Cinnamon’s Courageous Heart: Sweethearts of Country Music, Book 5 Read online

  They reached the river district. He parked the car outside the simple, elegant sign reading Llewellyn’s. The valet attendants opened their doors and he came around to collect her. “Ready, Miss Chadwick?”

  “I am, Mr. Black.”

  They were escorted to a corner table, near the dance floor, with red and white tablecloths and flickering candlelight. A single red rose sat in a small vase on each table. A stage occupied the back wall, softly playing was a five-piece orchestra. The hostess handed over dinner menus, and dessert and wine menus.

  “Three times the decisions,” Silas joked.

  “Our Valentine’s evening special is surf and turf for two, two side items each, salad, bread, soup, a bottle of fine red wine, and dessert.”

  “That sounds good.” Silas lifted a brow at Cinnamon. She shrugged in agreement. The hostess departed and Silas propped his elbows on the table. Cinnamon grinned. One could clean the boy up and put him in a suit, but one could never take the boy out of the man in the suit.

  “We don’t have much time, Cinnamon. And I really want to get to know you. Tell me about yourself. What are your dreams?”

  “That’s easy. I want to see the Lipstick Outlaws be a success. National and international. I’d like to see us at big events and on international tours. I want us to be a household name, recognized by everyone, even those who don’t follow country music.” She could tell he caught her hint by his grin, his eyes crinkling in the corners.

  “Do you have a personal dream? Not career driven?” He leaned closer and she smelled the fruity scent of gum.

  “I want to see the house finished, and I want to grow old there. Maybe someday I can have time to put in some gardens. Maybe take up knitting.” She smiled. “What about you?”

  “Professionally, I’d like a new truck. Old Blue has been a reliable workhorse, but something newer would be nice one day. No rush, just when the time is right.”

  The server brought the chilled wine and the first course. The courses kept coming steadily, the conversation flowed, more easily as time went on.

  “Every bite was delicious. What a great place to come to tonight.”

  “We’re not done yet. Dessert, remember? But first, we need to dance off a few calories.” He took her hand and guided her from behind the table. The band was softly playing but only a few couples danced. Silas took her to the center, under the spinning, glittering silver globe. He drew her close, one hand resting on the small of her back and one stretched out, holding hers. He bent his head to hold her gaze. “Ready?” At her nod, he counted off and stepped once.

  She found his rhythm easily. Far from a great dancer, she had enough experience to follow a good leader. Silas was such a dancer. He never let her gaze go as they sashayed around the hardwood floor. He seemed in no hurry to stop and she came closer. The song changed to a slower melody and she rested the side of her cheek against his chest. She felt his smile against her temple. Her eyes closed and a sigh escaped her.

  Gradually, after five songs, he led her back to their table. The dessert plates waited for them, as did after-dinner coffees.

  “I promised you a real date would involve much more than Rounders.”

  Her eyes widened and she set the dainty coffee cup down. “Is that what we’re doing here? Dating? The picnic? Melting Pot? Fishing? Everything? We’re dating?”

  “I’d like to think so.” He paused, setting down his fork. “Why are you suddenly looking at me like I just pulled a gun on you?”

  She sat there, stunned, unable to respond. Why hadn’t it clicked in her mind before that they were more than homeowner and contractor having a bit of social fun? They were a man and woman dating? Goodness! Katie Lyn would have a fit and a laugh if only she knew. Even when she mentioned it, like at the Melting Pot, she used it as an easy way to describe their being out together without complications.

  She’d sworn to never date again. She couldn’t date again. Dating led to unrecoverable pain and heartache. Always. Every time. She looked at him, handsome in his suit and tie, and remembered those incredible kisses, and wanted to weep.

  She reached for the coffee cup and saw her hand trembling. She gave up on coffee and folded her hands on the table to still the shaking. She blinked several times until her gaze cleared. She swallowed past the sudden dryness in her throat.

  “I . . . I’m falling so hard for you, but . . . I can’t . . .”

  He pushed plates and drinks aside until his warm hand rested on top of hers. He held her gaze with a penetrating, soft stare. His smile was tentative but gentle. “Cinnamon, I get that you've been hurt, and I don't want to minimalize any of what you went through. I don’t want to sound trite and say if some guy is going to hurt a woman, he's not worth hanging onto the memory of. Or he's not worth the pain that he caused. All that’s true. But not every guy is the same. Some are soft, tender, sentimental, sympathetic, and empathetic who don’t have any kind of agenda.” He stopped and squeezed her hands. “Some just want to love a great woman.”

  Her tears flowed freely, unchecked, as he leaned over for a kiss.

  11

  “What color do you want to make Kentucky?” Cinnamon asked Madison. They sat at the table and Madison surveyed her supply of colored pencils. “We’ll circle around and end up back in another part of Kentucky when we return home.”

  She traced the route they were taking this time. Kentucky, to Illinois, through the Great Lake states, over through New England, and down into the Virginias and back to Kentucky and then home. Thirteen states, twenty-one shows, almost as many radio interviews, and twenty-three days before they returned home for a five-day break.

  “Wow, that’s a lot of states.” Madison exhaled as Cinnamon’s finger finally traced home.

  Out of the mouths of babes. “It is. The next one won’t be as many or as long.”

  “Maddie, I think you should use a blush color, to go along with your Auntie Cinnamon’s new cheek shade,” Mac said from her spot in one of the captain’s chairs where she was snacking on chips and watching some show.

  “I’m not blushing!”

  “Yeah, you are. You have been.”

  Her mouth opened to argue but arguing with Mac was just plain pointless. She sought Rissa and Taylor as voices of reason, since Katie Lyn was riding shotgun.

  “Well, since you mentioned it, yeah, you do have a sort of that guy blush.”

  “That guy?” What was Rissa talking about?

  “Um hmm,” Rissa nodded. “The look you start wearing when you meet that guy. The only one who can do that.”

  “So, what’s his name, Cin?” Taylor asked.

  She pulled a pillow out from behind her. Good thing they stocked their bus with plenty of throw pillows. And now she knew why they were called that. “There isn’t a that guy.” Her tone dipped to sarcasm at the last two words.

  Taylor set aside her crossword puzzle. “Is it that contractor you hired?”

  C.C. smirked. “Maybe he’s fixing more than just your house.”

  Cinnamon threw the pillow at C.C.’s head. It bounced off and she plucked it up, taking aim at Cinnamon.

  “I have a child here. No throwing because you could hit her.” She cradled Maddie to her side. “Sweetie, this is a good example of how not to behave.”

  “Even though Cinnamon started it.”

  “Mac did.”

  “Girls, you all sound like a bunch of children. You’ll confuse Maddie sure as tea is sweet.” Lynette admonished, leaving her bunk to come sit at the table with Cinnamon and Madison. “Now, did you decide on a color for Kentucky? I like green. Do you see all the lush green grass?”

  “It is called the Bluegrass State,” Mac said drolly.

  * * *

  “Hi. How are things going in the Cheese State?”

  “Is that what they call Wisconsin? Well, it explains a few signs we passed.” Cinnamon yawned, then straightened up, balancing the laptop on her knees as she sat cross-legged on her bunk. Though both tables were ta
ken, it was amazing how they all stopped what they were doing when her Skype rang. The bus went silent. Well, Rissa and Taylor weren’t too bad, but C.C. and Mac were incorrigible. “It’s fine. Cold.” She plucked at the long-sleeved sweatshirt she wore. “Madison is digging the snow each time we stop. She does snow angels and we might have had a snowball fight or two.”

  Silas chuckled, his eyes crinkling. “Yes, kids and snow are a natural match. Something you and I didn’t see much of while growing up.”

  “Yeah. So how is the house coming along? Are we ready for virtual tours?”

  “Sure.” He lifted a shoulder in a shrug and turned the camera around. “See, here’s the living room. I took out that full wall leading to the hall and created some half partitions. I also added a couple transom windows to let in more natural light.”

  “And still no light fixtures.” Cinnamon gave a big sigh.” And what colors are things going to be? Everything is that . . .”

  “Drywall and mud.”

  “Yes. That.”

  He smiled, looking like the Cheshire Cat. “I have a plan for that, too. Don’t worry.”

  She pulled the curtain shut, knowing it wouldn’t give her much privacy. At least Silas was talking, and teasing, finally. Whatever bothered him on their first Skype call was apparently dealt with. She wished she were as efficient at dealing with her issues.

  “That all looks nice. I don’t mean to sound unsatisfied. I just don’t have the artist eye to see what’s going to be there like you can. I can only see what’s there now. Dry wall and white mud.”

  He laughed, wholesomely, making her grin, too. “Close enough,” he said. “Don’t worry, by the time you return, you’ll see a lot more. Shall we tour over to the guest bathroom?”

  He carried the laptop to most of the rooms, showing her his progress and telling her what he envisioned. She was impressed with his thoroughness and attention to details. Much like the dates they’d shared, he carefully planned things and then carried them out according to that plan. Her mind flashed back to a few of the more memorable moments of their dates.

  Why hadn’t she seen them as dates then? Clearly, that was his intention. Would she have gone the first few times, like to Rounders, had she known? When her mind stoutly said no more dates, no more men, no more risking another heartbreak. Yet her heart liked spending time with Silas. Even on a date. She could almost smack herself.

  And now that she knew the truth, knew his intentions, did she dare go out again when she was done touring? Should she encourage him when she couldn’t allow them to get serious? Except her heart was already seriously attracted to Silas.

  “So, what do you think?”

  “About the house? Yeah, it’s nice.”

  He grinned. “That’s good to know, but I was talking about going out again when you get back. I heard there were some nice concerts in the area and thought it might be fun to go. I just asked how you felt about going to listen to a concert or two while you’re between legs of your own.”

  How very thoughtful. And she totally missed the conversation. Somewhere in there she zoned out. “It’s okay,” she heard herself say. Apparently, the other self who wasn’t just reminding herself going out again wasn’t a good idea. “Who are the artists?”

  Again, he gave that slight grin. The one that set butterflies off inside her. “Bob Seger’s Farewell Tour and Keith Urban.”

  Interesting. One from her genre and one from his. Something told her to just throw caution and logic to the wind and see where a couple concerts led. She matched his grin. “Sure, they each sound good. Can we attend both?”

  * * *

  Michigan had just experienced a blizzard when they rolled in. The cold air from Lake Michigan helped dump more snow than any of them had ever seen. Madison squealed, excited to get out and play.

  “Careful, Lynette. You might lose her in this stuff,” Cinnamon cautioned as the bus stopped in the parking lot of WTCM FM.

  As she and the band were ushered inside, she glanced over her shoulder to see Madison leap headlong into a snowbank taller than her. Lynette had her work cut out for her today. Within minutes they met the various people who operated the station. Aside from the on-air personality, or Disc Jockey as they used to be called, there were loads of other people who made the assorted shows happen smoothly.

  “Welcome to Traverse City. We’re glad to have you. You’re just in time to enjoy some of our recent snowfall.” The station manager chatted a bit about the weather, then took them down a hall to introduce them around. They finally met the radio personality, Ariel. Her show was called Afternoons with Ariel Boone.

  They did the customary introductions and band recap. “Your big hit now is When Karma Comes Calling for You,” Ariel said, “but I’d like to play one of your earlier songs if that’s okay. How about your second number one hit, the pretty ballad, Silly Me?”

  The girls nodded and settled in to wait until the song ended and Ariel went back on the air to introduce them again.

  “So, what was one of the biggest surprises you ladies discovered once you really hit it?” Ariel asked.

  “That’s easy. How hot those stage lights really are.”

  Everyone giggled at Taylor’s comment.

  “People start recognizing you on the streets,” C.C. said. “Or think they do but they’re not exactly sure. Their expressions can sometimes be priceless.”

  More chuckles.

  “For me, it’s how long it takes in the studio to record a song, and then all the different processes and steps involved just to make one single,” Rissa offered. “It is just incredibly unbelievable.”

  “How hard it is to be away from family and home for so long.”

  Ariel Boone nodded. “I’ve heard that from a lot of artists. Katie Lyn, I know you get to bring your mom and little daughter along. That must make it somewhat easier to be out on the road for long periods. How about the rest of you? Who do you leave behind and how do you cope?”

  Rissa, Taylor, and C.C. mentioned their manly loves and how they made things work over time and distance. Then it was Cinnamon’s turn.

  “I have a cat and horse back home that I miss very much. And my brother.”

  Ariel shook her head. “No special love interest?”

  Cinnamon was about to say no, when Mac jumped in. “Our sweet Cinnamon has recently fallen in love. It’s prettier than puppy love.”

  She gritted her teeth, clenched her jaw, felt her pulse quicken, and promised herself to get even with Mac very soon. Warmth and doubtlessly red both fanned her face and throat. Ariel jumped on that like a heat-seeking missile.

  “Cinnamon? Listeners, I wish you could see how Cinnamon is blushing right now. She’s as red in the face as her name implies. You know those hard red candies? I think Mac will be in serious trouble for spilling the beans. But listeners, WTCM, Today’s Country Music, has broken the news first. Cinnamon Chadwick is in love!”

  She had to give points to Ariel, she knew how to jump on an opportunity. She took a few drinks of water as Ariel spouted about the station’s great discovery, she then glared at Mac, and tried to compose herself.

  “All right, Cinnamon, tell us about this love interest in your life.”

  She inhaled, swallowed and slowly exhaled, then folded her hands neatly on the table. “I think love comes to us when the time and circumstances are right. I think it’s something that will happen when it’s meant to be.” She exhaled. “So many times, people find who they think is the one, maybe that guy or that girl who’ll complete them. They try so hard to make it work, only to find later it wasn’t the time for love to happen in their lives.” She paused.

  “It’s like that with music,” she continued slowly. “Some people go a long time and never find a style of music that works for them. But when the time is right, when they need to, they’ll hear that one special song. It lights up something inside them, and they suddenly hunger for it and they’ve found the musical genre that’s just perfect for them.”


  It took Ariel a moment to recover from her answer that wasn’t an answer. Whatever Cinnamon felt for Silas wasn’t up for sharing right now. She caught Katie Lyn’s eye and looked away. She dared not look at Mac right now.

  Ariel cleared her throat. “That was well said, Cinnamon. Folks, let’s hear it for the Lipstick Outlaws. They’re playing tonight at the Soaring Eagle. I have two free tickets, with backstage meet and greets with these lovely ladies, for caller nine. 231-WTCM . . .”

  The red On Air light turned off and Cinnamon heaved a sigh. Ariel shook their hands and thanked them for stopping by. She paused when she reached Cinnamon. “Girl, that was a fantastic save. I apologize for putting you on the spot.”

  “Don’t worry about it.” Cinnamon shook her head. “It wasn’t anything you could have prevented. I hope you can make it to the show tonight.”

  Ariel’s smile was huge. “Are you kidding? I don’t know what I was more excited about. Interviewing you ladies on my show or making it to see your show. Both are highlights of my year!”

  They hugged and left, stopping in the parking lot.

  “Umm. Where’s my mom and daughter?”

  “Maybe they went back to the bus?” Mac ran over to check inside the bus. She returned and shook her head. “Just Danny. He hasn’t seen them.”

  Fear lurched in Cinnamon’s heart and she grabbed Katie Lyn’s hand. “Don’t go off half-cocked. They might be inside the station.”

  “I’ll go check.” C.C. was already in motion as she called over her shoulder.

  The others fanned out, calling for Madison and Lynette. Cinnamon saw the tears her friend was crying and stayed close, frequently reaching across the mounds of snow to grip her hand. She saw the same thoughts mirrored in Katie’s eyes as she felt in her heart. If anything happened to those two . . .

  “They’ll be okay. They probably just went off to explore. All this snow makes the place look like the Arctic Circle.”