CHAPTER 37 #2
Jamie gasped. No way. She took a half step closer, studying the brushstrokes. The delicate balance of abstraction and form. It can’t be real.
“No! Clayton. They cost a fortune.”
He shrugged. “You said you can’t put a price on art.”
She let out a breathy laugh, shaking her head. Trust him to say that.
“It’s better than those dumb horses,” Emily said.
Jamie stiffened. The horses. Their mother’s painting. She wasn’t sure if the girls even knew. Maybe it was better if they didn’t.
“But there’s a catch,” Clayton added.
Jamie turned back to him, her pulse skipping. “A catch?”
“It comes with the house.”
She stared at him, the words sinking in. With the house .
Her fingers curled against her palm. A month ago she’d been sure she was leaving. That staying here—staying with him—was impossible. But now?
She met his gaze, warmth unfurling in her chest. And then she smiled.
“I guess I’ll have to stay, then.”
After breakfast they dropped the girls off at school—a morning ritual Jamie cherished—but Clayton turned east instead of heading north.
She frowned, immediately suspicious. “You’re going the wrong way.” She pointed at the highway sign. “Nashville’s that way.”
“No, I’m not,” he said, his grip steady on the wheel. A slow grin tugged at his lips, like he was enjoying a private joke.
Jamie’s stomach tightened. Unplanned detours, last-minute changes—those things made her skin itch. “Clayton,” she warned, narrowing her eyes, “what are you doing?”
He finally looked over, his grin widening. “We’re going to Dollywood!”
Her mouth fell open. “What?”
“Thought we’d make a day of it.”
Her mind raced. This wasn’t on her schedule. This wasn’t planned . But then another thought broke through— Dollywood . The park she’d been dying to go to since arriving in Tennessee.
She hesitated. “What about the girls?”
“Momma and Daddy are picking them up from school. Everything’s handled,” he said, shooting her a knowing look. “Now, are you going to fuss, or are you going to have some fun?”
Jamie sighed, arms crossed, but the fight was already slipping away. The man knew her too well.
The drive passed quicker than she expected. Once she let go of her initial resistance she got lost in the rhythm of their songwriting, Clayton tapping out a beat on the steering wheel while she jotted down lyrics. By the time they pulled into Dollywood she was buzzing with excitement.
And the moment she spotted the towering drops of the Thunderhead rollercoaster in the distance, all her irritation was forgotten.
“Oh my God,” she gasped, gripping Clayton’s arm. “We have to do that one first.”
He laughed, shaking his head. “Shoulda known.”
They rode everything—Thunderhead, Wild Eagle, Mystery Mine—Jamie’s shrieks of exhilaration mixing with Clayton’s deep belly laughs. She loved every stomach-lurching drop, every twist and turn, and she didn’t even try to hide how much fun she was having.
“All right,” Clayton groaned after they stumbled off the Tennessee Tornado. “I need a damn minute.”
Jamie smirked, bouncing on her toes. “Are you slowing down on me, cowboy?”
“Hell, no.” He straightened, determination flashing in his eyes. “But I’m going to need a fried pie first.”
They indulged in cinnamon bread, barbecue, and every other fried delight they could get their hands on until they were stuffed.
They wandered through the park, taking in live music and street performances, and when a bluegrass band struck up on a small stage, Clayton tugged her into a slow, playful two-step right there in the middle of the crowd.
“You’re not half bad at this,” Jamie teased, letting him twirl her.
“I’ve got a few tricks up my sleeve.”
Before they left she made a last stop at the gift shop, picking up Dollywood T-shirts and souvenirs for the girls. As much as she hated surprises, she had to admit—this one?
It was perfect.
As they walked back to the truck under the glow of the park lights she leaned against Clayton’s side, sighing contentedly.
“All right,” she murmured. “Maybe I don’t hate all surprises.”
He kissed the top of her head, his voice full of quiet satisfaction. “Knew I’d win you over.”
It was late when they returned to the Langley ranch, driving down the long stretch toward Clayton’s parents’ house. Ever since Jamie had moved in, the girls insisted on staying at their dad’s. She hated waking them, but she couldn’t wait to give them their gifts from the theme park.
Just as the house came into view, Clayton slowed the truck.
“Why are we stopping?” Jamie asked, exhaustion weighing on her.
“One more surprise,” he said, flashing her a grin.
She groaned. “I think you’ve hit your quota for today.”
Instead of answering, Clayton veered off the drive and parked in front of an old, abandoned barn, its wood weathered and worn by time.
“C’mon, I’ve got something to show you,” he said, hopping out.
Jamie sighed, reluctant to move. Dollywood had drained every ounce of energy she had, and all she wanted was a hot shower and bed. Still, she climbed out and followed him toward the barn.
Clayton reached for the latch. “Close your eyes. ”
She shot him a skeptical look. “You better not murder me on my birthday.”
His laugh was low and easy as he pushed the door open and flicked on the lights. “Open them.”
Jamie blinked, and her breath stopped. “Oh my God.”
The dusty old barn was gone. In its place stood a state-of-the-art recording studio, gleaming under the warm glow of recessed lighting. Soundproofed walls, brand-new equipment, and, most stunning of all, her guitars, hanging neatly along one side, while Clayton’s lined the other.
She turned to him, wide-eyed. “Clayton . . .”
He leaned against the doorframe, watching her reaction. “Figured we could start a little studio out here. No more driving to Nashville.”
Her throat tightened as she took it all in. He’d done this. For her. For them.
“I don’t have the words,” she whispered, running her fingertips over the smooth wood of her favorite guitar. “But thank you.”
She turned back to him, her heart full. And before she could second-guess herself, she reached up and kissed him.
He smiled against her mouth. “Worth it just for that kiss, darlin’.”
They picked up the girls and headed to Clayton’s house.
Surprisingly—or maybe not, considering they’d eaten most of her birthday cake—the twins were still wide awake.
They should have been asleep by now, but Clayton had let them stay up to watch the final episode of The Bachelor , which they’d recorded.
He’d even banned Jamie from checking her socials to avoid any spoilers.
Of course, the bachelor picked the wrong woman—the one Clayton couldn’t stand from the very first episode. He said she was only there to boost her profile, and he was probably right .
Clayton turned off the TV in disgust and left the bedroom while Jamie and the girls laughed at how upset he was.
When he returned, he was hiding something behind his back.
“My darling,” he said in his corny English accent.
Jamie laughed. “I see Steve Trevor’s back.”
“Dang it, Jamie,” he said in his regular voice. “Steve Trevor is Wonder Woman’s boyfriend.”
“He is?” Jamie didn’t know that, but now it made sense.
The girls giggled. “Even we know that, Miss Jamie,” Emily said.
“I need a better ending,” Clayton said, revealing a red rose from behind his back. “Will you accept the final rose?”
Jamie laughed. “Yes, I will.” She took the rose. “Thank you.”
“Does that mean you’re getting married?” Emily asked.
Jamie’s eyes widened. “No, honey—”
“Well, why the hell not?” Clayton interrupted. “Marry us.”
She froze. Her breath quickened, her heart hammering against her ribs. Was he joking? It sounded like something Clayton would blurt out without thinking, but the look in his eyes told her otherwise. He wasn’t laughing. He wasn’t taking it back.
Jamie swallowed hard, her gaze flicking to Charlotte and Emily.
Their hopeful faces nearly undid her. They were already part of her life, and she was part of theirs in ways she hadn’t even realized until this moment.
She loved them. She loved him. And maybe this wasn’t the proposal she’d imagined—not some grand, orchestrated moment with a big speech and a diamond ring—but it was theirs, messy, spontaneous, full of love.
Her lips parted, a slow, incredulous smile spreading across her face. She looked back at Clayton and the words tumbled out before she could second-guess them.
“Why the hell not?”