Page 66 of Shattered Melodies

“Hey, Jimmy! What’s up?” I answered, leaning against the counter.

“Liam, my man! How’s life treating you in the countryside?” Jimmy’s energetic voice filled my ear.

“Oh, you know, just taking it day by day. Actually, I got a job at a ranch out here.”

“A ranch? Are you crazy?” Jimmy’s tone was a mix of disbelief and amusement.

I laughed. “Probably. But it feels right, you know?”

“If you say so,” Jimmy chuckled. “Listen, the record label has been asking about a new album from you. Your fans are eager for new material. Think you can make it happen?”

I paused, considering. “You know what? Tell them I’m working on it. Being out here, it’s like the music is starting to come back to me. Tell them to get ready.”

“I’m sure you do,” he said, a note of affection in his voice. “But seriously, how are you holding up out there? I didn’t expect you to go full-on Brokeback Mountain on me.”

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. “I know, I know. It’s not exactly what anyone had in mind for my big comeback.”

“Hey, I’m not judging,” he said quickly. “If this is what you need to do, then I support you one hundred percent. I just want to make sure you’re taking care of yourself, that’s all.”

I felt a rush of warmth, a sudden swell of gratitude for this man who had been by my side through thick and thin. “I am, Jimmy. I promise. Being out here, working with my hands, getting back to my roots…it’s helping. More than I ever thought it would.”

He was quiet for a moment, and I could picture the look on his face. The furrowed brow, the worried crease between his eyes. “Okay. If you say so.”

“I do,” I said firmly. “And who knows? Maybe all this fresh air and manual labor will be just the inspiration I need to finally write that album everyone’s been nagging me about.”

He chuckled, the sound warm and fond. “Stranger things have happened. Speaking of, any chance I could come out there and see this new life of yours for myself? Maybe bring a guitar, do a little jamming under the stars?”

I grinned, a sudden thrill of excitement zipping through me. “Hell yes. You know you’re always welcome here, Jimmy. Mi casa es su casa and all that jazz.”

“Careful, I might just take you up on that,” he warned, a smile in his voice.

A sudden commotion out front caught my attention. The unmistakable sound of car doors slamming and heavy boots on gravel.

The renovators.

“Listen, Jimmy, I gotta run,” I said quickly, grabbing my keys and wallet from the counter. “But I’ll call you later, yeah? We’ll make plans for that visit.”

“You better,” he said firmly. “Don’t make me come out there and drag your ass back to civilization.”

“Aw, you’re all heart,” I drawled, shouldering open the front door. “Talk soon.”

I hung up just as the renovators started unloading their gear, their voices loud and jovial in the crisp morning air.

“Morning, fellas,” I called, giving them a wave as I walked past. “Peanut and I are heading out for a bit, but you know the drill. Mi casa es su casa, just don’t burn the place down while I’m gone.”

They laughed, waving me off with good-natured shouts and promises to keep the mayhem to a minimum. I shook my head, a grin tugging at my lips. They were a rowdy bunch, but they did good work. And more importantly, I trusted them. Trusted them enough to leave the house in their hands, even if it was just for a few hours.

I scooped up Peanut, tucking her into the crook of my arm as I made my way to the car. “Come on, girl. Let’s go see if Hank is as much of a softie for cute kitty faces as I think he is.”

I pulled into the ranch’s dirt lot, the tires kicking up a cloud of dust in my wake. No sooner had I cut the engine than a tall figure emerged from the shadows of the barn, his hair glinting gold in the morning sun.

He ambled over to my car, a lazy grin spreading across his face as he took in the sight of me. “Hey there, you must be Liam. I’m Dean.”

I climbed out, Peanut still cradled against my chest. “It’s finally nice to meet you. Hope you’re ready to show this city boy the ropes.”

He laughed, the sound warm and rich. “Oh, I think we can manage that. But first things first - Hank’s waiting for you in the barn. Follow me.”

I followed Dean into the barn, the earthy scent of hay and horses filling my nostrils. Hank was waiting for us, his weathered face breaking into a grin as he saw me.

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