39. Walker
Chapter 39
Walker
T here are two things I never thought I’d do in my own bar:Sing karaoke. And sing karaoke with Violet.
Yet, here I am, standing in front of a microphone, hand-in-hand with my girl, while her entire family cheers us on like we’re about to win a damn GRAMMY.
“This is a mistake,” Violet mutters under her breath, shooting me a glare as the opening chords of "It's Your Love" by Faith Hill and Tim McGraw play through the speakers.
“You say that now,” I murmur, squeezing her hand. “But wait till I blow you away with my vocals.”
Eli snorts from the bar. “Boy, we already know you can sing. Get on with it.”
Maggie, who has appointed herself the official karaoke hype woman, waves her beer. “Less talking, more singing, lovebirds.”
I glance at Violet, whose cheeks are already pink from the whiskey and the fact that every single person in this bar is watching us.
“You gonna leave me hangin’, Red?” I tease.
She squares her shoulders, eyes flashing like she’s ready for a fight. “Hell no.”
And then I look into her eyes and start singing.
And damn if I don’t forget my own name for a second.
Violet leans into the mic, voice sultry and teasing when it’s her turn.
I swear to God, she winks at me, and just like that, I’m completely gone.
The crowd leans in and watches, swaying to the music. I think we did the song justice.
Caroline and Eli clap like proud parents at a school recital. Mack stands on a barstool, waving her arms like she’s at a stadium concert. Cami and Maggie? They’re already betting on whether we’ll end up making out on stage.
And my Red?
She’s fighting a smile, but I see it, the way her eyes soften, the way she leans just a little closer when I sing the next verse.
By the time we hit the last chorus, she’s laughing into the mic, shaking her head like she can’t believe this is happening.
Neither can I.
Because this—singing with her, the whole bar watching, the people we love cheering us on—feels like one of those moments I’ll remember for the rest of my life.
The song ends, the crowd erupts, and Eli stands up, raising his glass. “I’ll be damned. You kids got some major chemistry.”
Mack points at us. “Y’all are gross.”
Caroline sighs, all dreamy-eyed. “They’re perfect.”
Violet groans, grabbing my wrist. “We’re leaving.”
I let her drag me outside, still laughing as the bar doors swing shut behind us. The air is cool and quiet, the only sound the distant hum of the Jukebox inside.
“You didn’t have to drag me out here,” I tease, tilting my head at her.
She turns, cheeks still flushed, eyes bright. And then, without a word, she grabs my shirt and pulls me down into a kiss. It’s fast and hot and full of the kind of energy we had up on that stage, electric, breathless, like neither of us can quite believe we’re here.
When she finally pulls back, her lips are kiss-swollen, her breath uneven.
I smirk. “So, you like that? No concussions this time.”
She glares, but she's smiling. “Shut up.”
I tuck a piece of hair behind her ear, my voice turning softer. “I meant it, Red. I’m in this. With you.”
For a second, she doesn’t say anything. Just looks at me like she’s realizing something big.
Then, finally, she whispers, “Me too.”
And just like that, I know:
I’m never letting her go.
I’ve done a lot of things in my life.
Had a successful music career, became a dad, ran a bar. And now I've started a record label.
But standing in front of a damn horse, trying to figure out how to surprise my woman without making it weird, is somehow the most stressful thing I’ve ever done.
Stormy, the gray mare standing beside me, snorts loudly, like she’s already judging me.
I glare at her. “Don’t start.”
She flicks an ear, completely unimpressed.
Maggie, who stands behind me with Eli, Caroline, and Mack, lets out a dramatic sigh. “Walker, honey, you’re acting like you just bought an engagement ring, not a horse.”
Mack perks up immediately. “Wait. Is there a ring?”
Eli grins, crossing his arms. “Well, if you’re getting her a horse, a ring wouldn’t be far behind. ”
Caroline nods. “It’s a logical next step.”
I groan, scrubbing a hand down my face. “I swear, y’all are the worst.”
Maggie waves a hand. “Oh, hush. Now, where is Violet? I wanna see her reaction.”
I glance toward the house, nerves rattling in my chest. Violet is inside with Poppy and Cami, completely unaware that I’m about to walk her outside and give her a damn horse.
Which, now that I think about it, might be an unhinged thing to do. Should I have started smaller? Maybe a nice saddle first? Too late now. I nod at Mack. “Go get her.”
She grins like she’s about to cause trouble, then takes off toward the house.
I adjust my hat, take a deep breath, and pat Stormy’s neck. “Alright, girl. Try to win her over.”
Stormy blinks at me, completely indifferent. Good talk.
The second Violet steps outside, she takes one look at Stormy and freezes. Her mouth falls open. Then, she slowly turns to me. “Walker,” she says, voice suspiciously calm, “whose horse is this?”
Maggie snorts loudly. “Oh, I love this already.”
I clear my throat, shifting awkwardly. “She’s yours.”
Violet blinks. “Mine?”
I nod. “Her name’s Stormy. Figured you should have your own horse.”
Violet stares at me, unmoving, for so long that I start to think I broke her.
Mack leans in toward Poppy. “She’s either about to cry or kill him.”
Poppy nods. “Fifty-fifty odds.”
Cami sips her drink. “I love a gamble.”
Violet finally shakes herself out of her daze and steps forward, reaching for Stormy’s nose. The mare nudges her gently, like she already knows she belongs to her.
Violet inhales sharply, eyes glossy with emotion. “You really got me a horse?” she whispers.
I rub the back of my neck, suddenly feeling really self-conscious. “Yeah, Red. Thought you should have one, so we can all ride together.”
Maggie claps her hands together. “Lord, help me, I love a good romance.”
Eli grins. “So, when’s the wedding?”
Violet whirls around. “Oh my God, Dad!Can we have just one day where nobody plans my future like I’m in a Hallmark movie?”
Caroline chuckles. “Well, darling, if the boots fit.”
Mack gasps as she pulls out her phone. “OH MY GOD. That should be a song! As your official PR spokeswoman, I'm writing that down for you."
I groan.
Violet, laughing now, shakes her head and turns back to me. “You really got me a horse,” she says again like she still can’t believe it.
I shrug, watching her as she strokes Stormy’s neck, completely in love with her reaction.
“Do you love her?” I ask, keeping my voice light, but my heart is pounding.
She turns to me, smiling so soft, so bright, it knocks the wind right out of me. “I love you,” she says simply. “And her.”
And right there in front of Maggie, Mack, Poppy, Cami, Eli, and Caroline, she throws her arms around my neck and kisses me like she means it.
Carolinegasps dramatically. “Oh, Lord, my heart.”
Mack snaps a photo. “The internet is going to die.”
Maggie yells, “Put a ring on it! ”
Caroline sighs. “I do love a happy ending.”
Poppy nods. “Except we’re not at the end, and I’m personally holding out for an elaborate proposal.”
Cami grins. “Oh, definitelyelaborate.”
Violet pulls back, breathless, laughing against my lips, an amused grin on her face.
“We need new friends,” I mutter.
She chuckles, brushing my knuckles down my jaw. “Nah, we’d be bored without ‘em.”
I put my arm around her and pull her close.
She sighs, dramatic as hell. “Fine. But if you ever surprise me with twenty-four goats again, we’re gonna have words.”
I smirk. “Damn. Guess I gotta cancel my next surprise.”
Violet groans, laughing, and I kiss her again. Because Stormy might be the best damn gift I’ve ever given her. But having her in my life?
That’s the best damn gift I’ve ever gotten.