Our Song Read Free

responds.
    “No, it’s not like that here. Lattimore is a tight-knit community. We all work together, and my family provides a lot of jobs for people in town. We aren’t the biggest farm in town, if that’s what you’re wondering.”
    Pulling up to the house, Jake puts the truck in park. He is in complete awe, and it totally throws me off guard. What is his deal? His house outside of Nashville is a mansion, but for some reason, he’s blown away by a farm in podunk Lattimore.
    “Jake, it’s just a house that cotton built. There’s nothing fancy here. I promise once you walk through those doors, you will feel at home. My mama ain’t the best housekeeper, but she can cook. Daddy works from sun up to sun down, and Beau, well, that’s another story. He’s tried his best to make it outta here, but for some reason, he keeps getting pulled right back in.”
    “I’m sorry. It’s just that I didn’t expect this.”
    “What’d you expect? A single wide?”
    “Um, maybe,” he says with a laugh.
    I do believe this is the first time that he has ever pissed me off. “Back up, Jack. First off, let me tell you that if I lived in a cardboard box, I’d still be proud if it was all my daddy could afford. Secondly, what gave you the idea I was trailer trash?”
    Jake is dumbfounded because I have never spoken like that to him, but he has struck a nerve.
    He slides closer to me, and my breathing stops for a moment.
    “Belle, I didn’t mean that. The way you talk about this town is like there is nothing great about it, but since we hit the county line, I’ve been amazed by what I’ve seen. I wish I’d grown up in a place like this. My childhood was spent going from one military base to another. I’ve never had a real home. I’m sorry if I offended you.”
    With one comment, that’s all it takes for me to get off my high horse and return to normal.
    “What did you mean when you said Beau was ‘another story’?”
    “He loves music too, but I’m the one that made it out, and he’s still here. He and I used to write together all the time, but what he’s really good at is making a set a reality.”
    Breaking our connection, I tell him, “Come on. Let’s get inside.” That’s enough about Beau for now. I grab his hand and pull him toward the front porch.
    As we enter the house, the aroma of Sundrop Pound Cake hits my nostrils. Mama is doing what she does best. Cooking. I can’t wait to have a piece with a glass of milk.
    “Hey, Mama. We’re here!” I yell as I close the door behind us. She comes to greet us in the foyer, and Beau is in the living room. He doesn’t get up; he just gives a wave and goes back to watching his hunting show. You’d think that he’d notice I’m home. Oh, well.
    “Hey, Beau! Don’t get up or anything,” I say just a little bit on the sarcastic side.
    “Belle, I’ll have something sweet for ya in a few minutes. Why don’t you take Jake to the guest room so he can get settled?”
    “Yes, ma’am.”
    Jake and I make our way upstairs and down the hall. He stops to look at the family photos on the wall and asks me questions about all of them. Please don’t ask about the one where my hair is half-brushed, and I look like I have rotten teeth because I didn’t pull a loose tooth. Whew! Made it past it! I give him a brief tour as we make our way to the guest room.
    “Here ya go, Jake,” I say as I open the guest room. “Mine’s right next door if ya need anything.” Stupid, Belle. Stupid comment. “I’m gonna go get settled. I’ll be right back,” I tell him.
    I walk into my room and close my eyes as my back brushes the back of the door. What the hell was I thinking bringing home the country music god? He’s perfect in every single way. His eyes, hair, perfectly sun-kissed skin, impeccable ass in a pair of jeans, and a personality to go with it, but the fact that he likes me for me is the biggest turn-on ever.
    I walk to my dresser and look in the mirror. Touching up my