Page 12 of Forever Country (Forever Bluegrass #24)

T hey left for Keeneston early the next morning.

The drive was a little over three hours, but it flew by as they talked.

Holt told her about growing up in the small town, about his brother and his parents, and about his friends.

He talked about the bourbon distillery, a royal family who lived in the town, and two men they thought talked to aliens because they always knew things before they happened.

“Are you and your brother close?” Annaleigh asked as they drove out of Lexington and onto a two-lane country road.

“Very close. It was a little hard when he was the football god and I wasn’t, but I got over that real quick when my mom introduced me to music. And we had a little hiccup in high school when we both liked the same girl.”

“Ouch, how did that go?” Annaleigh asked even if she was a little envious that he had a good relationship with his brother. She’d longed to have one with hers, but Saxton never wanted her around.

“Actually, it was fine since Cassidy didn’t like either of us in return. I think it would have been different if she had picked one of us. She just got married recently.”

“How do you feel about that?” It didn’t appear he was still hung up on her, but Annaleigh wanted to make sure.

“Great. Her husband, Warrick, is a good guy. I even sang at the wedding. I actually sing at a lot of weddings in Keeneston, but don’t leak it to the press. I don’t want them labeling me a wedding singer.” Holt flashed her a teasing smile and Annaleigh knew there were no feelings there anymore.

“What about you? Any lost loves?”

“Dax Wimple from eighth grade. I had such a crush on him, but he took Kitty to the spring dance instead of me. I was devastated.” Annaleigh giggled a little at the idea of how silly it was now but it had been her whole world when she was young.

“Then I had a kinda long-term relationship in college until my parents met him. I had managed to hide him for a year. But once they met him, they made him feel so insecure that he broke up with me. See, he was a scholarship student who was getting a history degree because he wanted to become a high school teacher in Eastern Tennessee. That didn’t fit my parents’ narrative for my life.

Let’s just say, dinner was death by a thousand papercuts. ”

She saw Holt grimace. “I can bet.”

“Are you sure you want to sign up for this?” Annaleigh said it jokingly, but there was a very real question there.

“I sure do. Plus, I’m going into it knowing what your parents are like. Totally different situation. But,” Holt tried to hide another grimace, “you should know that it might be a little uncomfortable for you at first in Keeneston.”

Annaleigh spun to look at Holt. “What do you mean? You said I’d be safe here.”

“Safe from a stalker? Yes. Safe from being interrogated by my family, friends, and neighbors since you’re the only girlfriend I’ve ever brought home? No. The town tends to be a little, um... invested in the love lives of our residents.”

“I think I can manage to answer a few questions. Is this Keeneston?” Annaleigh leaned forward as a small town came into view as they went around a curve in the road.

“It is. This is home.”

“It’s so cute!” Annaleigh loved all the flowers spilling out of bourbon barrels and the whites, blues, and yellows of the town’s buildings.

“The Blossom Café is our one and only place to eat. When I’m in town, I stay in the apartment above it.”

Annaleigh looked to the café that was already full of people inside and filling the bistro tables on the sidewalk. Above it were large windows that must house the apartment. “You don’t stay with your parents?”

“I tend to write music late at night. When inspiration hits, I pick up my guitar and get to work. That doesn’t work well when your father, the head coach, has a football game the next morning or an early practice.

I had been going out to one of the barns on my parents’ property, but recently Tammy, Cassidy’s mom, told me the apartment was just sitting empty.

I asked if I could use it and she gave me the door code.

Here I don’t bother anyone in the middle of the night with my music. ”

Holt honked his horn as a reply to people who were already waving and staring at them as he took off down Main Street. “There’s my attorneys’ office and the doctor’s office. Oh, and down here is where you can get the best hats for horse races.”

“This really is the cutest town,” Annaleigh said, leaning forward so she could take it all in even as they drove out of town. “Where are we going now?”

“To my parents’ house. I had already planned to have lunch with my family today. Is that okay? I could turn around and drop you at the apartment if you’re not up for it.”

Annaleigh fidgeted with the hem of her dress. Was she ready to meet the parents? “No, you don’t have to drop me off. I’ll go with you. I hope they don’t think I’m trying to trap you.”

“I don’t think you have to worry about me being the one trapped. Now, as for you? That’s another story.” Holt chuckled and Annaleigh wanted to ask him what he was talking about, but they were already turning into a driveway. A very long driveway lined with trees.

Annaleigh had grown up around celebrities, especially country singers.

She knew they were a different breed from other celebrities.

They tended to have huge mansions, but they also tended to be on farms and not in big cities.

They drove a pickup instead of a sports car.

So, the farmhouse that appeared wasn’t what she was expecting from the woman who’d reigned in Hollywood as America’s Sweetheart, Taylor Everett.

Annaleigh had expected a modern mansion like those found in Los Angeles, not something that looked, well, homey.

The wraparound porch with several porch swings looked downright comfortable.

The house was large, but nothing compared to even Annaleigh’s parents’ house.

“Is this where you grew up?” Annaleigh asked as the front door opened and out stepped his mom.

“It is. I grew up driving four wheelers, riding horses, and running wild. I had the best childhood.” Holt smiled at her then looked out at his mom. “It’s not what you were expecting, was it?”

“Not at all. This feels like a real home and not a showcase.” Annaleigh saw his mom waving and practically leaping down the stairs. “Your mom is happy you’re home.”

Holt smiled fondly at his mom. “I think she’s waving at you actually.”

Annaleigh didn’t think so, but she was getting too nervous to tell Holt that as he parked his truck.

Annaleigh didn’t wait for Holt to open her door.

She couldn’t. Taylor Everett, one of Annaleigh’s favorite actresses and directors, was almost to the truck when they parked next to a matching truck, a dark gray color compared to Holt’s black.

“You must be Annaleigh,” Taylor said with the same smile that she’d flashed on countless magazine covers. “I’m Taylor Everett. It’s so lovely to meet you.”

Annaleigh couldn’t even get a word in before Taylor hugged her.

Annaleigh was stiff and then relaxed into the embrace before hugging Taylor back.

Annaleigh’s mom was not touchy feely. She couldn’t even remember the last time her mother hugged her.

“Thank you for having me over. I hope I’m not imposing on your family lunch. ”

“Nonsense. Any friends of my sons are welcome here.”

“Honey, do you think you can let Holt’s girlfriend go now?” Trey Everett asked from the patio.

“It’s like you’ve never met a girlfriend before,” Knox chuckled.

Taylor let go of Annaleigh and rolled her eyes so that only Annaleigh could see. Taylor winked when Annaleigh giggled. “Jersey chasers aren’t girlfriends, Knox. How many times do I have to explain this to you?” Taylor said to Knox as Holt slipped his hand into hers.

“I think it’s a little soon to assume she’s something more than a groupie,” Knox said, crossing his arms over his wide chest and staring down at her.

Annaleigh felt her face drain of color. Holt went rigid next to her. “Apologize, now,” Holt said, his voice so deep it was close to a growl.

Knox didn’t seem to be intimidated, even as Taylor lectured him and Holt shot daggers at him. He kept his hard glare on Annaleigh. “Are you using my brother to get street cred for your new agency?”

Annaleigh gasped, and not because of the accusation. “How did you know I was thinking of starting my own agency?”

Knox just raised an eyebrow at the fact that she didn’t deny using Holt. She would deny that in a moment but right now it was more important to know how he knew that.

“How did you know?” Annaleigh was close to panicking.

“My parents will take my clients if I give them a chance. I have to be strategic about leaving. If you know, that means other people know. I can be locked out of everything before I have a chance to set up my exit. And no, I’m not using your brother.

I already told him I’m not representing him.

” She was on the verge of hyperventilating.

Knox looked to Holt who nodded. “I’m not leaving Morgan. Annaleigh knows that. She’s never—not once—tried to get me to sign with her.”

That made Knox relax a little. “DeAndre told me and then John almost ran me over when I was running this morning to tell me.”

“ Who? ” Annaleigh was freaking out.

“The ones I think might talk to aliens,” Holt said, reminding her of their earlier conversation.

“That’s silly,” Taylor said to her son. “Clearly they are both psychic.”

“Wire taps,” Trey added. “Has to be wire taps.”

“Who else knows?” Annaleigh was still frantic.

“That would just be the town, dear. Not one word will reach your parents. Now, how do you feel about some chicken salad? I hope you don’t mind, but I make mine with grapes.

” Taylor escorted her up the stairs as Annaleigh was trying to make sense of all this and hoped to God that no one in Nashville found out about her plans.

“You’re an ass,” Holt said to his brother after his mom took Annaleigh inside with his father following them.

“Come on, Holt. You know who you are, just like I know who I am. Women don’t ‘not care’ who we are.

It took three seconds to find the gossip about her parents wanting to sign you, then when I heard she’s starting her own agency.

.. You’re my brother. I’m just looking out for you.

Same as you’d do for me,” Knox told him as they stood on the porch.

Holt let out a deep breath, releasing some of his anger. “I know. Sorry, but Annaleigh is different. I don’t want her feelings hurt, and right now she probably feels very unwelcome.”

“Fine. I’ll give her the benefit of the doubt, but you know I’ll tell you the truth, right? Even if you don’t want to hear it.”

“I know. We made a promise to each other to do just that.” Holt had lived up to that promise a time or two with Knox.

Like, when Knox went a little wild after going pro.

It went from celebratory to reckless, and it was Holt who had reined him in during a Vegas trip.

Holt let out a deep breath. “You’re right.

I would question it if you were in my shoes. Just, for me, keep an open mind. Okay?”

Knox threw his arm over Holt’s shoulder and smirked. “At least you got Mom off my back about finding a good girl to bring home. How much do you want to bet she’s inside asking Annaleigh about how soon she wants to start a family?”

Holt turned to look at his brother with horror. “She wouldn’t.” But even as he spoke, he knew the answer and darted up the stairs.

“It’s so lovely you like working with young artists,” his mother was saying. “I bet you’re wonderful with children.”

His father rolled his eyes at Holt as he skidded to a stop in the living room. “Mom, want me to help you with lunch?” Holt asked, interrupting the interrogation, but not before he could envision Annaleigh smiling down at her baby bump as she ran her hand over it.

“You are such a goner,” Knox whispered mockingly as if he could read Holt’s thoughts.

“And I couldn’t be happier about it.” Holt walked over, dropped a kiss on Annaleigh’s forehead. Yeah, he was happy. These thoughts used to make him run for the nearest exit, but not anymore. Not with Annaleigh. He was all in.