When she went back to the medical camping ground, Jack, Duffy, Robert and a few others were playing guitars in front of Jack’s tent. Duffy was singing a country song about wild women and drinking too much.
Taylor grabbed her chair and joined the group. Listening to their song, she brushed out her hair, then braided it into a French braid, twisting a band around the end. When she’d finished, her gaze collided with Jack’s.
He’d been watching her. With more than casual interest.
Then again, there was nothing casual about the sparks that had flown between them all day.
He winked and, heart kerthunking, she winked back.
Something she’d never done. Her ex hadn’t been the kind of man one winked at. Neil hadn’t been playful or fun. Ever.
Jack was playful and fun.
At some point he’d gotten a shower, too. He looked refreshed in his navy shorts and T-shirt while he plucked the strings of a rather beat-up, well-loved-appearing guitar, keeping perfect tune with the others.
Having no musical talent, Taylor was impressed.
She was even more impressed when Duffy’s song ended and they started playing another. This time Jack did the vocals. His voice was a raspy baritone that reached inside and tugged at her very being.
The man had a beautiful, unique timbre.
A beautiful, unique everything.
She wanted to close her eyes and just listen to his voice, but her eyes refused to be denied the privilege of feasting on the image of him strumming along on his guitar while he sang.
When the song ended, Taylor clapped and gave a self-conscious whistle. Another first. This stepping outside one’s comfort zone thing wasn’t so bad.
Actually, it was kind of fun.
“I think you have a groupie,” Duffy teased.
“Never had a groupie before,” Jack mused, his smile aimed at Taylor. “But we are at a music festival, so I’m game.”
“Can’t say I’ve ever been a groupie,” Taylor admitted, knowing her cheeks were pink but that a silly smile was on her face. “Maybe I’ll settle for being an avid fan, rather than a full-fledged groupie.”
“Far less fun. Stick with the groupie,” Robert suggested, gathering a few laughs.
“Avid fan is more my speed,” Taylor admitted, feeling a little self-conscious that all the men’s attention was now on her rather than their music. “Don’t stop playing on my account. I was enjoying listening.”
“You play?” Duffy asked, offering her his guitar.
She shook her head. Maybe she’d add guitar lessons to the growing list of things she’d tried since her divorce. So far she’d taken art classes, cooking classes, exercise classes, and was taking a foreign language course online. Not necessarily to expand her horizons but to figure out things she liked and enjoyed rather than be an extension of her parents, then Neil.
“You sing?” Robert asked.
She gave him a dubious look. “Not if I want to keep any of you as friends.”
A few chuckles sounded.
“We’re not a picky crowd, so feel free to join in at any time. The more the merrier.”
Duffy launched into another song, but Taylor didn’t know the words so joining in wasn’t an option even if she’d wanted to give it a try.
After a few more songs Robert stood, stretched, and announced he had plans to meet a cute little nurse who was working in the main medical tent. The others left one by one, leaving Taylor and Jack.
“Do you really not play or sing or you just didn’t want to show up us guys?”
“Ha,” Taylor snorted. “Believe me when I say I did you a favor by keeping my mouth shut.”