Restless Heart (9 page)

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Authors: Wynonna Judd

BOOK: Restless Heart
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So far away, waiting tables.
She didn’t say it.
Anyway, it wasn’t even about that.
Seth Caldwell really had grown into a fine, upstanding young man. Sara had been sorry to see his parents move away, but she still ran into Seth around town from time to time.
Last time she’d seen him, back in May, she’d congratulated him on the high school baseball team’s latest win.
“You’re doing Wilmot High School proud,” she told Seth.
“Well, Coach Reynolds was a great mentor and he left me some solid ballplayers to work with.”
“Don’t give him all the credit, Seth. I’m sure your coaching has a lot to do with this string of wins.”
He’d grinned at her. “Thank you. I hope you and Colonel Hart will come out for some games.”
“Oh, you can count on it,” Sara had promised—and she’d meant it.
But John was no more interested in attending a high school baseball game than he was in anything else she’d suggested lately: travel, ballroom dancing, even bowling.
Sara’s hopes for Seth and Destiny faded as she realized that their lives had taken them in two very different directions. She doubted Destiny was going to give up her dreams—and to her surprise, Sara realized she didn’t want her to.
Compromise and understanding were the keys to any relationship. But she knew from personal experience that changing who you are for the sake of your spouse chipped away at your very soul.
She wouldn’t wish that on Destiny. Not even for the sake of finding true love.
As for her own relationship . . .
“If you don’t allow stubborn pride to get in the way, John Hart,” she said under her breath, “hopefully you’ll come to your senses before it’s too late.”
 
 
 
H
earing the phone ring, Destiny snapped her eyes open and her wistful reverie came to a crashing halt.
“I’ve got to answer that. Sorry,” she told Seth, who looked as rattled—and relieved—as she was to have been saved by the bell.
“No problem.” He sat on the couch again, petting Mike.
Please don’t let it be Kenny looking for the rent
, she prayed as she hurried over to grab the phone.
Then again, she couldn’t exactly blame him. She had no idea how she was going to come up with it, short of finding a last-minute roommate—and this place was much too small to share with a stranger, so that was out of the question.
“Destiny?”
“Hey, Max.” Relieved it wasn’t her landlord, she noticed that Seth’s hand abruptly stilled on Mike’s furry head.
Jealous, was he?
“You’re not gonna believe this,” Max said in a rush, “but Ralph and Mandy got into it after you left.”
“What? No way!”
“Yeah. Some dude who was apparently Mandy’s boyfriend came into the bar while Mandy was on break. She took off with him and never came back to do her final set.”
“Wow . . .” Her mind only partly on what Max was saying, Destiny watched Seth. “So what did Ralph do?”
“Oh man, he was livid! He called Mandy up and told her not to bother coming back. Ever.”
Suddenly Max had her full attention. “Ever?” she echoed incredulously.
“
Ever
. But that’s not the best part. He told me that
you
were going to take over for Mandy. For good.”
“Shut up!” Destiny shouted, and saw Seth wince. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to bust your eardrums,” she said to him, and then back into the phone, “Do you think he’s serious, Max?”
“Oh yeah, definitely. You’re already on the schedule for tomorrow night. He’ll be calling you, but I wanted to give you a heads-up. Congratulations, Destiny. This could be the break you been waiting for. You deserve it. You’re gonna rock the house and Ralph is gonna wonder what the heck he was thinkin’ all this time.”
“I hope you’re right. Thanks so much for calling, Max. I’ll see you tomorrow night.” She flipped the phone shut and then looked at Seth. “You’re not going to believe what just happened.”
“Your boss finally came to his senses?”
“Did you overhear?”
“I wasn’t trying to, but, yeah, most of it. Especially the
shut up
part.”
“Sorry about that,” Destiny said again, and put a hand to her pounding heart. “I can’t believe it. I know it’s not Honky-Tonk Row or Second Street or the Grand Ole Opry, but still! I’m suddenly a nervous wreck.”
“Don’t sell yourself short. You just scored yourself a gig in Nashville. Next thing you know, you’ll be discovered by some record executive who comes in for a Back in the Saddle burger.”
“You make it sound easy.”
Billy Jackson popped into her head, and a wave of nausea swept through her. But she couldn’t tell Seth about the charismatic con man who’d taken her last cent with a promise to create and deliver demos to the industry powers-that-be, then disappeared off the face of the earth.
She’d promised herself she’d never tell a soul about that, and anyway, she didn’t want to ruin this moment with thoughts of that jerk.
Or, for that matter, with thoughts of that soul-shaking kiss a few minutes ago. She had no idea what it had meant to Seth—or what it meant to her, either. And now wasn’t the time for clear-headed thinking.
“I don’t think for a minute it will be easy,” Seth was saying. “But what was it that Nessie told you?”
“Just because you put your boots in the oven don’t make ’em biscuits?”
He laughed. “Not that—but it does sound like her. She said, ‘The sun don’t shine on the same dog’s butt every day,’ or something like that. You have your shot. Now take it.”
Destiny nodded, but something didn’t feel exactly right. While she knew Seth was sincere, there was an edge of sadness about his demeanor. She could hear it in the tone of his voice; see it in his eyes. “What aren’t you saying?”
He glanced away and hesitated just long enough for her to believe she was right.
But all he said was, “It’s getting late. I need to get going and you need to get some shut-eye.”
“I’m sure you do, too.”
“Right. Just remember that I’m always just a phone call away and I want to hear from you, Destiny. To share good news and to bend my ear with frustrations. I didn’t know hard this has been for you and you deserve more support than you’ve been given.”
“Thanks, Seth.” Destiny wished she could read his expression, because for some reason his offer sounded like both a beginning and closure wrapped up together. “Are you coming to Back in the Saddle to hear me sing tomorrow night?”
“I wouldn’t miss it. Well, as long as you want me in the audience?”
“Of course I do. Why would you even ask that?”
“I didn’t want to add to any nerves you might be feeling.”
“No, I really want you there. The moral support would be awesome. I’ve done lots of open mike nights over the past four years and landed a small gig here and there, but to be a regular would be a giant leap forward. I could develop new songs, work on my stage presence, and try to get over my stage fright . . .”
“Stage fright?” he echoed in surprise. “
You
?”
“Mercy me . . .
yes
. My heart starts pumping like a jackhammer when I have to get up onstage. I get light-headed and weak-kneed even in front of small audiences. I can’t imagine being in front of thousands.”
“Well, you’d better start imagining it, because it’s gonna happen.”
“You think?”
“I
know
. Believe in yourself, Destiny. Get rid of any negative thoughts. Listen, I’ve seen baseball players who have the talent but not the drive. If this is really what you want, don’t pussyfoot around.”
“You know me, Seth. I’m not a pussyfootin’ around kinda girl.”
“Then get fired up! You can do this!”
Destiny rolled her eyes at him. “Sure thing, Coach Caldwell.”
“Well, come on, get . . .
pumped
! Gimme a woo-hoo, Destiny.”
“Woo-hoo.”
“That was weak.”
Destiny laughed and then shot a fist skyward.“Woooooo-hooooo!”
“That’s what I’m talkin’ about!”
“Ohmigosh, I’m really glad that you’re here to share this with me.”
She was a little embarrassed when her voice came out husky with emotion, and wondered if she’d scared him off, because he quickly said, “And I’m glad I was here. But now you seriously need to get some rest.”
“You’re right.”
They walked to the door, and she opened it.
“This has been one long, eventful day.”
“Sure has.” And she hated to see it come to an end.
Looking at Seth, she wondered whether he was thinking the same thing. Uh-oh.
What if . . . ?
No. No way. Destiny knew not to hope for another toe-curling kiss . . . let alone anything more.
“Thanks again for kissing—I mean, coming!”
He grinned. “You sure about that?”
“Positive.” Yet in her hurry to put some distance between them, she stumbled. He steadied her, closing his hands around her waist.
Oh boy.
For a couple of seconds, as they stared at each other, it seemed as though the pause button had been pushed on a remote and time felt suspended.
Then he leaned in—just as thunderous footsteps raced up the stairs.
“Just what in tarnation’s goin’ on up here?” Nessie looked from Destiny to Seth, and her painted-on eyebrows shot toward her platinum hairline. “Oh . . . was I interruptin’ somethin’?”
“Nothing like what you’re thinking,” Destiny assured her.
Seth eyed the broom. “What are you doing with that thing?”
“Protecting Destiny.” At his raised eyebrow, she retorted, “It was all I could find on short notice. I heard all kinds of commotion, including a very loud scream, and thought I was comin’ to Destiny’s rescue, but it doesn’t look as if she wants to be rescued. Not from you, anyway. Am I right, sugar?”
“No, you’re not right!” Destiny rolled her eyes. “Nessie, that’s not why I—”
“It’s getting hotter in here than two possums in a mailbox.” Nessie jammed her thumb over her shoulder. “I’ll just see my way back downstairs and y’all just go back to whatever y’all weren’t doin’.”
“Go on, tell her,” Seth whispered in Destiny’s ear.
“Tell me what?” Nessie almost toppled sideways in her mile-high shoes and had to use the broom as a cane. “Destiny, I’m not gonna budge from this here spot until you tell me what’s goin’ on.”
“Mandy skipped out on her final set tonight and Max said that Ralph fired her. He wants me to take her place!”
“Well, butter my butt and call me a biscuit!” Nessie thrust the broom into Seth’s hands and threw her arms around Destiny. “I’m so happy for you, baby doll!” She turned and hugged Seth as well.
“What was that for?” he asked with a chuckle.
“ ’Cause you’re as cute as a sack full of puppies and it was as good an excuse as any.” She turned back to Destiny. “Listen, I’m gonna be there tomorrow even if I have to shut the shop down early.”
“You don’t have to do that.”
“Are you kiddin’? I wouldn’t miss this for the world. Let me know what time and I’ll be there with bells on!”
“I will.”
Destiny’s wobbly smile didn’t escape Nessie, who patted her shoulder. “I know you’ve got some nerves goin’ on, but you’ll do just fine.”
“I hope so.”
Seth gave Destiny a little nudge with the broom .handle. “Excuse me?”
Destiny rolled her eyes. “Okay, Coach . . . I
know
so.”
“That’s more like it.”
“I knew I liked you.” Nessie gave Seth a wink, then turned back to Destiny. “Girlfriend, I do believe the tide is turning. Okay, I’ll leave you two alone.”
“That’s all right. I was just leaving. I’ll walk you downstairs,” Seth offered.
“Are you sure?”
“Positive.” He gave Destiny a quick squeeze. “See you tomorrow night.”
“Me, too.” Nessie started down the stairs with him. “Oh, what am I gonna wear?”
“Something flashy for a change?” Destiny called after her and was rewarded with laughter from both Nessie and Seth.
As she closed the door after them, she suddenly remembered: She and Seth were supposed to have a date tomorrow night. She hadn’t even given it a thought when Max told her she was scheduled to perform.
Oh well. Seth had to understand that her music came first.
And if he didn’t . . .
Well, she had her shot, and she was going to take it—just like he himself had told her.
Mike followed her into the bedroom and hopped onto the bed, watching her as if he sensed her inner turmoil.
“You know what’s weird, Mike?”
He seemed to tilt his furry head.
“This started out ordinary, just like any other day. But you mark my words: From this day forward, everything is going to change. I can feel it in my bones.”
She just wished she knew whether it was because of her career—or Seth Caldwell.
FIVE

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