Page 147 of My UnTrue Love
Bill slowly nodded. He’d never played with any part of his heart before. Until Clem, he didn’t even have one. But he could play for her. He couldonlyplay for her. That suddenly made the idea possible. If Clementine was his audience, he would put on the performance of his life.
“Alright.” He agreed quietly. “I’ll go out there and give it my all.”
“Thank you.” She beamed her spectacular smile. Like his promise was just as wonderful as any triumph on stage. To Clem, he was already the biggest star in the world. Nothing would ever change it. She believed in him and always would, because she loved him.
That worked for Bill just fine.
Chapter Thirty
His deal had cost his kin their mates,
Even after he was gone,
And you still hear their lonesome fates,
In all their lonesome songs.
Lyrics from the folk song “Crossroads Coyote”
After Bill was hustled off towards the stage by the frantic PA, Clementine ducked into the ladies’ room to fix her hair. Her blonde curls were never easy to tame and now they were in chaotic disarray. Bill’s dominant hands had pulled them free of the ponytail she’d fashioned. She didn’t regret their slightly-Bad encounter. It had been incredible! But she wasn’t thrilled with advertising their passion through her tousled hairstyle. She had a professional image to maintain.
Clem got the mess back under control and then hurried into the hallway. “Luke?” She’d left him standing outside the restroom door.
“I’m getting us food.” His voice called from down the hall. “I’m starving and I found vending machines. What do you want? They got a bunch of different chocolate and candy. And something called ‘Gala-Rinds’.” He paused. “Hang on, is that like sugar on pork rinds?” He gave a dismissive scoff, not even waiting for her to answer. “Never mind. I bet they have salt. You’re not getting those.”
Clementine rolled her eyes towards the ceiling. Wonderful. Bill had recruited his sibling to steal all her snacks. The two of them weren’t used to having a woman in their lives. She got that. It made sense that they’d want to safeguard her.But they’d wrap her up in cotton balls, if she let them. …So she wasn’t going to let them. They’d have to learn that she made her own choices.
Shaking her head in exasperation, Clem headed Luke’s way. She was opening her mouth to call back to him and explain that Bill wascompletelyoverreacting about the salt thing. Before she got the words out, though, she heard someone whistling.
For a fraction of a second, she thought it was Bill. Something about the noise reminded her of her husband. But she also knew itwasn’thim. Everything Bill did was art. Even casual music, like whistling, had an overlay of magic and beauty. This sound was pleasant enough. She heard a smidgeon of potential in the notes. It was nothing like the shockwaves of talent she experienced around Bill or Luke, though.
This guy’s skill was above-average, but dull. It didn’t hold her interest, at all.
The tune the man was whistling wasCrossroad Coyote. That did hold her interest. In fact, Clem had been dwelling on the damn song, wondering if there was a way to uncurse the coyotes.
Now, her mind flashed to the confusing lyrics, where the crossroads woman explained how coyotes could reclaim their True Loves.
“When cy’otes sing, our lesson imparts,
But our curse won’t bid adieu,
‘Til a partner gives one her whole heart,
And loves that cowboy so true.”
“All doors that keep the cowboy safe,
Must fall before his bride.
He must need that darling waif,
And choose no more to hide.”
And suddenly the confusing lyrics made sense. They came together in her head, filled with purpose and meaning. She understoodexactlyhow to lift the coyote’s curse.
Bill was a coyote and Clem was his partner.
She loved him with her whole heart.
