Wanted: My Unexpected Cowboy (Kindle Worlds Novella) Read online

  Text copyright ©2017 by the Author.

  This work was made possible by a special license through the Kindle Worlds publishing program and has not necessarily been reviewed by Kelly Elliott. All characters, scenes, events, plots and related elements appearing in the original Wanted remain the exclusive copyrighted and/or trademarked property of Kelly Elliott, or their affiliates or licensors.

  For more information on Kindle Worlds: http://www.amazon.com/kindleworlds

  My Unexpected Cowboy

  by Kenzie Rose

  Also by Kenzie Rose

  THE VINEYARDS OF LOVE SERIES

  Everlasting Love—Book One

  She’s My Destiny—Book Two

  Unexpected Love—Book Three (a Novella)

  Contents

  MY UNEXPECTED COWBOY

  Also by Kenzie Rose

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  About the Author

  Books in the Wanted World

  Chapter One

  Jeremy—Nashville TN.

  I ARRIVED BACK IN NASHVILLE after my weekend in Las Vegas. My brother Eric and his girlfriend Avery decided to get married there out of the blue. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to go to the reception they would be having in Los Angeles in a few weeks, so I decided a weekend in Vegas was just what I needed. I knew that I could get the time off to go to LA, but I wasn’t sure I wanted to be around my parents. Now that Eric was married they would start in on me. I could already hear them in my head with “When are you going to get married” and “I would like grandchildren before I am too old to play with them.” I didn’t plan to get married. I didn’t have a steady girlfriend. Plus, I knew if I showed up with or without someone, I would have been the topic of the conversation. I liked playing the field and I loved having no commitments what so ever. As long as I remembered the girl’s names when I left I’d done my job. Either way, Nashville is a lot like LA, with plenty of girls trying to make a name for themselves. The bars and honkytonks are full of them. Nightly.

  I parked my Harley behind the recording studio where I work as a sound engineer and I notice Donovan, my boss, has beat me to work. Damn. I was hoping to get to work first and fill up the schedule before he had a chance to look at it. Donovan was running this stupid contest on a local radio station, trying to find the next new voice. He wanted to find someone in their Twenties, record a demo CD for free, and that would be his claim to fame. I personally think it’s a stupid idea.

  “Good morning Tracy.” I said to the receptionist on our floor.

  “Well good morning Jeremy, how was your weekend.” She asked as she poured me a cup of coffee. She is a sweetheart.

  “It was busy, I flew to Vegas to see my brother get married and then flew home the next day.”

  “Oh, a Vegas Wedding. I’m sure it was beautiful.” She said all dreamy eyed.

  “They were married in the gardens at the Venetian and then the reception was at TAO Nightclub.”

  She laughed, “I’m sure you had something to do with that.” she raised her eyebrow to me.

  “Maybe I did, but it was worth it to see my brother cut loose,” and the hot number that I took back to my hotel room was worth twenty-four hours with no sleep, I thought to myself.

  “Jeremy.” Donovan said through his door. “Let’s move. We have our plate full today plus The Highway is giving away a session today on Buzz’s show at Margaritaville and Carrie is coming in this morning to lay tracks for her new album.”

  I rolled my eyes. “Did he breathe?” Tracy laughed behind her coffee cup and I winked at her.

  “I thought you liked it when Carrie come into the studio?”

  “I do, it’s the free sessions that are getting to me. He thinks he can find the next breakout voice of Nashville.”

  “Maybe he will.” I leaned down and kissed her cheek.

  “Don’t encourage him.” I headed into the studio where my booth is located. The place where I feel most at home. I would sleep here if it didn’t affect my social life.

  Chapter Two

  Kennedy—Nashville TN.

  “LET’S GO AND CHECK OUT the town, once school starts I won’t have a life.” My little sister Stacy said as she looked at a map of the town.

  “We need to stay here and unpack your clothes and movies. Your roommate will be here in a few days and you want your stuff put away.”

  “Kennedy, I want to go out and have some fun with you, before you go back to Texas in a few days. I am so happy to be out of that little town.”

  “There isn’t anything wrong with Mason. I love that it’s small and that you know your neighbors. Plus, our family is close by and I love working with the Johnson’s and their horses. I don’t understand why anyone would want to move from the Hill Country of Texas. I think the rolling hills and the peace and quiet are romantic. This place is crazy!”

  “I can’t wait for this new adventure, school, new friends and the possibilities that are here in Nashville. I still can’t believe I got into Vanderbilt University.”

  I walked into the small kitchen to grab a water. “I can, you’re beyond a 4.0 and everyone knows it. Soon you will be a Nurse and then a Doctor.” I looked at my baby sister and sighed. “Fine, let’s go to Music Row and I want to see the Ryman, and, maybe some country stars. Then we can try and eat at Florida Georgia Lines new restaurant for dinner.”

  “Really? You mean it?” Stacy smiled.

  “Why not, like you said I’ll be leaving in a few days and you will be so busy with school, you won’t get a chance to see anything.” I walked into her room and changed out of my sweats and put on shorts and a t-shirt. Then I grabbed my cowboy boots and cowboy hat.

  “You’re wearing boots and a hat?”

  “What? This might not be Texas but it’s still country and I want to feel comfortable.”

  “Fine but let me do your makeup.”

  “What? No, I like how I look. Why add or do something that isn’t me.” I tried to move out of her way.

  “Kennedy, please let me do this. It will be months before we can do anything like this again. And I’ll probably be too tired anyways.” I sighed. Damn.

  “Alright but not too much.” Twenty minutes later she had my makeup done and she tried to curl my hair. But I stopped that by just putting it in a pony.

  ***

  We walked down the famous road and the thought of all the stars that had walked on these streets brought chills down my spine.

  “Look there’s the Ryman Auditorium.” My sister said as we walked arm and arm down the sidewalk. “They call this the Mother Church of Country Music.”

  “Did you know that Nana saw the Grand Ole Opry Live, here when she went to school at Vanderbilt? Pawpaw brought her back on their trip to the Smoky mountains fifteen years ago.” I said, looking up at the grand building.

  “I didn’t know that. I would love to hear her stories about it, she has been telling me all about her time at Vanderbilt.”

  “I’m sure she is very excited that you’re following in her footsteps.” I said thinking of our grandmother who was enjoying retirement in Florida with her sister.

  “Well, I figured if she could do it sixty years ago with a husband and kids at home, while working on the farm, then why can’t I do it when I’m single?” I squeezed her arm.
<
br />   “I like how you think.” We bought tickets for the backstage tour, so we could see where all the great singers like Garth Brooks and Hank Williams waited for their turns on the famous stage. “Look, there is Minnie Pearl’s hat with the price tag on it.” She pointed to the glass cases. “And Johnny Cash’s Black Hat, this is such an amazing place. Can’t you just feel the magic and history walking through the halls?”

  “I guess so, you’re more into this kind of stuff than I am. You always have been, the music, the stars that sing the songs.”

  “Hey, let’s go see Buzz Brainard’s radio show. Please! It’s at Margaritaville.”

  “Fine, then its shopping and dinner.”

  While we walked over to the show we looked into the buildings and bars. “It’s Noon and the bars are full.”

  “Just like at home people drink all the time. Do you want to check some out?”

  “The only one that I would like to see is FGL house. Now do we have to see this show?” I protested.

  “You love listening to him, come on, it will be fun. Then we can shop and eat. I promise.” Damn, she’s right, I do like to listen to him. I am just not one of those people who are good with small talk or with strangers, unless we are talking about horses.

  “Kennedy, they are giving away a free recording session in the studio where Carrie Underwood records. You should try and win it.” She said as she grabbed my hand and dragged me with her.

  “Why, I haven’t sang since high school.”

  “Mrs. Ross always said that you had the voice that could make it.”

  “No, I don’t sing anymore, and you know that. I like breeding and raising horses. I don’t need fame, so just let someone else have it.”

  “You really are no fun. If I win you’re doing it for me and to commemorate your trip to Nashville.” I just looked at her. Doesn’t she ever listen to me?

  “Whatever.” I exhaled in exasperation.

  ***

  Sitting in the famous Margaritaville Restaurant on Music Row, I felt like I was in Key West. “Let’s share the Asiago Crab and Artichoke Dip and the Caribbean Chicken Egg rolls.” I said

  “Sure, and how about the Crispy Coconut Shrimp.”

  “I love Coconut Shrimp. I’m going to have a Watermelon Margarita.”

  “I think I am going to have the Blueberry Pomegranate Margarita.” She winked at me.

  “Oh, I want to try that.” I smiled and nodded.

  “So, I guess we eat and then we can go up to his show.”

  “Well the show only lasts two hours so if the food doesn’t come soon we will miss it.” I said

  “That’s why I wanted appetizers, so it wouldn’t take that long.” Of course, she has it all figured out.

  Once our food and drinks were served, we ate and talked about when classes start and when she has to go to the hospital to start her receptionist job. She is doing that on the weekends until she starts the nursing program.

  “Mom wanted me to make sure you have pepper spray and that your door has extra locks on it.” I laughed.

  “Of course she did. My roommate’s dad is a police officer. I’m pretty sure the apartment will have an alarm before the weekend is finished.” She said as she finished her drink.

  “We need to figure out how to make these.” I said pointing to the drinks.

  “Yes, we do because this is my favorite one so far.”

  “Ready to go up.” She asked as I paid the check.

  “Sure, if it makes you happy.”

  Once upstairs we were all standing around as Buzz talked to several people while on the air. Then during a break, he walked over to us.

  “Hi ladies, where are you from?”

  “Mason, Texas.” Stacy said.

  “Welcome.” He turned around and looked at his sound engineer who said something into his ear piece. “Alright, well we have a contest going with one of the recording studios here in Nashville, and it’s time to pick a winner for a free recording session, no strings attached.” He turned and looked at his computer and smiled. “And it looks like the winner is Kennedy Drummond! Congratulations.”

  Damn. I looked at my sister and she was smiling from ear to ear. “Did you have anything to do with this?”

  “No, just your lucky day!”

  Sure it is. I took the papers and put them in my purse. After the show I started to leave, and my sister stopped me.

  “Kennedy, you need to schedule your session before we go shopping. Why don’t you do it before you leave on Thursday.”

  “Why are you pushing me on this?” I asked, incredulously.

  “You don’t understand how good you really are. I know you would rather be on the land with the horses, but you will regret not giving it a try.”

  “Fine. But then after I do this God damn session will you drop the whole singing thing?”

  “If that’s what you want.” She said with a sad smile.

  “It is.”

  She nodded and walked beside me. I closed my eyes and tried to stay calm. Why won’t they just leave me alone about singing?

  Chapter Three

  Jeremy- Nashville TN.

  “JEREMY, THE WINNER OF THE recording session is coming in at Noon today.” Donovan said as he walked into the sound booth.

  “Another one? How much longer are we going to do this?” I hate doing these, it’s just a waste of time.

  “We will do them until we find someone that is going to be the next big star. Now finish the mix from Carrie yesterday and then hopefully the winner will be here soon.”

  Great, just fucking great. I should have taken the job at Big Machine when they offered it to me, at least I would be working and not playing these games. I put the headphones on and got to work on the recordings that Carrie worked on yesterday, trying not to think about the fact that I would be wasting a couple of hours when Donovan brings in his next prize. I mean seriously, this is a joke. I finish the mix and look up. There on the other side of the glass was the most beautiful woman I have ever seen in my life, standing in the doorway to the studio. I just sat there. I couldn’t make my body move. She had long wavy blonde hair, freckles, and kissable lips. I just stared at her, watching her lips move while she talked to Donovan. There was another girl with her that looked like her, but she didn’t have the same maturity about her. I finally got my legs to move and walked out of my booth to introduce myself.

  “Oh, there he is, Kennedy and Stacy, this is Jeremy. He does all of the magic with the sound.” I smiled and extended my hand.

  “Kennedy, is it? So nice to meet you.” As she placed her hand in mine, I felt a jolt of electricity. What was that? Did I drag my feet? Man, I need to snap out of it.

  “Yes and this is my sister Stacy. This was her big idea.” She said and rolled her eyes.

  “Why don’t we get started. Stacy why don’t you sit in the booth with Jeremy and myself and your sister can go into the recording booth. Do you have a song in mind that you want to sing?” Donovan asks as I watch her contemplate the question.

  “No, maybe we should go. I’m not prepared for this.” She said as she looked around.

  I saw some hurt in her eyes, well we can’t have that.

  “Do you know any of Carrie Underwood’s songs? She was just in here yesterday recording. I have some of her tracks, how about Something in the Water and then we can do a fast song of your choice.” She looked uncomfortable, but she nodded. I showed her into the booth and helped her with the headphones. I never do this but most of our clients have worked in the industry, and she didn’t look like she had done this before.

  “I will talk to you through the headphones, and I can hear you if you need anything, all right?”

  “I guess.” She didn’t really want to be here, I can see it in her eyes, but it seems like she is doing this for her sister. “It’s going to be fun. If you can think of any other songs, just let me know, I am sure we have the tracks on file.” I walked back into the booth and cued the music as the mus
ic filled the booth I saw pain in her eyes. I stopped the music and hit the speaker,

  “Take a deep breath and if you have to, close your eyes and just sing.” She nodded. I started the music again and watched as she closed her eyes and started to sing. I was instantly blown away. I have never heard a voice like hers. In all the years that I have been in this business no one has sounded like her . I sat mesmerized as she sang the song with such meaning and emotion. Once the song was finished she took the headphones off and just looked at us. I hit the speaker.

  “That was amazing. Want to do it again?”

  “Can we do a faster song? Do you have Cowboy Casanova?” She bit her lip, damn. No woman has ever affected me like this. Ever. I shifted in my seat since her sister is sitting next to me, and I cued the track.

  “Let me know when you’re ready.” She put the headphones back on her head and nodded. I started the music and she started to sing. She was really getting into the song. I sat there and just stared at her. Well damn, he did it, he finally found the voice that could very well be the next big star.

  When the music stopped she took off the headphones, placed them on the mic and walked out of the room. I set up the machines to make her the CD and I watched Donovan as he got ready to pounce. She stood in the doorway and shook hands with Donovan and gestured for her sister.

  “I would like to speak with you about the possibility of recording a real demo. I think you could be the next big star in Nashville.” Donovan said.

  “No thank you, I did this to make my sister happy, I breed and raise horses. I’m not a singer.”

  “But you are a singer. A very good singer, and I think you could make it big. Like Carrie and Kelsey.” Donovan said.

  I stood up and interrupted the conversation. I could tell that she was starting to feel uncomfortable being bullied into this. “Why don’t you come back later and pick up your CD, maybe take a few days to think about it. There is no reason to decide now.”

  “Ok, I’ll come back later and get the CD, but it won’t change my mind. I don’t sing anymore.”