Chapter 5
CHAPTER FIVE
Bayleigh
“I need coffee,” I grizzle as I zombie-walk out of the bedroom the following morning.
In a matter of seconds, Kelly is by my side with a cup of black coffee in her hand.
I take a sip, but the bitter taste makes me grimace.
“There has to be better coffee in this town,” I say as I pass the cup back to Kelly and turn to look out the window.
The streets are bustling below, filled with people going about their day.
“Did you sleep well?” Kelly asks, standing beside me.
“Not really,” I admit. In truth, thoughts of Chase kept me tossing and turning all night.
“It’s only a few days, and it’ll be over before you know it.” My assistant is ever the optimist. “Once you’re ready, we’ll go out for breakfast and be seen around town, looking at the shops.”
“That shouldn’t take very long.” I run my gaze up the street. Although there are new shops and businesses, Sweetgum Valley is still a small town—not exactly a shopping mecca. I doubt they even have a mall. When Target opened, it was a big deal to the townsfolk. “Alright, but first, coffee.”
Kelly helps me dress into light blue jeans and a chic boho shirt.
I am well known for my boho/country/chic look and my signature cowgirl boots.
I have built my image on being a stylish country music star who loves tassels and scarves.
The style has always suited my blonde curls, which I usually wear down.
With my makeup in place and a tan purse slung across my body, I follow Kelly out of the suite.
“This is Max.” She gestures to the large, bald man, dressed all in black, standing in front of the door. “He’s your new bodyguard.”
“Hey, how you doing?” I smile at him and walk toward the lift, Kelly and Max close behind me.
As a celebrity, privacy is often hard to come by. However, after years of living in the public eye, I have grown accustomed to the constant presence of security. There are always fans who push boundaries and disregard personal space. I’ve had my share of creepy stalkers.
When we walk out of the lift into the lobby, a man in a grey suit approaches us with a friendly wave. “Ms. Gilmore!”
I recognize him as the hotel manager who greeted us upon arrival, so I pause and let him catch up to us.
“Ms. Gilmore, I want to ensure that your accommodations are satisfactory. Is there anything I can do to assist you?” Mr. Dobson asks politely.
I turn to Kelly with a questioning look. “I believe everything is fine. Don’t you agree?”
Kelly nods in agreement. “Thank you, Mr. Dobson. Your hotel is lovely.”
“We’re honored to have you as our guest,” he says with a friendly smile and pride in his voice.
“Thank you,” Kelly replies, motioning for us to continue walking. I force a smile as we exit the lobby and step onto the street. A cool breeze tousles my hair and I quickly brush it away from my face. The air smells fresh and clean, a welcome change from the constant scent of gasoline in the city.
With her phone in hand, Kelly leads us down the street to a diner with outdoor seating and umbrellas for shade. “Inside or outside?” she asks me.
“It’s a bit chilly out here. Let’s go inside.
” I turn the handle and push open the door, causing the bell above it to jingle.
As we step into the cozy bistro, I am surrounded by natural light and shelves filled with lush green plants that add to the warm atmosphere.
Most of the tables are occupied by couples and families enjoying their Sunday breakfast together.
The tempting scents of freshly brewed coffee and warm biscuits fill the air, making my stomach growl loudly.
Max pulls out a chair for me at a table near the wall, then stands behind me where he can watch.
A nervous waitress comes over to take our coffee orders, glancing at me every few seconds.
I can feel the stares and whispers from the other patrons around us as they take photos and giggle amongst themselves.
“Did this place exist when you were young?” Kelly inquires.
I try to remember. “No, the diner is a recent addition. It used to be the old post office.”
So much has changed here. It doesn’t feel like the Sweetgum Valley I once knew. But surprisingly, not everything here triggers memories of my past life like I’d thought it would.
Our drinks arrive just in time, preventing me from delving too deeply into my memories. If I let them surface, they will consume me and I won’t be able to push them back down again. The past is best left where it belongs, so I can focus on shaping my future.
I take a long sip of my coffee and let out a contented sigh as its warmth travels down my throat. This is some seriously good coffee.
“We have some emails to go through.” Kelly pulls out her iPad and we work as we nibble on buttery pastries. I’m on my second cup of coffee when I hear the door jingle and look up.
Chase strides confidently up to the counter and speaks quietly to the waitress. She responds with a smile, and her hand briefly touches his arm in a gesture that I find irritatingly intimate. As she turns to the coffee machine, Chase’s gaze follows her before turning toward me.
Our gazes meet and lock. My heart races as he continues to look at me, furrowing his strong brows. The stubble on his square jaw catches my attention, along with the way his Adam’s apple moves under the collar of his khaki jacket.
“That’s the guitar player from last night.” Kelly says it more like a statement that a question, and I turn and see the lustful gaze on my assistant’s face. “He’s cute. Do you know him?”
“I used to,” I say, placing my hand on my scarf and recognizing the familiar shape of my pendant under my fingers. Looking up at Chase through my lowered lashes, I hope he will avert his gaze, yet I also want to keep staring into those hypnotic blue eyes.
The waitress finishes preparing his takeaway coffee and hands it to him. He gives me one last glance before exiting the diner.
With him gone, the diner suddenly feels empty. Where does he live? What is he doing now? These questions have been plaguing me all night. Is he with someone? Is he happy?
After finishing my coffee, I turn to Kelly and ask, “What’s next on our agenda?”
A smile spreads across Kelly’s face. “Shopping time!”
* * *
A sizable amount of money has been forwarded for me to spend in the town, so Kelly and I take advantage by spending the next hour browsing the trendy women’s clothing store next to the diner.
Max, as watchful as I’d expect, waits outside for us.
I try on various new jeans and tops, adding them to our ever-growing pile of items we can’t leave without.
The store’s unique blend of country and sparkling fashion has caught my eye and the attentive shop assistant helps me find sizes and make suggestions as I try on almost everything in sight.
“Wow, you should definitely wear that on Saturday,” Kelly exclaims as I stare at myself in the full-length mirror. The white dress has just enough diamantes to be showy but not tacky. The outfit is loose and easy to move in.
“I think it needs something.” I purse my lips and look around the shop. “That belt,” I point to a hanger. “The brown one.”
The assistant rushes to grab the accessory and hands it to me, its buckle a striking turquoise color. I fasten it around my waist and smooth out any wrinkles. Kelly gives a nod of approval. I gather my long hair off my back and let it cascade in soft curls over my shoulders..
“I can’t wait to see the show,” the assistant, who couldn’t be more than twenty-one, says. “I got my ticket just as soon as they went on sale.”
I smile at her. “Thank you. I appreciate your support.”
“You’re just so loved around here. We’re so proud to be the hometown of Bayleigh Gilmore.”
I return the smile, the weight of being an icon in this town on my shoulders.
After changing back into my regular clothes Kelly pays for my purchases and we continue walking down the street.
I can’t help but look into the windows of the shops, noticing how different their interiors appear compared to how they looked when I lived in this town.
I pause abruptly when I recognize the ornately carved chaise at the entry to a gallery. “This is that art gallery I saw from the car. Let’s go in there.” I open the glass door and step inside, Kelly obediently following.
The scents of wood and polish fill the shop, and I take a deep breath to savor them.
My eyes wander around the room, taking in all the unique crafts and artwork on display.
The walls are adorned with paintings and drawings, but it’s the wooden pieces that capture my attention.
From tables and chairs to chessboards and cutlery, each one is proudly showcased.
As I run my fingers over the back of a love seat, I am struck by the smoothness of the wood beneath my touch.
“Look at the craftsmanship,” I remark, admiring the intricate details of the design.
A tree of life, its roots stretching out in every direction, has been artfully carved into the center of the seat.
Suddenly, a thought crosses my mind: me sitting in this chair, humming a tune and jotting down lyrics in a notebook.
But where did that come from? I haven’t written any music since I left.
“Can I help with anything?” a man’s voice asks from behind me and I gulp. No way.
“Oh, it’s you! Is this your store?” Kelly asks as I slowly spin around to see Chase standing behind the till.
He gives a small shake of his head and then turns to Kelly to clarify. “I have partial ownership in the gallery, along with all the other artists. We take turns managing it and working here.”
Kelly lets out a playful giggle. “Lucky us! Which pieces are yours?”
He clears his throat before answering. “I specialize in woodwork—furniture and smaller creations.”
Our eyes meet and my breath catches in my throat. His skin is bronzed and stubble shadows his jawline. Wearing faded denim jeans and a plaid shirt, he is the embodiment of the sexy cowboy.
“So, you’re both a musician and a craftsman?” Kelly is already making her way over to him. “Such impressive skills!”
“Thanks.” Chase’s gaze leaves mine to focus on Kelly as she continues to gush at him. “I wish I had more time to work on my art, but I have a ranch just out of town that I run.”
The question slips out of my mouth before I can hold it back. “What happened to your dad running the ranch? He used to be in charge there.”
A shadow passes over Chase’s face, sadness lingering in the depths of his dark eyes. “My father passed away a few years ago, so I had to step up and take over. Otherwise, we would have lost the ranch.” His attention shifts towards Kelly. “It’s been in our family for generations.”
Kelly expresses her sympathy, placing a comforting hand on his arm.
I have to stop her.
She can’t flirt with Chase like this, especially not in front of me. Every time she bats her eyelashes at him, it feels like nails on a chalkboard.
“Kelly, could you wait for me outside?” I ask her, hoping she’ll take the hint.
With a frown, she turns to face me.
“I’ll just be a minute,” I say, gesturing towards Max waiting near the glass door.
“Oh, okay,” Kelly mutters as she walks by.
I swallow hard, the weight of all our unresolved issues hanging over me.
I had hoped to avoid running into Chase in this small town, but fate seems determined to bring us together.
I sigh, resigning myself to the awkward conversation that needs to happen now.
I take a few hesitant steps towards Chase, who still stands frozen in place.
“We keep seeing each other.” I try to say it as a joke, but it falls like a dead weight between us.
“Yeah, small town,” he says. His voice hasn’t changed; it’s still deep and throaty, reminding me of all the moments when he confided his secrets and dreams.
I take another step closer, grateful that the shop is empty so no one can eavesdrop on us. “I was wondering if you were still here. You never left?”
He shakes his head slightly. “I moved away for a little while, but then I came back. Not like you, though. You really made it big.”
“Yeah, well, for a while at least.” I shove my hands into the pockets of my jeans and glance around the shop. “Did you really make all this?”
He finally steps out from behind the table and cautiously approaches me. “Yep. Went into carpentry after high school, and we opened this place a couple of years ago.”
“You were always so skilled with your hands.” I instantly regret saying it, but my words bring a small smile to his face. “I’m glad you kept playing guitar. You always had a lot of talent.”
He waves in my direction. “And now you’re here to play for us. I’m surprised you’re staying for so long.”
“It was only supposed to be a quick appearance, but my manager wants me to do some press while I’m here and improve my public image.”
Chase moves closer, narrowing the space between us. “I think your image is great as it is.”
My eyes flicker to his lips, recalling the sensation of them against mine and on other parts of my body. “Chase, I . . .”
Before I can finish my thought, Kelly interrupts from the doorway with her phone held out. “Brendon’s on the line for you.”
“Just a moment.” I turn back to Chase. “I should probably take that call.”
“Wait, Bayleigh.”
The way he says my name sends a flurry of emotions through me. He grasps my arm gently, but his touch makes me flustered. For a moment, we just stand there, looking into each other’s eyes. He wants answers from me, but I am not ready to give them.
Then he lets go and steps back. “Have a good show,” he says.
“Thanks,” I reply, walking away before I do something impulsive. “It was nice to see you.”
“Bye,” he says as I hurry out of the shop, dodging furniture and displays in my rush for fresh air. Once I am out the door and back onto the quiet street, I stop and take a deep breath with my eyes closed before exhaling slowly.
“Are you alright?” Kelly asks, walking over to me.
“Yes, I’m fine,” I respond, pushing down my feelings. This is not the time to dwell on the past. Chase belongs there, and that’s where he should stay.