September 9, 2026

BookQW = DRIP


NASHVILLE BY MORNING
(a Nashville Duets story)

Some nights change everything. Some mornings change you.


“Would you consider recording New Love regardless of how it does at Gabe’s? I’m afraid the ball might stop rolling if we don’t keep behind it,” she suggested, hoping he’d see her reasoning. After all, why should they stop now? Even if New Love only made it in the top fifty, that was still a good showing, wasn’t it?

James glanced quickly at her. “Sure, but why?”

She took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. “Oh, you know. To prove to myself I can do this. That I’m cut out to be a songwriter.”

He chuckled lightly, squeezing her fingers. “Actually, I was going to ask you the same thing.”

“Really?” she exclaimed, feeling the nervous beads on her brow dissipate. I should have known. Worry wart that I am. “With the same conditions?”

James pulled into her driveway and around to the backdoor. “I wouldn’t have it any other way. Why fix something that’s not broke?”

He captured her lips in a deep, mind-blowing kiss before releasing her hand and looking out the windshield. “We’ll talk about it later. We both need some sleep.” He fidgeted a bit, but didn’t look at or touch her again. “Don’t worry, Heather. Frank’s been working on the song for a while; it won’t take much to get it ready. In fact, I think maybe we can do a test run tonight…if you’re up to it.”

“Sure,” she said, sliding out of the car. Heather’s image in his rearview mirror haunted James. She’d looked defeated, rejected and used…like an old toy. Boy, was she wrong. He’d had something important to ask her, but he’d lost his nerve. Especially after she’d asked about the next song. The timing just wasn’t right. Destiny had stepped between them, forcing him to wait for another opportunity.

He flipped open his cell phone, punching Frank’s pre-programmed number.

“This better be good,” Frank said, sleep dripping in his voice.

“Just listen. Tonight we’re going to introduce New Love at the club. I’ll fill you in later today. Later.” James closed the phone, cutting off the call. He’d never been afraid of anything in his life, except getting married again. Now he couldn’t wait to do it again, if she’d have him.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

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September 2, 2026

BookQW = APPEAR


NASHVILLE BY MORNING
(a Nashville Duets story)

Some nights change everything. Some mornings change you.


James kept watch from dance floor to the balcony as he helped his crew get the equipment ready for loading on to the truck. The balcony doors stood open. The image of the woman fresh in his mind, he found himself standing outside in the very spot where he’d followed her.

He’d been returning from a phone call when he’d seen her push out of Frank’s arms and run toward the balcony. He’d been lying when he said he was looking for Frank; he knew where he was. For some unexplained reason, he’d felt compelled to follow that woman. Before he could stop himself, he’d been standing behind her listening to her sniffle softly.

There was something familiar about being in that spot. Looking in the pond, he’d seen the moonlight reflecting on her hair and the smell of lavender had filled his senses. Where have I smelled that before?

As soon as she’d turned with pools of tears in hazel eyes, his heart had gone out to her. Deep pain and sorrow reflected in them. He couldn’t help feel those horrible feelings with her. It had unnerved him, as it did now, to think someone he didn’t know had, with no effort or knowledge, reminded him of Suzette.

Hands gripping the balcony’s stone railing, James stood with tears in his eyes. He looked to the sky, hoping to find in the stars relief and answers to his confusion there, and prayed he wouldn’t fall for this woman as he’d done so many years ago for another.

Romance and love. I don’t want it. Not now. I have a career to run. I can’t tolerate another fly-by-night relationship.

Rain sprinkled on his face and lightning filled the sky. James took a deep breath, sucking in the wind that had kicked up. He turned to go back inside and close the double glass and wooden doors and caught an image of the unhappy woman. As the doors clicked shut, the image disappeared and James went on with his work.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

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