Total pages in book: 29
Estimated words: 27528 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 138(@200wpm)___ 110(@250wpm)___ 92(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 27528 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 138(@200wpm)___ 110(@250wpm)___ 92(@300wpm)
That was exactly what the mayor had said when I called. “We’ll be fine, babe. Promise.”
She flashed a smile. “Okay. Yeah. It’ll be fine. See you in a bit.” She pressed a quick kiss to my lips, smiled, and then took off.
As soon as she was gone again, I made my way to the community center parking lot, where I found a welcome sight. “You made it!”
Rox, Teddy, and Sy had all come through for me. Rox approached first, a big grin on his face. “Wonders never fuckin’ cease, brother. You’re in love with a woman. A doctor at that.”
“We’re so proud,” Teddy teased, both hands resting over his heart.
“You got the music?”
They all nodded. “Shit, man,” Sy began. “These songs are great. Platinum in waiting.”
I shrugged at his praise. “I was inspired.” That was an understatement. Kayla had been my muse in every way possible. The songs flowed because she’d helped me find my passion for living again. “The float is back here.”
We got set up and did our sound check as quietly as possible to avoid drawing any attention. The float was large enough for all four of us, but with our instruments, we needed some reinforcements, which was where Lee assisted by getting a flatbed for the guys to follow behind me. It wasn’t ideal, but this wasn’t about the float.
“Mr. Lancaster,” the mayor flashed a smile as she approached slowly, eyeing each of us. “We’re ready. You’ll have about two minutes on the float before you arrive at the space where most of the town is congregated. Good?”
“Great, thank you so much, Mayor Stevens.”
“Thank you; this is going to be a parade for the books! Good luck.”
We started to move, and the guys began to play strains of old favorites. I joined in absently, scanning the crowd for Kayla. “Doc!” I called out when I spotted her, and she spun around, eyes wide, mouth parted, shock evident in her hazel eyes.
I smiled back. “Surprise.”
She looked to her right, where the boys pulled up behind me as both vehicles came to a stop. “What is happening?” she mouthed.
“I came to Holiday Grove because this is my brother’s new home and to work on our next album. It wasn’t going too well at first, and then I found my muse.”
Kayla put both hands to her cheeks.
“That’s right, Doc, I’m talking about you.”
The crowd cheered; some of them turned back to look at her, but mostly they were focused on the band.
“You see, this sexy, brilliant woman and this crazy little town of hers reminded me of how much I loved music. Writing songs, creating melodies and hooks—it was like the first time all over again.”
She shook her head, her face bright red from the attention. “Mac.”
“I fell back in love with writing music, with songwriting too. But mostly, I fell in love with you, Kayla. Heart pounding, can’t-wait-to-see-you, touch you, taste you, feel you—in love with you. And babe? These songs are for you.” I sang; my gaze never left my woman’s, and hers never left mine.
Tears streamed down her cheeks as she watched me play and swayed to the music. Joy lit up her hazel eyes while her hands remained over her heart until the last note was played.
“Thank you, Holiday Grove, for indulging me today. The first round of drinks at Ol’ St. Nick’s is on me!” There was a stack of dingle pies warming in my oven just for Kayla, and I was a man of my word. Levi had come through for me, so I went above and beyond for him.
Had to, since this was my new home.
“Mac Lancaster, what the hell was that?” Kayla made her way to the float, smiling up at me despite the fierceness of her question.
“That, Doc, is what the kids call a grand gesture. I’m hoping it conveyed how I feel about you.”
“Oh, it did that all right,” she laughed and held her hands up.
I pulled her onto the float and wrapped my arms around her. “And how do you feel about those feelings?”
“Overwhelmed,” she admitted with a laugh. “And happy, Mac. So damn happy. I love you too, but unlike you, I was too damn afraid to say the words.”
“You almost did this morning.”
Her smile brightened. “I did, but again, I was scared.” Her palms cradled my face, and she looked deep into my eyes with a heavy sigh. “But I love you too, Mac. I know it’s fast, maybe too fast, but I haven’t felt this way about anyone. Ever. I love that I can be myself with you, all parts of me from goofy to nerdy, and you love them all. Just as I love all the parts of you. A lot.”
“Kayla, do you know how it feels to hear you say those words?” My heart raced. The blood in my veins vibrated with the excitement that pulsed through me. “I’ve never been so terrified in my life, laying my heart out like that.”