Page 3 of Cowboy's Melody
Teddi
Ican’t believe I agreed to headline the Paulson Cherry Festival, but my manager grew up here and said the event organizer, Linda, essentially blackmailed her into getting me to perform. At least I don’t have to stay at a hotel because Linda arranged for me to stay at a local ranch. After one too many brushes with over-enthusiastic fans gaining access to my hotel room, I started asking for accommodations in private homes in all of my riders. I appreciate the loyalty of my fans but sometimes, a girl just has to put her foot down.
What Linda failed to mention was someone lives here. And that someone is a tall drink of pure country water who can sing.
“Teddi, this is my son Brooks,” Margot, the woman who picked me up from the airport, says. “And that little angel is Logan.”
Cowboy? Yes please. Single dad? Proceed with caution.
“It’s nice to meet you both,” I tell them. “I didn’t mean to interrupt.”
“You didn’t!” Logan bursts out. “Can you sing me a song?”
Brooks playfully covers her mouth before he admonishes her. “It’s time for bed, peanut.”
“Daddy!No! How can you expect me to go to bed when Teddi Wilde is here?” Her voice is so cute that even the whine makes my heart melt.
“This is not up for discussion,” he says, his tone a bit sterner. “I’m sure you’ll see her tomorrow.”
She growls and stomps her foot but eventually gives in and heads for the stairs.
“It was nice to meet you,” Brooks says with a slight wave of his hand.
My eyes follow them both up the stairs. At some point in time, they both look back at me and I can’t help the blush creeping up my cheeks when my gaze collides with Brooks.
“I’ll show you to the guest house,” Margot announces.
We walk across the living room and out a set of French doors. There’s a small courtyard behind the house and in the dark distance, I can see the porchlight of a small cabin.
Margot tells me her family’s ranch, Happy Hooves, is a rescue and all of their animals have been saved in one way or another.
“I’ll have Brooks show you around tomorrow,” she says with a smile as she unlocks the door to the cabin. “This ranch and Logan are his life.”
We step inside and I’m stunned by the rustic elegance of the interior. This is a lot more glamourous than I was honestly expecting. It’s small but the floors are a dark hardwood and the countertops in the tiny studio-style kitchen are white marble. Margot sets the key down on the coffee table and says, “Just let me know if you need anything.”
“A hot bath?” I ask, hopeful there’s a full-size tub in this tiny space.
“How about a hot steam shower?”
“That’ll work. Thank you again for letting me stay here.”
“Linda’s my best friend but when it comes to the cherry festival, she always gets her way.”
Margot lets me know the cabin has been stocked with everything I requested before leaving me for the night. The festival is next weekend, but I haven’t had a real vacation in a long time and a few extra days in Montana sounded perfect.
The steam shower is heavenly after a long day of travel and when I sink into the king-sized bed in my room, I fall asleep almost instantly.
My dreams are filled with a blue-eyed singing cowboy.
The next morning, my dream man is banging down my door. When I open it, he’s leaning against the frame, his chambray shirt open to reveal a hint of smooth, tan chest and his weathered baseball hat is low over his brow.
“Can I help you?” I ask, wrapping my robe tightly across my chest.
“If you want breakfast, it’ll be ready in twenty minutes. If you don’t want an over-eager eight-year-old on your doorstep, you’ll be there in ten.”
I look around the cabin for a clock but there isn’t one. When I turn back to Brooks to ask the time, he’s already sauntering back to the main house.
With a roll of my eyes, I close the door and return to the bedroom to check my phone. 7 a.m.! It’s only 7 a.m.? So much for sleeping in while on vacation.
