Page 27 of Country Music Cowboy
Thankfully, Margot seemed to have been carrying on a conversation the whole time. “Congratulations on the win. If I was a betting woman, I’d have bet every cent I had on that album. One of the best albums in years.”
“I appreciate that, Margot.” There was an odd rasp to Hank’s voice. “It was quite a night.”
Quite.She toyed with a strand of hair, focused on calming her heart, and managed to acknowledge Hank—and Travis—with a sort of smile. At least, she hoped it was a smile. From the odd look on Margot’s face, maybe not.
“As nice as it was to win, it wasn’t the highlight of the evening.” Hank clapped Travis on the shoulder.
Travis rolled his eyes and acted like his father’s praise wasn’t a big deal, but Loretta knew the truth. Travis King loved his father—admired and respected him. Likely, Hank’s praise meant the world to his son. Not that she had much experience with that. The only time her father ever had anything nice to say was when he had an ulterior motive. Namely, money.It was always about money.
She allowed herself another quick peek at Travis. He was wearing a cowboy hat.She had a thing for cowboy hats. ButTravisin a cowboy hat?Would this ride never end?
“It was one hell of a performance.” Margot nodded. “I was proud of Lori-girl for getting through it. And proud of you, Travis, for giving her a hand when she needed it.”
“It was my pleasure.” Travis cleared his throat. “She’d have done just fine without me.” He was lying through his teeth and they both knew it. It was sweet and irritating. He was so…so frustrating.
The doors opened and, once they realized Hank King was on board, the two waiting executives stepped in. Little things like personal space went out the window in situations like this. A minute alone on an elevator with a big star like Hank? It didn’t matter if it meant being packed into an elevator—you took the elevator.
Hank didn’t seem bothered by it.
But Loretta was. More so with each passing second. Because of Travis.
He stood right behind her.Rightbehind her. They were all squished together, and she could feel his breath against the back of her neck. Smell the mix of mint and leather that stirred an instant softening deep inside her. Her gaze fixed on the numbers, climbing higher as the elevator rose.This is the slowest elevator known to man.She took a deep breath and tried to shut out the warmth rolling off of Travis. The number changed. One level higher. Five to go.This is why the aliens blew up the building. They’d been stuck in the damn elevator for too long.
The elevator pinged, the doors opened, and the two executives lingered long enough to take a few selfies with Hank before they left.
Loretta stepped aside, gripping the metal handrail with both hands and pressing herself against the side of the elevator. The space made it easier to breathe. But it also made it easier to see him.
Travis. In his tan cowboy hat. Starched jeans, with a nice crease running down the top of his leg. His leg. His very muscular thigh. Being pressed up against him the night of the awards show had revealed that most of him was muscle.What are you doing?This wasn’t the time to mentally examine Travis King’s attributes. She had way more important things to worry about right now.
Namely, this meeting.
“What brings the Kings into town?” Margot asked. “I’d think folk would come to you by now.”
“You think so?” Hank shook his head, a tightness to his jaw. “I’ll tell Mr. Powell you said so.”
For the first time, Margot’s smile slipped. “You two are here to meet with Mr. Powell?”
Travis nodded. “The great man himself.”
Loretta didn’t like the flicker of alarm his words triggered. Or what this might mean.
“I wish he’d let us know there’d been a change in schedule then.” Margot sighed, crossing her arms over her chest.
A schedule change was a logical explanation. But…
“It’s not like Loretta or I live down the street.” Margot shrugged. “But when the suits call, you come a running.”
“Damn inconsiderate of him, though.” Hank nodded, frowning. “You two in a hurry to get back home?”
Home. For the moment, Loretta was homeless. There was no way she could stay in the duplex she and Johnny had shared—not after he’d died there. The duplex was identical, a reflection of one another. Which meant every time she walked into her bathroom, she remembered walking into Johnny’s… Finding him, in his bath…
“This little miss is heading home with me to Bakersfield and my little golf course side bungalow,” Margot offered up. “And since I’m in no hurry to head home, neither is she.”
Loretta didn’t like where this was headed. Not one bit.
Hank chuckled. “Well, how about we offer you a little Texas hospitality?”
There had to be a way to say no? “Margot, are you sure you’re up for this? Shouldn’t we get home so you can rest?” She winced, hating herself for using Margot’s weakened state to get out of this.
