Page 7 of The Lyrics of Love

And sex…

Again, Rylie’s image fluttered in his head. He cursed under his breath. He was not going to have sex with her. He was not going to have sex with anyone while he was here. His job was to get his head on straight and start writing again. The boys in his band were eager for new material and ready to go into the studio again to record. While Billy had retreated to Salty Point during this past year, both his bass guitarist and keyboards player had remained in Nashville, working as studio musicians in various sessions. It wouldn’t surprise him if one or both came to him and told him they had an offer to join a new band. Dart was a restless soul and seemed to prefer the nomadic life on the road, while Wills just enjoyed pounding any keyboard he came into contact with.

Determination filled him. He had a burning desire to work again. Already several melodies were dancing through his head. It was time to roll up his sleeves and get back to work. Pity-party time was over.

Tomorrow, the work would begin.

In the meantime, he set down his luggage and went to the kitchen, which was larger than he would have guessed in a house of this size. Opening the refrigerator, he saw it was stocked as Billy had promised. So were the freezer and pantry. Now all he had to do was decide what to make Rylie Robinson for dinner.

And what to make of being alone with a woman again.

CHAPTER 3

Rylie’s heart thumped wildly in her chest as she climbed into her SUV and started the engine. Thankfully, it turned over. She signaled and saw no one was coming, making it easy to pull out onto the highway with the trailer hitched behind her. She drove to Fred’s station and pulled into it, watching as Nash’s truck cruised past her.

Fred lumbered out to greet her as she retrieved the gas can. “Thanks for the loan,” she said, handing the can back to him and then pulling her wallet from her purse to feed her credit card into the pump.

“I saw that fellow go by,” he said, his tongue pressing against the side of his cheek.

“Yes, he was nice enough to stop and help me,” she said, busying herself at the pump as she used the touchscreen to select her preferences.

Rylie decided to give Fred a small bit of information so he wouldn’t hound her. If she gave him a nugget, he might go away.

“He’s rented a place in the Cove,” she said casually, inserting the nozzle into her tank. “I gave him directions to Shayla’s after we left here. He drove by and picked up the key.”

“Hmm,” Fred said, scratching his chin. “Wonder what he’s doing in the Cove.”

She shrugged, watching the numbers go by. “Shayla might know.”

Actually, Rylie thought Shayla was pretty good at keeping the details about her clients to herself. Still, she hoped this would get Fred off her back.

Another car pulled into the station, and Dorothy Clark got out, waving at Rylie. Everyone adored Carter’s mom, who was the principal of Maple Cove Elementary.

“Hey, Mrs. Clark. How are you?”

“I’m doing well, Rylie. Still trying to lose ten pounds before school starts. Your cousin is not making that easy. Neither is my son.”

That reminded her that she’d promised to bring dessert this evening. She would call Ainsley after she gassed up.

“Ainsley’s pastries and cakes are hard to stay away from,” she agreed.

Fred began talking with Mrs. Clark, so Rylie finished topping off her tank and replaced the hose on the pump. She waited for her receipt to print out and then waved cheerily before pulling out of the gas station’s parking lot. Immediately, she grabbed her phone and touched Ainsley’s name on her favorites.

“Hey, you,” her cousin said after three rings. “We’re just closing up. How was the estate sale?”

“I got some great pieces, ones I believe I’ve already got buyers lined up for. Hey, I’m in need of a fantastic dessert. Do you have something left from today?”

“You need a dessert? It sounds as if you’re going somewhere.”

“No fishing expedition necessary. I have a date.”

“A date?” Ainsley said, her voice raising in interest.

“Shout it any louder, and everyone on the square will hear you,” Rylie teased, pulling into the alley behind Antiques and Mystiques and spying the twins leaning against their shared sedan. “Hey, I’m back at the store and need to whip the help into shape. Can you bring a dessert down after you’re closed? I promise I’ll spill my guts if you do.”

“Deal.”

Rylie cut the engine and got out of her SUV, managing to frown at Grant and George. Grant couldn’t meet her eye, but George stepped up.

---