Page 96 of Country Music Cowboy
“You? No.” He frowned. “I can’t say the same thing about her. Whatever her excuse was, she had no right to threaten your career.”
“It wasn’t my career I was worried about.” She swallowed, meeting his gaze. “Everything’s changed, Travis. I have some things to apologize for.”
Those blue-green eyes were intent now. The mix of mint and leather grew just the slightest bit stronger as he stepped closer. “You do?”
“I lied to you,” she whispered.
He was frowning now, a deep V marring his forehead. “Loretta—”
“Wait, please wait. I’m not proud of it. I was wrong, I know it. But, at the time, I didn’t feel like I had a choice.”Say it.“Not without hurting the people I care about. I let fear kick in and cloud my judgment and for that, I’m so sorry.”
His jaw muscle clenched.
“Let’s get you ready for filming.” An especially perky film assistant approached, mic in hand. “Is it easier to thread this through? Or do you want to clip it on your waist?”
Loretta was tempted to tell the assistant to wait but, with a film crew and Molly Harper standing by, she was the one who would have to wait.
“We’ll talk? Afterward?” Travis asked, his expression and voice unreadable.
She nodded again.
One ofGood Morning USA’s crew clipped a mic on the front of her pale-yellow sundress. They dusted powder on her nose, straightened the black choker necklace with the peacock-colored heart, and smoothed her hair with a light spray.
Travis, on the other hand, was ready to go. Perfect hair. Devilish grin. Those eyes.
It was no wonder Molly Harper was all smiles. Travis seemed to have that effect on people.
“We’re not live so we can cut and edit this later,” Molly said, offering an encouraging smile. “Let’s get started?”
Molly eased them into the interview. First they discussed the scope of the tour, then Molly asked some questions fans had sent in, before changing course and getting to the heart of the interview.
“This tour has brought some big changes with it,” Molly said. “Loretta, you’ve always worked with Johnny. Travis, you’re a member of Three Kings. How has it been working together?”
“After you,” Travis said, propping his elbow on the arm of his chair and smiling at Loretta.
Loretta smiled. “As you can see, Travis is charming.”
“I do see.” Molly laughed. “He does have a reputation for being quite the charmer. Some would even say he’s a lady’s man. Is there any truth to that?”
“No.” Loretta shook her head. “I don’t mean he isn’t a lady’s man—just that I haven’t observed him in action.”Thankfully.“To answer your original question,Ithink we work well together. The music comes easily between us… That might sound weird.”
“No.” Travis shook his head. “I’d say that about sums it up. We do work well together. I think it helps that we both want this relationship to succeed. And, I like her.” He smiled at her, that eye-crinkling smile that had her gripping the arms of her chair. “We have a lot in common. We both value honesty and respect and loyalty. I think, if you have those things going for you, you can make it through just about anything.” He paused. “Right?”
Loretta couldn’t help but stare at him then. He’s talking about TrueLove.He’s talking about work.But he said relationship… And, dammit, her fool heart was thumping like a drum. “Right.” She swallowed.
“Then I guess the video released by Donnie Gram was difficult.” Molly Harper’s smile was sympathetic.
“It was hard, yes,” Loretta agreed, ignoring the pang in her heart. “It’s hard to see someone you love struggle like that.”
“Your father struggles with alcoholism?” Molly asked.
Loretta nodded.
“Is this a new development?” Molly asked, glancing back and forth between the two of them.
“No.” Loretta took a deep breath. “It’s not new.” It was who he was. The only version of her father she could remember.
“This is hard, Molly,” Travis said. “The guy we’re talking about is her father.” He glanced at Loretta. “She doesn’t want to speak ill of her father.”
