Page 8 of Forever Country (Forever Bluegrass #24)

“No problem,” Holt paused before the producer and sound engineers all came into the room. “Hey, can I ask you something?”

Paisley had changed over the years. She had children now and was shifting the focus of her career.

She wasn’t touring constantly, but instead selecting stadiums and locations she could bring her kids to and turn into family time as well as work.

She was planning a new album next year, but had been releasing singles digitally more than anything.

She had already “made it” and was now making it work for her instead of doing whatever it took to break through.

She was an example Holt hoped to follow, but right now he was in the touring, new album cycle of making it big.

He’d just finished his last tour and was ready for some time off to focus on his next album.

He was big, but he wasn’t as solid in his position in country music history as Paisley.

Paisley Collins was a bona fide superstar.

The point being, he trusted Paisley more than anyone in the industry.

“Of course. What’s up?”

“Do you know Annaleigh Astore?” Holt asked. He tried not to be nervous as he waited for Paisley’s answer. He hoped he hadn’t been wrong in his judgment of her.

“Yeah, I do. I’ve worked with her on some mentoring projects.

Not to speak ill of someone or be a gossip, but she’s the only good Astore.

Her parents are the worst kind of agents and her brother is a real Nashville Bro .

Can’t stand them at all, yet they somehow have a massive client list. I was really worried about Annaleigh when I saw we were working on this mentor thing, but she’s incredibly nice, intelligent, has a great vision for the industry, and isn’t anything like her family. Why do you ask?”

Holt gave her a really short recap of the last eighteen hours and saw Paisley’s frown intensify as she shook her head.

“I’m not surprised by her parents’ reaction.

They only care about how something can benefit or affect them.

I’m the mother of a ten-year-old girl. I’d lose my mind if this were happening to her.

All I can say is thank goodness you were there. ”

Holt and Paisley heard their crew heading toward them and Paisley dropped her voice.

“I take it you’re asking me because you like her?

Annaleigh is a beautiful person, inside and out.

But you'd better watch your back with her family. They’ll post stuff on the gossip sites faster than the paparazzi and will try every underhanded trick to get you to sign with them. ”

“That’s what I’m afraid of,” Holt admitted.

“You’re seeing Annaleigh tonight, right?

” Paisley asked. Hold nodded. “Then see if your feelings are the same after spending some time with her and her family. If they are, call Morgan and put her on notice that she’s about to become really busy.

You haven’t been serious about a woman in quite a while.

You picked a good one. Don’t hold her family against her because she’s nothing like them. ”

“Thanks, Paise.”

The room quickly filled and it was time to get to work. This was the last song they needed to record and Paisley’s album would be complete.

“I can’t wear this,” Annaleigh said as she looked in the mirror. The dark green dress hugged her figure before sweeping the floor. It showed off her hips which her mother constantly complained about being too wide. “I look like a 1940s pinup.”

Maddie smiled as she twirled in the dark pink dress she’d picked out. “Exactly. You look both sweet and spicy at the same time. It’ll drive him wild.”

“I’m not exactly the type of woman he dates. They’re all so... perfect looking.”

“Perfect is subjective. To me, you are perfect and I bet you are to Holt too. At least his reaction to you in this dress will tell you one hundred percent if he finds you perfect looking.”

“And if he doesn’t?” Annaleigh asked as she took one last look in the mirror before turning her back to Maddie so she could slide the zipper down.

“Then I’ll kick him in the balls and key his truck.”

“How do you know he has a truck?”

Maddie rolled her eyes. “Hun, every guy in Nashville has a truck. It’s part of the country singer starter package.”

Annaleigh giggled as they wrapped up their dresses and paid for them.

It was time to get back to work, which, luckily, went flying by.

Annaleigh wanted to get more work done, but then Maddie popped her head in and told her she was leaving.

“Per Mr. Hottie’s instructions, I’m to walk you to your car.

Besides, you can give me a ride to my place and we can get ready together now that you have your new outfit already here. ”

Annaleigh let out a relieved sigh. “Yes! I will do anything to get away from my parents.”

Maddie rolled her eyes. “How many times did they stop you to pimp you out to Holt?”

“Five.” Annaleigh grabbed her laptop and the spare cosmetic case she had in her office with some basic makeup, hair supplies, and deodorant. “Okay, I’m ready.”

They chatted as they walked out of the building and down the street. The thing about galas and such was that they weren’t exclusive to the weekend. The number of parties she went to was crazy, but tonight was finally Friday and she’d have the entire weekend off.

“Are you thinking of an updo or maybe flat-ironing your straight hair so it’s super straight and shiny?” Maddie was asking, but Annaleigh couldn’t focus on her words. There was something on her windshield.

“Mad,” Annaleigh said quietly as she grabbed her friend’s arm. She didn’t take her eyes off the piece of paper as Maddie followed her gaze.

“Shit on a shingle.” Maddie broke free of Annaleigh’s grasp and walked toward the car. She plucked the paper from the windshield and opened it. “It’s him. Handwriting is the same and it’s the same bad poetry, only this time he’s pissed off.”

Annaleigh gulped. Her first thought was to call Holt. But no, she wasn’t going to be that girl. She might be scared, but she didn’t need a cowboy in a white hat riding his truck to her rescue.

“Let me see it.” Annaleigh held out her hand and took the piece of paper.

“ I stopped by to see you and you ran into the arms of another man. I thought you’d stolen my sight with your beauty, but now I can see again.

I put you on a pedestal when I should have put you six feet underground .

” Tears pressed against her eyes as she struggled to breathe.

“Give me your keys. Let’s get out of here and maybe call the police. I think it’s time,” Maddie said, taking the keys from Annaleigh’s hand.

Maddie escorted her around the car and forced her into the seat.

Annaleigh’s mind went blank. He wanted her dead and she had no idea why.

Just because she was scared and ran to the neighbors’ house?

He’d been the one to chase her last night.

He’d been all sweet and kind with the previous verses, but now. .. now he hated her.

“I think we need to call the police,” Maddie told her again as she turned the car and drove towards her apartment. An apartment with a security guard, thank goodness.

“I called them last night and they did nothing,” Annaleigh muttered, holding the note tight in her hand.

“Well, I bet Holt will have an idea. Come on,” Maddie said, pulling into traffic. “Let’s talk about something else. We’re not going to let this asshole ruin our day. Now, should I bang Saxton just to break his heart when I dump him?”

Annaleigh visibly recoiled and blinked several times. “Maddie!” She turned and looked at her friend who was trying hard not to laugh. Annaleigh felt her body relax as she started to laugh along with her friend’s joke.