Love Profound (Cowboys & Angels 2)

She giggled and shook her head. “The joys of having five older brothers.”

“They love you and worry about you. That’s all.”

“So, did they force you to dance with me?”

“Oh, darlin’, I don’t need to be forced to have you in my arms.”

Amelia dug her teeth into the corner of her mouth before she replied. “Why, Wade Adams, did you just flirt with me?”

Grinning, I pulled her closer. “Yes, ma’am, I did.”

Her fingers came up and pushed slightly against the back of my neck. “Don’t stop. I liked it.”

Fuck if I didn’t like it, as well…but…

“And risk getting my ass whooped by five cowboys? No way. One flirt a day. That’s all you’re getting from me.”

She let out a roar of laughter. “One a day? Damn. I guess I’ll take it.”

The song changed to “Night’s On Fire” and Amelia let out a little yelp. “Let’s show them how to dance!”

And show them we did.

I was out of breath by the time Wade and I left the dance floor. Four songs in a row, and we tore up each one. As we walked to the table I couldn’t help but notice Waylynn dancing as well. I did a double take when I saw that she was dancing with Jon.

“Damn, y’all,” Tripp said as we reached the bar. “I think you should enter a competition with the way you two dance.”

“Yeah, I’m not too sure how I feel about where your hands were on my sister, dude,” Trevor said.

I glared at him. “Seriously? We were dancing. Give it a rest, Trevor.”

When Trevor did the whole I’m watching you thing with his fingers toward Wade, I had to laugh.

“Ignore this jackass, Wade. He actually beat up my prom date because he thought he took my virginity.”

Wade’s eyes widened as he looked from me to Trevor. “Dude, you didn’t.”

“I sure as fuck did. Little prick went around town bragging he took her flower.”

“See! I’m not the only one who calls it that, Meli!” Steed cried out.

Rolling my eyes, I grabbed Wade. “Come on, I’m ready to dance again.”

“Wade! Hold up!” Cord called out. “The band does tons of Clint Black covers. I told them you sound just like him. They want you to sing.”

My heart dropped. If Wade got up on that stage, all the girls in the place would be after him all night and the idea pissed me the hell off. Which shocked me. I wasn’t the jealous type, and this new feeling had my stomach twisting.

Wade gave me a questioning look. “Do you mind?”

I already knew how much he liked to sing. Who was I to keep him all to myself?

A selfish bitch. That’s who. What is going on with me?

“No, I don’t mind at all.”

Lies! I speak nothing but lies!

As I made my way back to the table, Cord got everyone’s attention.

Waylynn was back at the table sitting next to Trevor. She smiled and motioned for me to sit by her.

“So, we have a little special treat for y’all tonight. You’re familiar with The Country Boys, our local band that plays here, but you haven’t heard this guy sing yet. I’d like to welcome Wade Adams to Cord’s Place. Give him a big round of applause, y’all.”

The place went wild, women screaming. I had to force myself not to make a gagging sound.

When the spotlight hit Wade, I smiled. He really did look at ease up on the stage.

“Thanks, y’all. I appreciate the warm welcome. So, the boys here told Cord they like to cover a lot of Clint Black songs. He was my idol growing up. I drove my mama crazy asking her to take me to his concerts. Never did get to go, so singing his songs has been the next best thing. I hope y’all enjoy it.”

He turned and said something to the band. I held my breath and waited for him to start on that harmonica. When the steel guitar sounded instead, I was thrown off.

Wade sang Clint Black’s “Nothing’s News.” He sounded so much like Clint it was eerie.

Waylynn leaned close. “He has such a sadness to his voice.”

I nodded as I watched him sing. He looked around at the audience, and when he smiled it didn’t touch his eyes.

“Damn, that boy can sing,” Cord said as he sat down at the table.

“I’m telling ya, he turned down that record deal in college. His number one goal was running his dad’s ranch.”

The song ended and the crowd went wild.

“Thanks, y’all. I’ll do one more song, then let these guys take over.”

When the piano started and I recognized the song, I had to fight back tears.

“Oh, God,” I whispered as Waylynn grabbed my hand.

Wade started singing Rascal Flatt’s “I’m Movin’ On” and no one made a sound.

As I listened to the words I was taken back to the day in the café when he told me about his family. The song seemed to be have been written for Wade. My heart broke as I watched him sing. His eyes were closed mostly, only looking over the crowd every now and then.