“So what did you think?” Eddie asked after Rachel climbed off the tour bus.

“I think I’m glad I rode with Luciana so that I could have an excuse to ride back home with you.”

Eddie chuckled. “Yeah, that’s one of the things I like most about touring – the bus. It might not be as fancy as some, but it’s still a pretty cool ride. The only thing better is my ’67 Mustang.”

“Oh, yeah?” She moseyed through the flower garden and grabbed hold of a sunflower. Pulling a Swiss Army knife from her pocket, she cut it. “What color is she?”

“The car?” Eddie grinned. He ran a hand over some of the flowers. “Cherry red, of course.”

“What’s her name?”

“Uh… I appreciate cars, but I’m not a fanatic.”

“That’s okay. Cherry red? You’re still one of the bad boys.” Rachel playfully swatted him with the flower.

He smiled at her attempt to flirt.

“Only sometimes.” His hand shot out and caught the long green stem. He gently pulled on it, and in the process pulled her a little closer. His playfully asked, “Is that for me?”

Her breath caught and for a moment he could see the same desire he felt reflected in her expression. He knew he was playing with fire – teasing her like this. Aside from possible career suicide if things turned sour between them, it wasn’t fair for her either. Always on the road, women constantly throwing themselves at him… and the way he hunted them down, too? He wasn’t exactly relationship material. In fact, he wasn’t even sure if he could be faithful to just one woman. He had never been in a serious relationship before.

And what was he doing thinking about having one now? He shouldn’t even be toying with the idea. Still, there he was, positive he could drown in her gaze if he stared at her long enough. The way she looked right now, here in this welcoming country garden with the wind blowing through her coppery hair, made him think of the home he had always wanted. He leaned a little closer and her eyes grew wide. She quickly looked away.

“It’s for my mother.”

The magic between them swiftly fizzled. He released the flower and stepped back, casually shrugging. “Of course it is.”

“She loves sunflowers and I thought I’d pick one as a way of saying ‘thank you’ for watching the cat.”

Eddie grimaced. “You make it sound like a difficult task.”

“Are you kidding?” she continued. “He’s cute and all, but something of a hell raiser too. In addition to clawing the couch, he’s decided he doesn’t like using the litter box. Then I had to shut him out of my room last night, because he kept playing with my hair while I slept.”

Eddie groaned. “So much for trying to right wrongs. I guess a cat wasn’t the best gift I could’ve gotten after all, huh?””

“Don’t be too hard on yourself.” She sauntered through the garden and he followed, towards the house. They climbed the front porch steps and she reached to open the door. “Like I said, he’s cute – even angelic once he falls asleep. It’s just something about—”

Door ajar, a fluff of fur shot past her. Her mother, a wet mess of soapy suds, came running out. She skid to a stop between Rachel and Eddie. “Jumping Jehoshaphat! That cat is a real pisser.”

Eddie snorted. Rachel’s eyes grew wide. “Mom!”

“What? It ain’t like I cussed. Besides, it’s true. That cat has peed in just about every corner of this house.” She planted two gloved fists on her hips and huffed. “I think there’s something wrong with him.”

“I’ll take him down to Doc’s in the morning,” Rachel said.

“Honey, can’t you just do it now? Please? You know he takes walk-ins. And I’d hate for Mr. Kitty to be living with something sick if that’s what’s going on – not to mention I’d rather him stop using the bathroom all over my house.”

Both Eddie and Rachel looked back to where the cat had fled. He sat perched on the lowest branch of an old oak. Eddie shoved his hands in his pockets, fighting to keep the disappointment out of his voice. “I’ll go with you.”

“You sure?”

“Yeah, I’m sure. It’s mostly—”

The look on both women’s faces stopped him.

“Okay, it’s completely and irrevocably my fault that this mess happened to begin with.”

Rachel grinned. “It’s okay. I think mom is kind of getting used to him considering the fact he now has a name.”

“Mr. Kitty?” he asked Mrs. Linden.

“Seemed as good a name as any. Speaking of names,” she held her hand out, “mine is Mrs. Linden.”

They shook hands. Eddie shot an accusing look at Rachel. “Well, I’m glad someone likes the cat.”

She snickered and then finally admitted. “He really is a good tom.”

“Indeed he is,” Mrs. Linden said. “He just needs a little convincing.”

She patted Eddie’s face and then winked at her daughter before reentering the house.

“What was that all about?” Eddie asked.

Rachel only shrugged.

* * *

TWO HOURS LATER, the sun was fading into an evening sky of pink and purple hues as they climbed into Rachel’s truck with Mr. Kitty.

“Wow. A urinary tract infection? I can’t believe your mother was right.” Eddie buckled up his seatbelt.

“Yeah, I guess that comes from running a farm. You get to know animals.” Rachel smiled and turned to him. “By the way, thank you for footing the bill. You really didn’t have to.”

“Are you kidding? It was the least I could do. It was never my intention to give you a sick cat.”

“I know that,” Rachel said. “I wouldn’t have pegged you for the cruel and unusual type.”

“No?” Eddie grinned. He folded his arms across his chest. “Then what type would you have pegged me for?”

Rachel shrugged. “Honestly? I don’t know. Certainly not the mean type, but also not the kind of guy who would be interested in milking a cow when he could get his milk from a carton much faster. That is, if you even drink milk at all. Seem more like a beer bud kind of guy.”

Eddie hesitated. “Yeah… I guess you’re right about that. I can’t really remember the last time I drank milk – from a cow or carton.”

“Then why did you want me to teach you how to milk a cow? And don’t say it was for the experience, please.” Rachel quickly added.

He studied her for a moment. Did he dare say how he really felt?

“Well, I wasn’t lying when I said I wanted the experience. You don’t exactly get to do stuff like that where I’m from.”

She waited for him to continue when he fell silent.

“And I guess I kind of sort of wanted to get to spend a little more time with you, too.”

Her eyes lit up. “Yeah?”

He nodded. “Even though I know it’s probably a bad idea. Even though I know I shouldn’t want to – that it could be a real career killer.”

“Why?”

“Think about it, Rachel. If things ended badly between us, then my career could hit a real sour note. People might try to accuse me of taking advantage of you because you’re… well, you know… different.” Eddie tried to sound convincing, but the words felt hallow.

“You mean, deaf… because I’m deaf, Eddie.” She reached out and grabbed hold of his hand. “You know, it’s okay to use that word. I won’t be offended. Besides, I wanted to sing on the album. The fact that I allowed myself to be recorded is proof that no one was taking advantage of me.”

Was that what she thought he was talking about? How could she be more concerned about his career than her reputation? He carefully searched her face. There was no trace of sarcasm – just sincerity. When was the last time he had met someone who just seemed so… honest?

“I know. I’m sorry. I’m not trying to sound like a jerk.” He decided to plunge all the way in. “Truth is, I’m really not good at this.”

“Good at what? What is there to be good at?” she pressed him. “It’s just a couple of people getting to know one another. You know… friends.”

“Is that all you want?” He reached out and stroked her cheek. “To be friends?”

She squirmed under his scrutiny.

“Uh… I guess I… um.” Closing her eyes, she slowly exhaled and then murmured. “Maybe a little more would be okay.”

There. She had been the one to say it. She wanted more, too. That was all the encouragement he needed. Despite what Jimmy said (or how he tried to tell himself) he didn’t want to miss an opportunity with this country cutie. Sure, maybe he was playing with fire. He was more than ready to be burned if it meant getting to know her better, though. And if things ended badly? Well, that was a risk he was going to have to take. In fact, the more he thought about it, the more he realized that had always been the case. Since the evening Rachel had taken the audience (and his heart) captive, all he had thought about was her. He wasn’t the kind of man who took ‘no’ very easily. Now the idea of holding her – tasting her – just once consumed his thoughts. He slowly moved his hand from her face to the back of her neck, gently pulling her closer until her hot breath mingled with his. Their lips met, soft and sweet until his tender coaxing deepened the kiss.

The sudden vibration of Eddie’s phone made them both jump. Rachel sat back, breathless. “Saved by the bell,” she murmured.

Eddie chuckled and pulled the phone out of his pocket. “Hey, Jimmy. I’m a little busy right—”

Eddie fell silent for what was surely only a few seconds, but felt like an eternity. Jimmy’s news forced him to erupt. “What?! Okay, look. I’m on my way right now. Just don’t do anything until I get there.”

“Everything alright?” Rachel asked as he ended the call.

Eddie sighed. How could he tell her what Jimmy had just said? He shook his head and turned to face her, still dazed by the idea.

“I have a son.”