For Love or Music Read online

  "This is pure craziness. For the first thing, he was younger. I doubt he was even thirty. And second, they could have been passing through town. I will most likely never see him again." Meghan hugged her, giving her one last piece of advice.

  "You know Em, that tricky thing called fate? Well, it might just surprise you." Meghan returned to the kitchen laughing, leaving Emily with her head resting on the table.

  Chapter 4

  Lincoln assessed his new temporary home for the time being. The bunkhouse, sitting down the short hill from the main house, far enough away for him to have some privacy. Troy had introduced him to Sherri and Kevin as his legal name Wade Owens, the name he only heard when he was home on the farm with his family. To them, he will always be Wade, as in Wade Lincoln Owens, the third. His dad had gone by Lincoln and was famous around town during his youth. He had been a successful high school football player back in his day and even played some college ball before getting hurt. Linc learned early on that he didn't want to follow in his dad's shoes, choosing to be called Wade after his grandfather.

  It wasn't until his Dad's death and his first attempt at a music career that he realized he could pay his respects to both his dad and grandpa. Lincoln Wade, the country star, was born.

  Lincoln watch as the town car drove off down the dusty road, the keys to an old rusty pick-up that Troy's brother-in-law had left for him to use. Troy's parting words for him were. "Go get a hair-cut. You will draw too much attention with it long."

  Cranking up the truck, he smiles for the first time in what felt like ages, remembering his ride back home. He listened to the engine for several minutes before, turning it off, and pocketing the key. He walked past a metal building peeking in catching sight of the tractor, and equipment, impressed by the set-up Sherri and Kevin have established. After Lincoln familiarized himself with the barns, and outlying buildings he returned to the bunkhouse. After spending what feels like a lifetime on the road, Wade unpacks his single bag, is familiar with traveling light. Lincoln recognized his own bizarre habits, even with the exuberant amount he earns yearly, he never developed a taste for material goods.

  Beyond the large house in Nashville sitting on a few acres, of course, it was never quite good enough by his wife's standards. She had tried since their wedding to convince him to splurge on a million-dollar mansion, disappointed when he chose to build his youngest sister and her husband a house instead. The house is a modest home on the family farm for a wedding present.

  Lincoln felt he owed his sisters and their husbands as they chose to stay. The farm since his father's passing has expanded, the business running into the farm his dad and grandfather had always dreamed. Lincoln's job was to continue to make the money that kept the farm from any bank involvement for any improvement or equipment. His family received a salary from the farm each year, some years were better than others and that is where Lincoln step forward, subsidizing the wages.

  Stowing the clothes, he surveyed the little bunkhouse finding he liked the prospect of comfortable and straightforward. Heading to the barn, he checked on the horses, finding a note from Sherri on a wipe away board. The list lined out the daily routine, also paying special attention that the owners appreciated anything he might do to help but in no way is he obligated. Excited to meet them both, never known to be lazy, Lincoln proceeded to follow the list. By the time Kevin and Sherri pulled into the drive at just past five, the horses had clean stalls, been watered and fed.

  The waitress at the diner invaded his thoughts frequently, as he debated whether to return. Troy's plan for him was to keep a low profile, not that Lincoln worried about being recognized, but he heeded the warning.

  Early Friday morning found Lincoln out for a ride, checking fences after Kevin had asked him if he felt like it. Hell, yes, he felt like it. Lincoln knew the minute he climbed upon to the gelding, that nothing would feel better at this moment to enjoy the freedom of riding. Feeling fresh with not much thinking as he left the barn after sunrise, following the fence line along the pastures of the Montgomery farm. The alternating fields depending on the season as he passed on of the mare pastures. If his estimates were correct, guessing at well over fifty mares. He had noted the pregnant mares were separated and stalled at night. These were the ones he cared for, along with several young ones he would begin training next week. He felt fortunate to put the demands of stardom aside for however brief of a time he remained here on the farm to focus on the skills he had learned from his youth.

  Lincoln had begun toying with ideas for a few new songs, nothing serious, something he played with a night to pass the time. He doubted his producer or even the record label would consider them worthy. He had grown weary of the new strains of country music, blurring the lines to pop music. He longed to return to his roots, rest assured it was time to do things his way. He gave the gelding a tap, enjoying the increase of speed. The first word to enter his mind. "Freedom."

  #

  Two hours into his ride, the sharp ring of his cell phone buzzed in his pocket. "Dang." He knew better than to ignore the interruption, therefore only delaying more disappointing news, he answered.

  "Hello."

  "Linc. It's Robert." Lincoln took a deep breath. When his lawyer called personally instead of an assistant, he had learned the hard way it was most likely bad news. "Your wife."

  "I thought she would have been my ex-wife by now." He interrupted, frustration evident in his tone if he would have only seen her for what she truly was, before he put the ridiculous diamond ring on her finger.

  "Yes, Linc, I am working on that. She now wants to keep her last name." The lawyer hesitated purposely holding the phone away from his ear, expecting the possible outcome. Lincoln quietly responded.

  "I don't understand."

  "She wants to keep Wade; her lawyer insists it is a part of her brand. We have established most likely that was her main reason to pursue you. You were after all built-in publicity for her from the beginning. I guess Lacey Jones doesn't sound like a country star. As Lacey Wade, she has a following. Her lawyer insists if his client is unable to continue as Lacey Wade, then she will proceed with her claims to your mom's farm." Lincoln took a deep breath when Troy had hinted it might be the case, he never dreamed it could become a reality. The farm had been in his family for five generations, and Lincoln is not the sole owner; his siblings and their spouses own equal shares.

  "My family's farm is not mine. I am not the only owner, did you forget my sisters?"

  "Son, I don't believe for one minute she truly wants the farm. She did refer to the amount of money that you put it into the farm over the past four and half years, that amount could be considered joint property. Even though the land is officially in your mother's name." Lincoln took a deep breath, reaching down to pat the soft side of the horse, patiently waiting for his command.

  "She has my balls in a vice grip, doesn't she? What do I do? I have to protect the farm." Lincoln peppered him with questions before he could respond to the first one.

  "Sorry son, this is on top of the one point five mil she is expecting." Lincoln urged the gelding forward towards the barn.

  "How much time do I have?"

  "I can hold them off a couple of weeks. Also, there is no telling what else she will add to the list. Make your decision, take the week and let me know. But not much longer. Talk to Troy and see how this will affect your career. I imagine the farm is the thing that means the most to you. Let me know how you want me to handle the situation." He paused. Lincoln waited with bated breath for another piece of bad news. Instead, he heard words of encouragement. "And Linc, in the meantime, find some new meaning to your life. Careers, come and go, even money can be lost and found again. But true friendship, family and well the right girl and your own little piece of this earth, is all that matters."

  Lincoln stowed the saddle, brushing Renner down. Wade leaned against the tall gelding’s side listening to the muffled sounds of his breaths, reminding him of what he had lost whe
n his career had taken off for stardom. His first two years of singing at small rodeos allowed him the time to return home every couple of weeks to spend time helping his mother and sisters. The money he sent made a direct improvement on the changes they desperately needed that first year. He finished brushing the horse down, watching as his eyes relaxed and began to close. It brought back the words of what his lawyer had told him earlier. "My own little place on this earth, and the right woman." He leaned onto the gelding’s back with his cheek on her side. For the first time in a long while, he did not feel alone. Surrounded by crowds for the majority of his days and yet he continued to feel alone. "But in a barn with horses and I feel relaxed and at peace. Now for the right woman."

  Startled when the first image to enter his mind was a woman with blond hair, green eyes with a couple of fine lines on the edges and matching dimples on both cheeks when she smiled. "Emily." He spoke the name softly, the way he remembered her name tag.

  Chapter 5

  Lincoln awoke at dawn the following morning, never one to stay in bed late, after a lifetime of rising early ingrained in him since his youth. As part of a farming family, the kids spent their childhood with morning chores before breakfast and school. Never something to outgrow, Lincoln naturally had taken over the early morning responsibilities allowing Kevin and Sherri a break before their busy workday at the local high school. With reluctance, Kevin eventually gave Lincoln a list of repairs that needed to be done, including a supply list from town.

  He jumped at the chance for any reason to head into town, deciding on the barber shop as his first stop recalling his manager's warning. His next stopped involved the hardware store and the feed store then lunch at Em's diner. The old Ford started right up; he found it difficult to control the laughter escaping past his lips when his hand touched the aging stick shift. Shifting into first gear brought him back to his childhood.

  Finding the barber shop was not hard, sporting his new haircut, Lincoln returned his ball cap into position adding a pair of sunglasses for a just in case moment. The hardware store was even easy to locate, the town built on similar principle locations as his home. Luckily, he remembered to grab some cash from the ATM, remembering Troy had insisted about the new account he had set up for him. The goal for him to remain in hiding for as long as possible, allowing the press the opportunity to latch onto another story.

  Now that he has the insight to realize it would not have been fair to his family if he would have returned home, he relaxes. With the lumber and feed loaded in the back of the truck, Lincoln pulled up in front of the diner. "Now or never." He adjusted the hat on his head. "If you don't go, you will always wonder." Taking one last look at himself in the rearview mirror, he announced. "You can do this." Shaking his head, responding with a short jerk when he heard a throat clear, saying.

  "Son, you gonna sit in that truck all day and talk to yourself, or are you going to get you some lunch?"

  A little embarrassed by someone noticing, Lincoln climbed out, closing the door behind him. Standing next to the flatbed pickup truck loaded with bags of cattle feed, stood three men in their sixties. Two with gray hair with straw cowboy hats and one with overalls and a ball cap, sticking out his hand directing his gaze towards the tallest of the group with the pressed shirt and Wranglers. "Wade Owens, pleased to meet you." The stranger looked him up and down.

  "You’re new to town?"

  "Yes, Kevin and Sherri Montgomery's nephew. Staying for a couple of months, helping around the farm a bit."

  "That's good of you. I am sure they appreciate the help." Extending his hand. "Bill Nichols, nice to meet you. This, here is John Wagner, and that one is Bobby Bartlett." Shaking hands with both men. Bill slaps him on the back. "Come we were going inside to have lunch at Em's. Join us. I guess that is where you were heading, right?"

  #

  That is how Lincoln found himself sitting at a table in Em's diner, drinking a large glass of the best sweet tea once again as listened to the three older men, discussing everything from cattle prices to gossip about the newcomers in town. Lincoln felt fortunate to have met these guys, maybe them getting to know him as Wade will prevent them from speculating any further on him and his story. They appeared to accept his version of his temporary reality without difficulty. All three men held his hosts in high regard, expecting them to retire at the end of the school year and work the farm full-time. It gave Lincoln a sense of pride, knowing Troy's relatives were well-respected members of the community.

  Enjoying himself, Lincoln marveled by having regular conversations with real people, no music business, just friendly conversation. The three men genuinely cared about their neighbors, creating a sense of belonging deep within. He kept a constant lookout for Emily. A young waitress that he had not seen on his first visit the week before waited on them today. The boys knew her, flirting as if they were in high school once again, her name tag said Pru, she didn't appear to mind. Lincoln guessed they were good tippers. He shifted his weight in his seat once again when Bill took notice.

  "You have that same look on your face that you had when you were sitting in your truck talking to yourself. What's got you so worked up?"

  Lincoln held back his reply when Pru returned to the table with their order. Another double stack for him, keeping him busy for several minutes while he attempted to avoid the question. Around a mouthful of food, Bobby announced.

  "You know if I didn't know better, I'd think our friend Wade here has an eye out for a girl in here. But the thing I can't figure out is who it could be." Pointing a ketchup-covered fry towards Lincoln, he continued. "I figured with you being young and all, Pru would be the one, but you didn't pay her no mind when she was delivering the food." Bobby took the time to eat another handful of fries giving the subject more thought.

  John caught onto the problem at hand, announcing. "Can't be Meghan she's been married since graduating high school."

  Bill finished his bite, taking a large drink of his tea, then wiping his mouth with his napkin his eyes dart to Lincoln when he asks. "Have you eaten here before?"

  Nodding. "Yes, on my way into town last week." Lincoln hurriedly gulped down the last bite of his burger.

  "Son, is it our miss Emily that has caught your attention?" Gulping his tea, Lincoln nodded once again.

  "What can you tell me about her?" Lincoln asked. Bill reflected much too long by his standards responding.

  "I guess my question would be, what are your intentions?"

  Lincoln knew these guys could make him or break him in this town. He should never have said anything, better not to draw any attention to himself, but his curiosity to see Emily again got the better of him. He had to know something in his gut told him this is the woman he should meet. He prepared himself to answer the question honestly.

  "I find her the most beautiful woman I have ever met. And I have not been able to stop thinking about her ever since."

  Lincoln released the breath he was holding in when Bill nodded in understanding. Bill was not too old to remember the day he first saw his wife fifty years before, feeling for the young man. "Son, how old are you?"

  "Thirty, in August." Bill nodded slowly.

  "Married?"

  "Yes, going through a nasty divorce if she gets everything she wants, it will be done the end of next week. I will be broke but free." He could not believe he spoke the words out loud, had not voiced those feelings to anyone except his manager and attorney. "It was the worst mistake I have ever made in my life." Fifteen minutes later, he felt as if he had known Emily his entire life. It hurt to hear the loss she endured, a widow at such a young age and then at the same time he felt ashamed because he had the nerve to inquire about a woman whose husband died serving our country. Lincoln's life paled in comparison, the ability to write some country songs and make women scream.

  By the time Emily did walk through the door, he had not realized they had been there for over an hour. Now, he could not help but wonder if his new friends were stal
ling on purpose to help him. Bill leaned over close, asking.

  "You by chance, happen to have any cooking skills?" Confused by the question, nodding.

  "I worked at a diner kind of like this one after school while I was in high school, and when I was getting my start." Stopping himself short from finishing that sentence with singing. He quickly changed. "Before my career took off with the horse training."

  "Well, your opportunity to get to know miss Emily might just happen now, follow my lead." Lincoln did not have time to process before they were standing and walking towards the register where Emily was writing something down in a ledger.

  "Hey, Bill, how was everything?" Emily paused as she realized the man she had met before stood next to him. Unable to forget the sight of those blue eyes distracted her when Bill answered her question.

  "Great as always Em. I wanted to introduce you to the Montgomery's nephew. This is Wade Owens. He is here in town training their horses for the summer. I couldn't help but notice you needed a part-time cook. Wade here is good with a spatula thought he could help you out a bit." Bill winked at him. Emily flashed him a smile, warming Lincoln from him down to his toes.

  "Won't you be too busy with the horses to work here?" Lincoln breathed in her scent of honeysuckle and spring rain, oh he would make time.

  "My duties involve early mornings and evenings. That leaves me free in the middle of the day. The sign says, lunch cook." Lincoln sighed, pleased he was capable of reading from the back side of the sign that faced out towards the street on the glass.

  "Well since Bill can vouch for you, we will give it a try. Monday, ten-thirty, okay?"

  Lincoln looked towards her outstretched hand, taking it into his. "I'll be here." With reluctance he released from her soft grip, waving by, Lincoln and his friends returned to the sunshine.

  "Dang boy, I could feel the heat coming off you two from across the diner. She is feeling it too." Bobby slapped his hand on Lincoln's back as John waved announcing.