Summer Love_ A Steamy Small Town Romance Anthology - Piper Rayne Page 0,158

don’t need a spa. That’s for ladies.”

She arched her eyebrows. “Your haircut costs as much as mine did in Nashville so don’t go judging. Besides, half the ranchers have been there and swear by it. Or you could sit here like a bear with a sore paw and sulk.” She paused. “Speaking of which, how long are you planning to stay?”

He cocked his head. “You want to be rid of me so soon?”

She studied him with serious eyes. She’d changed from the little sister he remembered taking care of while their parents had spent most of their time on the road building their own music careers. He had been so used to watching out for Piper that having her suddenly switch roles with him was disconcerting. “Of course not. I just wonder what’s going on with you. You seem unsettled, unhappy. A couple of years ago, I found out what I really wanted from life in this very cabin. I hope it can bring you the same kind of peace.”

He shrugged, wincing as the motion produced more muscle spasms. “I’m fine. A little burnt out from being on the road for so long. Back-to-back tours take a lot out of me.”

Her knowing gaze didn’t buy his bullshit about the tours for a second. He loved to tour, loved being on stage. But that was fading, like so much else in his life. He wanted something else, something he wasn’t sure he knew how to find.

He didn’t want to admit that returning to Nashville didn’t hold the same appeal it once had. His parents were in their own little world, as they often had been while he and Piper were growing up. Between their touring and becoming country music royalty, their parents had been almost strangers to them. While they had all made their peace with the past, Colt didn’t have the closeness that some people had with their parents. Fortunately, he and Piper had a strong bond, and when she made the move to Montana permanent, he had been left behind. Again. Something she clearly sensed.

“This wouldn’t have anything to do with Sierra?”

“Of course not,” he replied quickly. “I’m not looking for any kind of relationship right now, or ever, really. Especially not while I’m still building my career. You can’t have both, Piper. You and I both know that better than anyone. Hell, you gave up your career for love.”

She stared at him sadly. “I didn’t give up my career, not exactly. I know that’s how it looks but honestly, I wasn’t happy. I’m so much happier now with Ty, working with up-and-coming artists and kids. This is what I love. This is what I was meant to do.”

He shook his head. “That’s not me, Piper. I love singing. I can’t imagine doing anything else. And no woman wants to marry someone in that life, not really.”

She stood up. “You never know until you try.” She handed him a business card. “You have a massage appointment this afternoon. Here is the address. Get your back taken care of. Trust me.”

She whistled for Dundee and headed toward the main house.

Sierra had been grateful that the spa she owned was closed on Sunday so she could hole up in her apartment yesterday and recover from her night of overindulgence. Seemed like everyone else had done the same since her phone hadn’t rung except for a call from Zane, owner of The Rock, making sure she had gotten home okay. She’d gotten to know him as an occasional client at her spa, requiring massage therapy for an old injury he’d. They’d even tried going on a date once, but they’d decided friends was the better option.

She’d tried not to think about her night with Colt and what might have been. Sadly, her memory had come back fully, and she remembered having a great time. Fun, exciting, carefree. She’d felt safe with him. It hadn’t ended the way she’d wanted but it was for the best. She would have regretted sleeping with him, though she had spent an inordinate amount of time thinking about him, holding her phone and considering calling him. Then she’d remember vomiting on him then him cleaning up after her and she knew it was for the best that she didn’t call him, eventually hiding her phone and going for a punishing run that her body cursed her for.

When she returned to work on Monday, she had a busy week in front of her. And she had to deal