Sweet Harmony (17 page)

Glad All Over

“A
RE YOU SERIOUS?” CAT STOOD UP AND YELLED. “THAT was low and inside, Blue!” When Cat raised her hands skyward in protest, Jeff reached up and tugged on her Cricket Creek Cougars T-shirt, which she’d bought at the stadium and insisted upon instantly wearing.

“You’re gonna get kicked out of the ballpark if you keep riding the umpires like that,” Jeff warned with the shake of his head.

Cat sat down with a thump and nudged him with her elbow. “Am I embarrassing you?”

Jeff glanced left and right. “Yeah, kinda.”

Cat laughed. “Good, then I’m going to keep it up. You should have said no.” She reached for his soft pretzel and pulled off a big chunk.

“Why do you keep refusing food and then eating mine?”

“I feel less guilty eating bad-for-me food if you order it instead of me. It’s like it doesn’t count.”

Jeff adjusted his baseball cap and gave her a look. “That is the craziest thing I’ve ever heard.”

“Ah, but the day is early. I’ve got more where that came from, so stay tuned.” She cupped her hands around her mouth and yelled, “We need a base hit!” When she reached for his pretzel again, he pulled it out of her reach, but when she gave him a pout, he sighed and handed it to her.

“Anything else you want me to order?”

“Nachos with extra jalapeños.”

“I thought you said spicy food bothers your stomach.”

“It does, but I’ll worry about that later. Sometimes you just have to live in the moment.”

“You know you’re crazy, right?”

“So you keep telling me.” She nodded and he thought she looked so damned cute in her baseball cap and ponytail swinging out of the back. “You say that like it’s a bad thing.”

Jeff laughed. They had decided to go to a Cougars game when Mia gave them box seats behind the home plate up in the second deck, away from the crowd. She’d pretty much insisted that they attend and Cat was glad to get a break from the studio. With sunglasses and baseball caps they tried to keep their attendance on the down low, but when Cat started yelling, that blew their cover all to hell and back. They’d been seen around town the past week and Jeff knew people were talking, but he didn’t care. He was even starting to warm up to the whole Sweet Harmony thing, but Jax and Sam were still adamantly against the idea. Jeff refused to think about that right now and just enjoy a rare day without being in the studio. “I think that’s a great idea.”

“What? I thought all of my ideas were great.”

“Really? I seem to recall you trying to crawl through a bathroom window.”

“It was a great
idea
. I didn’t say that they all work out as planned.”

“It was a terrible idea,” Jeff told her. “But I do like your living-in-the-moment plan. I’ve never been very
good at that one. Farming is all about planning for the future.”

Cat tilted her head and looked at him. “I was allowing others to plan my life for me. This is so much better. I like being in control for once,” she said in a rare serious moment. “Even if it doesn’t go as planned, it will be my choice, my mistake. I won’t get pushed around again.”

“Good for you.” Jeff didn’t like the idea of anyone taking advantage of her, but her good nature and trusting attitude meant that she was a prime target. No one would ever be able to do that again as long as he was in the picture. “I think you’re a lot stronger than you give yourself credit for, Cat.”

“I’m getting there,” she said with a smile and then turned her attention to the game. “I think we need a bunt to move the runner into scoring position, don’t you?”

“I’d rather see him swing away,” Jeff said, just to get her going. “I never did like playing small ball, but who am I to question whatever Ty McKenna decides to do? I was such a fan of his as a kid.”

“And you must have been so thrilled when Noah Falcon came back here and built this stadium.”

Jeff nodded. “Noah came back here to star in the local theater after he was killed off that soap opera he was on for a few years after his baseball career ended. The women of Cricket Creek all watched. Even my mother.”

Cat laughed. “I watched once in a while. Noah was a horrible actor.”

“That didn’t seem to matter,” Jeff said with a laugh. “No one thought he’d settle back down here, but he fell for Olivia Lawson, his costar in the play.” Jeff shook his head. “I know he wanted to help save the failing economy here in his hometown, but I think he built this stadium to impress Olivia.”

“A pretty grand gesture,” Cat said. “But hey, if you build it, they will come, right?”

“Apparently,” Jeff replied. “But it brought this town back to life.” He hesitated and then asked, “Do you like living here, Cat?”

“Oh, yes. I haven’t been this relaxed in years. I knew I had to make some changes in my life and when I drove to the cabin I immediately felt it was the right choice.” She looked at him and smiled. “Sometimes you can just know when something is right.”

Jeff felt a measure of relief. He wondered whether at some point Cat might get bored with small-town life and decide to head back to Nashville or even Chicago.

“It’s the bottom of the lineup with no outs. We need a sac bunt.”

Jeff leaned in close to her ear. “Do you know that it’s damned sexy that you know baseball so well?”

Cat grinned. “I watched tons of baseball with my dad. We are die-hard Cubs fans.”

“So you went to Wrigley Field a lot? What an awesome stadium.”

Cat’s grin faded. “No, we watched on television. My . . . my parents didn’t like to go out much when I was a kid.” She looked out over the baseball diamond as if she didn’t want to elaborate.

Jeff nodded, but he didn’t really understand. He knew there was something in Cat’s past that she didn’t talk about, but he didn’t want to pry. He supposed she’d tell him when she felt the time was right. But he wanted to know. “Well, it’s on my bucket list to go to Wrigley Field. Will you go with me?”

“Yes!” When she nodded and gave him a bright smile, he put his hand over hers. Jeff got the feeling that, although she came from wealth, Cat Carson had lived her childhood cut off from the rest of the world.

“I even promise to order bad food and let you eat it.”

“Even better. And we have to get pizza at Giordano’s.”

“Chicago-style, I’m guessing?”

“The best stuffed pizza pie on the planet and always
voted the best in Chicago. Yeah, the cheese is on the bottom and the sauce on top. One slice will fill you up.”

“Not likely,” Jeff said. “This country boy can eat.”

“So can this city girl,” she said and ate the last of the pretzel. “Sorry.”

“No, you’re not.”

She wrinkled her nose. “Not really,” she admitted and then turned her head back to the game. A moment later the second baseman laid down a perfect bunt, advancing the runner to second. “Now do we pinch-hit for the pitcher?”

“It’s only the fifth inning and he’s still got some heat. I’d leave him in.”

“I agree,” Cat said with a slow nod.

“That’s a first,” Jeff said.

“Well, you softened me up with the Wrigley Field offer.”

“When will your parents be back in town?”

Cat sighed. “I’m not sure. I was able to text them last week, though.”

Jeff wanted to know more, but when the pitcher managed to get a rare hit Cat jumped to her feet and cheered. The man on second was being waved on by the third-base coach. “They’re sending him home! We’re going to have a play at the plate!” She tugged at Jeff’s hand until he stood up with her. When the runner slid headfirst and was declared safe, Cat started jumping up and down. She turned and gave Jeff a chest bump, making him laugh.

Jeff had never had more fun with any other girl. “You are one of a kind,” he said and pulled her in for a hug.

“I get that a lot. Wait. You mean that in a good way, right?”

“No,” he said, and when she gave him a shove he grabbed her hand and held it, not caring one bit who noticed.

“Liar. Hey, do you want some peanuts?”

“No, but I’ll pretend so I can eat some,” Jeff said with
a laugh and then flagged down the peanut guy to come to their private seats just below the press box. When he looked at her and she smiled, Jeff felt a strong pull of something warm and amazing. In that moment he knew he couldn’t picture his life without Cat in it and it hit him that he was absolutely in love with her. He knew it must be love because she was always on his mind. He’d dated and had a couple of serious relationships, but no other woman had ever occupied his thoughts the way Cat did.

He had to admit that being in love felt pretty damned good. While Jeff considered himself a private person, he wanted to stand up, point to Cat Carson, and shout, “I love this girl!” Or better yet, put it up on the scoreboard. Have it written across the sky. The peanut vendor needed to know. Everybody did. His parents . . . his dogs.

“What in the world are you smiling about?” Cat asked.

“Just that . . . Oh my God, Cat . . . duck!” Jeff shouted after he saw the pop-up shoot up over the backstop.

Of course Cat, true to form, looked up instead of ducking. With a little squeal she put her hand up to catch the baseball before it landed on her face. At the last second she decided that her catching plan wasn’t smart and ducked her head to the side but kept her hands raised as if by some miracle she might still catch the ball. Jeff lunged for the baseball and caught it just before it smacked her hard. The crowd cheered.

“You can open your eyes now.”

“Did you catch it?”

“Yeah, I did.”

She opened her eyes and snatched the ball from him. “Awesome!” She raised it above her head while the crowd kept looking their way while cheering.

“You stole my pretzel—now you’ve stolen my baseball and my thunder!”

“Sorry,” she said with a not-sorry shrug.

“Now it’s my turn.”

“What are you going to steal?”

Jeff moved the bill of her baseball cap to the side. “A kiss,” he said and pressed his mouth to hers. When the crowd cheered louder he looked up and saw that they were on the big screen.

“Oh, no—busted.” Her eyes widened at Jeff. “Now what? Should I slap you to throw everybody off?”

Jeff felt a pull of disappointment, but then realized she was joking.

Cat pointed a finger at him. “Ha, gotcha.”

“No, you didn’t.”

She tossed a peanut at him. “I certainly did.”

“Okay, you got me. A first.”

“Ha! Not the last.”

“But you should know that having us kissing in public will spread like wildfire in this little town. In less than five minutes my mother will be calling to invite you to Sunday dinner, but not until she complains that she’s always the last to know everything.” He looked down as his phone beeped.

“Your mom already?”

“No, it’s Sara texting me. She’s with mom down at the reception barn planting flowers. She says that mom wants to know why she is always the last to know everything. Can I call it or what?”

“You know your family well.”

“And I want you to get to know them, Cat. Are you ready to meet the Greenfields?”

Cat popped a peanut shell open. “You want to know a secret?”

“Yes.”

“I’ve wanted to meet your family and see your farmhouse for a while now.”

“Really?” Jeff accepted the peanut that she put in his mouth.

“I’ve been all about you since the moment you saved me from the evil suitcase.”

Jeff felt a grin slide across his face. “Really?”

“Stop saying ‘really.’ Yes.”

Jeff reached over and took her hand. He rubbed his thumb over her knuckles and felt a strong pull of longing. “How bad do you want to see the end of this game?”

“Pretty bad.”

“Oh . . .”

Cat grinned and then leaned over and whispered in his ear, “But I want to be naked in your arms more.”

“Dear God . . . if you keep talking like that I’m going to have to put my baseball cap over what you’re doing to me.”

Cat laughed.

“It’s not funny.”

“Yes, it is.”

Jeff squeezed her hand. “But it’s more than that, you know.”

Her smile faded and she looked into his eyes. “Tell me.”

Jeff leaned closer, glad that there wasn’t anyone sitting next to them in their box seats. “It’s more than just caring about you, Cat. I’m falling for you.”

She dropped the peanut she was holding but didn’t seem to notice. “Like, falling in
love
with me?”

“Yes . . .
No
—I take that back. I’m not falling, Cat.”

She frowned. “I wish you hadn’t. That was a quick turnaround.”

Jeff grinned. “I’m not falling. I’ve been doing that since the night of the suitcase attack. I’m
in love
with you.”

“Then say it.”

“Damn the complications.” Jeff took her hand. “I love you, Cat. There’s no doubt about it.”

“I love you too.”

“I didn’t mean you had to say it back.”

“No one makes me do anything. Those days are done.” Cat smiled. “You had me at ‘Are you hurt?’”

“I still think I need to wrap you in bubble wrap.”

Cat laughed. “You just have to shadow me. Save me from the big, bad world of suitcases and baseballs and clowns.”

“Clowns?”

“Yeah, don’t let one near me.”

“I’ll do my best.”

“That’s all I can ask.”

“So are you ready to leave?”

Cat grabbed his hand. “I’m ready.”

I Feel Fine

“Y
OUR PLACE OR MINE?” CAT SAID AFTER THEY HURRIED to Jeff’s truck. “I’ve always wanted to say that—kinda like ‘Follow that car’ when I get in a cab.”

“I have a feeling you’ll say that someday just for shits and giggles, as Sara would say.”

“You’re getting to know me pretty well.” Cat laughed. “And you’re still hanging around? Amazing.”

“I’m not going anywhere. We’re stuck like glue, like the Sugarland song.”

Cat started singing it. “But not like the video. I’m not quite as crazy as Jennifer Nettles in that one.”

“You’re my kind of crazy.”

“Oh, you’re so sweet,” Cat said with a laugh. “Just like the Brantley Gilbert song?”

“You have songs for everything in life, just like me. So I guess I’m kinda crazy too.”

“We’re such a cute crazy couple,” Cat said.

When they stopped at a red light, he looked her way. “Are we?”

“Cute? But of course,” Cat said, knowing full well what he meant.

“A couple?”

“I think it’s time to make it Facebook official,” Cat said with a chuckle but then reached over and put her hand over his. “Yes, Jeff. I want to see where this takes us. And I’m so excited to meet your family,” she added, but felt a little flash of insecurity.

“Wait. What’s that look?” Jeff asked as he turned down Riverview Lane.

“I guess I’m not used to big family dinners.”

“Cat, you and Sara are two peas in a pod, as my mom would say. You’ll bond instantly. My brothers Reid and Braden are as nice as they come, and Cody, Sara’s husband, is like a brother to me too. Addison is Mia’s cousin, so you already know her, right? Plus the grandkids Katie and Leah will take center stage. You’ll be fine, trust me.”

“I know.” Cat rolled her eyes. “Funny that I can sing before thousands of people but something like a Sunday dinner makes me nervous. Am I weird or what?”

“Yes, and before you ask it, I mean that in a good way. Mostly,” he added.

Cat pulled a face but then laughed. “I won’t deny it. I have some odd insecurity issues.”

“And phobias.”

“Hey, who isn’t afraid of spiders and bats?” She shuddered. “And clowns.”

“Me.”

“So what are you afraid of, tough guy?”

Jeff shrugged and appeared to consider her question. “I don’t know. Growing up on a farm, I had to face just about every kind of animal and insect and lots of snakes. Oh, and big green hornworms on tobacco leaves are pretty gross.”

“They sound horrid.”

“Sara hated hornworms and so of course I liked to
toss them at her. She was so happy when our mom decided that we would no longer grow tobacco on the back forty. It was a great cash crop, but she hated that it was so harmful so we stopped growing it. We used to hang tobacco in the barn that I turned into the practice studio.”

Jeff pulled in front of the cabin and killed the engine. “Cat, I know you had an unconventional childhood, and if you ever want to talk about it just say the word. But my family is going to love you. Just like I do.” He reached over and ran a fingertip down her cheek. “You’re weird and crazy. You’re funny and smart. Gorgeous. And super sexy. And have an amazing voice. I can’t get enough of you.”

“Ah . . . you say that now.”

Jeff rubbed his thumb over her bottom lip, making her toes curl. “I know one thing: I’ll never be bored with you around.”

“We can agree upon that one,” Cat said and waited for him to come around and open her door. The one time she didn’t let him Jeff complained that his mother would have his hide. When he opened the door she missed the step down and tumbled into his arms. “I meant to do that.”

“And I mean to do this.” Jeff tossed both of their baseball caps to the side but she didn’t complain. He pushed her up against the truck, bent his head, and kissed her.

Cat put her hands on his wide shoulders, loving the sturdy feel of his muscles. But Jeff’s strength went further than physical. When he pulled back, Cat cupped her palms to his cheeks. “You’re a good man, Jeff Greenfield.”

Jeff smiled. “And remember that a good man is hard to find.”

Cat tilted her head to the side. “I thought it was the other way around.”

“What?” Jeff asked and then grinned. “I’ve got ya covered on that one too.”

“I was hoping you’d say that,” Cat said, and Jeff thought it was adorable when her cheeks turned a pretty shade of pink.

“Well, how about a soak in the hot tub? I do have some rib eyes in the fridge that we can grill and cold beer or wine or I can even make you a martini. Whatever you like. I plan to wait on you hand and foot all day and all night if you’ll let me.”

“I’ll have to think about that one.”

“Me waiting on you hand and foot?”

“Are you kidding. That’s an offer I can’t refuse.” Cat squeezed his shoulder. “Oh, I’m down with that. I was thinking about what drink sounded enticing.” Jeff took her hand, but Cat held back. “Oh, I don’t have a bathing suit here.” She pointed up to her cabin. “I should go and—”

“No bathing suits allowed,” Jeff interrupted, tugging her forward. “It’s against house rules, at least if your name is Cat.”

“Or Jeff.”

Cat followed Jeff inside and couldn’t keep a smile off her face. “This day is so relaxing, so wonderful. Like that Bruno Mars song—‘Today I don’t feel like doing anything.’ It’s a total all-drift day.” She did a little dip and wave with her hand.

Jeff pulled her into his arms. “Oh, no, that doesn’t quite fit. I can think of a couple of things to do, starting with this.” He kissed her until Cat clung to his shoulders for support. She felt the ripples of muscle beneath her hands and moaned. She couldn’t wait to get him out of his shirt. “So . . . I get to order you around, huh?”

“Definitely.” He sucked her earlobe into his mouth, making her shiver. “Your wish is my command.”

“Mmm, just like a genie in a bottle?”

“Like that, but you get more than three wishes.”

“Off with the shirt!” she ordered and clapped her hands.

Jeff reached down and tugged the T-shirt over his head. “Done.”

Cat splayed her hands on his chest and then explored warm skin until she came to the belt buckle of his cargo shorts. She felt his ab muscles clench, and it was a heady feeling to know that she turned him on too. “You’re a beautiful man.”

“I prefer ruggedly handsome,” he said but sucked in a breath when she dipped her fingers beneath his belt, toying, teasing. “Are you going to order me to take off my shorts, I hope?”

“No, I’m going to take them off for you.”

“Ah, even better.”

“But first let’s get the hot tub warmed up. And I decided I want a super-chilled martini.”

“You’re getting into this bossing-me-around thing, aren’t you?”

“You’ve created a monster.” She leaned in and licked a nipple.

“God . . . Cat . . .” he said, but when he reached for her, she took a step backward and he came up with air. “You’re killing me.”

Cat only laughed. She wanted to work Jeff up into a frenzy, making the anticipation last for both of them. This was the first time in so long that she simply felt free of any obligation and could have a rare day of just having fun. Although she loved the music industry, it could be overwhelming.

“There are big towels in the linen closet in the master bathroom. I’ll do as ordered and join you in the hot tub after I make you a kick-ass martini. If we time it right we can watch the sunset and then cook dinner.” He arched a dark eyebrow. “Unless you can think of something you want me to do first, like make sweet love to you, for example. Just a suggestion, of course. You’re the boss.”

Cat gave him an impish grin. “Maybe.”

“I’ll take that as a yes,” Jeff said, but when he took a step in her direction she sprinted for the bathroom, laughing over her shoulder.

Cat’s resolve faltered when she took a look at Jeff’s big bed sitting there mocking her. She swallowed hard, thinking about calling him—no,
ordering
him to come in and make love to her, but she lifted her chin. “No, anticipation is the word of the day!” she announced and started humming the Carly Simon song. “Is making me wa-a-a-a-a-i-t.”

With one last look at the bed, she went into the bathroom and almost shrieked when she looked at her reflection in the mirror. “That just can’t be accurate.” She reached up and tried to tidy her messy ponytail and wished she had her makeup bag to fix her faded lipstick and eye shadow. “Ew.” She had a mustard stain on her shirt that she tried to get out with a damp washcloth, without much luck. “I am such a slob.”

A knock on the door made her jump.

“Yes?” She tossed the washcloth down and reached up to smooth her unruly hair.

“Can I come in?”

Cat gave her reflection a frown. “Okay . . .”

Jeff stepped into the bathroom and seemed to fill the small space with his bare chest. “What’s taking you so long? Did you find the towels?”

“I haven’t looked yet.” Cat pointed to her reflection. “Check this out. I’m one hot mess.”

Jeff tilted his head and smiled. “You got the hot part right.”

“Really?” Cat met his eyes in the mirror. When she saw the admiration, the longing, she felt a warm rush of love for him.

“Are you fishing for compliments?”

“Totally.” She waved her fingertips toward her chest. “Have at it.”

Jeff wrapped his arms around her. “I love everything about you. I wouldn’t change one thing.” He kissed her neck but then shook his head. “Wait. There is one thing. . . .”

“My boobs?”

He cupped them in his hands. “Nope, perfection.”

“My butt?” She tried to glance over her shoulder but he held her tight.

“Hell no.” Jeff shook his head. “You have one sweet bum.”

She pointed to her mouth. “My lips? Do I need to have an injection?”

“You’d better not!” Jeff looked so horrified that Cat laughed.

“I wouldn’t do that.” Cat shuddered at the thought of a needle. “So what, then?”

“You’re wearing way too many clothes. I want you naked. In my hot tub. Or in the kitchen. It doesn’t matter where.”

“I thought I was the boss today?”

“You are.” When his hands went beneath her shirt, Cat felt goose bumps and sighed.

“Then take my shirt off.” When she clapped her hands twice, he frowned at her in the mirror. “I need to lose the hand clap, right.”

“Please.”

“But it’s so much fun.”

“I’ll show you fun.” A moment later her shirt landed on the tile floor. But Jeff didn’t stop there. With a flick of his wrist her bra joined the shirt. His hands, tan against her pale skin, caressed her breasts. Cat watched in the mirror, and when his thumbs circled her nipples her breath caught. “You’re right—this is . . . Oh . . .” He kissed the tender part of her neck, driving her wild with his warm mouth, strong hands. “Fun.”

And she watched.

Unzipping her shorts, he was able to tug them over
her hips, revealing her new pink-and-black thong that she’d worn for him. With one hand still on her breast, he toyed with the pink lace, moving his fingers beneath the black triangle but staying just above, where she wanted him most. “Are you getting back at me?” she asked, her voice a hot whisper. “For the hand clap?”

“Yes,” he said, toying, teasing, until Cat arched her hips in silent invitation.

“You’re so mean . . .”

“Raise your arms up and hook your hands around my neck.”

“I’m the boss,” she protested, but did as she was told. He slid her thong to her thighs and she was fully exposed in the mirror. Her heart thudded and she watched while he touched her, caressed her, dipping his middle finger into her folds. She pressed her head into his shoulder and when he suddenly stopped her entire body throbbed with the need for him to continue. “Jeff . . .”

He raised his head and met her gaze in the mirror. “I want to watch you,” he said, and Cat knew he wanted to see her when she climaxed. This was so intimate, so erotic, and when he so slowly, just barely caressed her, it felt as if every nerve ending in her body craved release. He kept up the featherlight tease until her heart hammered, her blood pulsed, and when he finally dipped his finger deep and then stroked her harder in small circles, Cat gasped. “Jeff!”

Her mouth parted and her orgasm washed over her in hot waves of pleasure. She clung to his neck but then he wrapped his arms around her for support. “That was . . . I can’t . . . Oh God . . .”

Jeff’s low chuckle vibrated against her skin.

“I feel like I’m made of liquid,” she said, and her eyes fluttered shut. “Seriously, don’t let me slide down the drain.”

He chuckled again and nuzzled her neck. “I love you.”

Cat opened her eyes and when he lifted his head she
gave him a shaky smile. “I love you too. More than I thought was even possible. I’ve had people taking advantage of me for a long time and I know I can trust you, believe in you. You make me feel so loved and so very safe. With you I feel like I can be my crazy self and you accept me as I am.”

Jeff kissed her cheek and held her tightly. “You can put your trust in me, Cat. I won’t let you down. I promise.”

“I believe you.” She turned around and wrapped herself around him. He held her and then tilted her head and kissed her sweetly.

“Are you ready for that martini?”

“After you make love to me in that big bed of yours.”

“Is that an order?”

“Do I have to clap?”

“No!” Jeff laughed and then scooped her up in his arms.

When he gently placed her on the bed, she smiled up at him and then tilted her head to the side.

“What are you thinking, Cat?”

“Just that this past year was so trying, so difficult, but it’s led me to being here with you, right here, right now.”

Jeff joined her in the bed and gently tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. “Tell me about it, Cat. I want to know your story. I want to know everything about you.”

She inhaled a trembling breath. “I was being pushed around, forced to do things I didn’t want or believe in. I trusted Matt Stanford, and all he cared about was money. I felt pressure because so many people’s livelihood depended upon my success. But I just couldn’t live a lie anymore.”

“I’d like to kick his ass.”