“Well, look at that timing. Now I don’t have to feel bad for leaving you all alone in the dark.” He chuckled. “I’ll let you know if I need anything else.” He paused before picking up his guitar. “Professionally, of course, but I expect to see you back in the recording studio after the holidays. We’ve got work to do.” He shot me a wink, turning toward the door.
Just as quickly as Stetson had appeared in my doorway, he disappeared.
Chapter Seventeen
“Stetson!” I yelled, skidding the towering barn door closed behind me as I stepped into the recording studio. “Anyone here?”
The new year had arrived, and while I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t dreamt of the possibility of sharing a kiss with the notably attractive and annoyingly charming Stetson Walker, my New Year’s Eve didn’t even remotely resemble that. It looked a lot more like me being a third wheel for Maggie and Booker.
Which, ironically, I didn’t hate.
I got to spend some much-needed time with Maggie, and now that she and Booker were official, it was nice to hang out with both of them. We danced and giggled at The Wheel until the wee hours of the morning and honestly, it was perfect.
Well,almost.
Stetson and I had exchanged a few texts here and there, but nothing major. ASorry I bailed,aMerry Christmas, aHappy New Year,and a fewHow ya doings.I expected half as much with the hustle and bustle of the holidays, but as hard as I tried to ignore his absence, I couldn’t get him off my mind.
Between the constant tug of wanting to know what it would be like to engage further and being too scared to try, confusion clouded my brain on a 24/7 basis, making it difficult to remember that despite all this nonsense, I still had a job to do.
“Hello?” I called out.
Since I’d seen him last, I had scribbled down a few ideas for the album that I was dying to share with him. I thought about texting or calling, but it seemed easier to just pop over and explain in person.
“Hey, darlin’. Wasn’t expecting you this morning.”
“George?” I questioned, whipping my head in the direction of his voice. “I wasn’t expecting to find you in here either.”
“There were a few things that needed fixin’ and I told Stetson I’d get them done while he was gone so the studio would be good as new for him when he got back.”
“Gone?” I asked. Not subtle whatsoever.
“Yeah, he left on Christmas Eve and hasn’t been back since. Said he had some things he needed to take care of back in Nashville.”
“Interesting,” I said, disappointment laced in my tone.
He’d been gone for almost two weeks. When was he coming back? What if he didn’t come back?
My heart slung straight out of my chest.
“Don’t worry, darlin’, he’ll be back,” he said, reading my mind. “Not sure when, but I’d imagined it would be sometime soon considering he’s got a whole album to write, and with that dirtbag Mark breathing down his neck, he ain’t got much choice.” George’s confirmation calmed the wild horses galloping around the base of my stomach.
“Yeah, I’d imagine you’re right,” I responded. “Do you need help with anything?” I offered. The question was an obvious ploy to change the subject.
“Nah. I’m about finished,” he responded.
“You sure?”
“I’m sure,” George said, nodding his head in my direction before climbing up a ladder that sat perched under a light fixture made of antlers.
“All right, well, I better be gettin’ back to theTribunethen. I’m sure Donna’s gonna want an update considering I haven’t given her anything new since before the holidays,” I said.
Except going back to work right now was the very last thing on my mind.
“I’ll let you know if I hear anything from our disappearing cowboy.” He chuckled.
“Sounds good. See you later, George.” I tried to mask the let-down in my voice, struggling to even force a half smile to crawl across my face.
Over the last couple of weeks, I hadn’t stopped thinking about Stetson’s new song. I’d replayed the lyrics over and over in my head. It was as if the song was a record that had been stuck on repeat and my brain was the record player.
