Sweet Harmony (18 page)

“I still feel guilty sometimes.”

“Don’t. Cat, I did the same thing when I felt I couldn’t leave the farm. You have to be true to yourself. You have to go where you want to go in this life and not where
others want you. It isn’t fair. And in the end those who love you want you to chase your dream and be happy. Anything else just won’t work in the long run.”

Cat nodded. “I know. And it’s funny, but I wouldn’t be here right now if Mia hadn’t landed in Cricket Creek. She had to find herself too. I guess we all do at some point.”

“This is a special town with hardworking, caring people.”

Cat nodded. “I do miss my parents but Cricket Creek feels like where I belong.”

“Once they come for a visit maybe they’ll move here too. It seems to happen a lot. But if not, we’ll have to visit.”

“You just want some deep-dish pizza and to go to a Cubs game,” Cat teased, but she felt a tug of emotion that he’d said
we
instead of
you
. She smiled, then said, “I command you to remove your pants.”

“And if I refuse?”

“Like that’s gonna happen,” she said and he laughed.

“Good point.” A moment later his shorts hit the floor.

Cat sighed when Jeff slid his naked body against hers.

“That was a good sigh, right?”

“Of pure bliss,” Cat said. “I don’t want this day to end,” she said and snuggled against him.

“We’ve got tonight,” he sang in her ear and Cat sang the next line.

“Wow, I would love to do that song with you. Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers did an amazing version. It’s timeless. I love it.”

“Let’s bring it up with Rick and Maria,” Jeff agreed, making her wonder whether he was warming up to the duo idea too. Could she possibly be lucky enough not only to fall deeply in love, but to fall in love with someone who could share both her life and her career?

Cat certainly hoped so. But for right now she was going to live in the moment, and as moments went, this one rocked . . .

She Loves You

J
EFF PULLED OPEN THE DOOR OF MY WAY RECORDS AND was greeted by the smiling face of Teresa Bennett, the receptionist Rick had recently hired.

“Hello, love,” Theresa said in her English accent, which never failed to make Jeff grin. “Rick is on a conference call but he’ll be with you in a couple of minutes.” Teresa also had a great voice and filled in as a studio backup singer when needed. She and Rick went way back to his rock and roll days and Jeff just bet that Teresa had been a bit of a wild child. “Can I get you anything? Coffee?”

“No, thanks.” Coffee would only jack up his nerves even more. He inhaled a calming breath and glanced out the window.

“Lovely day outside, don’t you agree?” Teresa asked.

Jeff nodded, although in truth he’d been too distracted to notice.

“Am I boring you with my chitchat, love?” She arched one eyebrow and waited.

“Teresa, you know I could listen to that accent of yours all day long,” Jeff said and relaxed just a little bit.

“Ha, like you don’t have one yourself.”

“Not as cool as yours,” Jeff said and smiled. “How do you like living in Cricket Creek?” he asked, glad to get his mind off his meeting.

“I need a London fix once in a while but just adore this little town. I’m so glad that I took Rick up on his offer to work at this studio,” Teresa said.

“You’ve got an amazing voice. We’re lucky to have you.”

“Ah, I go way back with Rick.” Teresa shook her head. “Had you asked me fifteen years ago if he and I would end up in Cricket Creek, Kentucky, I would’ve laughed my ass off. We had some crazy times back then, but it feels good to put down roots and settle in,” she said, then picked up the phone. “Rick is ready for you, darling.” She gestured toward the door. “If you need anything, let me know.”

“Thanks, Teresa.”

Jeff opened the door and walked across the plush carpet.

“Hey, Jeff. Thanks for coming in on such short notice. Have a seat.”

“No problem.” Jeff shook Rick’s hand and then sat down in the chair in front of his desk. He knew what this meeting was going to be about, and it made his heart thump hard in his chest.

“Can I get you anything? Water? Soft drink?”

“Teresa already offered.” Jeff blew out a sigh. “But is it too soon for a shot of bourbon?”

Rick chuckled. “There was a time in what I like to call my previous life when I would have said hell no and tossed back a shot with you, but those days are done, I’m afraid.”

“Well, then, I think I’m good,” Jeff answered.

“I guess you know what this is all about.”

“Yes.” Jeff nodded. “It’s decision-making time.”

“I’m afraid so.” Rick sat up straighter and nodded.
“So here are the facts. The ‘Second Chances’ duet hit the country
Billboard
charts at ninety-one with a bullet. You and Cat have a hit on your hands and it’s starting to get some airplay on Top 40 radio stations, just like Maria and I thought it would. So congratulations. We’ve got interest in having you two on CMT Insider and Second Cup Café. We’re really pumped, Jeff.”

“Thanks.”

“As you also know, we released the single as Cat Carson and Jeff Greenfield, but as we discussed we’re prepared to make you two a duo as Sweet Harmony. Simply put, this can be a onetime release or even an occasional collaboration between you two, and you keep your separate careers . . . or we make Sweet Harmony official.”

“What are your thoughts?”

“I think you know, but I’ll say it again.” Rick leaned forward and pressed his fingertips together. “You are both great artists on your own, but you two have the potential for something really special together. We spotted that from the beginning and nothing has changed. Not to mention, this industry is ready for a hot male-and-female duo right now. The timing is right, Jeff, and that doesn’t always happen. This isn’t just about talent. You’re in the right place at the right time.”

“But South Street Riot is divided. It could break the band up if I do this.” Jeff felt so torn that it had been keeping him up at night.

“It shouldn’t break you up, but I understand strong personalities and ego all too well.”

“I can’t really blame them,” Jeff said. “I brought these guys back together with a definite plan in mind. And you know that Christy has interest from Shane McCray for us to open for him, but as Jeff Greenfield and South Street Riot, not Sweet Harmony. Rick, it’s our dream and the goal we’ve been working toward. Shane McCray has been my idol all my life. How can I turn my back on
that, especially with this being his farewell tour? But you know all of this already.”

Rick scrubbed a hand down his face. “Yeah, I do. That’s why we’re having this conversation.” He paused and said, “And it’s no secret that you and Cat are seeing each other.”

“It’s not.”

“I’m just going to ask point-blank because we’re family around here. Are you in love with her?”

“Yes, I am.” Jeff no longer felt the need to hide it.

“That raises additional complications. I don’t mean to be a Debbie Downer, but if things happen to, well, go south, it can really get dicey trying to work together, especially on the road. I’ve seen it happen.”

“No doubt.” Jeff couldn’t even fathom ending his relationship with Cat, but the cold, hard reality was that it could happen.

“I guess you have to weigh your options and think about how much of a risk you’re willing to take. Individual careers are the safe way to proceed. And maybe a collaboration here and there. But you don’t seem like a play-it-safe kind of guy.”

“You’re right, and I have the scars to prove it.”

“And would you take the chances all over again?”

“That’s how country boys roll,” Jeff admitted. “But this is different.”

Rick shrugged. “In some ways. With big risks come big rewards.”

“So have you talked to Cat about this?”

“Yes.”

“So, can I ask what Cat’s answer to this is? I mean, when we first met we discussed how we both wanted control of our careers. This opportunity was so unexpected.”

“Honestly, that’s how this industry works. Sudden opportunities. A door opens. Rascal Flatts is an example.
Jay and Gary are from Columbus, Ohio, and by chance they met up with Joe Don from Picher, Oklahoma, while playing a gig at a club in Printer’s Alley in Nashville. They immediately knew they had something special and the rest, as they say, is history. Of course, song choice certainly helped. Tyler Hubbard and Bryan Kelley of Florida Georgia Line met through mutual friends while attending college in Nashville. They skyrocketed to stardom with the crossover hit ‘Cruise.’ That song is the bestselling digital country single ever. Those guys simply exploded onto the scene. I think you and Cat have the same kind of potential because you have old-school appeal but with a fresh, young twist. And you have chemistry.”

“It would really help to know how Cat feels so I know what to expect when I approach her with this decision. We really haven’t talked about it all that much. I suppose we should have but I guess we were afraid that it might come between us and so we pretty much tabled it for the time being. But I guess we always knew that time would run out. While I know it’s mutually beneficial, like you said, if it’s not what we ultimately want, it could destroy us in more ways than one. Can you give me a hint?”

Rick shook his head. “It might not seem fair not to answer about Cat’s reaction, but I want you to be honest with yourself. And I also want you to be selfish right now. I know it doesn’t seem like it, but this is about what you want, Jeff, not what your band members want or even what Cat wants.”

“I don’t know how I can separate those considerations. I care about my band, my friends. And I love Cat.”

“Well, you know my story. I made the decision to do what everybody wanted me to do years ago and it was flat-out wrong. The old saying goes that if you try to please everybody, you’ll please nobody. Please yourself. Go with your heart and
your
gut.”

“Yeah, but the problem is that my heart and gut are
conflicted. That’s why I resisted getting involved with Cat to begin with. I mean, I’ll just be honest.”

Rick stood up and walked over to the window. He gazed at the view for a moment and then turned around. “Then I’ll be honest too. I don’t think your heart and gut are conflicted, because the two are connected. I think you’re feeling guilty that this is tearing your band apart.”

“Rick, we’ve been friends all my life. We started South Street Riot back in high school. They’re like brothers to me.”

“I get that. But I want to be clear. This isn’t about money or fame either. Trust me, neither of those things will make you happy. You don’t want to play a role in your life and look back and wonder who in the hell that person even was. My choices ruined my marriage and nearly destroyed my relationship with my son. And the cold, hard fact is that you can’t go back and get what’s already gone.”

“You’re not making this easy.” Jeff really wanted that shot of bourbon.

“Because it isn’t easy. And unfortunately I can’t make you any promises or give you any guarantees, no matter what road you choose. But you have to give me an answer.”

Jeff closed his eyes for a moment and then rubbed his damp hands on his jeans. “You also have to know that this will affect my relationship with Cat, no matter what I decide.”

“Yes.” Rick chewed on the inside of his bottom lip and then said, “You know, people envy those of us who are in the arts because we get to do what we love for a living. And they would be right. But the downside is that, because it’s a passion, part of who we are, it’s never gone from our brain. There isn’t any real downtime. To do something that’s all-consuming, you have to love it. If not, you should run like hell.”

“My parents are like that with farming. They could
have sold out to a big corporation or sold the land to a developer and not had to work another day in their lives, but farming is in their blood.”

“It’s not easy to love something so much,” Rick said. “Or someone . . .” He paused to look out the window again. “Look, take the rest of the day to make a decision.”

“What should be the defining factor? If I knew what Cat thought about all this, it would be easier. I mean, what if I decide to go for Sweet Harmony and she’s not on board? Can’t you give me some direction? A hint?”

“Sorry, Jeff, but this is all you. Hey, if you want to talk to her about it, go ahead. But know what you want first. Then talk to Cat and your band.”

Jeff stood up and then shoved his fingers through his hair. “Well, this is clear as mud.”

“I think it’s clearer than you know right about now.”

“Care to elaborate?”

“Well, I built this recording studio in Cricket Creek because I fell in love with Maggie McMillan.”

“And Noah built the baseball stadium. Mitch Monroe built Wedding Row for Nicolina. You guys are a hard act to follow.”

“When you love somebody with all your heart, you’ll move mountains to be with them.”

“Or hike up a mountain to save her,” Jeff said.

“Cat?”

“She finds herself in crazy situations on a regular basis,” he said with a soft chuckle.

“Let me guess . . . and you like coming to her rescue? Don’t even try to deny it. It’s written all over your face.”

“I’ve been getting that a lot lately.”

“Because you’re in love. It’s pretty damned hard to hide.”

“Yeah, I like coming to Cat’s rescue.” Jeff walked over to gaze out the window with Rick. He grinned when he
spotted Maggie sitting on a bench reading a book. “Ah, so that’s the scenery you’ve been looking at?”

“I’m lucky to have Maggie by my side. It sure took me a long-ass time to get it right. And now that I have my son Garret back in my life, everything else is just gravy.”

Jeff looked at Rick. “I haven’t seen Garret in a while.”

“He’s in Nashville scouting for talent.”

“Pretty cool job, making someone’s dream come true. I remember singing for tips and wondering how I was going to pay the rent. But there was something fun about playing to small crowds and just having a blast without all of the pressure.”

“Yeah, I agree. Some of my fondest memories were just playing for friends.” He sighed. “Once you have to go on the road it’s hard to keep the magic. When all of the business crap gets in the way and you wake up not sure what city you’re in, remember the joy your music brings to people and you’ll never get burned out. I can’t imagine a day without music and neither can most people. Remember that, okay?” He clamped a hand on Jeff’s shoulder. “And I’m always around for you to bend my ear, day or night.”

“Thanks, Rick.” He reached over and shook his hand.

“Now you’ve got some thinking to do.”

“I’ll get back to you later.”

“Fair enough.”

After Jeff left the studio he thought about heading to his cabin but ended up sitting on the front porch of his parents’ farmhouse. He thought of Miranda Lambert’s song “The House That Built Me,” and realized it was so true. No matter how lost or confused he was, sitting on this front porch somehow cleared his head and brought him answers.

Jeff sat down on the swing and moved slowly back and forth, waiting for a sense of peace to settle over his jumbled emotions. He looked out over the front yard
and smiled at the big oak tree that he’d climbed as a kid. The tire swing was still there waiting for the grandchildren to get big enough to use. He inhaled a deep breath of air filled with his mother’s flowers mixed with the rich, deep scent of turned-up earth.

When he heard the screen door creak open, Jeff looked up and smiled at his mother.

“Well, I heard a truck pull up, but I didn’t expect to see you, Jeffrey.” She wiped her hands on her apron stained with something red. “I was in the middle of making some strawberry freezer jam.”

Jeff stood up and gave his mother a kiss. “Don’t let me leave without some of Susan Greenfield’s legendary jam.”

“I won’t. I’m glad to see you, but you looked troubled. Everything okay?” She sat down in the white wicker rocker and looked at him expectantly.

“I’ve just got some career decisions to make.”