Read Online Made in Nashville: HarperImpulse Contemporary Romance by Mandy Baggot - Free Book Online

note on the bridge and goose bumps ran up her arms. The tone and edge to his vocals was so raw, so powerful. It was as if he told a story with every line he sang.
    The song came to an end and she sat unmoved, holding onto the last note in her head.
    ‘I have this principle I’ve stuck with since I started.’ He picked up the phone. ‘I never record anything but my own material and I don’t intend changin’ that.’
    She watched him. He put the phone back in the pocket of his jeans and picked up his beer bottle.
    ‘Work with me here, Honor. Let’s try some stuff together,’ he suggested.
    She was already shaking her head before he’d finished the sentence. She’d barely got her mind around the fact she was going back to the industry next week. Working with another artist on new material, it wasn’t something she’d done before. It wasn’t even something she’d considered before.
    ‘What happens then? We write some songs together and you force me on tour with you?’ The statement had come out a lot harsher than she’d meant.
    ‘Honor, I’d never force you to do anything.’
    She swallowed as she looked at him. That comment had hit him hard. He was breathing heavy and biting his bottom lip.
    ‘Listen, I made that track last week and I wanted you to hear it. That’s all. Thank you for the drink.’ He stood up, putting his hands in his pockets. She stood up too, feeling she ought to. He’d made it clear he was leaving.
    He moved out of the room towards the hall, heading for the front door and Honor followed.
    ‘Do I have to command the door to open or does it work with the handle?’ he asked.
    She opened it for him, letting in a draught of warm air. This felt awkward.
    ‘I’ll see you,’ he said, stepping out onto the porch and touching his hand to his cap in goodbye.
    ‘Jared.’ It was a desperate sound. Almost a cry for help.
    He turned to face her. Those stormy gray eyes were wide. They looked soft and honest. She was suddenly blanketed in a feeling that she could trust him, implicitly. That she could tell him how she felt about things and he wouldn’t judge. It was a strong gut reaction and one which made her start talking.
    ‘So I’m…I’m at Black Monkey on Tuesday, about eleven for a couple of hours or so,’ she stated.
    He didn’t say anything, just carried on watching her, as if waiting for her to continue.
    ‘I’ve never written a song with another artist before,’ she stated.
    He shook his head and his lips spread into a smile. ‘Yes you have.’ He tapped the pocket of his jeans and the phone within. ‘We just heard it.’

Chapter Ten
    ‘How’s my little darlin’?’
    She should have known Larry wouldn’t let her make her own way to the studios. Mia too had already called to remind her. No one trusted her to keep an arrangement. Or maybe they all knew how terrified she was. She
was
terrified, there was no point denying it, even to herself. She had changed four times and ended up back in the first shirt she’d picked out. It was plaid. She hadn’t worn it in years. It was everything she’d been and everything she wasn’t now. She brushed her hand down the front of it hoping to feel inspired. She smiled at Larry and let him in.
    She led the way to the kitchen, grabbing up the flask of coffee she’d been drinking from. It tasted terrible but was giving her the caffeine buzz she needed.
    ‘A big day today, honey,’ Larry said, laying his hat on the island.
    ‘Oh, Larry, please stop with the loaded phrases and the over-the-top sentiment. I’m going to go to the studios. I said I would and I am and I don’t really need an escort,’ Honor responded. The coffee needed more sugar. She was sounding as bitter as it tasted.
    ‘I know that. I’m just coming with you for moral support that’s all,’ Larry said.
    She took another large mouthful of coffee and almost gagged. She’d had far too much.
    ‘Everyone’s making more of this than there is. I know it’s been a