Devotion (11 page)

And there he stood, focused on her. “Hello, Juliet.”

He didn’t use the nickname of JJ or the frequently used short version of Jules. Coming from Kellen, in that rich, low voice of his, her full name sounded lovely. Her breath caught and a light-headed, spinning sensation took over. She couldn’t fight it. This guy was as attractive as could be, and he had been nothing short of a prince. Maybe, just maybe, God
had
interceded tonight…

She smiled at him. An enticing warmth bloomed across her shoulders, moving fast up her neck, then her cheeks. “Hi, Kellen.” She squared her shoulders and lifted her chin. “I’m glad to see you. I absolutely insist in paying for the dry cleaning bill.”

He shook his head firmly, just staring at her. Unsettled, enchanted, she realized he kept quiet on purpose. Awareness settled in. So did attraction—in a large, heavy dose. She perched her hands on her hips and arched a brow at him, refusing to give him too much of an upper hand.

“Then how can I make amends?”

“I leave town the day after tomorrow, so I don’t have a lot of time, but I’d like to take you to dinner.”

Take her to dinner? As recompense for dumping a tray of drinks on him? “That’s not exactly making amends.”

“It is to me.” He stepped a bit closer, closing the space between them, but not encroaching too much. “Do you like to dance? I’d love to check out the Wild Horse Saloon.”

The suggestion stirred delighted expectation. The Nashville institution was one of her favorites for great food, drinks, and the hilarity of attempting to line dance. “You’re serious about this?”

“Very much so.”

His presence pulled at a ticklish, sensitive place in her belly. She nodded her acceptance. Reaching into the breast pocket of his suit coat, Kellen extracted a business card and held it out to her. He maintained possession for an extra beat when she tried to claim it. “My cell number is on there. What’s yours?”

He pulled out his phone and entered her information promptly when she recited her contact information. “You don’t know me,” he said, as he keyed in digits and letters, “so I understand completely if you want to meet me there.” Their eyes tagged once more. “Does that sound OK?”

She appreciated the gesture to her privacy—even though she sensed it to be unnecessary. They agreed to meet at Wild Horse the following evening at seven o’clock.

There, over pulsing music, fun atmosphere, and flashing lights, they shared a dinner of charbroiled shrimp served atop barbeque-spiced grits. Kellen, she discovered, was a music agent on the rise with Associated Talent, one of the largest entertainment representation agencies in North America. The firm was on a mission to expand its portfolio of country music performers, hence his trip to Music City. His boss had sent him to Nashville, charged with the task of scoping out some of the bigger-name venues for live music and to connect with label execs.

“I’m absolutely in love…” Kellen took in a forkful of food while the sentence dangled. His eyes sparkled at her as he slowly chewed the bite. Juliet laughed, waiting…and waiting. “…with your accent. You’re a native?”

“Tennessee born and bred, y’all.” She answered with an exaggerated twang.

Kellen didn’t laugh as expected. He went still, studying her in a way that was disarming. Juliet began to fall head over heels, at a speed that took her on a crazy, seductive thrill ride. The recognition caused her to shift on her stool at the high table where they sat. She slipped a slice of hair behind her ear. What captivated her most? The fact that this charismatic, suave man seemed equally drawn to
her
.

“Why me, Kellen?”

He shook his head, obviously surprised by the question. “What do you mean?”

Juliet tucked her hand against her neck, sliding her fingers beneath her hair. She shot him a playful, teasing look. “Come on. Surely my question can’t surprise you that much. You could have had a date with any woman at that party.”

“Luckily, I ended up with the only one who captured me.” The intensity of his words lingered. Juliet dipped her head, hiding her delight at his unabashed interest. “Please understand something clearly, Juliet—that’s not a line. I’m dead serious.” He took a moment to study her, and Juliet felt beautifully exposed. “I’m not a drinker. I never have been. But last night, when I saw you handing out champagne, I finally had an excuse to meet you. I was coming from behind, and all I wanted to do was grab a flute and introduce myself. I didn’t even intend to drink it. I only wanted to find out who you were.”

She slid into the depths of his eyes and settled there quite comfortably. “It would seem God intervened.”

“Without a question.”

His serious, emphatic tone made her heart race. Juliet nearly teased him about being mighty smooth in the first-date department, but somehow, the idea of joking with him stalled. Kellen wasn’t making light of this evening together, therefore, neither could she.

“Anyway—this is my first trip to Tennessee. I’ve only been here for a week, but I like Nashville a lot. It’s got a great atmosphere.” His comment prompted her to nod with the pride of a hometown girl. It also showed that Kellen understood a need to move away from the intensity of the moment. Still, Juliet was lost to him. She edged forward, leaning on the table, watching him as he spoke. His chestnut brown hair was a wavy, tantalizing fall against his white shirt collar. “I hope this scouting mission will be a success. A pair of VP’s here in Nashville retired recently. Taking over their portfolios and helping grow the business out here would be a great project to take on.”

“You might land here permanently?”

“If the president at Associated Talent feels I’ve earned my spurs, it’s a possibility.”

Her heart lifted into a swooping, delicious soar. Following a shared smile they focused on their food, then explored a few likes, and dislikes, some personal histories and family sketches.

“Tell me about your family.” Kellen’s urging left her to consider the fact that he had a way of listening that let Juliet know he was deeply interested in what she had to say. He didn’t just listen to her, he took her in with his eyes, with the brush of his hand as he settled it next to hers. The slight tilt of his body toward hers made her feel exclusive.

“I have two sisters. Marlene and Bonnie. How about you?”

“I’m an only child.”

The conversation stilled for a moment as she searched his eyes—and he seemed to welcome the gesture. “Marlene is the oldest—and she’s always been our protector.” Rather than interject, Kellen waited for more, watching after her as he dug a fork into his seafood and grits. Juliet did likewise, but eased into the conversation. “She’s my hero. Smart and sweet and pushy and loving.”

Kellen studied her, but then he looked away. He studied the ebb and flow of the crowd that continued to build as the night deepened. Juliet wondered. Was he uncomfortable? Had she said something wrong, or—

He looked back soon enough, though, and resumed an easy, comfortable demeanor, but Juliet got a sense something deeper rode beneath the surface.

“And are you the middle child?”

Although his eyes lit with a teasing playfulness, Juliet catalogued his mannerisms and came to the conclusion that Kellen might be a bit lonely—yearning for connections like the ones she took for granted. “That would be Bonnie. Actually, I’m the youngest.”

“You’re lucky.”

“I am?”

Kellen nodded. “I always felt kind of alone. I have wonderful parents, but there’s something about the connection you have with siblings and extended family that’s really special.”

Juliet propped her elbow on the table and rested her chin in her hand. “They drive me crazy sometimes, but, yeah, I wouldn’t trade them for the world.”

Kellen nodded. She noticed the way his eyes fixed on a slim, gold bracelet that skimmed against her wrist. “Being around people makes me feel less alone. Does that make sense? I love the interaction and building relationships. I’ve always loved the things most people dislike—for instance, those times when you have to break the ice, or start conversations with strangers, or work a room at a party or a business function.” He took a few bites of food, and Juliet couldn’t wait for what he’d say next. “I guess that’s part of how God kept me from feeling alone—He programmed me to enjoy being with others.”

His bold declaration of faith won him access to even deeper reaches of her heart

A short time later, the action on the dance floor won their attention. They were seated at a table on the second floor of the restaurant that overlooked the wide-open space below. People filled space as the music cranked up.

“When I found out I was coming here, I promised myself I’d attempt some line dancing.” Kellen stepped from his stool and offered her his hand. “You game?”

The prospect sent a bubble of delight bursting through her body. A guy—a Christian guy—who wanted to give line dancing a try? This date kept getting better and better. “You bet I am. And I admire your bravery, seeing as how I certainly didn’t display much grace last night.”

He helped her down from her stool and led the way to a nearby stairwell. “You were just fine, love. Truly.”

Love
. Juliet melted at the natural, easy way he issued the endearment. The look she gave him in answer, she was sure, spoke volumes about the workings of her heart.

On the dance floor, Kellen caught on quick. They laughed when they made mistakes and high-fived when they nailed sequences. Once the music changed to a slow ballad, Kellen didn’t miss a beat. He took her gently by the waist and held out his other hand, waiting on her to accept or refuse. She stepped into the circle of his arms without hesitation, letting him lead her around the floor to the strains of
There You Are
by Martina McBride.

Juliet closed her eyes, and enjoyed. His skin smelled wonderful—with a subtle trace of spice from his cologne. His warmth enveloped her. “I love this song.”

He paused, leaning back so he could study her face. “Me, too. A person who enters your life, and remains within it, like an answer to prayer.”

“I like how strongly you profess your faith.”

“It feels good.” He shrugged. “I wish I could be more forthright about my faith, but the entertainment industry, the media, isn’t very kind to believers. That’s part of why I’d love to end up in Tennessee. I think I’d be really happy here. The attitudes of the people I’ve met are much more in keeping with my own. The culture I work in back in California can be pretty brutal.”

Juliet was grateful for the steady support of his arm around her, or she would have stumbled.

Kellen’s brows drew together. “Did I say something wrong, or…”

“No, not at all. In fact, what you’re saying feels perfectly right to me. Don’t be afraid to step out, Kellen. Keep developing yourself as an agent then bring it around full-circle to what you believe in the most. Maybe God’s moving you toward representing artists in the Christian music arena. Have you ever thought of that? Working in Nashville, growing country music stars, would lead quite naturally to that pathway. Maybe that’s part of His plan for you. You’d be amazing. I can already tell.”

This time, Kellen seemed stunned. They swayed together and Martina sang on about moons and stars…and prayers.

“How can you possibly know me that well?”

Juliet couldn’t reply to that.

“In a few simple sentences you mapped out my career goals. How can that be when we’ve only just met…?” He shook his head as his words trailed off. “Wow.”

He tucked in again, closer and tighter now. Juliet savored the way they fit together, the way a tender, emotional intimacy expanded between them.

“If I’m able to head business development in Nashville, I’d be able to focus on the genres I love the most. Working with Christian artists, like you talk about, would be the best of everything. I’ve always felt that way.”

“Well, no wonder.”

“No wonder what?”

“No wonder you were such a gentleman when I dumped champagne on you. I’m beginning to understand where you come from, and what matters to you. Plus, you can tell a lot about a person when they’re confronted by a difficult set of circumstances. You were incredible.”

“That accident was a blessing. Look at the results. I’m standing in the middle of one of the greatest spots in Nashville, sharing it with a beautiful lady who’s even more beautiful on the inside. I’m grateful for every one of those stains on my suit.”

In that instant, Juliet knew their lives had come together by a deliberate and brilliant design.

The promotion Kellen had hoped for happened six weeks later, and he focused on Juliet exclusively, in a spirit of romantic pursuit that stole her heart forever. Above it all, one thing about Kellen Rossiter stood true, the greatest test of grace, and of the goodness you can find in a person, is revealed when you see them react to being under fire. His love was authentic and true—all encompassing.

Now, as then, he enchanted her. Now, as then, he was her prince.

The subtle clatter of dishware being pulled from the shelves by her mom returned Juliet to the present moment, but she continued to watch Kellen prowl the yard and talk on the phone. She felt bad for him, knowing his escape outside was the only chance he’d have to converse in peace, and in a place where he could actually hear what was being said.

An idea dawned and she pulled a mug from the cupboard so she could fill it with water. After heating it, she steeped some orange and cinnamon spiced tea—one of his favorites, and a brand her mother stocked specifically for their visits.

Wanting to give him something warm and soothing to drink as he braved the windy elements, Juliet carried the beverage outside. Anticipating his tender smile and appreciation, she approached and began to hear bits and pieces of his conversation.

His back to her, Kellen laughed softly. “I know, right? I’m being protective. Can’t seem to help it.” He waited in silence, and then he laughed again. The sound was intimate. Rich. Juliet’s stomach went into a nasty pitch and her muscles went tight. “Exactly, yeah. But I warn you it’s going to be a quick meeting. Frank is very abrupt, and he’s all business, so don’t let that worry you.” There was a pause. “Your humility is astounding.” The tenderness—the affection she recognized—left her gritting her teeth. “Frank’s totally on board. Once he meets you—well, let’s just say he won’t hold out long.”