23. Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Three
Willow
I spent a much needed five days in Balsam Cliffs with Gunnar and his family. Five days of sunbathing on the private beach with Emma, sharing our favorite books, singing along to our favorite songs. We got a lot of projects done around the inn, Gunnar and I did the live stream where Emma made her disgust of the comments known, which made me laugh hysterically.
The women in my comments ate it up, egging her on. I was so sad to leave her behind.
It was a really successful week on so many fronts.
We had dinner with all the siblings and his parents on video call at the inn on the last night of our trip. His Dad finally got into the rehab hospital and he is doing really well. They’re hoping he’ll be able to come home in a couple weeks. He took the changes with more acceptance than anyone anticipated. Thank goodness he and Liam were able to come to an understanding that Liam only asks to be kind, but he is going to start making final decisions he thinks is best .
But now, it’s back to my own reality, it’s time to deal with Jake. He’s continued to make nasty comments on my videos, even had his lawyer send me a letter saying that I can’t post any videos singing.
I laughed with Donna when I got that in the mail.
I dial her number as I read his latest comments on my new video so we can go over the cease and desist letter she’s sending him for his comments.
It only rings once before she answers, “Donna Smith.”
“Hey, Donna, it’s Willow. Harper. Willow Harper,” I fumble over my words.
“Oh hey! You ready to serve this guy his cease and desist? Anything new I need to add?” she asks.
I read her the most recent comments and she adds a few more lines about what he needs to quit doing per our court agreement. I’m so glad she’s taking my case pro bono. She is expensive as hell, and Jake is making sure to wrack up the hours with bullshit for me. Probably a strategy he thinks is going to get me to shut up. She jokes that when I make it big, I can pay her back by keeping her on retainer.
“Got it. Will send this today, and let you know when I hear from his lawyer, who I’m pretty sure he hired before he even completed law school.”
I roll my eyes. The letter we got does sound like something that Addy’s high schoolers would have written up. Hopefully Jake will stop. But I doubt it. I would really love to see Donna tear him apart in the courtroom .
I go into my music room. Our music room. Gunnar has uncovered his guitar, and placed it next to mine. We’ve been singing together every night, and the videos are doing so well. We’ve added a few more hashtags that are trending with our videos. #countrysweethearts is my favorite. My followers are calling us the country version of America’s Sweethearts. It’s definitely gone to Gunnar’s head. Especially at The Bar when people ask us to sing together nightly. They all love him as much as I do.
We still haven’t let on to where we are living because I’m not ready for the followers to know. In Nashville, the bars would be packed. And I want to keep my small town bubble closed right now.
I set my phone up, and grab my guitar. I pull my notebook off the desk and start strumming along to the words I wrote, trying to find the right music for it. I want to have ten original songs ready for my show at Rebels Brewing. Roman agreed to let us host a show there since we don’t want people to know where we live. So The Bar was out.
Ever since we posted the live stream from the inn, they’ve seen an uptick in bookings. Which, since all the rooms aren’t renovated yet, is pretty much selling them out every weekend. If we host a show in Balsam Cliffs, there will be plenty of people who want to book a room or cabin at the inn.
Emma and I talked last night, and I’m going to share the show this week on their social media. The cabins are all ready, and someone has been hired to come clean now that Hunter’s crews are done doing all the work on them.
I booked the biggest cabin for all of the Harper clan. I can’t wait to show everyone Balsam Cliffs and to have them all there for my first show on my own.
None of my family has ever been to a show of mine since I moved to Nashville. Not for lack of trying on their part, I was just being a bitch. But now I can’t imagine not having them with me when I get onto the stage at Rebels. It’s not a huge venue, but this show for me, is huge emotionally.
It’s the first time I’m singing original songs. The first time I’ll have family, and Gunnar’s family, the first time I have control over the show.
I take a deep breath and jot down some notes for the song. Preparing myself for a long day of writing and playing.
By the time I finally stop and look at the window, I see that it’s dark outside. Shit! I’m supposed to be at work! Well before the dark comes.
I text Gunnar quick.
Me: I’m so sorry! Why didn’t you come get me? I’m coming now!
Gunnar: Don’t worry about it, I called in Bennett’s best friend. laughing emoji Madeline got here a few hours ago. I didn’t want to disturb you.
Me: Oh great, more ammo for her.
I flip him off through the phone even though he can’t see me. Of course he called Madeline in. Ugh.
I slip my feet into my shoes and head down to the bar. The least I can do is keep Bennett company. Plus, my stomach is reminding me that I have been in here since breakfast and haven’t eaten since then either.
I slip through the kitchen door and sneak into Gunnar’s office, closing the door behind me quietly.
I wrap my arms around his neck, and lean over his shoulder to kiss his cheek.
He grasps my arms in his hand. “To what do I owe the pleasure of you in my office?”
My stomach responds before I can.
“Oh, you’re not here for me, you’re here for Mack.” He laughs.
“I mean, you could fill me up with something else.” I wink at him, turning his office chair so he’s facing me.
“Bossman, need you. Handsy drunk on the patio,” Bennett yells into the office. “Hey Willow!” Then he’s gone.
Gunnar hops up quickly, places a kiss on the top of my head and runs out. So much for that office fantasy happening again.
I shuffle out to the kitchen to find Mack in the throws of cooking. I instantly feel guilty that it’s so busy and I just didn’t show up. Apparently, I need to set alarms.
“Hey Mack, can I help you?” I ask.
“You know how to cook, little red?” she asks gruffly, obviously flustered by the night.
“Basics.”
She thrusts a cutting board and the makings of salad at me. I pull out the stainless steel bowl from below the counter, knowing that she wants me to prep more house salads. It’s about ninety-five degrees today, and I bet people are coming in instead of cooking.
After about half an hour, I have two large house salads prepped, even some packed in to-go containers. I wipe my brow with the back of my forearm.
“Thanks, little red. For your help, here is an order of buffalo wings, and fries.” She winks at me and slides the plate down the counter.
My mouth is watering before it even reaches me. I pick it up and head out to find a spot near Bennett. Now that it’s quieted down I should be able to talk to him about the night .
“Hey, no show.” Bennett scowls, handing me a Pepsi to go with my meal.
“You are a God sent angel.” I take the cold glass of bubbling sweetness.
The bubbles of the soda hit my tongue and my stomach rumbles. I fold my legs up underneath me and dig into my meal.
“Howth Madawin?” I ask.
“Didn’t your mama ever teach you to keep your mouth closed while you eat?” Bennett laughs at my attempt of a question.
I swallow and wipe my mouth before answering him. “Probably. But I never was one to listen.”
We both laugh because he knows it’s true. I do not like to listen to even Gunnar when it comes to work. I always have a comeback ready.
“To answer your question, I haven’t seen her much. It was slammed and she got those golf guys from when you started.”
Ugh. I cringe. Now I actually feel bad for leaving her to work that group by herself.
“Don’t worry, your big bad bossman called Brad and they got kicked out permanently.”
He gets pulled away to a group of women at the end of the bar and I finish my meal, watching them attempt to flirt with him, too bad he’d prefer that group of guys two tables over.
My phone vibrates on the bar next to me.
Jake: Willow, listen, I think there’s been a little misunderstanding. Let’s talk.
Looks like my ex-manager got his letter from Donna.
Me: If you want to talk, do it through my lawyer.
Jake: No. I’m not doing that bullshit. Listen, come back. I got a huge gig for you. We can sign a new contract, forget this mess ever happened.
Me: 1. Fuck no. 2 . Go. Through. My. Lawyer.
I slam my phone face down, and go back to my food that was making me happy before he so rudely interrupted my night.
Lyrics come to me for the song that I’m writing just for Jake. I grab a bar napkin and lean over the bar to get a pen from Bennett’s stash. I write furiously before I forget them.
“Dayyyumm. Someone pissed you off,” Bennett says, reading my napkin upside down.
“Let it be a lesson to you.” I raise a brow.
We pass the last couple hours of his shift with me updating him on all things Jake, and legal battles. He shares some of the funny stories from the night and he told me he got a date tonight. One of the guys that works at the golf course has been coming by and very specifically choosing the same seat I’m in now to talk to our bartender.
I’m still writing at the end of the night when Gunnar loops his arms around me. “So what were you saying earlier about being hungry?”
The heat in his eyes has me instantly ready and remembering my fantasy about him throwing me against his office door.
“Mmm. I might have an idea.”
I spin in the chair and smirk at him.
My palms are sweating. My heart is racing. And I might just run out of here.
I make the mistake of peeking out at the makeshift stage in Rebels.
It’s so packed I’m surprised the fire marshall isn’t kicking people out. The video I posted went more viral than I thought it would.
Every single hotel room, inn room, and rental is booked within a twenty mile radius. All for a little bar show. I never had this kind of show in Nashville.
Further proof I should have taken control of my career a long time ago.
“Hey, darling.” Gunnar pulls me into his arms. “Do you mind delaying the show a few minutes? Roman is offering a round on the house, but we want to set up some live streaming TVs outside since inside is at capacity.”
“What? Really? I mean it looks busy, but you’re turning people away?” My jaw slacks open.
“Yea, darling. People have shown up for you. I’m even streaming it on the TVs at The Bar. Mack and Bennett may have threatened to quit if I didn’t.” He laughs. I can hear them saying that.
“Yea, okay, as long as people aren’t going to be mad.” I shrug, thankful for the extra time to get my nerves under control.
“No angry people, they’re getting free beer. Want your Mom?” He takes my sweaty shaking hands in his, and kisses each knuckle to calm me.
“Yes please,” I whisper.
I take a seat on the extra stools in the storage area that I’m using as a room to get ready. Gunnar leaves through the stage door to get my Mom.
She walks through not a minute later, with all my sisters, Anna and Emma in tow.
They all pile around me in this awkward group hug. Mom and Anna have become quick friends, commiserating about raising too many rowdy and strong willed children.
“You’re going to be amazing.” Addy kisses my cheek and squeezes my shoulder.
“I’m so nervous,” I admit. “I’ve never sung my own songs for anyone before. Only the short snippets in the comfort of my music room for a video. ”
“You’ll do great. I promise.” Mom winks at me, and they all share a funny look.
“What was that look? I’m a Harper. I know that look,” I demand they tell me.
“Nothing, baby girl. You’re just so brave, and I wish I was more like you.” My mom hugs me. I don’t believe her, but I’ve got too many nerves and I’m not going to worry about it until after.
Roman and Gunnar come back to the storage room. My belly flip flops instantly.
“Ready for you, Willow. And in case you’re busy later, thank you so much for having this show here. I don’t think my little brewery has ever seen this many people. I’ve already been asked no less than fifty times where people can find my brews.” He’s beaming from ear to ear.
Roman walks the women back to their table. Scarlett is already talking to Roman about marketing his beers to larger stores.
“I am so damn proud of you. You are the strongest, bravest,” Gunnar pulls back to look at me, “sexiest woman I’ve ever met. I’m so lucky that you choose to love me.”
I crawl up his body, wrapping myself around him like a spidermonkey. Which is difficult with my guitar strapped on my back.
“I’m the lucky one.” I hug him tight, not ready to let go. Roman’s voice comes over the speakers, introducing me and it’s time.
I take a deep breath, and step out of the safety of the storage room and Gunnar’s arms, plaster a big smile on my face, and take the biggest leap of my life.