Page 61 of Heartstrings & Horizons
“You know, I don't think I’ve heard you sing yet.” We listened to music on the drive back from Niagara Falls, but she spent most of her time reading. She flushes at my observation and I narrow my eyes at her; I have a sneaking suspicion that she’s been holding out on me.
“Will you sing with me, Cowboy?”
“Hell yeah, I will. Pick out a song and I’ll put it in for us.”
A few minutes later, the crowd has gathered around the small stage and the DJ announces the first performance. A tall, broad-shouldered man with long dark hair named Jim approaches the stage as the opening bars to “Friends in Low Places by Garth Brooks” reverberate through the bar. The crowd favorite has everyone hootin’ and hollerin’ and before we know it, Paige and I are called on stage. As the song begins to play, I can almost see the nerves radiating from her body. I clasp her hand in mine and give it a reassuring squeeze, hoping to ease her racing heart.
The lyrics to the song flash on the screen and Paige sings the opening lines, her voice coming out a bit shaky at the beginning, but she steadies herself as the song goes on. She sings with such emotion and sincerity, immediately capturing the room’s rapt attention. Paige’s eyes don’t leave mine, and I’m captivated watching her get lost in the song. She turns to me, the microphone in one hand between us, the other resting on my chest, our fingers still entwined. Lost in the soothing tone of her voice, I almost miss my queue to join in.
As Paige and I sing about regret and distance between two lovers, the audience is enraptured, the usual bar chatter fading into the background. The rest of the world disappears as I only have eyes for the incredible woman in my embrace. By the time the song finishes, the bar erupts in a boisterous applause. Something unspoken passes between us as I lead her back to our table.
“You were amazing, baby,” I whisper in her ear, using the endearment that I usually reserve for bedroom activities. “You've been holding out on me.” I smile at her tenderly as I watch the blush creep into her cheeks. I kiss her temple and take my seat beside her.
“You weren’t so bad yourself, Cowboy.”
Miles and Dean join us at our table, telling Paige how fantastic she is and ignoring me entirely. I can’t really blame them. I’m smitten, too.
Out of the corner of my eye, I see Cara and Jen approach our table. A sense of dread fills my body and I glance towards the impending spectacle. I can’t blame Cara for the actions of her friends, but Jen is nothing but trouble. Dean stands to give Cara a quick kiss as Jen scans the table, her narrowed gaze briefly stopping on Paige. I can’thelp but reach out and clasp a hand on her thigh as protectiveness surges through my body. I can only imagine the thoughts going through Jen’s mind right now and judging by our last interaction, I’m not going to like what comes next.
“Slumming it with a fat chick, Cade?” she sneers.
I rise out of my chair to defend my girl, but before I can say a word, Paige is at my side, pressing her palm against my chest to stop me from speaking. Wrapping a protective arm around her waist, I pull her flush against my side, then watch in awe as she rounds on Jen, “First of all, what you said was incredibly rude and uncalled for. I don’t know what kind of person spews shit like that about someone they don’t even know, but it says a lot more about you than it does about me.”
The table goes deadly silent as my girl gives Jen a piece of her mind. Paige’s voice remains strong and unwavering, a stark contrast to the last time she was in a similar position. I stand beside her in a show of support as she continues.
“I’m proud of who I am. I don’t need validation from someone like you, who feels the need to tear others down so she can feel better about herself. I know all about your little blind date, and I can see the jealousy seeping out of your pores.” Her words are laced with venom, landing blow after stinging blow. “It’s ironic considering it was my text message to myfriendthat you saw on the table that night. You had your chance, and you fucked up by jumping to conclusions. In fact,Ishould be thankingyou. It if weren’t for your total lack of character, I wouldn’t be here right now.”
She lets the last words hang in the air as she places her left hand, adorned with the gorgeous engagement ring, on my chest, then tilts her head for a kiss. I take her queue and bring my lips down to meet hers in a public display of affection, all but declaring in front of the whole town that she’s mine and I’m hers. Nothing goes unnoticed in Oak Ridge.
Jen’s smirk falters, her confidence wavering in the face of Paige’s accusations. Her eyes narrow as she spots the ring on Paige’s finger. She mumbles something to Cara before stalking away, her malicious exterior crumbling as she goes.
“I’m so sorry about that,” Cara says, looking uncomfortable. “I won’t even try to make excuses for her. You didn’t deserve that.”
“It’s fine. It’s nothing I haven’t dealt with before, and it's certainly not your fault,” Paige replies then smiles at Cara, signaling that she doesn’t hold her friend’s actions against her. “I’m Paige, by the way. Cade’s fiancée.”
“It’s so nice to finally meet you. Dean spilled the beans earlier this week, but I had no idea you would be in town. We should all go to Rosie’s in the morning for brunch. I’m sure the entire town will have heard about this by morning, so why not really give them something to talk about?”
They’re still talking, but my mind is frozen on the moment Paige introduced herself as my fiancée for the first time.Mine.
“Hell yeah,” Miles chimes in.
“You’re only in it for the pancakes, dipshit.” I say, zoning back into the conversation. I love giving him shit, but it’s the truth. I’ve never seen anyone devour a stack of pancakes like Miles does.
Dean takes Cara by the hand and leads her onto the dance floor. Our plans for tomorrow secured, I gaze at my strong, beautiful woman, a rush of pride filling my chest, and do the one thing I’ve been dying to do since we stepped into the bar tonight, “dance with me.”
Chapter 24
Paige
? Feels Like Home - Chantal Kreviazuk
Shortly after the drama of the evening subsides, Cade and I dance a few dances before we make our way back to his cabin on the lake. He hasn’t told me much about his home, but I’m eager to see where he spends all of his free time. I’ve gotten glimpses of it over the course of our relationship, but it still leaves a lot to my imagination. It’s not long before we’re pulling into a circular drive surrounded by trees, bare branches a testament to the season. My mind wanders to what it would look like when the leaves are full and lush, in the peak of springtime with wildflowers in the grass, or in the midst of autumn when the colors turn to coppers and golds. A rush of excitement invades my body as I realize I might actually get to see it.
His home comes into view, though it’s relatively dark outside, only the porch lights and a few solar lights dotted along the landscape to illuminate our surroundings. A moderately sized three story home with wraparound porch sits on the bank of an expansive lake. The muted blue siding and natural wood accents give it a rustic yet homey feel. I can see the water on the other side of the yard beyond, a low fence with a gate leading to the dock. Once parked, Cade comes around to my side of the car and offers me a hand as I step out of the passenger side.
“Wow. It’s beautiful,” I say, mouth agape as I take in the view before me. A smile spreads across his face at my praise, but it’s true. Cade’s home is everything I could ever dream of and I haven’t even seen the inside yet. As though he’s reading my thoughts, Cade ushers me up the porch steps and through the front door. I chance a look in his direction, his face impassive, as though he’s waiting for my approval.
To the right of the entryway is a large den with an oversized green sectional adorned with an abundance of throw pillows and lush blankets. A massive tv hangs on the wall above a mid-century console table. The colors are decadent, natural woods and warm tones, giving the space an inviting, earthy vibe.
