Page 28 of Forever Country (Forever Bluegrass #24)

T he next couple of days followed the same pattern.

The town tormented the paparazzi and every day there were fewer and fewer of them.

Holt worked on music and Annaleigh had several hours-long video calls with Maddie.

Holt also had meetings with Morgan while Annaleigh had meetings with Henry.

All that was left to finalize their deal with Sebastian was to look at the Nashville property tomorrow then sign the deal.

Maddie was going to fly in at the last minute before the awards show, so it was up to Annaleigh to make the call and sign the documents first before Maddie signed them.

Henry would also sign and scan them before overnighting them to New York.

Finally, the day before Annaleigh and Holt needed to leave for Nashville, and without a single Annaleigh and Holt sighting, the last two paparazzi left Keeneston.

“What is that smell?” Annaleigh asked from the window as two cars sped off out of town.

“Piper and Sophie made stink bombs and fired them at the last two guys,” Holt said, laughing as doors to all the downtown shops opened and fans were set out.

Piper and Sophie stepped out from the courthouse wearing gas masks to the applause of the town. Annaleigh opened the window as Holt pulled out an old box fan and turned it on high.

“Thank you all!” Piper shouted with a bow.

“The smell will go away in ten minutes or so. Don’t worry, it won’t linger on your clothes or furniture,” Sophie yelled.

“Good. I was worried my tux might smell for the awards show,” Holt said absently as he strummed his guitar.

Annaleigh felt the blood run from her head. “Crap! My dress was going to be delivered to me yesterday. I’m sure my parents have it now.”

“Have you heard from them?” Holt asked.

“Only a text telling me to keep up the good work. You know, sleeping with you, and to make sure I get you signed before the awards show. All the threats and all the PR Morgan is putting out, but they just don’t get it.”

“Just ask Syd for a dress. She has a billion of them. She’s the one who did my tux. We’ll match. The entertainment media will eat it up.”

“Holt, the deal with Sebastian isn’t done yet. I have hardly any money. I can’t afford a Syd Inc. dress.”

Holt was already texting Sydney. “She said you can borrow one if you want. That’s what everyone else is doing. Come on, I’ll take you over.”

Holt had seen movies where women loved to take men shopping to watch them try things on.

Personally, he’d never seen the appeal but now he understood.

Each dress showed a different side to Annaleigh’s personality and he loved it.

Sweet, sexy, sassy, and edgy. All of it was on display with each unique dress.

“Stop!” Holt leaped up from the chair in Sydney’s workroom where racks of clothes were. “That’s the one. Sweetheart, you don’t need to kill ‘em with kindness. This dress will slay everyone there.”

It was bright red, which somehow worked with her copper red hair.

Her fair skin was like porcelain and popped in the dress.

The fabric was silky, yet almost iridescent.

Holt had never seen anything like it before.

And when Annaleigh put it on, it slid onto her like lingerie meets boardroom boss.

It wasn’t revealing. In fact, it met at the base of her neck and the collar was a thin circular gold band that went around Annaleigh’s neck.

The floor-length dress hugged every curve.

When she walked, the iridescence of the dress made you do a double-take because it appeared almost see-through.

“This dress hasn’t made a public appearance yet, so you’ll be doing me a favor by debuting it in such a grand fashion.

” Sydney smiled at her and then snapped her fingers as if remembering something.

“I have a nude bra and panty set you’ll want to wear.

It can be quite see-through, but only at a certain angle when cameras flash.

It’s rather naughty meets nice. Vixen meets professional,” Sydney explained.

“And I’ll get a matching pocket square for you, Holt.

Give me ten minutes to whip it together while Annaleigh picks out which shoes she wants to wear.

I recommend the gold, but I don’t know if they’re your size. ”

“Do you really think I can pull this off?” Annaleigh asked him as she stared at herself in the mirror after Sydney promised to be back with the pocket square and the bra and panty set.

“Yes. The only problem will be controlling myself the whole night. Hopefully I don’t win so I don’t have to walk on stage with the proof of how hot I find you in that dress, poking out and waving to everyone.”

Annaleigh laughed and walked to the shoe rack. “This place is incredible.”

“Syd used to call in models a couple of times a month to work on pieces, but has been using more and more of her friends and family instead. She’s pushing for pieces to be available in all sizes and for all ages.

The Rose sisters have a blast with it,” Holt told her, trying not to stare at her perfect ass as she bent over to pick up a pair of gold shoes.

She exhaled with relief. “They’re my size!” Annaleigh turned to show them off and Holt went straight to naughty thoughts of what he wanted to do to her in those heels. Yeah, this awards show was going to be hard on him. Pun intended.

The day flew by and now their luggage was mostly packed.

Holt had debated staying at his home in Nashville, but at the last minute thought it might be better to stay at Sebastian’s luxury hotel downtown.

It was a short distance to both the awards and the festival.

Also, it was loaded with security guards and more surveillance than the White House.

Holt fired off a text to his virtual assistant and moments later he received one stating he had one of the balcony suites for three nights. It was the last one available and he had to drop Sebastian’s name to get it, but it was theirs.

Holt thanked him and then also requested a spa day for Annaleigh and someone to do Annaleigh’s and Maddie’s hair and makeup. He warned them that Maddie was coming in late and it needed to be done quickly.

“Would you want to have dinner with Paisley when we’re in Nashville?

We always do this cookout before the festival, not that I ever played, back when Paisley and I became friends.

Yet, she invited me anyway,” Holt told Annaleigh as they walked down the back stairs to the café for dinner. “It became a tradition.”

“That sounds like a great tradition. I’d love to go, as long as Paisley doesn’t mind me being there.”

“I’ll text her, but I’m sure she won’t mind.

The point of the cookout is that it’s a family event.

Her husband and kids will be there, as well as the spouses and kids of her band and others playing the festival.

This time I’ll have someone special to bring with me.

” Holt kissed her temple before opening the kitchen door.

“Hey, you two,” Zinnia called out as she worked in the kitchen. “Got a real good special tonight. Southern fried catfish with hush puppies and the best green beans you’ll ever have.”

“Sounds great. I’ll have one of those for sure,” Holt told her.

“I wish,” Annaleigh said with a sigh. “Someone gets a comfy tux and I get a see-through, body-hugging gown. I eat that meal and everyone will be reporting that I’m pregnant.”

“No problem. Would you like quinoa or a yogurt parfait? I can also, even though it will kill my soul, make you a plain chicken breast.” Zinnia shuttered and Annaleigh groaned.

“I don’t want to kill you, but some boring chicken and quinoa sounds good and maybe I could get the yogurt for breakfast,” Annaleigh said, not sounding excited.

“Now, I can make a parfait, but the chicken might make me cry.”

“I’ll find a way to make it up to you,” Annaleigh promised.

Holt led her to the table filled with his family. His mom was immediately up and hugging Annaleigh before his father did the same.

“Annaleigh, sit by me. Two decades of sitting by my brother is too much.” Knox winked at her, making her laugh, and Holt rolled his eyes at his younger brother.

“We cleared it with the bosses,” his father said to the table with a little chuckle since he was close friends with Will and Mo, “but since we’re playing in Nashville on Sunday, we will be able to go to the Saturday awards, but someone has a team curfew of eleven.”

“Full-grown man with a curfew,” Knox pretended to wipe away a tear and Annaleigh giggled again.

“What’s the world coming to?” Knox had always been the better flirt and over the years Holt had gotten used to it.

It was Knox’s way of making their dates feel comfortable and relaxed.

Too many people thought they were a serious family.

They were seriously successful, but not serious in their behavior.

They grew up jousting with pool noodles, having mud fights, and game nights all as a family.

No one was better than his mom at telling bedtime stories.

It was a full production with silly voices and her leaping around the room.

“If it’s eleven Central time, you’re good to go. The show ends at ten there, but eleven here.”

Knox pumped his fist. “Score! I’m going to cheer you on so loud that people are going to stare.”

Holt loved his brother, and while this kind of support might embarrass other people, it just might make Holt tear up.

His family, hell, this whole town, were the rock solid foundation of his life.

They supported every bar he sang in, every CD he made himself, every song he put out on streaming, and every National Anthem he sang. They were all there for him.

His brother also knew more than anyone how hard it was to find someone truly special. Someone to share what he and Annaleigh had. It was the same special relationship his parents had.

“How are you doing, Knox?” Holt asked, leaning behind Annaleigh when his parents began to ask her about her new agency.

Knox threw him the same smile Holt wore when he was being interviewed. That worried Holt. “I’m doing great. Never felt better. We have a great season in front of us.”

Holt frowned. “I’m not asking about football. I’m asking how you are doing.”

Knox let the practiced smile drop. “Just so many fake people, y’know? You found a good one. I think I’m going to take a break from dating for the season. It messes with my mind too much.”

“I’m sorry. I understand how it can be.”

“This is so exciting that you’re all coming to the awards,” Annaleigh said, pulling Holt and Knox from their discussion.

“Not just us, but Morgan got several seats. She and Miles are attending as well,” his mom told them.

He was sure the awards would love to have Keeneston in a row instead of Holt, Annaleigh, and another famous couple.

Holt almost rolled his eyes at his own thoughts, but that was Morgan.

She knew how to get what she wanted in business.

“That’s so lovely.” Annaleigh paused and bit her lip. “I guess you’ll run into my parents. They aren’t so lovely.”

Holt was about to say something but his father spoke first. “Don’t worry about it. We’re all adults. Even that one,” he said, jerking his thumb at Knox. “We’ve dealt with all kinds of people over the years. Even entertainment agents once or twice.”

“We are experts at this,” his mom said reassuringly. “You two just have a good time. Besides, I’m going to be so nervous for Holt that I won’t even notice anyone buzzing around. No one tells you that once you have kids it’s more nerve-racking watching them play sports or be up for an award.”

“Come on, Mom,” Holt said as he and Knox looked at her disbelievingly. “You’ve won every award there is. I know you were nervous beforehand.”

“Not nearly as nervous as I am watching Knox play football or how nervous I’ll be waiting to hear if you won any of your nominations. Knox, you better not sit next to me. I might grab your hand hard and I don’t want to hurt you before your game.”

Everyone at the table laughed. People stopped by wishing him luck and telling Annaleigh how great it was to meet her. Everyone talked about looking forward to seeing them the next time they came to Keeneston.

Soon they were back in his little apartment.

They were both happy. He could tell by her relaxed body and the small smile playing on her lips as they finished off their packing.

Then there was the sex. You didn’t make love to someone like that at night if you were worried about something else.

They could have said so many things. Instead, it was all said with each touch, each kiss, and how they joined together completely.