Chapter Fifteen

 

 

“Wow!” cried Kenzie, when the bus pulled up in front of the club. “Just look at this place!”

Laura laughed. “It’s quite something, isn’t it?”

“You can say that again,” said Madeleine. “I don’t know what Oscar’s mother would think if she knew I’m here.”

“You know her?” asked Missy.

“Yes. They’re lovely people. Johnny and Jean.”

Missy shook her head. “It’s such a small world.”

“It is,” said Laura, “but I have a feeling that once we get inside there, it’s going to seem like a big club. We should claim some tables and set up a base camp before we do anything else.” She didn’t want anyone feeling lost or left out.

Holly came and put a hand on her shoulder once they were off the bus. “Sweetie, you’re not responsible for everyone. You go find your friends and say hi to them; I’ll make sure everyone’s herded together.”

“She’s right, hon,” said Missy. “We’ll take care of things. You focus on enjoying yourself.”

“Thanks, girls.”

“Laura!”

She smiled when she saw Hope standing by the waterfall waving at them. “I’m going to take you at your word and go see Hope.”

Hope spoke to the doorman, and he ushered their whole group in through a side door, much to the annoyance of the long line of people waiting to get in. She led them through to a quieter lounge where a whole area was roped off for them. Laura laughed when she saw all the bottles of champagne resting in ice buckets on every end table.

Hope grinned at her. “Oscar insisted. When I told him it was your bachelorette party, he set this room aside and laid everything on for you.” She pointed. “Lawrence and Clay and their guests will have that area once they come off stage.”

“Perfect,” said Laura. “Have you seen them yet?”

“Yes, they’re waiting for you. Do you want to come?”

“I’d love to.” Laura looked around for her mom. “Come on.” She introduced her to Hope as they made their way down the stairs and across the huge dance floor toward the stage.

“They’re back here,” said Hope as she led them down a corridor and knocked on a door behind the stage.

“Come in,” called Clay.

Apparently, her mom recognized his voice too. She looked at Laura wide-eyed. “Should I wait here for you?”

Laura laughed. “No, come on. This is your chance.” She pushed open the door and smiled when she saw Clay sitting there sipping a beer. Lawrence stood off to one side talking to Shawnee, and Carson was sitting on the sofa talking to Autumn and Matt.

“Laura!” Clay got to his feet and wrapped her in a bear hug. “I’m glad you came. I wasn’t sure if you’d want to, but this guy,” he jerked his head at Lawrence, “insisted we should ask you.”

“I’m glad you did; this is wonderful.”

“See,” said Lawrence with a grin as he came to hug her, too.

Shawnee pushed him away to get her own hug. “I thought it was fifty-fifty, girl. This could be a fun night, but I can think of other ways you might have wanted to spend your last night of freedom.” She laughed and Lawrence gave her a stern look. “We don’t want to know.”

Laura had to hide her smiled as she watched Clay take her mom’s hand.

“You don’t need any introduction,” he said. “You’re Laura’s mom, and now we know where she gets her beauty from.”

For a moment, her mom’s lips moved, but no sound came out. Laura wanted to step in and rescue her from her embarrassment, but she waited and was glad she had.

“Thank you,” her mom said, and when she smiled, Laura was amazed. She’d only ever seen her mom as her mom, not as a woman in her own right. She’d certainly never seen her as she did now. She was a beautiful woman who was coming out of her shell and into her own. Clay was still holding her hand, his eyes twinkled as he continued to smile at her.

“It’s a real pleasure to meet you, Mr. McAdam.”

“Please, call me Clay? All my friends do, and I have a feeling we’re going to become friends.”

Laura couldn’t hide her smile any longer. She was grinning from ear to ear at the way her mom, smiled back. “Very well, Clay. And you must call me Marianne.”

“I will call you, Marianne.”

Laura felt herself being tugged away by her arm. Shawnee had hold of her and Lawrence and was dragging them over to see Carson, Matt, and Autumn. Laura still couldn’t wipe the smile off her face as she met Shawnee’s gaze.

“Sorry, honey,” said Shawnee. “But we need to give those two a minute. I watch Clay turn on the charm every time he’s introduced to someone, but never in all my days have I seen him light up like that.”

Lawrence grinned. “Me neither. I’ve been telling him for the last few years that he needs to find himself a good woman.”

Laura stared at them both.

“What?” asked Shawnee. “She’s single, isn’t she?”

“Yes, but—”

Lawrence laughed. “But nothing. She might be your mom, but she’s a beautiful woman, Laura. And judging by the way they’re looking at each other right now, we just witnessed the beginning of a good thing.”

Laura followed his gaze to where her mom and Clay were standing talking. They both seemed to have forgotten there was anyone else in the room. She smiled. “Wow. Mom’s been dying to meet him, but I didn’t expect that!”

Shawnee laughed. “I can tell you, Clay didn’t either. He usually manages to make people feel special while keeping his distance.”

“Oh.”

“Not this time,” Lawrence reassured her. “He’s not keeping any distance at all from your mom.”

It was true. He was leaning toward her as she spoke. He was listening attentively and asking questions, looking as though he was hanging on her mom’s every word. “Damn!” she muttered.

“What?” asked Shawnee. “You don’t like it?”

“I love it. I’m just stunned. I thought, if anything, she’d be hanging on to his every word. She loves his music, she thinks he’s wonderful. She’s been dying to meet him.”

“Well, now she has,” said Lawrence. “And to me, it looks like it might be a beautiful beginning.”

Laura nodded.

“Hey, Laura.” Carson appeared at her side. “It’s good to see you.”

“And you.” She was a little surprised that he was here. Perhaps he was here to drive the others around while they were in LA.

Hope, Matt, and Autumn came to join them, too.

“I take it you all know each other, already?” asked Hope. “I just can’t believe how small a world it is.”

Laura laughed. “I was just saying that earlier. Apparently, my mother-in-law knows your Aunt and Uncle already.”

“Your mother-in-law?”

“Madeleine Hamilton.”

“Oh, my goodness! I love her—and her husband. They’re wonderful people.”

Laura laughed. “I think so, too.”

“Is she here tonight?”

“Yes, and Chelsea is as well.”

“I’ll have to find them and say hello.”

Matt smiled at Laura. “It really is a small world, huh?”

Laura didn’t miss the look Autumn shot at him when he said that. She didn’t want her getting the wrong idea. “It is. Last week I was in Nashville, and you were asking me to give your best to Hope and Chance. Now we’re all here together.” She smiled at Autumn. “We were never introduced last week. I’m Laura Benson.”

Autumn smiled and shook her hand. “I know. It’s nice to finally get to talk to you. I’ve heard all these guys going on about how wonderful you are. I felt like I missed out. And tonight’s your bachelorette party, right?”

“It is. I hope you’ll come join us if you get a minute.”

The way Autumn smiled made her feel again like she’d met a kindred spirit. “I’d love to. Once I get these guys sorted and up on stage, I’ll come find you.”

“I’ll bring you over to them,” said Hope.

Autumn looked at her watch.

“We should leave you to it,” said Laura.

“No, I wasn’t giving you a hint,” said Autumn with a smile. “I just need to keep an eye on everything. All these artists would forget what they’re here for if I didn’t keep them in line.”

“And boy does she keep us in line,” said Matt with a laugh.

Autumn made a face at him. “How about you help Carson get ready and then take him out there?”

“Anything you say.” Matt grinned and saluted her. “I’ll see you later, Laura.”

Laura smiled. “Does that mean you’re singing, Carson?” He grinned at her. “I am. I’m just doing a couple of numbers. Just a warm-up before Matt opens for these guys.”

“That’s awesome. I’ll make sure I get out there to see you.” She turned to Lawrence once Carson and Matt had gone. “I’m so happy for him. Is this his big break?”

“It is, and he’s earned it.”

Autumn laughed. “He’d earned it before he ever arrived in Nashville. You’re the one who held him back.”

Laura raised an eyebrow. “How?”

Shawnee laughed. “Did neither of them tell you that Carson’s his nephew?”

“Oh! No, they didn’t.” She looked at Lawrence. “So, you made him work even harder to earn it?”

Lawrence shrugged. “Nobody gets a free ride in life.”

“Especially not in Nashville,” added Autumn.

They all turned as the door opened, and Laura did a double take as Oscar Davenport stepped in. There were no two ways about it; that was one delicious looking man.

Hope went straight to him and brought him over. “Oscar, this is Laura.”

He smiled and shook her hand. “It’s a pleasure.”

“Likewise, and thank you for inviting us.”

There was something predatory about his smile. His eyes sparkled with amusement. “Thank you for being here. A group of beautiful ladies is always welcome.” He held her gaze for a moment. “You should have the best on your last night as a single woman.”

She bit her lip. She was just imagining the innuendo there. She had to be. His smile was innocent, even as he ran his gaze over her body before turning to Lawrence. “I wanted to stop in and make sure you have everything you need?”

“We sure do,” said Lawrence. To Laura’s surprise, he punched Oscar’s arm. “And would you drop the hunter on the prowl act? Laura is a friend, not a groupie. She’s good people, way too good for you. You’re not going to get into her panties, so drop it, would you, and behave yourself.”

Oscar stared at him for a moment, and Laura wondered what he was about to do. She let out her breath as he laughed. “Sorry.” He shook his head as if to clear it, then smiled a very different smile at her. “Forgive me? I can be a total asshole at times.”

“You can say that again,” said Hope.

Laura shook her head slightly. “Not a problem.” He held her gaze for a long moment, and he almost reminded her of Smoke when she’d first met him. She got the sense that somewhere beneath the sexy, confident exterior, there was a lost and hurting soul. She smiled. “Really, it’s okay.” She continued to hold his gaze, feeling as though somehow, she could maybe reach the guy on the inside and reassure him.

“Thanks.” She wasn’t sure if he turned away because he understood, or because he didn’t.

Autumn smiled at her. “Sorry, but I need to clear the room now, we need to get these guys ready for their set.”

Laura looked over to where her mom was still talking with Clay, then smiled back at Autumn, “I’ll let you be the one to tell them.”

Autumn laughed. “I don’t think I dare. I’m hoping they’ll notice when I herd you out of here and they’ll take the hint.”

Laura and Autumn walked to the door with Hope and waited, but Clay and her mom were so engrossed in conversation they didn’t notice.

All of a sudden Lawrence let out a piercing whistle, and everyone turned to look at him.

“Jeez, Clay. Would you let poor Marianne go? Laura’s waiting to get back to her party, and you need to get ready.”

Clay grinned around at them all, looking embarrassed. “Sorry, everyone.”

“That’s okay,” said Shawnee. “You’re not usually the one who holds us up.” She gave Lawrence a pointed look, but he just laughed.

Laura’s mom came to join her at the door, and Clay’s gaze followed her every step of the way. “Can we come find you when we’re done on stage?” he asked Laura.

“Of course. That’ll be great.”

Laura ushered her Mom out, and Hope and Oscar followed them. Her mom looked as though she was walking on air.

“Can I apologize again?” asked Oscar as they walked back down the corridor.

“There’s no need. It’s fine. You were just being a guy. The one I’m marrying tomorrow used be just like you.”

Oscar chuckled and looked at Hope. “So, it’s like you say, Hopey? All I need is the love of a good woman, and I’ll turn out okay?”

“Yes,” said Hope. “That’s how I see it.”

He put his arm around Laura’s mom’s shoulders. “I don’t suppose you could help me out there, could you? It looks like I’m too late. I think Clay was staking his claim.”

Her mom laughed. “I don’t think so. I’m just a star-struck fan, and he was being kind.”

Oscar laughed. “You don’t seriously believe that, do you? If ever I saw a man bowled over, it was Clay just now.”

Her mom shook her head. “I don’t think so.”

As they reached the edge of the dance floor, the music was too loud to continue the conversation, and they made their way back up to the lounge to find the girls. Oscar peeled off and disappeared into the crowd.

Laura looked around at the girls who were mostly just sitting around chatting. Kenzie had dragged April off to dance, but other than that, the others were all here. “This isn’t very wild, is it?” she asked.

Missy wrinkled her nose. “Sorry, hon. I think everyone’s just catching their breath. We’ll get the party started now you’re here.”

“Thanks. Remember I need to have a great party; we need to make sure we have more fun than the guys.”

Hope smiled. “I don’t think that should be too hard.”

Laura turned to her. “Why do you say that?”

“Oh, just that Chance was … Oops!” She brought her hand up to cover her mouth. “I forgot. I’m not supposed to say anything, am I?”

“Maybe, maybe not.”

Madeleine leaned in with a smile. “I think Laura would rather have the guys here.”

“You can’t do that!” said Hope. “It’s a girls’ party.”

Holly grinned. “It happens all the time in Summer Lake. Somehow we usually end up having joint bachelor parties.”

Laura smiled. “We do, don’t we? But I don’t know where Smoke is. I’m guessing he’s not going to be here in the city and anywhere else would be too far away.”

Missy smirked. “It’s only a forty-minute flight here from Vegas. I checked.”

“So, they’re in Vegas?”

“They sure are,” said Missy. “I’ve been half expecting them to show up at any minute. I made sure Dan overheard our plans, and if I know Pete and Jack, they’ll get it out of him.”

Laura laughed. “So, you want them here?”

“I think we all do,” said Emma.

Missy laughed. “You just want Chance to come.”

Emma gave Hope an apologetic look. “Sorry, but he’s lovely.”

Hope laughed. “I have to agree. He is, and I love that you love him, too.”

“See!” Emma made a face at Missy. “Hope doesn’t mind. She understands.”

Missy laughed. “Whatever. It’s not about you and getting Chance here. It’s about Laura and whether she wants to get Smoke here.”

Laura smiled. “I do, but I don’t want to admit defeat, and I don’t want to spoil the guys’ night if they’re having a good time.”

“I told you,” said Madeleine. “I don’t think Smoke was particularly looking forward to his evening. I think he’d be much happier here with you.”

Laura smiled. That was the first time Madeleine had called Cole Smoke. “But I still don’t want to admit defeat.”

Madeleine smiled. “I think as you go into married life, you should probably learn that some of your greatest victories will come when you let the man think he won.”

They all laughed at that. “That is so very true,” said Lizzie.

“I can see it,” said Laura. “And when did you get here?”

Lizzie smiled. “Just a few minutes ago. Piper flew us in, and when we got here, I raced ahead to find you.”

Piper and the others were just now coming up the steps to the lounge.

“What do you say, then, ladies?” asked Laura once everyone was there. “Do we see if the guys want to join us? If I call right now, they could maybe get here by the time Clay goes on stage.” She was surprised by the resounding yeses she got in response. She’d thought at least some of the girls would want a night without their men, but it seemed she was mistaken. She smiled. “Okay, I’ll call Smoke and see what he says.” She dug her phone out of her purse and headed out to the balcony where she’d be able to hear him—if he even picked up. She thought about Madeleine’s comment as she went. She did have a competitive streak, she did like to outdo Smoke, but she didn’t want that to stand in their way. She’d rather let him win and be with him. She dialed his number and waited, wondering if he’d even hear it ring. It seemed he didn’t, it went to voicemail. She smiled at the sound of his familiar message.

This is Smoke. You know what to do.

“I know what I want to do. I’m not sure if you’ll be able to guess what it is, though. Call me if you want to find out,” she said and hung up.

She stood there staring at the phone for a few moments, hoping he might call straight back. He didn’t. Maybe he wouldn’t even get the message till it was too late. She made her way back inside. It was a nice idea to get him here, but perhaps it wasn’t meant to be.