Page 99 of Nashville Cowboy
“I don’t think there’s much chance of that now. I’m goin’ back to Nashville.”
“Hey! Good news, right?”
“The best.”
He didn’t know why he wasn’t more excited, though it might be because this wasn’t his first promising opportunity. None of them had worked out, not in the long run, and though he tried to be optimistic nothing was guaranteed.
He scanned the area for an Eve sighting. From here he had a good view of the veterinary clinic, but no sign of her truck. She sometimes traveled hours out of her way to see her patients. Even if he could wait to see her tonight at the house, he itched just to see her face right now. He wanted a night out with her, a chance to show her that if she came with him to Nashville, he’d take care of her. He wanted to tell her the news. Wanted her to be happy for him. This time, they would talk. They’d make plans like grown-ups. Work it out. Give and take.
Priscilla stepped aside as a group of men entered the bar, probably fresh off a day on the ranch. And they were still coming, as trucks pulled in, and men piled out.
“Hey, Winona!”
Jackson heard someone shout and he followed the sound, his gaze landing on none other than Winona, who should be on her way out of town.
“Hey, y’all,” Winona said as she strode up to him and Priscilla, a small group of men following her.
He introduced Winona to Priscilla, who after pleasantries excused herself back into the bar.
“I decided to stay in Stone Ridge awhile. My manager is scouting a place for me right now. I’m looking for a good-sized property if you hear of anything. Something with room for horses, and a big house, too.”
Jackson gaped. “Whywould you want to stay here?”
“You might have found your woman, but all these men over here”—she waved in the direction of the small crowd of admirers—“are still lookin’.”
“Seriously?”
“I’m not kiddin’. I wish I’d known about this place a long time ago. Interesting you never mentioned there are all these young, virile men, all looking for a good woman.”
“They’re hard-working ranchers. They appreciate country music, but other than that I don’t think you have a thing in common with any of them.”
“Maybe you’d be surprised.” She moved toward the entrance, but before she could get far, a man was already opening the door for her. “Oh, thank you, sweetheart.”
When Eve’s truck still hadn’t shown up, Jackson followed Priscilla and her entourage inside. Because cell reception was much better in town, he texted her:
I’m at the Shady Grind. Come by if you can. I’ll buy you dinner.
“Hey, how about a song, Jackson?” someone asked. “It’s been a long time since you played for us here.”
Priscilla took Jezebel down from the hook on the wall where it hung by its strap and handed it to Jackson. “She’s been dying to play with you again.”
Laughter from the crowd.
“It’s true. She was my first love. This brings back memories.”
Jackson pulled the strap over and actually had to loosen it. He’d been a kid when he played this guitar. Someone brought out a stool and Jackson sat and tried to tune the old beast. He did the best he could with what he had to work with and launched into a rendition of his first big hit, “You’re the Only One for Me.” It was his song, recorded by Brad Paisley.
When he finished the song to applause, Winona was at his side, beaming. “I love that song. Always did.”
“Why don’t you play one?” Jackson offered her the guitar.
A woman from the audience shouted, “Play the song about the guy who cheated on you!”
Jackson hoped he would not be associated with “You’re Not Good Enough to Be My Man,” because that hadn’t been about him. Winona had written that song about her former husband and manager.
“If you don’t mind, I’d like to sing a little something new I wrote recently.” Winona accepted the guitar from Jackson. “Home to You.”
Chapter 32
