“Well, it didn’t show. They loved you.”

Buddy strolled into the room.

It was the first time Kate had seen him without the Stetson, and she had to work at keeping her mouth from falling open. He was absolutely gorgeous.

“They ate you up, darlin’. You should feel damned good about what you did.”

“Don’t swear in front of the baby, Buddy,” Taylor said.

“Damn is not a swear.”

His wife scowled at him.

“You did a real good job, Kate,” Buddy continued. “I was very pleased.”

“Thanks. It was fun, and you guys were incredible. I’d never seen you live before. I don’t think I’ll ever forget the sound of that applause.”

“It gets addictive,” Taylor admitted.

“I can see how it would.”

“You’ll find out for yourself, but don’t let it go to your head,” Buddy said. “I’m starving, Tay. Can we eat?”

“It’s ready. Call the kids.”

Kate was treated to the kind of boisterous meal that made her miss her own family. With no sign of any hired help, Taylor served the meal of pulled pork, salad, hush puppies, and corn bread herself.

“I’ll clean up.” Buddy wiped Chloe’s chin and pushed Ashley’s milk in from the edge of the table.

When Buddy caught her eye, Kate realized she was staring.

“What?” he asked.

“I just never pictured you like this.”

“Like what?”

“Wiping chins and doing dishes.”

He laughed. “This is what I do when I’m not working. We only have help on the road. I work so I can do this the rest of the time.”

“It’s cool.”

“It’s life. It’s what matters. The rest is just crap.”

“Crap,” Georgia said.

“Buddy!” Taylor said.

Flashing her the grin that made his female fans drool, he said, “Baby, why don’t you take Kate for a walk? Show her the lake.”

“Watch your mouth in front of the kids, Buddy. I mean it.”

Propping Georgia on his hip, he planted a kiss on his wife and patted her ass. “Scram. Daddy’s in charge.”

Taylor took Kate by the hand. “Get me out of this zoo.”

They pulled on coats to walk out to the lake. The sun was warm, but the breeze off the water put a chill in the air. Taylor pointed out the stables and Buddy’s mother’s house off in the distance. She referred to the fence that lined the lake as her security blanket.

“I’d be a wreck worrying about one of the kids drowning without that fence.”

“I grew up on the water in Newport. My dad has a sailboat.”

“Ours is a powerboat. Buddy loves to water ski.”

“This is a great place.”

“It’s our haven. No one bothers us out here. The people around here protect our privacy. They’d never think of giving anyone directions to our place.”