off his shades and set them on his head. “You’re very talented.”

“Thanks. It helps to have a great group of musicians.”

“Don’t be so modest,” he said. “You carry the band.”

She smiled.

“I love your slower songs. Those are my favorite.”

“Me, too. In fact, I have a new one.”

She went back to her spot and he took over his chair once again. When she was all comfortable, Madison picked up her guitar and tuned it.

“Hey,” she told the band, “would y’all like to hear a new song that I wrote?”

They all nodded enthusiastically.

She went ahead and gave them the chords to try. After a couple of runs, they had jazzed it up with several chord progressions. They were truly amazing and talented people.

“This here is dedicated to my friend Luke.”

There were wolf whistles and catcalls. Luke took off his shades and smiled.

I remember how you once were

You came to school and acted so tough

Didn’t like you at first, but it got better

And I could see the diamond in the rough

When you are polished

You will shine

You’re my rock…my diamond in the rough.

That first time you opened yourself up
to the truth that you were good enough

That you could be the hidden gem

But you were just a diamond in the rough.

When you are polished

You will shine

You’re my rock…my diamond in the rough.

She plucked the end chords and let the notes die down. She didn’t dare look at Luke. She knew that this song was the most intimate she’d ever written about him. But she wanted him to know, regardless of how things turned out between them, that she thought the world of him.

The boy you were once, is now a man

You’ve weathered life’s storms so tough

You stand before me now complete

And I’ve found the diamond in the rough

I love your polish

I love your shine

My rock…no longer a diamond in the rough

Madison glanced at Luke to see what he thought of the song. His eyes were shining and a smile hovered over his lips.

When rehearsal was done, he came over. “That was a cool song,” he said. “What an honor to be the subject of Miss Madison Kay’s songwriting.” He sobered. “Do you know, I appreciate that as much of a punk I was, you thought I was worth something.”

“Of course,” she said.

Sally came up to her afterwards. “Hon, that was a wonderful song. Why hadn’t you shared it with me before now?”

“I wasn’t sure it fit the lineup that you’d been pushing for, to be honest,” Madison admitted. “And it was impulsive on my part. I just wanted to try it out today. You like it?”

“I love it. You are so talented.” She hugged Madison.

“Thanks. I’ve been thinking that I’d like to do more of that. But it doesn’t have to all be slow and sad.”

“I didn’t think it was sad, especially if you rock it out. Get it? Rock?”

Madison smiled. “Clever.”

Sally glanced at Luke, who was chatting with some of the band members. “Luke has sure turned out to be a diamond.”

“Yeah, he sure has,” Madison admitted.

“Have you thought more about what will happen after Nashville?”

“He said he’s giving me a new bodyguard.”

“Oh.” Sally’s face fell. “You mean, he’s going away?”

She nodded. “That’s what I understand to mean.”

“Too bad. You two seem made for each other.”

It didn’t matter, did it? If he was ready to move on once again, then who was she to hold him back?

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

That night, Luke opened the door to an unexpected visitor. “Can I come in?” Sgt. Castro asked. “I have some news for Madison.”

Madison joined them in the living room, where Sgt. Castro sat on the couch, leaning forward eagerly.

“We’re closing in on him,” Sgt. Castro said.

“Close is not good enough,” Luke said.

Sgt. Castro cast a glance at his team. “We actually have a thought. Hear us out.”

“Okay,” Luke said warily. He didn’t like the sound of this.

“Frank Dell obviously has been able to track your client fairly easily. What if, we lure him to a controlled environment, and we nab him there?”

“Sure,” Luke said sarcastically. “Can I send out the invitation?”

“Seriously though,” Sgt. Castro said. “You can take Madison somewhere prearranged, where the Gatlinburg cops could catch him.”

“Wait.” Luke’s eyes narrowed. “You want to set a trap and Madison’s the bait? You’ve got to be out of your mind!”

“I think it’s a good idea,” Madison said.

Luke sprang from his chair. “Don’t worry about it,” he told Madison, “because it ain’t gonna happen under my watch.”

Madison touched his arm. “We need to do something different. I can’t imagine chalking up more days where I have to look over my shoulder. I can’t even think about putting on a concert in two days.”

“Sally would flip out,” Luke said, “and you know it.”

Madison chewed her fingernail. “Sally doesn’t have to know. I can just tell her that I wanted a breather before the concert. You can charm her. That shouldn’t be too hard.”

“What if he doesn’t show?” Luke asked. “I can’t believe we’re even having this conversation.”

Desperation lurked in Madison’s eyes. “Do you really think he won’t?”

***

Madison swirled a drink in her hands. The cops had gone, and she and Luke stayed behind to talk strategy.

“The judge has issued a restraining order,” Luke said.

“Not that it would keep Frank Dell from coming to see me,” Madison said glumly.

Luke nodded. “At this point, that’s all we can do. This way, if he does do something, the cops can sink their teeth and lock him up for good.”

Madison rubbed her temple slowly. “But by then it’s going to be too late.”

“Here comes Sally,” Luke said. “Remember what we talked about.”

Madison took a deep breath and nodded. She didn’t like keeping secrets from Sally, but they had to do it so they could trap Frank Dell once and for all.

Sally entered the room, sinking into the couch and putting up her feet on the ottoman. “Ah, nice.”

“I’ve been thinking, Sally,” Madison said. “I really would like a little break before the concert. Tomorrow.”

Sally stared at her. “But hon, your concert is in a couple of days.”

“Precisely.” Madison persisted. “Luke has a cabin in the Smoky Mountains. He’s been kind enough to offer for me to stay there.”

“Smoky Mountains?” Sally sputtered. “But isn’t that far from here?”

“It’s only five hours away,” Luke said. “The perfect overnighter.”

Sally looked from one to the other. “Is there something going on between the two of you that I need to know about?”

“No.” Madison blushed. “It’s nothing like that.”

“Scout’s honor,” Luke said.

“Because just the other day, you promised…”

“And we’ll honor that promise,” Luke assured her.

“You can come, Sally,” Madison offered.

“Just make sure you bring mosquito repellent and bear spray,” Luke said.

Sally shuddered. “I wish, hon, but I have too much work to catch up on. I’m already thinking two concert venues ahead. I would imagine you don’t have wi-fi there, Luke?”

“Luckily not.”

“That cements the non-deal for me. So if you still want to do this, Madison, you have my blessing.”

When Sally left the room, Madison and Luke exchanged subdued smiles.

“So far, so good,” she said.

Luke’s eyes held a pensive expression. “Yup,” he said, but he didn’t sound convinced.

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

Luke felt frustrated. Never in his career had a perp been able to get through all the cordons of security that he had put in place. He needed to make sure that this trip to the Smokies was successful. He would hire a couple of people to secure the area for when the perp were to take the bait.

A new sergeant, Sgt. Wilson, and his men had gone ahead and would set up a discreet surveillance system. Luke made a few phone calls and made sure a competent cop in Gatlinburg continued to work the case. There was so little time. He didn’t want some newbie on the case messing this up.

Once Frank Dell falls for the trap, he would be history.

Two temps from his agency arrived within the hour. They had worked for Luke’s company in other states, but didn’t want to be tied down to a specific office. One was Renny, a redhead with lots of freckles, and the other was Miko, a Japanese-American with a baby face. They convoyed in a van behind Luke and Madison in the Corvette.

Five hours later, they arrived at Gatlinburg. Luke could already feel his body relax at the sight of the Great Smoky Mountains. The sky was clear above on this sunny summer day, cleared of its usual mist, but the mountains were still beautiful.

It was a perfect getaway. How he wished they were here only to vacation. He glanced over at Madison as she took in the mountainous landscape.

“I love it,” she breathed.

“Wait till you see it all up close,” he said.

They drove up a dirt road a few minutes outside Gatlinburg. Luke’s cabin’s yellowish birch facade glowed against the green foliage. This was one of the first properties he’d acquired since he became successful with his business. He had plenty of clients always traveling to Nashville, so this had been a great tax write-off.

And his escape.

Luke parked and helped Madison unload her little suitcase and makeup kit. He watched her reaction with satisfaction as they made their way on flagstones up to the cabin’s spacious porch.

“Wow,” Madison said, as they entered the cabin. “Not too shabby.”

Luke followed her gaze onto the majestic stone fireplace in the middle of the wall, the hunting trophies of elk, deer, and bear, and the gleaming wood floors.

He led her upstairs to the second bedroom. It had a hand-carved lodgepole pine bed, a fireplace, and French doors that led to a balcony. She gasped and walked out, taking in the view.

All around was mountain and trees, air and light. Madison turned to him with her eyes all aglow.

“I want to live here forever,” she said.

Did she know what she was saying? Did she truly mean it, living here—with him—forever?

When she turned back to the view, he knew that she was just being impulsive and her words probably meant nothing.

But he liked to imagine her here in the winter, with snow covering the mountain tops, a fire going, while they snuggled under a warm throw. He would hold her close and nuzzle her neck until she would ask, in her husky voice, for a kiss…

Luke shook the image from his mind and studied the premises. He was getting distracted when the whole point of this was to take care of unresolved business. Madison’s safety hinged on his keeping his head about him at all times.

So far, he had not seen signs of police activity, though he got the text from Sgt. Wilson that they had set up and were ready.

Leaving Madison momentarily, he met with Sgt. Wilson in the back. He was a beefy copy with a neck so wide Luke was sure he could pop his buttons loose just by grunting. He asked good questions and appeared to catch on pretty quickly on the situation.

“We’re just going to wait in the wings,” Sgt. Wilson told Luke. He seemed to want to say something more, then touched Luke’s sleeve.

“No need to worry the little lady, but there are signs of activity from the suspect here already. We found some tracks in your yard.”

Luke nodded grimly. He scanned the trees.

One of these times, Frank Dell was gonna get careless.

***

Sitting on a couch, Luke watched Madison pace in the family room.

“I’m feeling restless,” she said. “I need to work out and burn some energy.”

He knew how she felt. Like a caged animal, going crazy over time.

“Good idea,” he said, tossing the paper he was reading to the side. “Wanna run? There’s a good trail up here.”

There were shadows under her eyes. “Are you sure it’s a good idea?”

“Remember how we need to lure him out?”

“Yes.” She closed her eyes. “Oh goll, yes. And I hate it. My stomach’s all in knots thinking that somewhere out there, Frank is just lying in wait.”

“If he is, Sgt. Wilson and his men can help us get him,” he assured her.

***

Just like along the Appalachian Trail, there were shelters at intervals near Luke’s cabin. Each represented a distance marker with which to measure their progress up the trail.

The shelters also represented something good. They shielded one from the rays of the sun or the brisk winds of the cold seasons; yet Madison felt as though their shadows could hold dark secrets. Each time she came up to one, she half expected someone to jump out and spring upon them.

She chastised herself for her overactive imagination.

At the fourth shelter, Madison pulled up short, her face ashen.

“What’s wrong?” Luke asked.

She pointed at a piece of paper fluttering in the wind, but pinned down to the table. It read, “Welcome, Madison.”

He lowered his voice, in case the perp was listening to them. “This is what we wanted, remember? We’re setting a trap for him.”

“I can’t do it,” Madison whispered. “I’m sorry, I can’t.” Her face crumpled and tears streaked down her cheeks.

He reached for her tentatively, and she ran into his arms.

“You don’t have to,” he said, stroking her back.

“I’m sorry we drove this far for nothing.”

“Hey, it’s okay,” he assured her. “It will still be good for you to take a break before the concert.”

They went back to the cabin and made contact with Sgt. Wilson, who showed up minutes later, his expression grim.

“What’s this about calling off the trap?” Sgt. Wilson said.

“Madison doesn’t want to go through this. And I can’t blame her.”

Sgt. Wilson frowned. “But wouldn’t it be so much easier if we could just take care of this?”

“Not at the expense of her mental health,” Luke said.

Sgt. Wilson turned to Madison. “Miss Kay, I need to hear it from you. Do you honestly not want to do this, even though it seems we are making inroads?”

“Correct.” Madison bit her lip. “I’m sorry, Sgt. I don’t have nerves of steel.”

“You just want to head back to Nashville then?”

She nodded mutely.

“Alright then, we’ll call it off,” Sgt. Wilson said. “Just the same, we’ve traveled all the way here, we might as well shadow you. Is there someplace you’d like to go this afternoon? Or are you just staying in?”

“I don’t really want to be all cooped up,” Madison said, “but I feel so vulnerable on the trail. How about a place where we could just be inside but still out and about?”

Luke thought for a minute. “How about the Forbidden Caverns? It’s close here and it’ll be inside. Then we can go back to Nashville and get ready for the concert.”

“Yes, that sounds nice,” Madison said. She touched his arm. “I appreciate all the effort you and the police are putting in for me, though.”

He nodded. He almost covered her hand with his to reassure her, but just let his hand fall to his side.

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

“The Forbidden Caverns got its name from a Cherokee Legend, about the curious Princess Nutah,” the guide said. His long, bushy beard partly obscured his name tag, which said Leroy Stodges.

Madison peered past Leroy to look further into the caverns, imagining herself as the princess with an insatiable curiosity. “What happened to her?”

His eyes glimmered in the early evening sun. “She got lost in the hollow mountain of two streams, which is forbidden.”

Madison grimaced. “That’s terrible. So she died here?”

Leroy nodded. “Yes. But it makes for a great story, don’t you think?”

“Actually, it’s pretty morbid,” Madison retorted.

Leroy laughed heartily.

Luke, just listening on, smiled. He was wearing a t-shirt that stretched nicely across his buff chest. It was fun to see him dress down for a change, instead of his usual bodyguard outfit of dark suit and tie. He was also wearing a pair of jeans that looked really nice on him, not that she was staring.

Madison, for her part, was a bit chilled in her summer dress and strappy sandals. “Brrr,” she said, “how cold is it down here?”

Leroy consulted his phone. “58 degrees, according to Weather Bug.”

“No wonder,” she said, rubbing her arms.

“I have a hoodie in the car,” Luke said. “Would you like to borrow it?”

She gave him a sidelong glance. “That’s really nice of you, but it’s such a bother.”

“No problem at all.” As he left their side, Renny and Miko let him pass. They were a reassuring presence to Madison, not that Lenny looked dangerous.

Lenny folded his hands together. “And where are you from?” he asked Madison.

“Originally? Colorado. Sunnyridge, to be precise. But I live all over now, it seems.”

“Oh? What do you do?”

“I’m a singer.”

“And your name?”

“Madison Kay.”

He cocked his head. “Um, okay. Sorry, never heard of it.”

Madison actually felt relieved. It was nice to meet someone who wasn’t going to fawn all over her. Luke returned shortly and handed her a gray hoodie. It drowned Madison completely, but it was warm, and she was happy.

Luke reached for the collar and fixed it. Their faces were very close, intimate. Madison glanced at his hands self-consciously, and became aware of his scent on the fabric. If he weren’t looking, she would have sniffed it. Even the warmth of the fabric made her feel as though he were hugging her.

“So,” Leroy cleared his throat. “Do you know anything about stalactites and stalagmites?”

He launched into an interesting lecture of which ones were the ones “tight” on the ceiling—stalactites—and the stalagmites being the ones on the floor. The colors bouncing off the natural formations were all prisms of the rainbow.

“I feel really bad for Princess Nutah,” Madison told Luke. “She wouldn’t have gotten lost if only she’d followed the rail and the lights.”

Luke grinned. “I don’t think they had these back then.”

Their hands accidentally touched. Luke captured her hand in his. At the bottom of the stairs, he didn’t let go. Held securely in his hand, hers felt toasty warm. Tingly. Their glances met. Luke rubbed his thumb over her palm and smiled. And only then did he let go of her hand.

Madison looked away, dazed. She was trying to follow what Leroy was saying, but couldn’t.

“…moonshine central. It’s believed that they made their own liquor here.”

“Poor pioneers,” Madison said. “They sure were starved for entertainment if they weren’t content with stalactites and stalagmites.

They descended further into a maze of caverns. Leroy beckoned for Madison to enter one of the little hideaways for moonshiners. There was a door that looked fairly new.

“This door was actually not part of the original cavern,” Leroy said. “But there is something behind it I’d like to show you.”

Madison squeezed past Leroy and stepped into the room. After she entered, he stepped in, too, and slammed the door shut, before Luke and the other guys could join them.

A match flickered, casting Leroy’s eyes in a yellow, feral light. He lit a candle and set it on a table. His eyes took on a dull sheen. Madison recoiled as he pulled off his beard to reveal Frank Dell.

The stuffy room smelled like a musty attic.

“Madison, Madison,” he said in his normal voice. “Didn’t you recognize who I am, little Maddie?”

***

“Hey!” Luke yelled and pounded. “Open up! Madison!”

No answer.

Luke stepped back and jammed his weight full force against the door. He only succeeded in bouncing off it. He motioned for Renny to help him. Even with the two of them jamming it with their bodies, the door still didn’t budge.

“He’s probably got something on the other side,” Luke muttered.

Why wasn’t Madison screaming? What was the guide doing to her right now? Luke was going crazy with worry.

He pulled his gun from his holster and shot at the hasp of the lock. The shot rang out in the caverns.

Even before the smoke cleared, he kicked at the door. It swung open to darkness. Beyond, there were no lights. And no sound either.

“Go get a flashlight from the car,” Luke ordered Miko. “Renny, radio Sgt. Wilson.”

It was cold in this finger of the cavern. He shouted Madison’s name, but only got echoes. He also smelled something—chloroform.

When Renny returned with the flashlight, Luke shone it around the area. It was empty. A fake beard lay on the table. Instantly, Luke connected the dots.

Leroy Stodges was Frank Dell.

His stomach flipped.

In clipped, quick movements, Luke flashed the light in the room, but could see no other opening.

“Get to work bringing back the power,” he instructed his men. “And hurry. I’ll check outside.”

But there was no access outside to that part of the tunnel.

How could Frank Dell have hidden Madison so well?

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

Madison woke outside, her eyesight blurry and her head fogged up. She could make out trees swaying above, and the sun shining brightly overhead. A starling darted into the trees, scattering others.

Where am I? How did I get here? Where is Luke?

She was gagged and her hands and feet were bound tightly. So tight that the circulation was getting cut off. She tried to turn her head to look up at the sky, but she couldn’t. She felt sick to her stomach, and her skin prickled from all the undergrowth that she was lying on.

The realization returned, making her suck in her breath so quickly and deeply. Frank Dell finally got her. She pressed against her side, but the gun she had tucked in her pocket for self-protection was gone.

Please don’t let him kill me, she prayed.

She heard a rustle from behind her. Frank was bringing over a bulging backpack. He looked like a ranger or an older scout leader. So happy, like he was going to perform some service for old ladies.

“Now Maddie, that wasn’t nice of you to kick at me. You’ll have to learn your place if we are to coexist happily.”

I don’t want to co-exist happily. I want to get out of here.

“Are you comfortable, my dear?” he asked. “I hope so, since you and I will be spending a little time here while your bodyguard tries to find you.”

Madison stared at him mutely. Pleading with him to let her go. A tear escaped from her eye.

“Don’t give me that look now, girlie. Just because you’re my girl doesn’t mean I’ll give in to your whims.”

His girl. This guy is nuts.

“Did you think I was clever, Madison? I knew that you were setting a trap for me here. I’ve been bugging your conversations. Your bodyguard thought he was sweeping everything, but I was able to find workarounds. I’m clever that way. And I loved your ingenuity. We will make a great team, don’t you think?”

He frowned. “I wish your meddling bodyguard would have chosen a closer destination than the Great Smokies. But no matter, here we are now. I used to play at being a ranger. The guy I had to rob of his uniform was too easy to dupe. I just arranged a private tour. And then I just had to wait. Don’t you think my plan was clever? There were so many caverns to get lost in.” He laughed. “You’re just like Princess Nutah.”

He froze, watching the foliage. He put his finger on her lips but she moaned. Now he pulled a gun from his backpack and put it to her temple.

“Shut up,” he whispered, his eyes crazed.

Madison shook with fear and frustration. She could hear footsteps right by them, a little to her left, and there was nothing she could do to draw attention to her. He believed Frank’s threat that he could shoot her.

Beyond the bushes, two people were talking. Luke and Sgt. Wilson.

Suddenly, Madison worried if Frank would try to attack them. She prayed, oh, she’d never prayed harder in her life that Luke wouldn’t stumble upon them unawares. For if he did, he would surely be Frank’s next victim.

The voices and footsteps moved on. Madison ached for the missed opportunity. Madison thought up a plan: to distract Frank and get him unarmed, after which she could then yell for help and run.

Frank’s expression relaxed as the voices became less distinct. He grinned at Madison and touched her cheek.

She recoiled, and saw the hurt in his eyes. But she didn’t care. The monster needed to know that his advances were not welcome.

“Madison, Madison,” Frank said. “Do you know why I wanted you from day one?”

She shook her head, feeling tears squeeze out of her eyes.

He took an envelope out of his backpack and pulled out a piece of yellowing newspaper. It was a very faded picture of a blonde girl.

“This here is my Paisley. Doesn’t she look amazingly like you?”

Madison stared at the photo. Apart from the blonde hair, the girl looked nothing like Madison.

“She was my princess. She got lost in the woods and was never found again. They actually accused me of her murder. Me, the most devoted of fathers. I’ve never forgiven myself for letting her down. So now I have to save you, too, from danger. The only way I could think of was to keep you under lock and key so that no one could harm you.”

Madison shut her eyes. At least his interest in her wasn’t romantic, if he was thinking of his daughter. But then he reached over and caressed her hair.

“Paisley’s mother looked just like you. An angel with blonde hair. She was also a singer, though not as melodious as you.”

Madison pulled back from his touch.

He grabbed her hair and leaned close. “Do not ever pull away from me, do you hear?” And then tenderly. “Okay, Madison?”

She nodded, then made gagging noises. He loosened the gag from her mouth.

“I’m thirsty,” she said.

He put the gag back and went off somewhere, returning with a little flask of water. She drank greedily while ungagged, and then he put the handkerchief back on.

Madison lay there studying her surroundings. She would need to outwit Frank if she were to survive or to ward off an assault. It would just be a matter of time before Frank felt bogged down by her presence. Or when he would decide that she was going to be a good stand-in for his late wife.

Above the ditch where he had hidden her, trees hovered like monster limbs trying to gather the earth with their claws. Birds flitted jerkily from branch to branch, eying them both with distrust.

She snuck a glance at Frank. He sat with his side to her, a gun in a chest holster. She wondered what violence he must have experienced as a child to want to inflict it upon her and others.

He was not a young man, but even with his age, he had an elegant posture.

She prayed for deliverance.

Luke, where are you?

***

Once again, Luke searched the perimeter of the cave, coming up empty-handed. Sgt. Wilson arrived on the scene, but it filled Luke with little hope.

“Show me where he took her?” Sgt. Wilson said.

Luke went into the caverns and showed him the room. Power had been restored and they could see that Frank Dell had meticulously prepared for Madison. In a locker, they discovered a cavern employee, gagged, stripped down to his boxer shorts, and tied up.

Sgt. Wilson frowned. “They couldn’t have gone far. We’re putting notice to all the cabins in the vicinity to watch for a man and woman fitting their description.”

“He’d worn a beard disguise,” Luke pointed out.

“I’ll add that to the alert.”

Luke walked the length of the room, wondering where they could have exited the caverns. It seemed in the light that nothing was obvious. “Sgt. Wilson,” he said, “do you have a lighter on you?”

“Yeah, why?”

“Cut the lights and turn on your lighter.”

Sgt. Wilson gave him a curious glance but followed as he’d been asked. Luke turned the lighter on and watched the flame flicker to the right.

“Turn the lights back on,” he told Renny.

Going the direction of the flame, Luke got on all fours to inspect the floor of the cavern. Underneath a dusty corner was a crisscross pattern. He dusted it off and found the cover to an exit to a cavern further below. He exchanged glances with Sgt. Wilson

“After you,” the cop said.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

A shadow crossed Madison’s body as she lay there bound and gagged. Frank knelt and cut the ropes around her ankles. Then he yanked her to her feet and hauled her off away from the cave.

She studied her surroundings, longing for escape. Frank only had handguns in his backpack. She’d seen him getting into it and glimpsed the weapons. Somehow the fact that he hadn’t brought a shotgun or a deer rifle that could inflict more injury on someone filled her with some peace.

Their fight was winnable.

But she needed to bide her time, needed to make sure that if she were to bolt, she could get away from this madman easily. For now, she would pretend to go along with the plan.

They walked along a ditch that was about six feet high. Every so often, Frank would stop and listen. Madison would listen, too, but all she could hear were the sound of the birds and an occasional cat-like noise.

She wondered where he was taking her, and soon, she found her answer. They were headed towards a cabin with smoke curling from its chimney.

Let there be no people there.

She would be happy to see others, but not if Frank decided to kill them.

He pulled her close so that his mouth was against her ear. “Now listen, and listen good. I’m gonna put you somewhere for now. If you decide to cause trouble, make noise of any kind, I am going to shoot the people in that cabin. Just like that. And their blood will be on your head.”

He shoved Madison into a canvas bag and rolled her into the bushes.

Madison lay there for what seemed like the longest time. Her ears pricked at every single sound. But most of all, she was listening for sounds of a scuffle inside the cabin. Or a gunshot.

When she didn’t, she wondered what was going on.

Frank Dell came back. “It’s your lucky day. The cabin is empty. The people are probably out hiking.”

Madison breathed a sigh of relief for those people.

Frank left again for several minutes. Madison tried to extricate her wrists from the rope that had bound them. But they were tight and she couldn’t even wiggle them. She was sure, if she looked at her arms, that they were bloody from being tied so tightly.

She heard footsteps and hoped that it was Luke. But it was only Frank. He held up apples and a huge pot roast in a pot.

“Eat up, quickly,” he said, ungagging her.

Madison had no appetite. The last thing she wanted to do was to eat. Her body hurt everywhere, and her arms kept going numb. She shook her head.

“Eat,” he said, putting the pistol to her temple.

Madison swallowed and made a show of eating the piece of meat he’d cut for her. It was delicious and moist, but rich, and she felt like throwing up after a few bites.

Frank didn’t seem to notice her discomfort. Finally, she had to turn her head away, she was feeling sick from eating too much too fast.

He put his face against hers. “I told you to not move away from me.”

“Please,” she whispered, “I don’t want any more food.”

His lips formed a tight line. He gagged her and tossed the pot roast onto the ground. “Fine,” he said. “You win.”

He yanked her back up and marched her across the forest.

***

Luke studied the bootprints on the moist soil. “They were here just now,” he said. “Let’s keep going this way.”

He led the little team—Wilson and two of his men, Renny and Miko, through the trail.

Luke studied the ground again. There were several footprints here, and then nothing. It looked like they could have jumped into a ditch full of leaves, masking their steps.

Sgt. Wilson’s phone buzzed. “Wilson,” he said. “Uh-huh. Okay. Thanks.”

“Sounds like our man has been tracked,” Sgt. Wilson told Luke. “A cabin owner reported theft. Someone took their food while they were out walking.”

“The coordinates?” Luke asked.

Before Sgt. Wilson rattled off the last coordinate, Luke was already running off towards that direction.

***

Madison fell to the ground with a thud, nearly hitting her head on rock. It was slow-going where Frank wanted her to go—a rocky face that rose up to the mountain.

She was desperate to rest. Frank kept prodding her and when she fell behind, he yanked back his wrist to scare her into flinching, but actually didn’t hurt her. He thought it was pretty funny and laughed about that often.

“Mmmph,” she said through her gag.

He hesitated, then let the gag loose.

“I need to go to the bathroom,” she said.

He gave her a sour glance. “Just go, right here.”

“I can’t do that,” she said. “Please, I need privacy.”

He made a face. “Okay. But don’t try anything funny.” After he untied the ropes around her wrist, she stepped behind a tree and tried to think of a way out of the forest.

Maybe she could shout to catch Luke’s attention. Maybe she could bury herself in dirt so that Frank couldn’t find her. Whatever she decided to do, she needed to do it soon.

Frank said, “You’re taking too long.”

“Just one more moment.”

She peered up the boughs of the tree she was under. She wished she could launch herself up to see if Luke was anywhere in sight. She did her business quickly and reappeared behind the trees.

He tied her wrists and gagged her once again.

But this time, there was one difference. In her hand, she held a sharp flat rock. A Cherokee spearhead, most likely. It scratched at her hand like a knife.

***

Luke gazed around the ransacked cabin as the owners talked to Sgt. Wilson. They hadn’t seen anything unusual.

Then the wife said, “Wait. I did hear something.” She paused. “A sort of scrabbling noise, like someone was trying to get up a rock. But I thought nothing of it. I just thought it was an animal. I went out to look, but I couldn’t see anything.”

“A rock.” Luke turned to Sgt. Wilson. “Is there a rocky ledge nearby?”

“Couple steps ahead of you, boss,” Sgt. Wilson said. “Right this way.”

Several minutes later, Luke was studying the facade of the rocky formation. He could tell that boots had scuffed them. Madison would have had a bear of a time scaling the rock. She might have gashed her knee.

“Luke, come see,” Sgt. Wilson said.

On the ground, there was a brown sandal. He stiffened as he picked it up. “It’s Madison’s,” he said grimly.

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

Madison’s foot throbbed. She had lost a sandal, but Frank wouldn’t stop. She hobbled along, her foot torn from the rocks and prickly vegetation on the ground. Finally, Madison just threw herself onto the ground, refusing to move.

Frank kicked at her. Madison averted her face and shielded her body with her arms.

Suddenly, he knelt. “I am so sorry, Maddie. You’ve gotten me so mad.” And then he stopped. He was listening. While he walked away from Madison to investigate, she continued to saw against her ropes using the arrowhead she had found earlier.

The rope snapped apart.

Frank returned. “Badger, or somethin’,” he said.

Madison hesitated just for one moment. His guns were in his backpack. This was her chance. She heaved her legs, swiping at Frank’s. He fell with a thud on his back. She scrambled to her feet, pulled off her gag, and ran.

A gunshot zinged past her ear, and another.

She kept running.

***

At the sound of the gunshots, Luke raised his head. He instructed his men and Sgt. Wilson’s to fan out.

Luke wasn’t the praying kind, but he prayed so hard now: Please, don’t let Madison get hurt. Please.

Jumping over a ditch, Luke landed on all fours. Then he was running again. Adrenaline and a sense of desperation fueled his body. He raced against time, against Frank Dell—the pathetic excuse of a human being— and against losing the only woman he had ever loved.

Luke saw movement in the trees. Blonde hair flowing—a woman in a gray hoodie and skirt.

Madison. Luke covered his mouth to keep himself from crying out with relief.

A man followed her like a faster version of Frankenstein. His legs weren’t very coordinated.

Frank Dell was limping.

***

Madison had gained enough distance between her and Frank, but now she was stuck. There was a hill ahead of her, too steep to climb. She heard someone running behind her and she scrabbled up, desperate to get away.

“Madison, sweetheart,” Luke said.

She turned, a joyous, sobbing noise bubbling up her throat. He opened his arms and she ran into them. He kissed the top of her head and held her close.

“Wilson’s here,” Luke said. “I’ll leave you with them and I’m going to go after Frank, ‘kay?”

She nodded, fear making her eyes grow wide.

Luke hugged her again, then motioned for Sgt. Wilson and his men to come and get Madison to safety. Once they escorted her away, Luke straightened up and scanned the trees for any sign of life. The foliage parted some fifty yards away, then was still.

Luke took cover behind a giant tree trunk, leaning forward a little to see if he could glimpse Frank. The forest reverberated with the sound of birds and insects.

There was a rustling in the trees. Was it just the breeze or could it be his target? Luke watched and waited, then took a few steps towards the sound.

He heard a dragging noise and threw himself to the ground for cover, just as another gunshot rang out.

At least he knew now where the coward was.

There Frank was, fleeing and stumbling behind a rock. Luke strode decisively to the base of the moss-covered boulder. He circled it, prepared to duck if Frank were to ambush him yet again. He took one step, another, and then…

He sensed movement above.

In a split second, he saw Frank aiming the gun at him with intense hatred in his eyes.

Luke fired first.

Frank fell forward with dead eyes and tumbled off. On the ground, he lay still, a shell of an old man.

CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

Luke stood beside Madison’s hospital bed in Nashville and gazed down at her sleeping form. She didn’t have any serious injuries, but the doctors recommended that she be observed overnight just to be on the safe side.

He touched her cheek and she stirred in her sleep, saying his name.

His chest tightened. “I love you,” he whispered.

The hospital room door opened. Sally rushed in, taking one look at Madison. Her brow furrowed. “Is she—”

“She’s okay,” Luke whispered.

Putting a hand to her chest, Sally breathed a sigh of relief. “I didn’t know what I’d come to…I was so scared…” She covered her mouth with her hand.

He gestured for her to go out to the hallway. They took a seat on a bench just outside Madison’s room.

“What happened to Frank Dell?” she asked.

“I shot him,” Luke said. “He’s dead.”

Sally patted him on the back. “That Sgt. Castro wouldn’t tell me anything.” The pat turned into a fist against his arm. “Madison was supposed to have a relaxing getaway, Luke.”

“She did get away,” he said.

“I wish I could say I find that funny right now, but I don’t. I’m just plain exhausted, like I’ve been on too many roller coasters.”

He nodded. “I think the roller coaster ride has stopped. For now at least.”

“Good. I can’t take any more stress.”

“Can I tell you one more thing? Just to clear the air?”

Sally leveled her gaze at him. “Is it bad news?”

“I don’t know. You tell me.”

“Okay, what?” Sally crossed her arms akimbo.

Sally raised an eyebrow. “Not just date, but marry?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“I’m not surprised. She thinks you’re her diamond in the rough.”

“Yup, that’s me.” He gave her a sheepish smile.

“Why wouldn’t she want you?”

“I haven’t exactly talked to her about this since we’d set up this trap for Frank Dell.”

“What trap?”

Luke winced at his slip of tongue. “The trap where we set up Madison as our bait.”

“You did what?” Sally yelled. When the nurses at the station looked up, Luke waved at them.

“It was the only way we could think of to finally trap and get rid of Frank,” he explained.

“Okay,” Sally grumbled. “Makes sense. But I still hate the fact that you put Madison at risk.”

“I hated it, too. It was definitely a risk.”

“That paid off, fortunately.” Sally sighed. “The question is, are you going to do something about your thing for Madison?”

“I hope so.” He rubbed his nape. “If she’ll have me. And if we have your blessing.”

“Are you kidding?” Sally said. “The fans will lap it up.”

“So you don’t object?” Luke felt a weight off his shoulders.

“I’ll be honest. When I first met you, I would have thought that was a bad idea. But since getting to know you, and seeing her with you, I think you’re good for her. Whatever makes Madison happy makes me happy. So there—you’re an all-around good egg, hon.”

Luke grinned. “Thanks.”

Sally poked his chest. “But of course it all depends on Madison.”

***

It was afternoon of concert day. The nurses had helped Madison get ready to be discharged.

Someone knocked on her door. She looked up excitedly, thinking it was Luke, but it was Sally.

“Luke said to tell you he had errands to run.” Sally said. “He’ll see you later.”

“Okay,” she said in a small voice.

Sally strolled over. “You missing him already, hon?”

“No,” Madison said in a hurry, but Sally was just smiling to herself.

Madison’s eyes narrowed. “What?”

“Oh, nothing,” Sally sang out.

“Tell me,” Madison begged.

Sally glanced at the door. “Okay. Promise not to tell Luke I told you.”

Madison waited.

“He’s at the jewelry store.”

Madison stared at Sally for a minute, then lowered her eyes to her lap.

“Well,” Sally said. “Why the long face?”

“He’s going to propose.” Madison said it as a statement.

“That’s usually what men plan to do when they get a piece of bling from Tiffany’s. Isn’t that what you want?”

“He’s just going to sweep ten years under the carpet, is that it?” Madison muttered to herself.

Sally raised her hands. “Listen, hon. Sounds like you and he had better do some talkin’.”

Madison nodded. “Yup.”

It was about time to break up all that serious talk, anyway. Thelma breezed in with hair gadgets, makeup and shower stuff. In no time, she had Madison all dolled up.

But the eyes that stared at her in the mirror were full of sadness.

“Where’s that man of yours?” Thelma asked.

“Out ring shopping, I guess.”

Thelma froze, then squealed, jumping up and down. “Chica, it’s a great day!” She looked at Madison quizzically. “Isn’t it?”

“It’s hard to explain.”

Thelma finished putting on Madison’s makeup. “Mmm. I have a feeling that Lucas is in for something.”

With Renny’s and Miko’s help, they all went down to the limo. A Corvette pulled across two parking spots, the driver’s door opening dramatically.

“Get mad, then kiss and make-up,” Thelma whispered, pinching her.

Madison playfully swatted at her hand, then sobered as Luke came running up to her. He gathered her bags and put them in his trunk. When he opened the door, he paused as though wanting to steal a kiss, but his eyes just twinkled. He tucked her in then went over to his side of the car, humming.

Madison’s stomach churned.

“Did you have a good morning?” he asked.

“Yes, did you?”

His eyes gleamed. “Uh-huh.”

“Great.” She looked out the window.

“Hey babe,” he said, jolting her with the endearment she hadn’t heard him say in so long, “something wrong?”

She looked at him without saying anything.

He cast a quick glance at her eyes. “Hospital tuckered you out?”

“Life, I guess.”

He covered her hand with his. She extricated hers and folded her arms across her chest.

“Something is wrong.”

“We can talk some more when we get to the Riverside,” she said.

She could feel his eyes on her the whole length of the drive. When they got to VIP parking, he turned off the ignition and turned to her.

“What’s up?” he said. His voice was guarded. Fearful.

Madison swallowed. “Sally said you’d gone to get me a ring.”

He raked his fingers through his hair. “Way to spoil my surprise, but yes.”

He gave her a hopeful smile that faltered. “Do you not want me to give you the ring?”

“Luke, you had a chance to make me yours ten years ago, and yet you didn’t fight for me. Why should I believe you now?”

“I didn’t fight for you?” He frowned. “You went off to Nashville. You didn’t answer my phone calls.”

“I have a confession to make, Luke,” Madison said. “I had been ready to give up Nashville for you.”

“You—what?”

“Yes. I had a letter ready for my mother. I told her I loved her, but I loved you, too. And I wanted to walk away from Nashville. But I saw you with Gretchen. I was so mad, I shredded the letter.”

Luke sat there, stunned.

“What were you ready to give up for me, Luke? A date with Gretchen?”

He didn’t answer.

“I know you tried calling,” she said. “A grand total of three times, I counted. And then…that’s it?”

Frustration tinged his voice. “What did you want me to do?”

“I wanted you to fight for me,” she said, her voice cracking. “I wanted you to apologize. I wanted you to not take me for granted.”

“That was ten years ago!”

“If you don’t see why this matters to me now,” she said quietly, “then you must not really know me, Luke Parker. How about you do those things first, before you assume that I would be all fine and dandy with a marriage proposal?”

“You know what I think this is about, Madison Kay?” Luke finally spoke up. “You’re running scared.”

“Me!”

“You;re just looking for any excuse to get out of marrying me because deep down, you don’t want to give up your ambition. Not that I will demand you to give it up.”

Madison wanted to fight him on this. Tell him how wrong he was. Put the blame on his feet. But the thing was…

He was so….right.

Madison’s phone rang. It was Sally, checking to see where they were. “We’re heading in,” Madison assured her, before hanging up. “It’s time to go,” she said, but he gripped her arm.

“Are you telling me you don’t want to marry me?”

“No, it’s not that.”

“Then what is it?”

“We just need to clear some things first. We’re kind of skipping a step.”

He frowned. “Help me here a little. I don’t speak ‘woman.’” He tried smiling, but she just shook her head.

CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

Luke was mad. Incensed. After escorting Madison backstage, he left without a word.

What was there to talk about? She obviously didn’t want to make their relationship work, flinging all those accusations at him.

After Nashville, good riddance, Madison.

He probably held the record of the fastest rejection ever. She could go on with her superstar life, and he could go on with his company.

But was that what he really wanted?

From behind his shades, he gazed at her. He thought back to her words.

You didn’t fight for me.

Was love about fighting? Or was love about loving?

With a sinking feeling, he knew it involved both. Until Madison knew he would fight for her, she couldn’t really take him seriously.

He pictured himself from ten years ago. He had been immature and selfish. Maybe he had a legitimate reason for all his knucklehead actions.

But today, he was older and wiser. He had no excuse, really.

He got light-headed, all of a sudden. Was that what she was trying to tell him?

Thing was, Luke had changed. His love for Madison had deepened, more than ever, and he wanted to assure her he was ready to commit this time.

She could still reject him, but at least he would know that he fought for her.

And yes, Luke Parker, you owe the woman an apology.

He slid his hand into his pocket and felt the velvet box, his heart thudding slow and hard in his chest.

***

Thousands of fans got to their feet and danced to Madison’s first rock number. Now Madison recognized the wisdom of the stage being turned away from the river…and the setting sun. Even in the shade of the stage roof, she still felt the humid heat of Nashville. Sweat trickled down her back and her hair clung to her neck, but she’d never felt as good as she did at that moment.

After a couple of fast numbers, she launched into her ballad “Back When.” Fans held up their arms and swayed to the song’s sweet beat. During the refrain, a little kid was raised by his dad with a sign that said, “Madison, will you marry me?”

Madison laughed. “You’re a little too young for me.”

Before their next number, her composition Diamond in the Rough, one of the band members spoke into the microphone. “Can we please call up Mr. Luke Parker?”

Madison’s head swiveled towards the guitarist. He just smiled cryptically, and now Luke was approaching her.

Madison’s heart thundered.

Luke stood within arm’s length of Madison and faced her, holding the microphone to his mouth. “Ten years ago, I fell in love with you, Madison Kay. I knew that you loved me, too. But we let our bigger worldly ambitions get in the way. You, with your music career. Me, with the Army. And then I made the biggest mistake of my life.”

His voice quivered. “I let my one true love go. I didn’t fight for you enough.”

Madison gazed into his eyes, transfixed.

“And by the time it was all said and done,” he said, “we parted ways. God has led me back down this way to you, Madison. We’re still the imperfect people we were, but I was convinced, as the days passed, that we are perfect for each other. Will you forgive me for not taking care of your heart back then?”

Her eyes glistened with unshed tears.

He smiled. “I know it’s scary, Madison. We can’t see into the future. But I sure as heck can’t see a future without you.”

Wolf whistles erupted from the audience.

He knelt. “So I am asking you today, Madison, in front of God and all these thousands of your fans, if you will take me, your diamond in the rough?”

The concert venue fell silent. Everyone was watching and waiting for her answer.

With tears flowing freely down her cheeks, she leaned towards him and peered at the gorgeous diamond solitaire nestled on velvet.

She took the mic. “Before I answer, I have to tell you something real quick.”

“You’re killing me,” he whispered. “Okay.”

“I gave up on you too soon, too. I walked away when I should have given you a chance. I’ll have you if you’ll have me, Luke Parker.”

Luke grinned and grabbed the microphone. “What do you think, folks?”

The applause was deafening, as were the shouts, “Kiss! Kiss!”

“Can’t disappoint the fans,” Luke whispered, his eyes shining. He stood up, dipped her backwards, and kissed her.

EPILOGUE

Eighteen months later

Snow covered the tops of the Great Smoky Mountains.

Luke held Madison against him as they snuggled under a warm throw, admiring the winter scenery through the wide expanse of their cabin windows. Snow also dusted evergreens of pines, and spindly branches bare for the season. Even in the bleakness of that time of year, there was an undeniable peace. A fire in the fireplace crackled nearby.

As he often did, he couldn’t believe this beautiful woman was his. And that she was safe. He kissed her temple and she melted into him like butter.

“Told you this place was fantastic in the winter,” he said.

“It’s even better than how I pictured it in my mind.”

“Funny, I’ve usually come here in the winter, but it’s never been this cozy.” He hugged her tighter. “Thanks for making your concert schedule work.”

She kissed his palm and put it against her cheek. “Thanks for being patient.”

Since their wedding, Luke and Madison had learned to balance both of their successful careers. He worked remotely from her vacation rental when she was on tour. Or at Luke’s house in the cities where they owned property. Madison scheduled tours in the summer and focused on composing and producing an album during the rest of the year. Her playlist had matured into her own brand of ballad songs and still, her fandom continued to burn strong. Sally vowed that she would be Madison’s manager until she was old and decrepit.

Juggling all the balls in the air wasn’t always smooth-sailing, but Luke told Madison life with a country superstar was working better than he’d imagined.

Especially since Luke continued to be her bodyguard with benefits.

“Happy, Mrs. Parker?” he murmured.

“Yes. Very.” Madison snuggled closer. “Can you believe it’s been two years? I’m so glad all that is behind us.”

“Amen.”

He touched her pregnant belly. “And you, baby Parker? Are you happy?”

She covered his hand with hers. Together, they felt the baby’s kick. And another.

“I do believe that is a yes,” she said, smiling.

Luke cradled Madison’s face in his hands and kissed her lightly on the lips. Just little pecks until she gazed at him intently, her body taut as a bow.

With an eagerness to match her own, he pulled her to him into a kiss.

Next Her Billionaire CEO Book

Jay is a billionaire prince / stable owner trying to appease his matchmaking mother.

Talia is a fiercely independent jockey looking to win her next race.

Will she stop prancing long enough for him to catch her?

Join Jewel’s Gems for news of its release!

Special Thanks to

Amy Meyer, Michelle Pennington, Brittney Mulliner, and Johanna Dodge, for your valuable feedback.

Daniel Coleman, my editor, for encouraging me to dig even deeper and to infuse more feels and then some more.

Debra Erfert, for letting me pick your hubby’s brain about law enforcement. Any mistakes herein were my own.

My husband and children, for your unfailing support and sense of humor.

And last but not the least, Heavenly Father, for granting me the opportunity, ideas and stamina to write books.

If you enjoyed this book, I would appreciate your posting a review online. Thanks!

JOIN JEWEL’S GEMS for all new release announcements, giveaways, and fun stories behind the books.

About the Author

Jewel Allen is an award-winning journalist, author and ghostwriter who grew up in the Philippines and now lives in Utah. She has a bachelor’s degree in English from Utah State University and is the author of several novels. She loves to visit interesting places in the world and spin stories about them.

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BOOKS BY JEWEL ALLEN

Contemporary Romance

Her Billionaire CEO

Her Billionaire Bodyguard

Her Billionaire Prince

Her Billionaire Cowboy

Her Billionaire Spy

Her Billionaire Santa

Romance on the Run

Heartbreak & Outbreak

Damsel Under Deadline

Love Around the World (stand alone) series

A day in Paris

Saffron Summer

Historical Fiction

Blemish

Islands of the Crown series

The Spanish Exile

The Last Princess

The Rogue Raider

Paranormal Mystery

Ghost Moon Night

Memoir

Elephants on the Roundabout: An African Memoir

Soapbox: How I landed & lost a columnist gig,
fought a prison, and got elected