Love Song (19 page)

“That’s part of it.” Wade reluctantly looked up at his grandfather. “A big part of it. Do you follow country music much these days?”

“Some. I may be old but I ain’t deaf. I like a good tune as much as I ever did, although they don’t play the old timers on the radio much anymore. Mostly I watch the Grand Ol’ Opry. You in love with a musician?”

“Yes, sir. Her name is Andi Carson.”

“Shoot, son. Half the men in West Texas are in love with that little gal. Saw her on the Opry three or four months back. I would have watched it anyway, but Ray called to make sure I knew a Buckley gal was goin’ to be on the show. I saw her on one of those country talk shows a few days later, too. She’s a pretty little thing and can sing like a nightingale if I remember right.”

“You remember right. She’s been back in Buckley for several weeks, recovering from pneumonia, and we’ve been seeing a lot of each other.” Wade rested his head against the post and closed his eyes. “I love her with all my heart and have for a long time. I think she loves me, too, but I can’t see how it could ever work. She was on the road for two hundred days last year. She says she’s cutting down on touring, but I couldn’t stand it if she was gone half that time. And I can’t ask her to quit. She’s a star and has worked hard to get there. It wouldn’t be right to take all that away from her.”

“And if you did ask, and she quit, you’d always be afraid that she would regret it and blame you. You’re afraid she will grow to hate you and your children and leave, like your mother did. That’s the heart of it, isn’t it son?”

“Yes, sir. I don’t like to admit I’m a coward, but I guess I am.”

“I wouldn’t call that being a coward. I reckon she’s a real hard worker and a determined little gal to get to where she is. Talent alone wouldn’t have done it. So tell me about her. Does she change her opinions and beliefs to suit the situation? Is fame more important to her than anything else? Does she have a quick, mean temper? Does the world have to revolve around her and only her? Do you always have to question what she says, wondering if it’s the truth or a lie?”

Wade straightened. His grandfather may have been pretending to ask about Andi, but he was talking about Wade’s mother, and in doing so, clearly pointed out some of the major differences between the two women.

“Is she like your mother, Wade?”

“No, sir. She’s an angel. She’s honest, loving and caring, and stands firm in her beliefs. She’s passionate sometimes about her opinions, but she doesn’t have a hot temper. I don’t know how important money and fame are, but she did say making music was as important to her as breathing.”

“Then her career is the main problem, not whether you can trust her with your heart.”

“I don’t know, Grandpa. When couples are apart too much, they get lonely. There’s an awful lot of temptation out there, especially on the road like that.” Wade sighed heavily and noticed a tiny smile flit across his grandfather’s face. “Guess you were right about the noise.” He smiled ruefully, then grew somber. “I can’t ask her to quit. It’s too important to her, too many people love her and her music. It wouldn’t be fair.”

“If a person is prone to temptation, it has a way of findin’ you no matter where you are. As for her career, reach some kind of compromise. Being with her part of the time has to be better than not being with her at all.”

“I don’t know. Sometimes, I think it would be better to end it, to say good-bye once and try to get over her. My heart will break every time she goes away.”

“It’ll hurt all right, but sometimes being apart shows you how good it is when you’re together. I guess what it comes down to is whether or not her love is the lasting kind, and that’s something only the Lord knows for sure. Even the greatest love can be destroyed under the right circumstances, so frettin’ about it isn’t going to do you a bit of good. Will she be leaving soon?”

“Yes, sir. I expect in a week or two.”

“Then why are you sittin’ here talking to me?”

Wade laughed. “Because it’s your birthday and because I don’t know many old codgers who are as much fun to talk to.”

“Well, I’m through talkin’.” Mr. Jamison stood and turned toward the door. “Head on home at first light, boy. Make hay while the sun shines.”

Wade followed his grandfather inside. “You sure you don’t mind?”

“If I’d minded, boy, I wouldn’t have suggested it. I’m gonna have more grandkids and great-grandkids out here tomorrow than I’ll know what to do with. Don’t need you around takin’ up space, too.” The older man winked. “I’ll expect you to bring her up to see me first chance you get.”

“Yes, sir, I will.” Wade hugged him. “I love you, Grandpa.”

“Love you, too, son. You’re my favorite grandchild.”

“I heard you say exactly the same thing to Sissy this afternoon.” Wade draped his arm over the old man’s shoulders as they walked toward his bedroom.

“Meant it, too. Whichever one I’m talking to is my favorite at that minute. All twenty-three of them.”

***

Wade didn’t get away as quickly as he had hoped, but he still slipped into the church pew beside Andi before the congregation finished the first hymn. When she looked up, her face glowing at the sight of him, it was almost more than he could do to keep from pulling her into his arms. When the song ended and every one turned to greet their neighbors, he could see only Andi.

“I thought you weren’t coming home until later.”

“I got lonesome.”

“I’m glad you’re here.”

As everyone sat down, he caught her hand, holding it tight. He leaned close to her ear. “Right now, I wish we were down on the creek without another soul in sight.” She turned slightly pink and squeezed his hand, letting him know she wished it, too.

Guests were introduced, and the pastor made a few announcements, then smiled broadly. “As you probably saw in the bulletin, we have a baby dedication this morning.” He asked a young couple to bring their baby down to the front, a little boy about six months old.

“He’s so cute,” whispered Andi. “Look at those little coveralls.” She shifted closer to Wade so she could see the little guy better. “And those tiny tennis shoes. Oh, what a sweetie.”

Wade watched her face as she smiled and sighed softly. He barely heard Clint ask the parents if they promised to nurture the boy in God’s love and to teach him about Jesus. When the minister asked the church members to promise to pray for him and offer support and guidance whenever they could, he murmured his affirmative reply along with the rest of them, but he never looked away from her beautiful face, from the glistening mist in her eyes.

Pastor said something, then a loud “huhhh” sounded over the microphone. As Andi and the rest of the congregation laughed, Wade looked toward the front of the church. The minister now held the baby, and the kid had a firm grip on the microphone and was trying to eat it.

“Is anyone going to be electrocuted here?” asked Clint with a grin, looking at the man who ran the sound system. The man shook his head, and the minister relaxed. The baby kept chewing on the microphone, grinning every time he made a noise. “I think we may have another famous singer in our midst someday.” He cradled the little boy on one arm, letting him continue to hold onto the microphone. “Brayden, may the Lord bless you and keep you, may he make his face to shine upon you—”

He was interrupted by another “huhhh,” and a squeal of delight.

Andi laughed, looking up at Wade with joy shining in her eyes. He couldn’t resist putting his arm around her shoulders.

“And give you peace, now and forever more.” The minister eased the microphone away from Brayden and handed it to his mother, holding him close so he could pray. The little boy’s face began to pucker, and Clint talked fast. “Lord, we thank you for little Brayden. We ask you to be close to him all his days, shower him with your love, and keep him from harm. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

Clint handed the baby back to his mother, and the little boy choked back a sob. As they walked to their seats, Brayden cast a longing look at the microphone, evoking more laughter.

“He must be teething,” whispered Andi.

“Or practicing to become a public speaker,” Wade murmured as they stood to sing another song.

He didn’t hear much of the sermon. Too many hopes and dreams got in the way of his concentration. Andi held his hand and fidgeted for the remainder of the service, so he figured she didn’t get too much out of the message, either. The instant the benediction ended, he asked, “May I take you home?”

She nodded, and they drifted toward the door, politely avoiding lengthy conversations with those who greeted them.

Dawn intercepted them near the Chevy coupe. “I have to stop by the grocery store for some milk.” She winked at Wade. “Maybe I’ll do a scientific study of the ingredients in all the different cereals while I’m there.”

“You do that.”

It took them less than five minutes to get to Dawn’s house. Once they were inside, he pushed the door closed with his foot and pulled her into his arms, kissing her deeply. Holding her close, he buried his face in her hair. “You smell good.”

“I ought to. This stuff cost a fortune.” She kissed his throat. “You smell good, too.”

“Drug store special. Whatever was on sale.”

“So frugal.” She looked up at him. “Thanks for coming home early.”

“Grandpa booted me out. Said he was tired of all my lonesome sighs.”

“So you did miss me.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He leaned against the front door and settled her comfortably in his embrace.

“Well?” she asked, her voice muffled against his chest.

“Well, what?”

“How much did you miss me?”

More than he thought possible. More than he dared admit. “Oh, a thimbleful.”

“What!” She pushed against his chest, but he only eased his hold, not letting her go completely. She glared at him. “You can do better than that, Wade Jamison.”

He shook his head. “No, a thimbleful is the best I can do. ‘Course it belonged to the Jolly Green Giant or more likely, Mrs. Giant. It was real purty, all covered with rubies and pearls. He said it had been handed down from her grandmother or great-aunt or somebody. Had been a present from the giant king because she was such a beautiful—”

“Wade?”

“Yes, darlin’?”

“Shut up and kiss me.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

By noon on Wednesday, the line of people waiting for Andi’s autograph signing circled the block. The sheriff and police chief decided to close off the block of Main Street in front of Dawn’s store, Memory Lane, to ease the flow of people and lessen the possibility of someone being hit by a car.

It was Andi’s first public appearance since her illness, so Kyle arranged for a brief press conference before the autographing. Reporters from the local newspapers were invited, as well as people from the Dallas and Nashville papers, the country music fan magazines, and CMN, the Country Music Network. Andi talked with them inside Dawn’s store and posed for pictures as Wade watched her, his back to the front door. The first several questions were about her illness, pumping for details of her hospital stay.

“Are you still having any health problems, Miss Carson?”

She grinned at the young reporter from Sidell. “Do I look sick?”

He blushed and grinned back. “No, ma’am. You look fantastic.”

“Thank you.” She winked at him. “Your name is now on my list of preferred interviewers.” The young man and the other reporters laughed. She glanced at Wade. He shook his head with a smile, and she looked back at the media people. “I’m feeling wonderful and have plenty of energy. According to my doctor I’m fit as a fiddle. Of course, I never have figured out how to tell if a fiddle was fit or not....” Performer that she was, Andi waited a few beats while her audience chuckled. “There is a bit of scarring in my lungs from the pneumonia, but it doesn’t hamper my singing, and thankfully, my vocal cords weren’t damaged from all the coughing.”

“Are you anxious to get back to work? And will you be rescheduling the concerts you missed?”

“We are rescheduling as many as we can. My manager, Kyle Wilson, is working things out. You know how it is, the singer is the last to know where she’s going, so I can’t give you the details. Kyle will be releasing the information as soon as the dates are finalized.”

She couldn’t keep from glancing at Wade. He was making a great effort to keep his expression unconcerned, but she saw the turmoil in his eyes. “I’m looking forward to going back to work in some ways, mainly to fulfill my commitment to my fans. They’ve been so wonderful throughout this time. I can’t begin to count the number of letters and gifts I’ve received. It’s been overwhelming. And, of course, I love singing. But it has also been very good to rest and have some peace and quiet. My time here has been very special, and I’m not anxious for it to end.”

“Do you think you might be moving back to Buckley?” asked the editor from the local paper.

“I’m thinking about it.”

“Miss Carson, we heard you were at the mall in Sidell recently with a very handsome cowboy,” said the female reporter from one of the fan magazines.

“That’s true.”

The reporter followed Andi’s gaze as she smiled at Wade. “We also heard that he almost got in a fight with three men who insisted on an autograph even though you were ready to leave.”

“The key word here is almost. He convinced the men that I was tired and needed to leave, using words not fists.”

“But would he have fought them?”

Andi smiled. “Most Texas men will fight if necessary to protect their women.”

The woman looked slyly at Wade, then back at Andi, her eyes sparkling. “And are you his woman, Miss Carson?”

Oops
. Andi laughed, though she was afraid Wade might not be happy with her. “Sneaky little thing, aren’t you? I was just using a figure of speech.”
More like a slip of the tongue.
“Wade is an old friend from high school. He is also a terrific bodyguard. Now, folks, I need to move on outside and get an early start on the autographing. We’re liable to be here until dark as it is. Thank you so much for coming.”