Pecan Pie and Deadly Lies (An Adams Grove Novel) (29 page)

“No, you can’t give up music. You love this life. The energy you get from the fans… it’s what makes you tick. I can’t take that from you. I’d make you unhappy. You’d have regrets.”

“Don’t put words in my mouth. These are the only words you need to worry about.” He tipped her face to his and gazed into her eyes. “I love you.”

She tensed at the words. Fear. Hope. Joy. Panic. She closed her eyes, trying to be sure what all she was hearing was true. Was she asleep, dreaming, or was this really happening for her? “Look at me.” He tipped her chin back and looked her in the eyes. “I promise you, Kasey, I am not just saying the words. This is me. I love you, Kasey. I think I might have fallen in love with you a long time ago, but you had just gone through losing Nick. I wanted to take care of you then. I love you and I want you in my life and this… This. All of this. I’ll give it up right now if you’ll just give me a chance. I’ve never been a dad, but I will do a good job and I will make you proud. Please, please—”

“I love you too, but…”

“No. No buts. And don’t squawk about having to figure out a new career. I have that all figured out too. We’re going
to get to work on that other book. We’ll get a tutor for Jake and we’ll just play the whole school thing by ear as we move forward. We can do some research on our options and figure it out as we go along. Together.”

“Are you sure?”

Cody pulled her close. “It won’t matter if I don’t have you. Please trust me. It’s right. If you love me, then let’s do this. We’ll take it a step at a time and we’ll compromise and we’ll collaborate and we’ll make it work.”

She didn’t say a word. Was afraid to because the struggle inside her was swirling so fast that, like a roulette wheel, she really had no idea where it would finally settle. With her heart. Or with her mind.

“I love you.” He leaned in and kissed her. “Could you fall in love with me too?”

“I already did.”

He took her hands in his. “Kasey Phillips, when I look at you I know that I’d do anything for you. What I feel… it’s… What’s bigger than fireworks?”

“I don’t know,” Kasey said. “Meteor showers?”

“I feel meteor showers when I see you.” He pulled her against him. “Do you feel them?”

She smiled, but didn’t answer.

He ran his hand along her thigh and leaned in to kiss her. He kissed her on the mouth and then trailed kisses to her neck and down her chest.

She sucked in a breath and arched to meet him. Her hands found their way to his hair and she pulled closer to him.

“Do you feel them now? One meteor? Two?”

“Shh.” And she took the lead on the kiss until he was the one moaning.

He made a sweet noise as he pulled her tight to him. “See, meteor showers when you’re in my arms. You see them too. Admit it.”

Kasey tried not to laugh. “I don’t think that’s going to be your next hit song.”

“Probably not.” He laughed too. “I don’t need another hit song if I can have a life with you.” He kissed her neck, then her chin, then her lips. “I love you. Do you think I’m crazy?”

“Yes, but not for that. I feel like the luckiest girl that you want me.”

“Maybe that’s my next hit song.” He hummed a little melody. “Something about this little girl of mine, makes me want to leave the bad boy behind. If being a good man is what it takes, I’ll make her mine with no mistakes.”

“You
are
a good man.”

“Your man.”

“I like the way that sounds,” she said.

“I want you to stay here with me. Or I’ll go home with you. I’ll fly us back and forth. Whatever we want. I want you… any way you’ll have me.” Cody held both of her hands to his heart.

“I’m never going to leave your side,” she said.

I
would like to express my gratitude to the many friends who saw me through this book; to all those who provided support, talked things over, read and reread versions along the way, and allowed me to drone on endlessly about how fabulous Cody Tuggle is even though he only exists in my head. Thanks too for understanding when deadlines got in the way of get-togethers, and for your flexibility to be sure we could still make it all happen.

In addition, a very special thank-you to Pete Evick, the lead guitarist for the Bret Michaels Band and his own amazing band, EVICK, who graciously gave me the gift of his time answering lots of questions and what-ifs about the music business. Pete, I’m grateful for the assistance and blessed by the new friendship. You’re the real thing.

As always, the Montlake Romance team is amazing, and I love being a part of this family. Thanks to the whole team and especially Kelli Martin, Jessica Poore, and Krista Stroever. You make every step an exciting one, and I appreciate all you do.

To my family, you truly make me who I am, and you make me feel like the luckiest girl in the world.

Hugs and happy reading!

© 2009 Studio 16

N
ancy Naigle was born and raised in Virginia Beach. She balances her career in the financial industry with a lifelong passion for books and storytelling and is the author of
Sweet Tea and Secrets
and
Wedding Cake and Big Mistakes
. She is the coauthor of the novel
Inkblot
with Phyllis C. Johnson. When she isn’t writing or wrangling goats on the family farm, she enjoys antiquing and cooking. She lives with her husband in Drewryville, Virginia.