Music City Soiree CityScapes Tennessee Read online

  Music City Soirée

  CityScapes: Tennessee

  CJ Bower

  Music City Soiree, CityScapes:Tennessee

  Copyright © 2022, CJ Bower

  Editor: Small Edits

  Cover Artist: Fantasia Frog Designs

  All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright observed above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  Acknowledgements:

  Dedication:

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  About the Author

  Acknowledgements:

  I want to thank everyone who helped make this publication possible. I have a great team working with me, and I couldn’t be more grateful.

  To my fans, thank you for sticking with me and not giving up on me while I worked on getting my personal business straightened out so I could focus on writing again. I appreciate you so much more than mere words can express.

  Dedication:

  This one goes out to you, the reader. Without your love and support, I wouldn’t be able to do what I do. Thank you.

  Chapter 1

  “On your mark...get set...GO!”

  Rocky Baker waved the green scarf. The two drivers took off down the hallway, their hands cranking furiously on their wheelchairs.

  “Not today,” Ethel cackled as she rolled past her opponent, her blue hair glinting beneath the fluorescent lights.

  Lucy’s batwing arms flapped frantically, trying to roll ahead of Ethel as they raced down the hall toward the nurses’ station.

  Mr. Salinger ducked back into his room to avoid getting run over by the two eighty-year-old ladies trying to best each other.

  Rocky caught the laughing glances exchanged between two CNAs as the ladies zipped past them. Crotchety old Mr. Cranky Pants shouted an obscenity at them as he flattened himself against the wall to keep from getting squashed.

  Every Sunday, same corridor. Rocky rolled her eyes. One would think Gabe Olson would have learned by now to stay in his room during the wheelchair duel.

  Lucy’s shout brought Rocky’s attention back to the race. Moments later Ethel pumped her fists in the air, her chunky gold bangles jingling, as she crossed the makeshift finish line first. “Yes!”

  Lucy let loose with an epithet Rocky had never expected to hear from the elderly Christian woman.

  “You cheated,” Lucy accused. “You bumped into me!”

  “I barely touched you,” Ethel scoffed. “Besides, rubbin’s racin’.” As she was a major NASCAR fan, she’d been the instigator of their weekly competition. Just like every Sunday, she wore the blue and silver colors of her favorite driver, Ty Patterson.

  As Lucy wheeled past Ethel, she stuck up her middle finger, pointing to her knuckle. “See that? That’s from your gaudy ring scraping my finger!”

  “Oh, it’ll heal,” Ethel derided. “Stay in your own lane next time.”

  Rocky shook her head at the two women. One of the nurses walked over as Ethel and Lucy rolled their chairs back to her. Lucy’s coppery curls were damp with sweat from her exertions, yet Ethel was barely winded. Rocky had realized right away that Ethel took their weekly competition more seriously than Lucy did, and made sure she stayed in relatively good condition for it.

  Rocky examined Lucy’s finger, satisfied that the minor nick barely scratched the surface of the skin. The way the older woman was carrying on, one would have thought she was bleeding to death. Rocky shared an amused smile with the nurse, who also looked at Lucy’s finger and decided there was no damage, but wrapped it in a bandage anyway, which seemed to pacify Lucy. The yellow SpongeBob character gleamed brightly against a sky-blue background.

  “Well?” Ethel’s demand broke into Rocky’s thoughts. “Where’s my trophy?”

  “Oh, right.” Rocky reached into the purse draping over her shoulders and retrieved the small tin of truffles and a blue silk scarf flecked with silver. “I pronounce you the winner of this week’s race.” She handed over the gourmet chocolates and slid the ribbon over Ethel’s head. “Congratulations.”

  Ethel preened. “Let’s go, ladies. Prerace is just starting.”

  Lucy made a few more grumbles beneath her breath about cheating. Rocky followed the two women back to Ethel’s apartment in the independent living wing of the Music City Senior Community, discovering real affection between them. They’d been friends for so long that Rocky didn’t know if either of them remembered when it had started.

  Rocky greeted Gabe as she strolled past him behind Lucy and Ethel. Gabe’s gaze followed Ethel as she wheeled toward her room, and for a brief moment Rocky thought she saw a gleam in his eyes. Mr. Cranky Pants has the hots for Ethel! Mirth and warmth spread through her at the secret knowledge. Either Ethel didn’t feel the same way, or she was oblivious, because she just rolled past him without even saying hello. Rocky wondered how Ethel would take the news if she ever found out.

  Ethel had already tuned in the racing channel on the television by the time Rocky entered the living room. Lucy rolled her chair over to the spot next to the metal glider in front of the huge flat-screen, which had been a gift to Ethel from her nephew. He’d deemed the old tube set unacceptable and had upgraded her within days after his first visit.

  The volume adjusted, Ethel rolled her chair to the other side of the rocker, opposite Lucy. “Well, are you just going to stand there, gawking? Or are you going to join us?”

  “I’m going to join you lovely ladies of course.” Rocky laughed. “Do either of you want anything to drink?”

  Ethel waved a hand, her bangles clacking together. “Hush! I can’t hear them over your talking.”

  Rocky shook her head and went to the fridge, helping herself to one of the bottles of water she’d stashed there earlier when she’d arrived. She then joined Ethel and Lucy in front of the television to watch the broadcast, sitting in the empty rocker between them. The notion wasn’t lost on her that she’d often had to play referee between them to keep their arguments from getting too heated, but she didn’t mind. She loved watching them argue.

  The first time it had happened she thought a fight was going to break out for real, but as she spent more time with them, she’d discovered that was how they showed their affection toward each other. The shots they took at each other were playful instead of mean-spirited, and each gave as good as she got. Rocky sipped her water and settled in to watch the race.

  A good-looking young man stood next to a female reporter holding a microphone, and he told her how good he felt about his chances for the day’s event. He was wearing a blue uniform with patches covering both sides and the logo of a big electroni
cs company plastered across his chest.

  “That’s my Ty,” Ethel pointed out. “Isn’t he a dream boat?”

  Ty was handsome, and when he rubbed his chin Rocky caught the black band on his ring finger. “It looks like he’s already taken,” she teased.

  “Won’t stop me from looking,” Ethel replied.

  “She’s half-dead, and she’s still interested,” Lucy grumbled.

  Rocky laughed at the two quirky women on either side of her. I hope I’m just like them when I reach their age. As far as she could tell, Ethel had never been married. Lucy was a widow, with only her grandson left as family.

  The broadcast cut to another driver, much older than the last one, but no less good-looking.

  “That’s Cole Forester,” Lucy said. “He’s more my type than that pretty boy Ethel likes.”

  “Younger guys have more stamina.” Ethel returned the volley. “Not like them old farts do.”

  Shortly before noon, Rocky slipped from the rocker and whipped together a quick lunch from the groceries Ethel had stocked in her refrigerator, and set the plates on sliding TV trays within easy reach of the two women.

  “You’re such a good girl.” Lucy patted her arm. “Instead of hanging out with us old biddies all the time, why don’t you go out and spend time with people your own age?”

  Rocky had asked herself that question many times. And every time the answer was the same. “I guess I’m just not as interested in the same activities as other people seem to be. Most of them just want to go out, get drunk and party.” She grimaced. “That’s not exactly my idea of a good time.”

  “I understand, dear.” Lucy patted her arm again.

  “Besides.” Rocky pushed aside the negative thoughts. “I love hanging out with you two. It’s never a dull moment.”

  Moments later Rocky heard a knock on the door and turned her head, just as it opened and one of the CNAs came into the living room.

  “Just checking in. You ladies all right?” she said. “I see you’ve gotten something to eat.”

  “Quiet.” Ethel glared over the rim of her bifocals. “The race is about to start.”

  Rocky exchanged a glance with the other woman, who appeared a few years older than herself. The CNA’s look seemed to say, “Don’t get between that woman and her racing.” Rocky nodded, giving a pre-arranged signal that they were fine.

  “I’ll come back to check on them later,” the CNA said in a lowered voice and left the room.

  Rocky turned her attention back to the television. The engines fired and the cars started rolling down pit lane.

  * * * *

  Alexander Harper strolled down the hall toward his grandmother’s room, hoping he could catch her alone. Lately she’d been spending most of her time with Ethel. Not that he begrudged their friendship. On the contrary. He was happy that they had each other, especially since he was her last living relative and was unable to devote more time with her.

  As he drew closer to Nana’s apartment, he could hear the sound of engines coming from across the hall. What Ethel saw in motorsports was beyond his comprehension. He rolled his eyes and knocked on his grandmother’s door.

  When it remained closed, he turned the knob. The latch gave way under his pressure. He entered the room, but it was empty. Irritation flashed through him as he left, knowing there was only one other place she’d be at this time of day. He crossed the hall and knocked on Ethel’s door.

  Instead of the old, blue-haired lady with a sharp tongue, he came face to face with a raven-haired beauty whose blue eyes sparkled with silver flecks.

  “Can I help you?” she asked.

  He cleared his throat. “I’m looking for Lucy. Is she here?”

  “She is.” The young woman stepped aside. “Please come in.”

  “Who is it?” Ethel barked over the roar of the motors.

  Alex entered the apartment identical to his grandmother’s as the young woman walked over to the two wheelchair-bound women.

  “It’s for you, Lucy.” The young woman sat back in the chair, setting it to a gentle rocking motion with her foot before she tucked her leg beneath her.

  His grandmother looked up. “Oh, Alex!” She rolled her wheelchair over to him.

  He could tell Ethel was firmly ensconced in the action, but the younger woman by her side wasn’t as deeply invested in the race. He shook his head.

  “Is everything all right, dear?” Nana asked.

  “Everything is fine,” he assured her, pushing the brunette out of his head. “I apologize for not having visited sooner. I was hoping we could have some private time together.” He cast a meaningful glance behind her.

  “You’re a sweet boy.” She reached up and took his hand in hers. “I love that you come visit me here.”

  Kneeling, he placed his other hand on top of hers. He felt something on her finger and glanced down, seeing a bright blue bandage adorned with SpongeBob wrapped around her middle finger. Ice slid down his spine. “What happened?” he demanded.

  “Oh, pish.” She waved it away. “It’s nothing.”

  Breaking contact, he rose and moved behind her, pushing her chair out of the room and across the hall. Once he had his grandmother in her own apartment, he closed the door behind them.

  “Were you hurt this morning?” he asked.

  “It’s nothing,” she said again, meeting his gaze. “Ethel just grazed me with her ring, is all.”

  “Nana, you know I wish you wouldn’t continue those ridiculous competitions with her.” He scowled. “I couldn’t stand it if you were seriously injured.”

  “Alex, the graze didn’t even break the skin.” She rolled her chair over to him. “I love that you’re so protective of me, but I’m fine.” She laid her hand on his again. “I love racing against Ethel. It gives me one bright spot of entertainment in an otherwise dreary week. Why, if it wasn’t for Ethel and Rocky, this place would be a dungeon.”

  “I can find another place for you, if you’re not happy here,” he offered.

  Nana sighed. “It’s not that.”

  “Then what is it?”

  “Ever since your grandfather died, I’ve been alone.” He started to comment, but she held up a hand to forestall him. “Not lonely, just alone. And I’m used to making my own decisions. If I didn’t want to get into those races with Ethel every week, well, I wouldn’t do them. It’s that simple. As for getting hurt, the medical staff here is among the best in the state, and the hospital is only a short ambulance ride away.” A fierce gleam appeared in her gray eyes. “But I don’t intend to get hurt. I don’t push myself any harder than I want to.”

  Message received. “Fine, I’ll back off about the racing nonsense. And it’s just that, Nana. Nonsense. But if you get seriously hurt during one of your races, that’s the end of it.”

  “So let an old woman enjoy some nonsense in the time she’s got left. I promise to be more careful.” She frowned and shifted in her chair, folding her hands in her lap. “Let’s talk about you. You work too hard. When are you going to finally settle down and give me some great-grandbabies to spoil?”

  Alex threw his head back and laughed. “I’ll get around to it.” When he wasn’t working sixty-hour weeks just to keep the family construction business afloat after his father had almost bankrupted it. After five years, he still wasn’t sure if he could pull it out of the red. “Come on.” He grabbed one of the blankets folded on the other end of the sofa and draped it over her lap. “Let’s go for a walk.”

  He grasped the handles on the back of her chair and rolled her out of the apartment, then headed for the door leading to the private courtyard.

  “You should let me introduce you to Rocky.” Nana said as he wheeled her down the concrete path toward the man-made koi pond and waterfall across the lawn. “She’s a lovely young woman. I’m sure you’d like her.”

  He did a double-take. “Wait. Rocky’s a girl?”

  “Short for Roxanna, I believe.” Nana turned her head and winked
up at him. “But don’t you ever call her that.”

  “I’m not inclined to call her anything.” He had no time in his life for a woman. Not now. Maybe not ever.

  They made the loop a couple more times, a companionable silence settling over them. Believing he and his grandmother had come to an understanding about her weekly ritual of tearing down the corridors at breakneck speed, he wheeled her back inside. “Come on. Let’s get you back to Ethel’s room so you can finish watching the race with her.”

  “I love you, Alex.” Nana patted his hand over her shoulder and gazed up at him. “Your father may have been a scoundrel, but you’re one of the few things he got right.”

  A blush scorched his face, but he said nothing as he pushed open Ethel’s door.

  “But how could he have walked away from that?” the raven-haired woman asked Ethel, her voice a soft timbre.

  “My dear, those cars are built with so many safety features.” Ethel launched into a technical explanation about roll bars, fire suits, even safer barriers.

  All of which was beyond his comprehension. He shook his head and watched the slow-motion replay of a horrific crash as it unfolded on the track. Cars slammed into the wall while parts and pieces scattered across the racing surface. Even he was amazed the drivers walked away mostly unscathed.

  Alex leaned over and kissed Nana’s cheek. “I’ll try to come back next week, okay?”

  “Alex, before you go, let me introduce you to Rocky.” She caught the attention of the young woman sitting between her and Ethel. “Rocky, I told you about my grandson, Alex.”

  “Yes, Alex.” Rocky held out her hand. “It’s nice to finally meet you. Lucy has told me so much about you.”

  “Alexander, please.” He wasn’t sure what it was that made him say that, but as he clasped her hand in his, a frisson snaked its way up his arm. “I wish I could say the same.”

  Something flared in her deep blue eyes, but it disappeared so fast that he wasn’t certain it was there at all. She slipped her hand from his grasp, and Alex wasn’t sure if he was pleased or annoyed. As he’d told his grandmother, he was just starting to get the business back in the right direction.