Tate (22 page)

“All I need is Maisie.”

***

Maisie

I had a special project that was keeping me busy - a vest for Tate for the wedding. Dion and I were also working on the design for my wedding dress. I’d been sketching ideas for weeks. Together we designed the most amazing dress we’d ever created. He took my measurements once more to be sure, and I was ready. I knew I was leaving my wedding dress in more than capable hands, and I knew, with no question, that it would be perfect.

“No pictures. I don’t want to take a chance on them being leaked. I trust you – just you - on this. I don’t even want April to see it. ‘No chances’, Tate keeps saying. I feel like I can trust her, but you and Carlene are the only ones I
know
I can trust. Don’t ship it or check it. Bring it as a carry-on. The fabric is easy to work with. We’ll get it pressed there.”

“I’ll bring the portable steamer,” he smiled, letting me know that he understood.

“Dion, I love you,” I said, and kissed his cheek. “We’ll be leaving in the morning. I’ll see you and Carlene soon.”

***

We had a non-stop flight to Phoenix. The band was already there. We checked into the hotel and I got the ‘no chances’ speech before he headed out for rehearsals. I Googled chapels and then called about availability while Tate was gone. He arrived back around five and we had a bite to eat before heading to the arena just across the street. I met my female security ‘friend’ for the evening and we went to our seats.

The lights dimmed, and when they finally turned them up again, Tate sat on the stool as though he was waiting for something.

A group from the left side of the arena called out, “Welcome to Phoenix, Tate!”

“Well, hey y’all!” he laughed. His voice was warm and welcoming as it rolled off his tongue. “Thanks for having me!”

“What’s Maisie’s song?” someone yelled out.

“I’m glad you asked! I grew up on George Strait’s music. Here goes, you know what to do!”

I cross my heart and promise to


Give all I’ve got to give to make all your dreams come true


In all the world you’ll never find a love as true as mine

I couldn’t help it - I cried. The passion in his voice was so emotional, so real, that I knew this was my ‘forever man’. Anitra, the security gal, put her arm around my shoulder and let me cry. Tate saw me, and I saw him, but he didn’t do anything to acknowledge that I was there.

“Maisie, I love you,” he said when we returned to our room. I was still choking back a sob.

“Tate, each night the song you choose has some special meaning. I know it. I feel it. Tonight it was you telling me that you’ll never give up on us. I heard your conversation with Carlene the other day when I stepped out of the shower. You were telling her that someone was just out to hurt me, and that you’d never get tired of me or lose interest. Then, you told her that you’d walk away from the business first. ‘She means that much to me’, you said.”

“Maisie, do you know how much I love you?”

“Enough to marry me,” I said.

“But do you feel my heart?”

“Every beat,” I said, and laid my head against his chest. “I can.”

***

Tate

We were on to Albuquerque, with a free night before the show on Saturday. Deidre booked an early flight so we had some time to explore and a little time to ourselves.

That night, as she lay in my arms, I asked, “I’m going to take you somewhere you’ve never been tomorrow.”

“Take me, Tate!” she laughed.

“Oh, Maisie, don’t tempt me,” I told her. “I made a reservation at a restaurant that will be amazing, at least that’s what I’ve heard. Fame has its privileges. I got ‘
the
best table’ in the place.”

“I can’t wait to see what you want to share with me.”

We spent the day exploring and finally, around six that evening, we arrived at a tram that would take us to the top of the mountain. The ride took us three miles above Albuquerque. The view as we rode up the mountain was amazing, but all I could think about was sharing the view of the city below as we made our way back down the mountain, with a full moon to illuminate the ride.

When we reached the top, there was a restaurant that looked out over the valley. ‘The best table’ that they reserved had a beautiful view. We sat beside each other so that we could see out. I noticed that people were watching us – that recognition, privacy thing. I tried to be polite, but this was my time with Maisie and I didn’t want it interrupted.

“Does that bother you?” she asked, after someone stopped by the table to say hello.

“It annoys me, but it’s part of this lifestyle. I can deal with it. Can you?”

“I’m learning,” she said, and I squeezed the hand that seemed to fit so perfectly in mine. “It’s beautiful here. Have you been here before?”

“Yes, but the restaurant wasn’t here. It was a lodge way back then. Mama and I would load up Paw’s truck and camp.”

“Just the two of you?”

“Yeah, my dad was gone by then. Popie was in college and Gabby was a senior in high school who didn’t want to be outdoors. She’s kinda prissy,” I laughed. “Mama wanted me to ‘experience’ and this was one of those places. That’s what I want to give you, Maisie.”

“You’ve already given me many things I’ve never experienced.”

I leaned to whisper in her ear. “Wait ‘til later.”

She laughed out loud, and people turned to look.

“I love when you let go like that.”

“I love that you can make me let go,” she replied - a double entendre that made her blush.

“Stop it,” I scolded playfully. “You’ve got me thinking about making love to you and I’ve got a hard on. Don’t be in a hurry to leave.”

“Oh my!” she laughed.

As we rode back down the mountain, Maisie curled into my arm. “I love being here with you, Tate,” her voice wavering.

“But?” I smiled down at her.

“I’m ready for all of the other crap to go away. I’m really just ready to move past it,” she replied.

“Me too, babe, but that brings me to another question…”

“I don’t know,” she interrupted. “I don’t know how much traveling I’ll be able to do with you when this all goes away.”

“Oh, God. She reads minds now,” I whispered and nuzzled her neck. “We’ll figure it all out, Maisie. Because I want as much of you as I can have.”

“You’ve already got that …”

“Look,” I said and pointed to my left.

“Our moon,” she said.

***

Maisie

On the ride back down the mountain, Tate held my hand and nuzzled my neck, whispering sweet words to me. I heard ‘forever’ and ‘promise’, ‘love’ and ‘always’. I couldn’t concentrate on the full sentences he spoke - my mind was racing and I could only focus on the love I felt for him.

Back at the hotel, I stood in front of Tate. “Where were we?” I asked.

“What do you…?” and then, his face took on a devilish taunt. “I think I was going to tell you about my hard on.”

“I think you were.”

“Wait,” he teased. “Let me show you.”

I woke in the middle of the night and found Tate missing from our bed. I sat up and saw him in the corner by the window with his tablet.

“What are you doing?”

“I needed to write something down before it went away. Lyrics,” he mumbled. “I’ll be right there.”

I got up and walked over to the window. “I want to see.”

He turned so that I could see what he was working on. “Just lyrics for now.”

She don’t work no sugar shaker

She don’t shake a money-maker

She’s a lady that I cherish

Sometimes a little devilish

And I love her

Them jeans she wears ain’t painted on

Her smile softly whispers ‘come on’

She’s the woman that I need

She’s brought me to my knees

And I’m a lucky guy

“I love it. I can’t wait to hear the tune.”

“It still needs something, but that’s how they start. Come back to bed with me.”

***

Tate

I started to notice that some of the serenades to Maisie were getting sarcastic, negative comments - not a lot, and it wasn’t the norm for the Fan Site, but there were some snarky, biting words. Maisie must have seen them as well.

“Maybe you should stop,” she told me after tonight’s show.

“You gonna let catty, jealous girls and women guide our path? What’d I tell you before? We aren’t gonna let anyone rent space in our head.”

I made a mental note to have Deidre talk to the page administrator to monitor them and watch for any threatening or harassing comments, and block the comments if necessary. I knew all the media crap still weighed heavy on Maisie’s mind. I’d learned that we had to mind what we know is true and brandish shields to bounce all the other shit off. It’s a slower lesson for Maisie because it’s personal. So, I will remind her that I am her warrior and protector.

***

Vegas was only a few more stops away on the tour and Maisie had been busy making the arrangements for the wedding. There were things that I wanted to take care of, though, and it made me happy that she let me be part of it. Deidre was joining us on Thursday to help get things in place. My family was coming later that evening, and Carlene and Dion would be there early on Friday. I had shows both nights. The wedding was on Saturday evening, followed by another show on Sunday before we left for California.

***

When I walked on stage at the Joint at the Hard Rock Cafe in Las Vegas Thursday night, I saw my family – Deidre, Mama, Popie along with her husband Seth, the twins, and Gabby in the front row. And then I saw Maisie – my future. There was a piano on stage and when I sat down at the keyboard, as hush fell over the place.

I didn’t say a word. I just started to play. I said a prayer before I started to sing. I knew that my life would never be the same again, ever.

One word,

That's all you said


Something in your voice called me

To turn my head


Your smile, just captured me


You were in my future as far as I could see


And I don’t know how it happens,

But it happens still


You asked me if I love you,

If I always will

Well you had me from hello…


When I rose from the piano, I could see her. The house lights shone on her face, her eyes glistening with sweet tears. “I love you,” she mouthed, wiping her eyes.

She gets me. She knows my heart like no one ever has.

Two hours later, we gathered with our family and friends for a bite to eat. The guys from the band joined us, too. Each one of them had personally made it their mission to make Maisie feel like part of the group. It made me happy. They were a great bunch of guys, and knowing that if I turned my back for a moment one of them would be watching out for her gave me peace of mind. There still hadn’t been anything from Daniel that led us any closer to an answer on who was behind the nonsense that followed us.

In our room, I stripped to head to the shower. I turned to tell Maisie something and she just stood there looking at me.

“What are you doing?” I asked.

“Admiring. All this time, and we’ve been in such a hurry, that I haven’t taken the time to really appreciate it all.” She stepped closer and purred, rolling her tongue, followed by a deep seductive laugh.

“Stop. You’re embarrassing me.”

“Really?” she asked sarcastically.

“No, not at all. Who am I fooling? I like you checking me out. It’s a huge turn on.”

“Huge,” she repeated.

“Who is this naughty Maisie?” I teased.

“We
are
in Sin City, right?”

Later, as I hovered above her, looking at the beautiful woman who would be my wife, I suddenly felt very emotional. “I can’t believe how you’ve turned my world upside down, Maisie.”

“You mean this?” she asked, and pulled me closer.

“This too,” I replied, “but I meant these last months. What I feel for you.”

“I don’t know what you saw when you walked in the shop that day, but I’m glad you were pushy and persistent.” She smiled, her fingers tracing contented, light circles on my back.