Songbird Read Free Page B

again. She’s on autopilot and a crash is inevitable. Give her a day or two to rest. I gave her something to help her sleep through the night tonight. Make sure she gets plenty to eat. But then, you’re going to have to make her break out of her comfort zone.”
    Taggert swore long and low. “Christ, she’ll hate us.”
    “Maybe at first,” Doc said. “She’ll come around, though, and then she’ll understand.”
    Greer sighed. He and Taggert wanted nothing more than to bring her home so they could protect and love her. Making her hate them again…
    “We appreciate you coming by, Doc,” Greer said.
    “Anytime. I’m just glad Emily is home where she belongs. It’s been a tough road for her, but she’s young and resilient. She’ll bounce back.”
    “I hope to hell you’re right,” Taggert said.

    ***

    Emily woke to a stream of sunlight piercing the white ruffled curtains. For a moment she lay there soaking in the warmth, and then she turned to look at the old alarm clock on the nightstand. Eight o’clock.
    Taggert and Greer would have been up several hours already. Work started early and ended late on a ranch. They and the hands put in long hours every day.
    Sundays though…Sunday had always been their day. In the summers they snuck down to the watering hole, one of the Donovan brothers keeping watch for Emily’s dad. A few times he’d shown up, but by the time he had, they’d gotten Emily out of the creek and headed home.
    Emily’s mother had died when she was young, and her father was the epitome of old-time conservative strict. Spare the rod, spoil the child. A motto that should have been his family crest.
    She’d gotten more beatings over spending time with the Donovan boys than anything else. She wasn’t a rebellious child, and she was usually obedient. Except when it came to Taggert, Greer and Sean. Spending time with them had been worth every lash of her father’s belt.
    They’d hated her father, but he was her father, and she owed him as much respect as she could give. He’d been proud of her singing. He loved to hear her sing in church. Every Sunday she sang with the choir, her clear, radiant voice rising above the others.
    He’d hit the roof when her attention turned to more commercial songs, and he’d forbidden her from seeking any sort of a career outside the church.
    One night she’d snuck out, and Sean drove her to the neighboring town where the honkeytonk was having talent night. She’d sung her heart out and garnered the attention of Frank, an agent to several already established singers in the business.
    Her father was waiting—with his belt—when she returned home. It had been the worst beating she’d suffered, and she didn’t go anywhere for three days for fear Taggert, Greer or Sean would find out.
    The two things she loved most in the world—the Donovan brothers and singing—were the things forbidden to her by her father.
    She’d taken her courage in her hands and gone to the ranch, determined to make the brothers see how she felt about them. In her youth and inexperience, she hadn’t considered how ludicrous her wants were. She only knew how desperately she loved them all.
    It was the worst night of her life. Far worse than any beating she’d ever suffered. Sean hadn’t been there, but Taggert and Greer had gently but candidly told her that what she wanted wasn’t possible.
    Then she’d gone home to face her father and his wrath.
    Sean came for her two days later, furious with his brothers and ready to kill her father for what he’d done. Sean had refused to leave her there one minute longer. They eloped, but that hadn’t been the final nail in the coffin of her nonexistent relationship with her father.
    He’d seemed willing to forgive her marriage to Sean, but when she told him she had a record deal, he’d disowned her.
    It seemed everyone but Sean had turned his back on her, and now Sean was gone. All because of her.
    He loved her, put her first¾her