Feels Like Home (Southern Bride 5)

“I’ll be there after your morning run.”

“Thanks, Robert. Have a good evening and tell Jane I’m sorry we didn’t get to say goodnight.”

“I will. See you in the morning.”

When the call ended, I reached down and pulled Bristol onto my lap. She didn’t even wake up. Once the driver stopped and opened the door, I slid out with my sleeping beauty in my arms and then brought her into the house and up to my room.

“Bri, let’s get you undressed,” I whispered as I gently placed her onto the bed. She sleepily helped me, then I tucked her under the covers and gave her a kiss on the forehead.

I stood and took in a slow, deep breath as I stared at her. I had never loved her more than I did in that moment. Turning on my heels, I walked into the bathroom, put on sweats and a T-shirt, and made my way down to my office. I had a lot of emails to write and things to plan before my meeting with Robert in the morning.

Robert took a sip of his coffee, nodded, and then placed it back down on the table. We were in my recording studio away from the main house. When I left for my run at 5:30 this morning, Bristol was still sound asleep.

“You’re sure?” he asked.

“I’ve never been so sure of anything in my life.”

“They’re going to think you want more money.”

“Truth be told, Robert, I don’t care what the record company thinks.”

The corner of his mouth twitched with a smile.

“Okay, then, I’ll give them a call tomorrow morning and tell them you’re passing on the contract.”

A weight instantly lifted off my shoulders.

“I’ve already sent out an email to those I’ve worked closely with in the past and told them I’m leaving Nashville, but I’ll be keeping a place here. I still want to write songs, and if Nashville is easier for some artists, then I’ll make it happen. Otherwise, I’ll have a studio built in Comfort. I’ve already got a few ideas rattling around in my head about what the future will hold. I’m interested in starting my own record label with you.”

He smiled. “Good, you’re not the only one who wants a change. I like your plan. What about the European tour? You’re under contract to finish it.”

“I’m thinking it’ll make for a nice honeymoon.”

Robert lifted his brows. “I did see that rock on her hand last night and was wondering when you were going to mention that.”

“Honestly, it wasn’t planned at all. The moment was there, I had the ring, so I asked her. And for some crazy ass reason, she said yes.”

“Anyone can see by the way you two look at one another that you’re head over heels in love.”

My chest tightened as I thought about all those lost years. Bristol was right. The past was the past, and we needed to focus on the future.

“I’m hoping I can have a recording studio built in Comfort pretty quickly. Besides, I could also indie release songs if I really wanted to.”

He nodded. “You could, no doubt about it. I think we need to make sure folks know you’re not retiring, simply stepping back to start the next phase in your life. You’ve already established yourself as a songwriter, so you’ve got nothing to prove there. As it is, people are already begging to work with you.”

“We should probably get a statement ready before we let the record company know. That way, we can be on top of it.”

Robert pulled out his phone and started to type. “Let me get RuthAnne on that. There’s a reason I hired her for PR. She’ll be able to come up with the perfect wording for it all and get it out at the same time I’m breaking the news to the label.”

My phone buzzed and I looked down to see it was Bristol.

Bri: Where are you?

Me: I’m in the recording studio, I’ll be right there.

“Sleeping Beauty is awake, and I need to get some stuff packed up.”

Robert and I both stood and made our way over to the door.

“What about the house here?”

I looked around the studio. “I think I’ll sell it and buy something farther out. When we come to Nashville, I think Bri will want to be in the country, especially when we start having kids.”

“Kids?” Robert asked with a laugh. “Are you planning on having them sooner rather than later?”

“I think we’ll let it happen when it happens. I’ve gotten Bristol back and intend on spending every spare moment we have together. Just the two of us.”

He nodded and walked toward his BMW. “That’s a good plan, but kids do add another level of happiness.”

I shrugged. “Yeah, maybe. I guess so.”

Robert studied me for a moment and then nodded. “Right. Okay, have a safe trip back to Texas.”