Page 70 of Nashville Cowboy
Determined not to let Jolette Marie’s news ruin this evening, Eve joined the others at the head table where they were beginning to serve dinner. Sadie’s father said a few words thanking everyone, and so did Hank. Before long, it was time for the best man’s toast. But instead of reaching for the microphone to speak to the large gathering, Jackson moved toward a stool and accepted the guitar that someone from the catering staff handed him.
“Y’all know that I’m a man of few words. Instead of a speech, I started this song for Sadie and Lincoln several months ago when Lincoln asked me to be his best man. I just finished it last week and I’d like to play it now.”
A collective swoon came over the lodge as Jackson strummed his guitar before he’d even uttered a sound. It seemed the entire room hung on his every word. Sadie laid her head on Lincoln’s shoulder and he draped his arm around her waist as they listened to a love song. The chorus made Eve think the song could be titled “One True Thing.”
Jackson sang about a man who had almost missed what was right in front of him. One true love to last a lifetime. One true thing. It was about a woman who’d never given up on the man she loved. Like so many of Jackson’s songs, it told a story. This one was about finding your true love, marriage, children, and a lifetime of love. He sang to Lincoln and Sadie, but each time Jackson got to the chorus, he met Eve’s eyes.
There’s only one true thing.
You and me.
She froze and wouldn’t turn when Sadie elbowed her. Jackson was singing toher. But she didn’t feel the abundant joy she should, the heart swell she’d felt on the day Jackson asked her to marry him on bended knee.
Instead she was still stuck in that parking lot at the Piggly Wiggly, with the anguish and fear of knowing she’d lost him for good.
This is real. Everything that’s right in front of you is real. The past isn’t real anymore. It’s gone. Over. He can’t hurt you anymore.
Why am I doing this? Why can’t I just allow myself to be happy again?
Maybe the answer was that she was a different woman now than the one who’d first fallen head over heels for Jackson Carver. One who wasn’t quite as trusting of the world. But she wanted to be. It would be nice to believe in fairy tales and rainbows again. To believe again in happily ever after. In good outcomes. Might also be good to feel safe in places other than Stone Ridge.
Finally, the song was over, and a swell of applause followed Jackson back to the head table. Mima, Wanda, and Brenda were wiping away tears. So were all of the SORROW women. And every woman at the singles’ table, Jolette Marie included, studied Eve. She squirmed in her seat.
“Eve.” Sadie elbowed her again. “That song was for you, too.”
“I know,” she said, her voice shaky. “It was…nice.”
“Nice?” Sadie whispered. “It was soromantic.”
“Baby, it’s time for the first dance.” Lincoln offered his hand to Sadie.
Eve smiled when the two danced like there was no one else in the room. No one else in the world. The DJ played Thomas Rhett’s “Die a Happy Man.” With Lincoln, Eve believed it. He could lose the family ranch and still die happy needing nothing more than Sadie by his side. He’d already given up being a regular on the rodeo circuit. Something told Eve he would give up everything, not that Sadie would ever ask him to, and that was the beauty of their relationship. Selfless.
“Dance?”
Eve looked up to see Jackson, his blue eyes shimmering under hooded lids, his hand held out in invitation.
Chapter 24
Eve took Jackson’s hand and he led her to the dance floor. She’d been so caught up in her own head that she hadn’t noticed others had already joined in on the first dance. Sadie’s mother and father had cut in. Hank led Mima onto the dance floor. Wade and Daisy were dancing. Lucy, with a handsome older man Eve didn’t recognize. Beau with Jolette Marie.
Eve rested a hand on each of Jackson’s broad shoulders putting a good safe two inches between them. If nothing else for the sake of appearance because after the song people were probably assuming too much.
Hands low on her waist, Jackson held her close. “Forgive me for being an idiot.”
She felt her lip curl up in a smile. “I confess my life flashed before my eyes.”
Funny how she could even joke about this kind of thing now. Maybe it was true that time healed all wounds. If so, she was on her way. A few more years and she’d find her way out of that Piggly Wiggly parking lot.
“Not funny. You know I would never hurt you.”
“I know.”
Jackson cleared his throat. “What do you think about my song?”
“It was beautiful. Lincoln and Sadie loved it. I think Sadie tried not to do the ugly cry.”
He squinted. “Theuglycry?”
