Accidentally Married on Purpose (26 page)

Tyler blinked away thoughts of Sherry swollen with child—
his
child—and stuffed animals on the tour bus. He quirked an eyebrow in question, and Charlie chuckled.

“Man, you’ve been asleep since we left Louisiana.” He released his grip on Tyler’s elbow and shrugged. “We all see it. You’re not here. You’re back
there,
with your wife.” He shot him another look. “Where you
should
be.”

“Guys! This is live to tape. Move your asses!”

Arianne’s stressed voice floated from the other end of the stage, and Charlie slapped him on the back. “Go get your woman, kid.”

Tyler smiled, the first one that felt real since the day he left his heart behind. “I intend to.”

“Good.” Charlie glanced at the stage and cocked his head. “Just, maybe wait till after the show.” He slapped him on the back, and Tyler laughed.

“Kinda figured that’d be best,” he replied with a shake of his head.

But as soon as the segment was over, Tyler was out of there.

Decision made, a weight lifted from his chest. Tension in his shoulder blades, the knot that lodged itself when he’d left her side, loosened. The fog that had filled his vision evaporated and he exhaled as he nodded toward the stage. “Let’s do this.”

…

“Will you shut your trap? Sherry’s hubby is about to be on the television.”

Poor Earl frowned into his mug of beer. “Old coot. Maybe you need new hearing aides.”

Despite the plastic smile on Sherry’s face, the anxiety knotting her chest, and the strong desire to bolt from the premises, she had to stifle a laugh. Between Mrs. Thibodeaux’s yelling and old Earl’s muttering, it was hard to wallow in heartache. It was like watching a sitcom from the 60s:
The Extremely Incompatible Couple.

Angelle sidled up behind the hostess stand and glanced around the packed restaurant. “How you holding up?”

Sherry shrugged. “As good as expected, I guess.”

When she’d come in for her shift that afternoon and heard the buzz in the air, she knew something was happening. About an hour ago, patrons began pouring in, eager to watch Blue’s late-night appearance together as a community. Supporting their newest member.

“It’s not like I can turn it off without explaining why,” she said with a sigh. “And honestly, I
want
to see it. I do. It’s just…” Sherry threw her head back and released a heavy breath. “This will be the first time I’ve seen him since that night. I mean, it’s through a screen. And it’s not even live…they taped the show hours ago. But pre-recorded, live-to-tape is as close to the real thing as I’ve got.” Swallowing past a lump of fear, she nibbled her lip and then gave voice to her true fear. “What if I can’t handle it?”

“Aw, sweetie.” Angelle promptly wrapped her in a hug and squeezed her close. “You are the strongest person I know. You can handle
anything
, you hear me? You’re amazing, and tough, and kickass.” She leaned back and looked her in the eye. “Don’t you forget it.”

Sherry laughed humorlessly. “Gotta say, not feeling that kickass tonight.” She dragged her fingertips beneath her eyes, wiping the black residue on her apron as she scanned the gathered crowd. When her gaze landed on Will Trahan, Mr. Boring himself, seated at the bar, she froze.

His soft gaze was on hers, and he tipped his beer in her direction. His smile was nice, kind, sweet—and dull as dishwater.

Had she really convinced herself a life with no sparks, no
excitement,
could ever make her happy?

She hung her head and admitted softly to the ground, “I miss him, Ang.”

“Of course you do.” Sherry lifted her gaze to her friend’s understanding smile. “You’re in love with him.” At her shocked open mouth, Angie lifted a shoulder. “People say
I
have no poker face. Sweets, the moment you hear that man’s name, your eyes are a dead giveaway.”

Well, that was reassuring. If Tyler had found her as easy to read, that explained why he hadn’t chased after her. Or even contacted her in the last two weeks.

Yeah, she’d left
him
that morning. It was part of her new selfless M.O. The more time that passed, however, Sherry decided she wasn’t a fan. Part of her honestly thought he’d fight for her. Realize he was in love with her too, and fly back to snag her. The big Hollywood ending.

She sighed. First thing in the morning, she was bringing her entire library to Goodwill. This was what reading did to you—gave you silly, ridiculous schoolgirl hopes.

“Oh, turn it up!” Tootsie, the big old flirt who owned the dog spa, turned around and flapped her hand in the air. “Turn it up! Blue’s up next!”

Cane reached behind the bar and dialed the volume higher. A commercial for toilet paper so soft it felt like a million angels kissing your
arse
. Why anyone would want celestial beings snogging their bottom, Sherry didn’t know, but she was thankful for the strange and random distraction. Unfortunately, it was short-lived.

The late show returned, and the spunky, adorable host, Jennifer Marr, smiled on screen. “My next guests are a country singing phenomenon. Their latest album just released, and the first single, ‘Rain Dance,’ debuted at number one.”

The camera panned, and Sherry’s breath locked in her lungs. There was Tyler. Her music man. Wearing the flipping belt buckle; snug, low-slung jeans; and a denim shirt. His guitar was strapped around his chest, his eyes were steady, and he’d never looked better. Her chest ached for him.

“Now, before the guys play it for us, I thought we’d get the inside scoop.” Jennifer turned to Tyler and grinned. “I’m a big fan of yours, have been since the debut album, but I’ve got to say, this song blew me away. It’s much more emotional than your previous songs. Care to divulge why?”

Tyler chuckled at the ground, almost looking embarrassed. The shy, adorable thing only made him hotter. Lord, she was whipped on this boy.

“Well, as you know, Jennifer, I recently got married.”

Angelle clutched Sherry’s hand as the crowd at Robicheaux’s cheered.

Tyler grinned at the studio audience’s enthusiasm. “Thank you,” he said with a small nod to the crowd before turning back to the host. “This was the first love song I’ve written since truly learning what love is. My wife, Sherry, opened my eyes.” He paused and swallowed hard, a look Sherry had never seen before on his face…vulnerability mixed with determination.

She leaned forward, heart galloping in her chest, pulse thrumming in her ears, and the weight of her family’s stares on her cheek. Pants of breath escaped her lips as he scratched the back of his neck and glanced at Charlie. Then, staring straight into the screen, he said, “She’s home now, back in Magnolia Springs, but I hope she’s watching tonight. Sugar, if you are, this one’s for you.”

His fingers caressed the strings of his beloved guitar as he nodded to the band. Jennifer Marr turned to the camera and as she stepped back with a wide smile, held her arms out and said, “Blue, everybody!”

The crowd cheered appreciatively as the song that he’d supposedly written about
her
, that he said she’d inspired, began. And as she listened to it, the lyrics about a beautiful woman who danced in the rain and captivated the heart of the man who secretly adored her, Sherry’s broken heart knitted together.

All it took was one verse, one cycle of the chorus, for her to make up her mind. Yeah, the hero often made the grand gesture in the end and fought for the woman he loved, but it wasn’t solely a man’s job. She was the heroine in this story—and it was time to get her man.

Whipping off her apron, she turned to her friend, who was smiling with her arm already extended to take it. “Go,” Angelle said, nodding toward the door. “Be happy. You deserve it.”

Hope tingling beneath her skin, electrifying her veins, Sherry bounced on her toes and grinned. “You know, I think I do.”

Cane held his hand up to his ear from behind the bar, signaling for her to call when she arrived in L.A., and Colby blew her a kiss. Her heart swelled with the love and support of her family, and it gave her that last boost of confidence she needed to bolt for the door.

Only, before she could reach the knob, it opened for her…

And Tyler barreled in.

…

His beautiful wife stared at him, mouth dropped in shock, as she glanced back and forth between him and the television. She swung her head back a final time, purple strands lashing across her lips, and said, “You’re here.”

Nodding, he took a step toward her. “I took the first flight I could out of L.A.”

The door closed behind him, jingling the bells again, and this time, the patrons who’d previously been glued to the show noticed him. Gasps and whispers of
“He’s here,”
broke among them.

“I needed to see you,” he admitted, stopping in front of her. He reached out and skimmed his fingers over her cheek. She leaned into his touch, and he said, “Seems I figured something out today.”

Sherry smiled, the soft skin of her throat sliding against the heel of his palm. “Oh yeah? What’s that, music man?”

Tyler raised his gaze to see practically the entire town of Magnolia Springs, including her whole family, unabashedly listening in. He chuckled and said, “You know I hate big speeches, darlin’. I tend to get tongue-tied and awkward, and I’ve always preferred to let my lyrics speak for me. But it seems, once again, you inspire me.”

He swallowed down the small lump in his throat, the knot of insecurity telling him he’d waited too long, and said, “I’m miserable without you, Sherry. I never should’ve left you here”—he glanced at the listening crowd—“waiting for me to return while I went on the road. My career, the awards and recognition, hell, even the music, it’s meaningless without you. It’s empty. And today, I realized why I push myself so hard.”

He placed his other hand on her sweet face, now cradling it between his palms, and her gaze implored him to continue. “I’m always chasing the next goal. The next achievement. Trying to fill that void and find the happiness I’ve only ever felt once in my life.” Tears welled in her hazel eyes. “With you.”

A sob escaped her parted lips. “Really?”

“Apparently, happiness has been hiding behind exuberant smiles and rain-soaked dances,” he answered with a grin. She laughed at that, and a tear slid down her cheek. He brushed it away with his thumb.

“I’m not saying a life with me will be easy. The road is chaotic and the media is fickle.” Tyler glanced again at the eavesdropping customers and locked eyes with Cane. Swallowing hard, he nodded at his brother-in-law and turned back to his wife. “But if you’ll have me, I promise to spend the rest of our lives putting you first. Spending equal time here, in Magnolia Springs, with your—
our
family. Making sure that incredible smile never leaves your face.”

Another fat tear fell down her cheek, followed by another and another. Sherry laughed as her hands clamped around his wrists, tugging him even closer. He gladly closed the distance between them and pressed his lips to hers…a brush, a slide, a sweet caress…then pulled back, chuckling at her frown.

When he let go of her face and got down on one knee, right there in the middle of her family’s crowded restaurant, that frown was replaced with a gasp.

“Our marriage began a bit unconventionally,” he said with a smile, raising his voice to include the
aww
ing crowd, and they laughed in appreciation. “And though I wouldn’t change a single moment of the last month, I believe I owe my beautiful bride here a real hometown wedding.”

That, as expected, got an enthusiastic response. Neighbors cheered, and Sherry slapped a hand over her mouth as Tyler took her left one. The one
already
wearing his ring.

“Marry me again?” he asked, staring up into her eyes. Lowering his voice for her ears, he added, “This time fully sane and rational?”

Sherry laughed, full and free, and that breathtaking smile curved her mouth. “Baby, you should know by now I’m
never
fully sane and rational.” Sinking down to her knees, she brought his hand to her mouth and kissed his knuckles. “But Tyler, I’d marry you again in a heartbeat. You
are
my fairy tale.”

Releasing a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding—
she said yes!—
he crushed her body to his chest and brought his mouth down on hers. Her lips were salty with tears and tasted of forever, and he threaded his fingers in her hair. He’d been an idiot for so long.
Too
long. Music may be his passion—but this, right here, was his dream.

When his lungs burned for air and he
had
to draw back, he broke away.

“God, I love you,” he whispered roughly, pressing a kiss against her forehead before leaning his forehead against hers.

Sherry bit her lip, a half-laugh, half-sob sound escaping. She closed her eyes, head hung limp as her hands clutched tighter on his back. Exhaling against his neck, she looked up again, those mesmerizing eyes flaring with emotion.

“And I love
you
, music man. You are my happily ever after.”

Then her mouth claimed his again, and the entire restaurant erupted in applause.

Epilogue

18 MONTHS LATER…

“I’m
pregnant
,” Sherry explained as she took a seat at the table on the tour bus. “Not incapacitated.”