4. Madeleine #3
“It’s true. I spent a lot of time in that woodshed.
I was obsessed with music and learning how to play better.
Then after high school, I headed to Nashville.
Not even sure what I thought was going to happen once I got there.
I was a stupid kid who didn’t know any better.
Figured someone would hire me to play guitar.
Maybe buy one of my songs. It’s the only thing I’ve ever been good at. ”
“Rhett heard it right away,” I said. “How special you are.”
“Yeah, I guess so. When he found me, I was playing lead guitar in a country cover band in this seedy little bar. He came up to me after a set and asked why I was playing beneath myself? Said I was too good for them. I told him I needed to eat. He gave me his card and asked me to meet him the next day. ‘There’s someone I think you should meet’ is what he said. ”
“That’s sort of daunting, right?”
“For sure. Listen to this. I show up at the address he’d given me and it’s someone’s rundown apartment.
I almost didn’t go in, thinking Rhett might be a serial killer.
But I had to risk it, so I went up the stairs of this rundown building to apartment 2B.
Turns out it was Jack’s apartment. This was a few years after he won the singing show. Rhett had me play for him.”
This was the most I’d ever heard Knox say in a conversation ever. I didn’t know what to think.
“What did you play for them?” I asked.
“Started with ‘Blackbird,’ then one of my own—real complicated finger work—just to show them what I could do.”
“And the rest is history,” I said.
“That’s right. We fumbled around for a few more years. Then Rhett found you,” Knox said.
I was going to comment, but the red barn had appeared on the horizon. We were back at the ranch. Why did I feel disappointed?
The entire gang was gathered just outside the barn. Soren was pacing, talking into his phone. When we appeared, his relief was palpable.
Soren ran to meet us. “Thank the good lord. What the heck happened to you? One moment you were behind us and the next it was like you’d vanished into thin air.”
“Duchess got spooked by a bird,” I said. “And ran off in the wrong direction, with me hanging on, sure I was going to die.”
“Madeleine did great,” Knox said as he hopped from Cash to the snow covered ground. I glanced at him, shocked.
“But it was actually pretty scary,” Knox said. “Duchess took off like a rocket. She might have missed her calling as a race horse.”
“I’m glad you’re okay,” Soren said. “You gave me a scare.”
“I’m sorry,” I said, still on Duchess. “I didn’t mean for it to happen.”
“It’s all right. As my mama says, ‘all’s well that ends well,’” Soren said.
Knox gave me his hand. “Come on. We’ll get you inside where it’s warm and rustle up a glass of wine.”
Our eyes locked just before he swept me into his arms and set me on the ground. We lingered just a second, still touching, his green eyes peering into mine.
“You mean it?” I asked.
“I think you deserve a drink,” Knox said as he brushed his thumb over my cheek where a snowflake had landed. “Maybe a sandwich too.”
Ivy came running up, clearly shaken. Knox let me go and Ivy hugged me hard enough to crack a rib. “Are you okay?” Ivy asked as she pulled away to take a better look at me.
“Yes, I’m fine,” I said. “But I’m not getting on a horse again anytime soon.”
Jack pulled me into his arms, hugging me almost as hard as Ivy. “Thanks for not dying. Would have put a real damper on the festivities.”
“I’m pretty glad of that myself,” I said, laughing.
The others were standing around, everyone looking a little pale but relieved.
Luci asked if anything hurt. “Do you want me to take a look at you?”
“No, it’s just my pride that hurts. I’m sorry we scared you,” I said, looking around at the concerned faces.
Rhett came forward to give me a hug. “You sure you’re good?”
“I’m totally fine,” I said. “Please, there’s no need to make a big thing about it.”
“This is my fault,” Soren said. “I shouldn’t have given you Duchess. I thought she’d be perfect in that she never runs unless she’s asked to and then under protest. But she’s as skittish as a cat on the Fourth of July.”
“Let’s go eat,” Ivy said.
The entire group headed toward the restaurant, chatting and laughing now that we were all back together.
Ivy fell in step with me, taking my arm. “You and Knox seemed almost chummy.”
“We had a few moments out there. I’m starting to see a different side of him.”
“Maybe this fresh air is good for us,” Ivy said. “Even you seem more relaxed.”
“I’m having fun,” I said. “Other than my incident with Duchess.”
“I’m sorry I made you ride with us,” Ivy said.
“It’s all good now,” I said.
We arrived at the restaurant and headed inside to the warmth and the smell of freshly baked bread. Much more my speed, I thought, smiling to myself.
Knox held open the door for us. Ivy went in but I hesitated just a second, placing my hand on Knox’s arm. “Thanks for bringing me home.”
He tipped his hat and winked at me. “Anytime, Price. Anytime.”