personnel dotted amidst the sea of people. Considering all the notables in the music industry who were here tonight, Ramsey figured security would be tight.
His thoughts went to Cash’s offer. Could he walk away from Sutton’s security group and start a new career? Sutton would be supportive of whatever decision Ramsey made. Ramsey just had to decide which direction he wanted his life to take. He looked off to the side and spotted Delaney Mitchell and Corbin Spencer. Corbin’s arm was around Delaney. The two of them had their heads together, and she was laughing at something he was saying. Corbin certainly looked happy with his decision to move full force into Delaney’s world. Then again, his situation was different from Ramsey’s. Delaney and Corbin were married. Ramsey was painfully single. Interesting that his single status hadn’t bothered him much before. Admittedly, it had been brutal when he and Sage ended things, but then he’d moved on, convincing himself that he was better off alone. The nature of his work—it’s danger and unpredictability—didn’t lend itself to family life. Ramsey had been content with his life … until recently.
It was enjoyable watching Cash and Ava take the stage. They performed so well together and exuded a chemistry that was almost tangible. When they sang Lonely Moon, they brought down the house. Ramsey enjoyed all of the performances, marveling at the talent and showmanship of the singers. Then, Hartley took the stage, sending a shot of adrenaline through him. She reached for her guitar and slipped the strap over her shoulder as she stepped up to the microphone.
“It’s a pleasure to be here tonight to celebrate the anniversary of High Cliff Republic Records. As y’all know, I’ve been with High Cliff from the get-go.” She peered out into the audience. “Alton, where are you?”
Ramsey, along with everyone else, turned to look as a silver-haired man, midway back, waved his hand.
“There you are. Alton Collier was President and CEO of High Cliff for many years.” Her voice grew throaty with emotion. “He took a chance on me all those years ago, and I’ll never forget it.” She smiled brightly. “Tandy, thanks for continuing the tradition. Here’s to many more years,” she said exuberantly as the audience broke into applause. After a minute, she held up a hand to quiet it. “I’d like to share a little something I wrote recently. It’s called My Turf. I hope y’all like it.”
Ramsey was transfixed. He didn’t dare breathe for fear of breaking the spell. Hartley was so alive with her piercing blue eyes and long red hair that framed her delicate face in soft curls. The guitar seemed to be an extension of her lean, fluid body as she moved effortlessly to the beat of the music. Her voice was sassy Southern and sultry strong. She maneuvered the crowd with an invisible string, wrapping the entire ballroom in a rapturous energy.
Hartley was the kind of woman that men couldn’t help but fall for. Not only was she drop-dead gorgeous, but she exuded ten gallons of confidence and vitality. Ramsey guessed that there were scores of men here tonight who both adored and pined for Hartley. Earning her attention was like being graced by the sun. The shadow that crossed over Ramsey’s heart took him completely by surprise. Was a stalker after Hartley? A man had broken into her bedroom. Was he still lurking around, waiting to attack when she least expected it? He felt such a fierce need to protect her that it was nearly overwhelming.
Then, it happened. Hartley caught eyes with him. His heart stopped. Was she actually looking at him? She gave him an enigmatic smile that seemed to convey some secret he couldn’t discern. A visceral thrill raced through his veins as he returned her gesture with a half-smile. For an instant, they might’ve been the only two in the auditorium.
“Thank you very much,” Hartley said with a bow as she sashayed off stage in her tight jeans and red cowboy boots, her curls bouncing jauntily on her shoulders. Ramsey got swept up in the soft swaying motion of her hips, how her legs seemed to go on forever. Man, they were sure molded well in those jeans.
“You can put your tongue back in your mouth,” Mason teased as he slapped Ramsey on the back.
“What’re you talking about?” Ramsey demanded, hating the heat that blistered his face.
A large grin with enough innuendo to fill up a bucket three times over spread over Mason’s