Harmony for Christmas (Dansboro Crossing #4)

Chapter 1

one

HARMONY

Who knew the world could be so loud? Don’t get me wrong, I’m grateful for everything I’ve been given. Sometimes, though, I wish I could just disappear for a while.

No one told me when I climbed on that stupid picnic table and belted out Kelly Clarkson that my life would become one whirlwind after another. Now people belt out Harmony Ellis at the top of their lungs, which is weird since that’s me.

Tonight is just like every other night when I’m on tour. Greeting fans and singing has become my life. I’ve just walked off stage, hot and sweaty, to find fans lined up and down the hallway to my dressing room.

Of course, I greet them as I walk by. Without them, I’d be sunk. But, just once, I’d love to walk right out the back door, shower, and flop into bed with a good book. I can’t even hide at my parents’ house tonight because the one time the tour comes to Austin, they’re on vacation somewhere else.

“Harmony. Hurry, sugar, we need to get you changed so you can meet your fans,” Robin, my assistant, says.

It will be clothing change number five for me tonight. As quickly as possible, I change, and someone touches up my hair and makeup. Wasn’t there a time when musicians simply flopped in their dressing rooms all sweaty after a concert while fans drank, smoked and shot the bull? Whatever happened to that?

“How many are there tonight?” I ask.

“Not that many,” she answers. She opens the door and security starts sending them in. It’s the same thing everywhere. They fangirl, I gush humbly, they take selfies, we take PR photos, they’re finally escorted out, and I prepare for the next group. I love them, but I’m mentally exhausted.

“There’s my rowdy girl.” I turn around at the sound of a familiar voice.

“Travis?” I can’t believe my eyes. Standing in front of me is a man I graduated from Dansboro Crossing high school with. It seems like a hundred years ago. “I can’t believe it’s you.”

“In the flesh.” Travis Rayburn was always the guy everyone wanted to hang out with. He wasn’t necessarily one of the cool kids, but he was always fun. If Travis was around, you were guaranteed to have a good time.

“Well, are you just going to stand there gawking, or are you going to give me a hug?” He doesn’t have to ask twice. I throw myself at him, and he spins me around with my feet off the floor.

“I can’t believe you’re here,” I say when he sets me back on my feet. “How long has it been?”

“Five or six years at least? Since graduation anyway. How do I look?” He sucks in an almost non-existent gut and flexes his arms.

“Better than any man should.” I’m not kidding, he does look good.

“Well, you look like a million bucks.”

“Hey, do you have time to hang out?” I ask. “I don’t have that many more people to greet, then we could get something to eat. I’m dying for some real Tex-Mex.”

“Sounds perfect,” he agrees.

I motion to Robin who shows Travis to a chair in the corner. He settles in, and I go back to work. Half an hour later, I’m ready to go.

“Where are you taking me?” I ask Travis as we climb into his car.

Robin was not happy when I told her we were going to get dinner, just the two of us. She argued about taking security until I finally put my foot down. Travis isn’t a small man, and he can handle anything that may arise. Besides, he’ll know some backwoods place to eat around here where no one will bother us.

“Do you mind a drive? I was thinking about getting out of town. There’s a little place that serves the best chili rellenos you’ll ever put in your mouth.”

“That sounds amazing. The farther, the better.” He gives me a strange look but doesn’t say a word. We drive in silence for a few minutes before I can’t stand it anymore. “Have you heard anything from the rest of our classmates?”

“You heard Bront? had a baby and married some rich guy?”

“I did. I can’t believe she moved back. It seemed like she was the one who was the most likely to get out of that town.” We run through the rest of the class.

It seems that Travis is the guy who keeps up with everyone. After I left for Nashville, I drifted away from my friends. I just didn’t have time to keep in touch.

We pull up outside of a tiny restaurant with only a small sign advertising that they’re open. I hop out of the car and meet Travis by the door. He pulls it open to a mix of spices that makes me sneeze. We find our seats and pull out the menus from behind the napkin holder. Following Travis’s lead, I order the rellenos.

“Tell me everything you’ve been doing in the last couple of years. Don’t leave out anything, I want to hear it all,” I say placing my chin in my hand.

“I made it into law school.”

“Oh my gosh. Really? You always were smart.”

“Thanks.” He blushes. “That’s about it. I’ve been eyeballs deep in school forever now. Besides, you have the exciting life. Tell me everything about it.”

“It’s a lot, I can tell you that.”

“Do you not enjoy it?” he asks.

“Do I enjoy it? That’s a very good question, counselor. Some days.” I shrug.

“Not a counselor yet. I still have to pass the bar. What’s going on with you, though?” Damn, he’s not going to let me steer the conversation to something safer.

“I think I’m just getting burned out. We have a break for the holidays that I was hoping to spend with Mom and Dad, but they’re on a cruise. The idea of going back to Nashville for Christmas just doesn’t appeal to me right now. I think if I could just get away for a while without anyone around, I could reset.”

“Like a silent retreat,” he says.

“Exactly. Only I don’t want to go to some spa and be pampered. I don’t know if I really know what I want.”

The server appears with our dinner. Travis wasn’t lying. The first bite of relleno melts in my mouth, then it lights it on fire. It’s the perfect combination. I power through my meal like I haven’t eaten in weeks.

When I’m done, the server replaces my plate with one containing flan. I haven’t had flan in years. Come to think of it, I can’t remember the last time I dared to eat dessert. Not all of us can be Reba thin naturally.

“What would happen if I had the perfect place for you to unwind?” Travis asks as I’m debating licking the plate clean. “Basic living, quiet, no one flitting around you.”

“I’d be alone for Christmas?”

“Not exactly, but it would be as close as you can get. I’ll be there.”

“I don’t know,” I say, scrunching my eyebrows at him. “This isn’t some weird sex thing, is it?” Travis laughs. Okay, so he’s obviously no more into me now than he was in high school. “Okay, okay, you don’t have to act like I was suggesting we adopt five kids together.”

“I think my boyfriend would have something to say about that,” he says. Oh. Ooooh! He grins at me as it sinks in.

“How did I not know this in school? Is he going to join us for Christmas?”

“Maybe. Anyway, I think you should come home with me. When was the last time you ate chicken fried steak at The Hungry Heifer? Or attended the Christmas parade on a horse lit with lights?”

“You have a valid point. I do love a good lit horse.” I seriously debate his crazy idea. Do I really want to go home with a man I haven’t seen in years? Yeah, I kind of do. “Okay, I say we throw caution to the wind and do it.”

“That’s how you got famous in the first place.”

“I’ll try not to let you video me singing on a park bench this time,” I quip. “Unless the mood strikes me. Ooh, I could do Kelly Clarkson sings Christmas stuff. That might get me noticed.” I wink at him. He sort of is the reason I got a recording contract. My performance was all over the internet the next day. “You should represent me someday.”

“I’m not really planning on contract law.”

“Yeah, but you know us celebrities, we get into all sorts of mischief.”

“Then you’ll be the first to get my business card. If I pass the bar.”

“Pfft,” I snort with a wave of my hand. “Piece of cake.”

We leave the restaurant and drive back to the hotel. Travis sits on the couch in the living room of my suite while I pack some of my stuff. I’ll let Robin get the rest of it later. I don’t see any reason to take everything for a short stay.

He helps me haul my suitcase down to his car. I debate calling Robin to let her know what I’m doing, but opt for a text instead. After I send it, I turn off my phone so she can’t start an argument about staying here.

“An hour and a half, I’ll have you at your new accommodations, my lady,” he teases.

“I can’t wait.” I drift off for most of the drive. Did I mention how totally exhausted I am? Even visiting with Travis can’t keep me awake. He rousts me when we pull up in front of a small home in the middle of nowhere. I forgot he grew up on a ranch outside of our hometown.

“We need to be quiet,” he warns as we park. “I’ll get your bag.” He unlocks the door and leads me to a tidy bedroom. He’s right, there are no bells and whistles here. I’m too tired to care, though.

He shows me the bathroom in silence and then whispers that he’ll be on the couch. I feel bad about kicking him out of the bedroom for about two seconds after my head hits the pillow.

The next morning I’m woken by noise coming from one of the other rooms. I lay staring at the ceiling for a full minute trying to remember where the heck I am.

Then it hits me, I came here with Travis last night. He promised me a restful Christmas. and without a second thought, I blindly went with him like a lemming. Sitting up, I throw my feet over the edge of the bed and touch the cold floor.

With the fuzziest pair of socks I have on, I slowly open the bedroom door. Someone is in the kitchen moving around. Has to be Travis. No matter what, I appreciate everything he’s trying to do for me. I need to thank him for the effort before explaining I’ll be fine flying back to Nashville for the holidays. The last thing I want to do is butt in on somebody else’s Christmas.

Quietly, I pad down the hallway to the kitchen. Sure enough, he’s standing at the stove with his back to me making breakfast. How he’s surviving the cold house in nothing but a pair of jeans I don’t know. I slide up behind him and throw my arms around his waist.

“Thank you so much for this,” I begin, hugging him tightly. “You really are one of the best. I can’t believe you went out of your way to help me.”

It strikes me that he is as rigid as a board. Yesterday when Travis hugged me, I don’t remember him being this lean. Nor do I remember him being so uptight. I don’t think this is Travis. But if it’s not Travis, who in the hell is it?

“Oh my gosh, you’re not Travis,” I gush turning loose of the stranger. The man turns as I back up across the room. I’m about to run when I realize that he looks very similar to my friend.

“Beau?” How could I forget that Travis has a brother? “I’m so sorry. I thought you were Travis.” His eyebrow raises. “I don’t normally go around grabbing strange men. Well, I guess you’re not really strange, but you’re certainly not Travis.” He continues to stare at me.

“Anyway, do you know where Travis is? He said yesterday that I should come join him for Christmas, but I thought that meant he would be here. Not you. Not that you can’t be here. I mean it’s your home. Isn’t it? I’ll just grab my bag and skedaddle right on back to Austin. My assistant will feel better about that anyway. She likes me close where she can keep an eye on me.” He’s still staring at me.

“Oh my gosh, who is this?” I ask when a big yellow dog rises from a dog bed I missed in the corner. He wags his tail as he approaches me. There’s one thing I can’t hide. I love dogs. Dropping to my knees, I pull him into a hug. “Who’s the best boy?” He licks my face, and I hug him one last time before standing again.

“Okay, well it was nice seeing you. Tell Travis I’ll catch a ride back with someone. I just have to think of someone willing to give me a ride back. No matter, it’s not your problem. So, yeah, take care.”

I don’t know what to do, so I just stand frozen while both Beau and the dog watch me. Who am I kidding, no one can take me back to Austin but Travis. Hopefully, he’s still asleep somewhere in this small house. Finally, my gaze lands on the man standing across from me.

“Eggs?” he says holding the skillet up. I debate my options for a moment.

“Yes, thank you. I’m starving. I think the fresh air is making me hungrier than normal.” He slides the fried eggs onto a plate and sets it on the table. “I can’t remember the last time I had fried eggs.” He adds a couple of pieces of bacon to my plate. “Bacon too. Wow.” Jesus, why do I just keep talking?

“What’s your dog’s name?” Yep, still talking.

“Reacher.”

“Ahh, yes, okay.” I rack my brain for something else, but nothing comes. I really hope my friend shows up soon. “About Travis?—”

He slides a note across the table to me. It explains that Travis had to return to Austin late last night for some sort of emergency meeting this morning. He says he’ll be back later today and to not let Beau intimidate me. Easy for him to say. Has he met his mute brother?

“Well, at least he’ll be back later today,” I say between bites.

“Doubt it.”

“Why? What’s happened? He promised he would be here too. Did someone get hurt, because that would be horrible—” Panic begins to rise inside me as I babble on.

“Snowed in,” he says cutting me off. I jump up and rush to the window. Sure enough, the landscape is covered in more snow than I remember ever seeing growing up. This part of Texas rarely gets snow, so when it does, everything comes to a screeching stop.

“Shit,” I moan. “Now what do I do?” I turn to look at Beau, but he just shrugs. Great. Stuck in a cabin with a grunting Neanderthal. Christmas doesn’t get much worse than this.