Romancing the Singer (Cami's Snow Valley Romance Book 5) Read online

  “So, trunk or treat?” Jordan pumped his eyebrows and nodded encouragingly.

  “You sure you want your best bro instead of Mom or Dad?”

  “Mom has to stay by the back of the Escalade that she decorated for hours and give out the candy, and you know how boring Dad is. I’d get through two trunks and he’d be all like, ‘That’s enough candy, son. Let’s get on home so we can watch the news.’ Don’t know why he wants to watch that stuff. It just makes him ticked off anyway.” Jordan mocked his father in such a cute little tone Jamison couldn’t find it in him to reprimand his brother.

  “The news definitely reeks these days.”

  Jordan looked up at him, confusion clouding his blue eyes. “Was it ever good?”

  Jamison laughed. “No, I guess not.”

  “Mom wants you to come eat some chili at five o’clock sharp. Then I’ll get my costume on and we’ll go.”

  “So I’m roped into this one?” Jamison teased.

  Jordan’s face fell. His freckles and ears that stuck out just the perfect amount for a little boy seemed to droop. “If you don’t want to spend time with your best brother, I guess I can’t force you to.”

  Jamison lifted him off the ground and turned him upside down. Jordan squealed and giggled. “Put me down.”

  Jamison lifted and lowered him a few times before setting him on his head on the grass and letting go of his legs. Jordan rolled in a somersault then popped up. It was a routine they’d perfected.

  “I wouldn’t miss out on time with my best brother.” Jamison reassured him. “But your costume better be the stuff.”

  “It is. I’m Captain America! What you gonna be?”

  “I’m gonna rock a cowboy.”

  Jordan bust up, grabbing his stomach and bouncing around with laughter. “That is the stupidest idea I’ve ever heard. You are a cowboy!”

  Jamison shrugged. “That’s why I’ll rock it.”

  “No, you’ve got to be Thor.”

  “Whoa, hold up little dude—”

  “Come on, with your big muscles, you’d be the coolest Thor ever.”

  Jamison didn’t want to walk around Snow Valley dressed up as Thor, but looking into those big blue eyes, he couldn’t dream of saying no.

  Chapter 3

  Daisy wasn’t sure who was clinging to whose hand tighter. Her two-year old niece, Hazel, had a clamp on her fingers that was starting to hurt, terrified of most of the Halloween costumes and masks. Daisy was holding on just as tight, praying her fairy face paint and half-mask would keep her unrecognizable from her hometown. She wasn’t ready for pictures, social media, and the paparazzi that was sure to follow, especially once they unearthed her secret.

  Her brother, Treven, had grumbled when his wife had been sitting up in bed, painting Daisy’s face and putting the mask over her eyes. “Why did you come home if you don’t want anybody to see who you are?”

  “I came home because I thought I might actually enjoy being around you,” she had shot back at him.

  He’d laughed. “You should know better than that.”

  She should indeed. It had been four lonely years without her brother, but nothing was going to change their relationship. Now, she was walking Hazel around the trunk or treat circuit because Treven was handing out candy from their truck and Maddie was at home resting. She was only thirty-two weeks along with their second baby, and everyone was praying she would last until thirty-five weeks. If anyone did recognize Daisy, she could claim she was here to help Maddie until she had the baby.

  She and sweet Hazel walked slowly to the next trunk, which was actually a black pickup truck. A beautiful couple stood close together. As she got closer, she recognized Porter Wilson and Missy Horman. Wait. They’d gotten married so it was Missy Wilson now. Would they recognize her? She slowed her steps, uncertain if she should bypass this one. Other children pushed past them, screaming and laughing. A skeleton came running at them, and Hazel tensed. Hazel burst into tears when he jumped in front of them and yelled, “Aargh!”

  Daisy set the treat bucket down and lifted Hazel into her arms. “It’s okay, sweetheart. It’s okay.”

  Hazel was dressed as an angel, which was completely fitting. With her long dark hair and bright blue eyes, she looked more than angelic.

  “Do you want to do this, or should we go to Dove’s and buy a whole bag of your favorite candy then go to Tina’s Place and get some cocoa and cinnamon rolls?”

  Hazel finally smiled through the tears. “Could we?”

  Daisy tweaked her nose. It was freezing. “Yes, we can. It’s too cold out here anyway. Let’s go tell your daddy the plan.”

  Hazel buried her face in Daisy’s neck. Daisy bent and picked up the treat bucket with two fingers then walked across the parking lot to Treven’s black Ford pickup. She was thankful for the excuse to not find out if Porter and Missy would remember her, though it would’ve been fun to talk to them. Sometimes being famous stank.

  Her eyes were drawn to a pair walking along the perimeter. Trailing a small redheaded Captain America was Thor. Oh, wow, he looked good in person. Daisy smiled to herself. The wig wasn’t a perfect match, and the guy was taller than Thor, but the way he filled out his white t-shirt and held that hammer showcased his biceps. He was definitely a Thor she wouldn’t mind checking out for a while.

  Daisy realized they were going to reach Treven’s truck at about the same time and she could ascertain if his face was as nice as the rest of him, not that she was looking for a guy. If she’d been looking, she would’ve tried to spend more time with Jamison this morning. He was funny, kind, and good-looking, but she wouldn’t dream of bringing a man into her life. Especially not with cancer looming over her. She knew exactly what happened to the loved ones left behind by cancer.

  The man turned and glanced her way. “Jamison.” She gasped. He definitely looked as good as Thor.

  “Daisy?” he said questioningly, looking deeply into her eyes.

  Daisy shook her head, desperate to keep her secret, at least for tonight. Snow Valley would figure out soon enough she was home and she had fallen off the throne of success. Not tonight. Please.

  “Sorry. Rookie mistake, just dreaming of seeing an all-star.” He winked at her.

  She nodded her gratitude.

  The little Captain America rushed up to Treven. “Trunk or treat,” he hollered out.

  “Hey, Jordan, looking good.” Treven dropped several small candy bars into his pumpkin.

  Jordan’s older brother was the one who was looking good, and he was still focused on Daisy. She didn’t know why she couldn’t look away.

  “Thank you, sir. Come on, Thor.” Little Captain America tugged at Thor’s hand, anxious to get to the next treats.

  “Why don’t you go finish loading up that bucket without me while I chat at Treven?” Jamison said, his eyes still on Daisy. “Then we’ll go snarf down apple pie at Tina’s Place.”

  “Yay for apple pie!” Jordan scampered off.

  Hazel lifted her head off Daisy’s shoulder. “Me and Aunt Daisy are getting cocoa and cinnamon rolls at Tina’s Place.” Her voice was so cute and innocent yet well-articulated.

  Jamison grinned. “Why don’t we make it a date?”

  A date? No, no, no. Thank heavens Hazel would save her from Jamison, even though inside Daisy was begging for just a few more funny quips and significant looks from him. Hazel was reticent around anyone but her family.

  Hazel lifted her thin shoulders. “Okay.”

  No help there! Daisy tried to signal to Treven. SOS. No. Any intervention here would be perfect. Her brother was looking between his good friend and his only sibling with laughter in his eyes. At least he wasn’t glaring at her like he usually did.

  “Who talked you into being Thor?” Treven asked Jamison.

  “Have you met my youngest brother?” Jamison asked. “You try telling him no.”

  “Good point. Being the youngest of that crazy bunch, he’s probably got the manipulatio
n tricks down.”

  “For sure.” Jamison clapped his hand around Treven’s shoulder. “Good to see you, my long-lost brother. How’s Maddie?”

  “Not great. Her blood pressure is out of control, so it’s bed rest until the baby comes which means takeout or mac ’n cheese for me, and not the homemade kind.”

  Daisy rolled her eyes. Was that really her brother’s biggest concern, his empty stomach not his wife or baby? She knew it wasn’t, but honestly, men sometimes.

  “Ah, sorry to hear that. I’ll whip up one of my famous delicacies and bring it by,” Jamison said.

  “Thanks. Maddie loves your food, and you always make her laugh.”

  Wait, what? Looked good, acted great, and he cooked? “You cook?” Daisy’s eyes traveled up and down this larger-than-life man.

  “A few things.” Jamison was giving her his easy grin again. Just then, with his blue eyes and perfectly built body in the tight white shirt, she thought Thor might have some competition. He walked closer to her and opened his arms. “How’s my girl?”

  Daisy instinctively backed up. His girl? What did he think he was doing? He’d hugged her this morning, and they’d been good friends when they were younger, but she wasn’t going to throw herself into his arms. It sounded really appealing, but she didn’t like forward men. Scratch all the good thoughts about Jamison. He was acting a little nuts and way too forward.

  Hazel launched herself at him and wrapped her thin arms around Jamison’s neck. “I don’t like Halloween,” she said.

  Daisy’s world was rocked again. Her shy niece had just flung herself at a man? The only man Hazel liked was her own daddy.

  “Why not, little angel?” He tweaked her wings.

  “Too many scary people.”

  “True. I’ll protect you from the scary people with my hammer.” He held it up, showcasing a beautiful bicep, and Daisy had way too many Thor fantasies flash through her mind. “You’ll be safe with me and Jordan.”

  “I like you and Jordan.” She grinned up at him.

  Apparently Jamison and Treven had stayed friends after high school. How had she not known this? Treven loved to remind her that if she hadn’t ditched home—and him—for California, she’d know a lot more. He wasn’t her biggest fan. She shrugged it off. There were plenty who were fans, and when Treven found out about the cancer, she knew he’d feel awful. She hadn’t revealed her secret yet because she couldn’t stand to see the pain in his eyes no matter how many snide remarks he threw at her. She hadn’t told anyone but Pastor John.

  “You want to come for hot cocoa?” Jamison asked Treven. “Apparently, the rest of us are done freezing our … arms off.”

  Daisy looked at Jamison’s well-built, tanned arms and saw they did have goose bumps on them. Luckily, she had a sweatshirt and yoga pants on under her fairy costume.

  “You go ahead.” Treven gave her a mischievous look she knew too well. “I’d better finish handing the candy out. I’ll meet you back at home.”

  Daisy’s eyes widened. Her brother was not her friend anymore. Not that he had been for a few years. But sending her off with Jamison and expecting him to drive them home? Sheesh.

  Jamison walked toward her, and his presence was simply overwhelming. She’d been around many powerful, successful, and handsome men the past few years, but he had a magnetism that drew her in. The bright blue eyes and Thor costume weren’t hurting anything either.

  He offered the crook of his elbow since his arms were full of Hazel and the hammer. “My fairy.”

  Daisy appreciated he hadn’t said her name again. But she wasn’t—sadly couldn’t dream of being—anybody’s my anything. She ignored his offer to touch him. Not a good idea at all. “Where’s your truck?”

  “This way.” He gestured past Treven’s truck.

  Jordan came running up, his pumpkin bursting with candy. “Cocoa time?” he asked.

  “Let’s do this,” Jamison said.

  “Is Hazel and the pretty fairy coming with us?”

  “Yes, sir. The beautiful fairy couldn’t resist us.” He winked at her.

  Daisy bit at her bottom lip. She’d been professionally dolled up for the past few years, so it was nice to hear she was pretty without the help of makeup artists and hairstylists. Critics said her nose was too small and her eyes too close together, but makeup artists could work miracles. She’d been dissected and analyzed so often she wondered if she had any genuine beauty.

  She couldn’t let herself dwell on it or get caught up in a compliment from Jamison. She was here to be with Treven, Maddie, and Hazel. Help Maddie while she waited for her own surgery and then beat the cancer and sing again.

  She couldn’t wrap someone else into her life. What if she fell in love then the cancer took her? Her dad had survived the first round of her mother’s cancer when Daisy was fourteen. He started drinking but not consistently. When the cancer came back and his wife wasted away, he turned to drugs and more alcohol. He was a shell of a person now. Treven had to step up and take care of everything and everybody, especially when Daisy had to leave for Singing with the Stars when her mom was in her final weeks of life. Treven had survived emotionally, finished his schooling, and had a stable marriage, but that was more of a credit to Maddie being a patient sweetheart. Treven wasn’t the most sensitive guy.

  Daisy walked ahead with Jordan by her side. He chattered about all his treats and how much he loved Tina’s pie.

  “You’re going to be so sugared up you won’t sleep tonight.” Daisy teased him.

  “Oh, good!” His eyes lit up. “If I don’t sleep, I’ll be too tired to go to school, and I can just ride horses with Jamison all day.”

  “You’re not ditching school,” Jamison said from behind them.

  They reached the truck, and Jamison sat his oversized plastic hammer on the floor of the truck, loaded Hazel into the back, and started to secure the seatbelt over her while Jordan ran around to sit behind the driver’s seat.

  “We don’t have her car seat,” Daisy said in a worried tone.

  “Maddie would beat us.” Jamison echoed her concerns.

  Daisy nodded.

  “It’s only a couple of blocks. Do you mind walking?”

  Daisy glanced up into his blue eyes. “I ran fourteen miles in the mountains this morning. I think I can handle two blocks.” She was grateful she was still healthy and felt great, besides her throat feeling weird when she swallowed and not being able to sing or talk loudly.

  Jamison smirked at her. “I was worried you might have used up all your girl power this morning.”

  “The only hard part was when a huge brown horse tried to run me off the trail.”

  He chuckled. “I can see how that would traumatize a beautiful fairy.” He trailed his fingers down the sparkly paint on her cheek.

  Daisy leaned into his hand, pinpricks of awareness coursing through her before she realized what she was doing. Jerking her face away, she opened her arms to Hazel. “Let me carry you, sweetie.”

  “Okay.” Hazel climbed into her arms.

  Walking around the truck to the sidewalk, she waited for Jamison and Jordan. It was just hot cocoa. She could keep her distance. Jordan bee-bopped to her side.

  “You should let Jamison carry Hazel. He’s big and strong, and you’re tiny and wimpy.”

  “Just because I’m tiny doesn’t mean I’m wimpy.” Daisy countered.

  Jordan glanced up at her and pursed his lips. “Whatever you say, beautiful fairy. What’s your name?”

  “Daisy.” It escaped before she could stop herself.

  “I love that name,” Jordan said. “My favorite singer is named Daisy. Daisy Castleton. Have you heard of her? Her brother is Hazel’s dad. How cool is that? She sings Kisses on the Wind, and I know that sounds girly, but it’s not. It’s the best song ever. She won Singing with the Stars, and she’s from Snow Valley. Someday, I’m going to leave Snow Valley like Daisy and Jamison both did, and I’ll be famous too.”

  He finally
stopped talking, and Daisy loved him for thinking her song was the best, but it ripped at her that she would never record another song again. There were so many in her head and in her notebook wanting to be sung, but for the first couple of years, she’d been forced to sing songs other people had written. It was only when she was an assured success that she was able to use her own songs. They had both skyrocketed on the charts. The other songs she’d made money on didn’t matter much to her, but those two songs were her world.

  “What are you going to be famous for?” she asked Jordan.

  “I haven’t figured that out yet.” Jordan shrugged his shoulders, and Daisy couldn’t help but glance at Jamison who was grinning at the exchange. “I’m really good at basketball like Jamison, but I also rock at football. I’m a running back, and nobody can stop me because I’m so tough and strong.”

  “I bet you are.”

  “Would you come to my game on Saturday? We get to play on the high school turf. So cool!”

  “Um, I would like to,” Daisy said. She hated the disappointment in Jamison and Jordan’s eyes, but she couldn’t commit to anything right now, especially anything that put her in close proximity to the handsome Jamison.

  They reached the restaurant, and Jamison held the door for everyone. Daisy glanced around, grateful it wasn’t busy. Tina came prancing up to them. “Whoa. Captain America, yeah baby! And who dressed my favorite basketball player up as Thor?” She whistled appreciatively.

  “How’d you figure that out without the hammer?” Jordan wondered.

  “I’m just smart like that. And who do you have with you? A beautiful angel and …” She looked from Hazel to Daisy, and it must’ve clicked even with the face paint. “Daisy!” She reached past Hazel for a one-armed hug. “It’s been years!”

  “Keep it on the down low,” Daisy whispered.

  “Gotcha, sweet girl.” Pulling back, she gestured them to a table in the near-empty diner. Everybody was still at the trunk or treat.

  Daisy set Hazel down on the vinyl bench and slid in next to her. Jamison and Jordan sat across from them. Tina took their orders and rushed away, returning quickly with ice water for everybody.