Page 25 of Forever To Me

I blow out a breath. “I need my privacy, Red. You can’t tell anyone about my house, my kid, my life, none of it. It’soff limits.”

She watches me and then says quietly, “No one knows I’m here in Bridger Falls. I know something about wanting your life to be private, cowboy.”

I stare at her and sigh. “And again, I’m not a cowboy. Not everyone in Wyoming is a cowboy.”

“Fine.” She rolls her eyes playfully.

This woman might be the death of me. She’s funny as hell and surprises me. Very few people surprise me. Then again, I never let anyone in, so there’s that.

“I’m going to take a shower and go back to the Dogwood. Thanks for letting me hang out in your zip code. I promise to never tell anyone about it.” She stands and carries her guitar back into the house. Her flannel pajama pants and t-shirt cling to all her curves, and I curse myself silently for messing this up again.

I run my fingers through my dog’s soft fur. I want her—God, I want her—but I’m not the guy who takes risks anymore. Risks terrify me, plain and simple. I have too much at stake to lose, more than I could ever make her understand.

Chapter 10

Violet

“How was everything out at Walker’s?” Maggie asks as she stocks the linen cart.

I stare at her dryly. “He didn’t know I was there, Maggie. You set me up.”

But I can’t be mad at her. She’s had a lot on her plate with the Dogwood, helping Walker, and I know she needed my help. It’s a lot easier to send me out there than it is for her to stay out there. And I didn’t mind it at all.

First, Walker lives in paradise. His home is the most beautiful home I’ve ever seen. It’s not at all what I was expecting. His words about privacy echo in my mind, and I’ll never talk about his home with anyone.

She shrugs. “I thought you’d like the animals. You always loved animals.”

“I still love animals. And I love his. His horses are beautiful. And the barn cats were pretty cute, too,” I admit.

“See? It all worked out,” she says as she nods at the linen cart.

“How many rooms do we have today?” I ask as I glance atmy watch, planning out how long I have to get the rooms done before check ins.

“Just three, it’s a slow day,” she says.

“Not bad,” I say as I pull the cart behind me. I can do them quickly.

My phone buzzes and it’s my mom. I put it on speaker and answer, “Hi, Mom.”

“Hey, honey. How are things in Nashville? You get your album done?”

I suck in air through my teeth, “Well, Mom. Things changed. I’m actually in Bridger Falls.”

She’s quiet for a moment and then says, surprised, “At Maggie’s?”

“Yeah,” I say, matter of fact, like it’s no big deal, hoping she’ll just leave it and not ask too much.

It’s not that I want to keep things from her. I don’t. I just don’t want to disappoint her. She and my dad have been my biggest fans and supporters. And I don’t want to let anyone down by leaving Nashville and walking away from my dreams. They’ve always rooted so hard for me. Music has always been a big deal in my family.

“What happened? Are you okay?” she asks softly, worry in her voice.

My mind wanders as I start work on the first room, and I think about the songs I’m working on and if it’s even worth it to try to start over again. I had an entire album written and was so excited. Then everything was taken from me. The album was stolen and recorded by another artist, and my label dropped me. And I’m embarrassed. I went from an up-and-coming musician to hiding out in Bridger Falls, working at a motel.

Damn. Life can change in an instant. That’s for sure.

Instead of explaining everything, I don’t. I simply say, “I justneeded a break, Mom. Hanging out here with Maggie for a while. She needed some help, so it all worked out.”

“I’m glad you’re visiting with her. How is she? I need to call her.”

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