New Beginnings Read Online Free PDF Page A

Trey’s bodyguard, who had once been her good friend in college. “I heard you were getting paid to protect his sorry ass now. Used to be you had to do it for free on the football field.”
    Josh coughed, masking a chuckle. “It’s a job.”  He stood and drew her into a hug. “It’s good to see you, sweetheart. It’s been way too long.”
    She fought back an unexpected wave of sadness as she returned Josh’s embrace. He had been like family to her when she and Trey were married. While Josh maintained a friendship with her younger sister, Lexi, his allegiance was to Trey, which naturally excluded her from his inner circle. “It’s good to see you too, Josh.”
    She cleared her throat and forced a smile when she turned to Jimmy. “I’m glad you and Edna talked me into doing this, Jimmy. I’d forgotten how much fun it is to be on stage.”
    “How ‘bout singing with me, for old times’ sake?” Trey asked, folding his arms over his chest. His body language said he was either challenging her or trying to protect himself against the inevitable rejection. Knowing him, it was likely a challenge. He expected her to back down.
    He was about to find out that she wasn’t the same naïve girl his divorce lawyers had driven out of town, homeless and penniless. She was older, wiser, and life had taught her how to stand up to a challenge.
    “Sure, why not? I’d do just about anything to raise money for my cause. Even if it means sharing a stage with you.” She turned to Jimmy. “Can we use this, Jimmy?”
    He tipped his cowboy hat back on his head to reveal a shock of silver hair. “What did you have in mind?”
    She inclined her head toward Trey. “Maybe raise the price of drinks during our set and let people know they’re paying a premium to hear him sing, but additional proceeds will go to the charity?”
    “Tell you what. How ‘bout all proceeds go to your charity during this set? Hell, it’ll be a pleasure just to see you two sing together again. Remember how you two used to pack this place?” Jimmy laughed, sobering quickly as he regarded the two of them. “You sure you want to do this, darlin’?”
    Trey stepped forward before she could respond. “Let me address the crowd, see if I can’t get them to be a little more generous.”
    “You would do that?” She hadn’t meant to sound awed, but she was. Her ex had been a self-centered egomaniac, fixated on his rise to the top. He spent years teasing her about her altruistic ideals. Now he wanted to help raise money for her charity? He used to give a small fortune away to various causes every year, but according to him, that was just good public relations. He always drew the line at lending his name to a cause if it meant taking away from time he could spend solidifying his standing as the reigning king of country music.
    His fingers wrapped around her forearm. “I have a lot of respect for what you’re trying to do for those families, Sierra. I’ll do anything I can to help.”
    She reared back when she felt his touch sear her skin through the thin barrier of cotton. He shouldn’t be able to make her feel this way, not after the pain he’d caused or the abuse she’d endured at the hands of his legal team. The only thing she should feel for this man was contempt, so why couldn’t she draw on the protective barrier of resentment she had cultivated since the divorce?
    “Okay, well, would you like some more information about the organization before you go up there?”
    “You know me, honey, I don’t give speeches. I speak from the heart.” He grabbed her left hand to kiss it and brought his lips to her diamond engagement ring instead.
    She saw the question in his eyes when he dropped her hand to her side. She wanted to feel triumphant, wanted to brag about her new man and her new life, but she couldn’t bring herself to form the words. “Well, good luck then.”
    “Thanks,” he whispered, brushing past her.
    Maybe time had softened old wounds