"Hey, sleepyhead," Deacon greeted as she looked up at him with tired eyes. He smiled down at her.
She grinned back at him. "So I guess I got to sleep with you after all."
"Yes, and sleeping is all we will be doing for the next week." He rubbed his palm over her shoulder.
Rayna rolled her eyes and smiled at him fondly. She sat up, looking at the time. "I guess I need to start looking for another job. I need to find a way to support myself and singing obviously isn't doing it right now."
"Let me talk to the guys down at the Bluebird later. Don't stress over it just yet. Let's get you settled first and then we can figure it all out." He got up from the couch and walked towards the kitchen. "What do you want for breakfast?"
Rayna frowned, nothing really sounded good. "I'm not really hungry at the moment. I will take a glass of water though."
The phone rang before Deacon could argue with her. "Hello? Oh, yeah, she's right here," Deacon answered as he pulled the phone over to Rayna. "Your sister."
"Tandy," Rayna exclaimed. Her face lit up.
"Ray, I wanted to check on you and I figured you were with Deacon. I can't talk long because Daddy doesn't know I'm calling. Are you okay?" Tandy sounded worried.
"Yeah, I'm fine," Rayna told her. "I'm gonna figure it out." Rayna frowned, wondering what Lamar had said since she'd left. She felt bad leaving Tandy there to fend for herself.
"Well I want to bring you some of your things. Do you mind if I drop by in about a half hour? Daddy has a meeting this morning and will be oblivious if I leave then."
"Sure, Tandy," Rayna agreed. "You don't have to, though. I don't want you getting in trouble for me."
"I know, but I want to. I'll see you then," she said as she quickly hung up the phone.
Rayna handed the phone back to Deacon.
"What did she say," he asked curiously.
"She's coming by in a half hour to drop off some stuff," Rayna said as she lowered her eyes. She worried about her father finding out Tandy was helping her. She didn't want her sister to be kicked out too.
"That's great, Ray," Deacon smiled. He thought she'd be more excited.
"I just don't want her to get on Daddy's bad side. She's relying on him to pass her the business when she's older, and I don't wanna ruin that for her," she stated.
"Well this was her decision. Just be grateful, sweetie." He handed her the glass of water and sat down beside her. "Now, not to change the subject, but when are you planning to consume food again," he asked, trying to remember the last time he saw her eat anything.
"Deacon," she shook her head. "I'm just not hungry, ok? I had dinner before we performed last night and have been upset ever since. I'll eat when I'm hungry," she assured him.
"Alright, as long as you ain't tryin' one of those starvation diets," he agreed.
She laughed at him. "Never," she assured him. Honestly, the thought of food just made her nauseous because she'd been so upset. She never did eat much when she was feeling down.
"Well when you get hungry, just holler and I'll whip you somethin' up, baby." He pulled out his guitar beside the sofa and started strumming some chords.
Rayna closed her eyes and listened to the beautiful melody his fingers played. Before she knew it, Tandy was knocking at the door. Rayna hopped up and ran over to let her in. "Hey!"
"I'm so sorry about Daddy, Ray," her sister said as she barged into the house with several suitcases. "I tried to talk some sense into him but you know how he is."
"Tandy, I don't wanna go home," Rayna stated firmly. "I just hated leaving you after our argument." She looked at what all Tandy had brought in.
"I brought you some clothes and anything else I could think of you might need. Your makeup, some jewelry, your hairbrush..."
Rayna laughed. "All the important stuff, huh?"
"Yeah, and I'll bring more in the coming days," Tandy promised. She paused a moment. "Also, I thought you might want this," she started as she walked back outside and brought in a guitar case.
"Tandy," Rayna cried happily. "How on earth did you save this from Daddy? I've been worried sick about it!" It was the happiest she'd been in as long as she could remember. Her sister had saved her most prized possession.
Her sister shrugged. "I hid it under my bed when I heard the fight last night. I didn't want him ruining it."
Rayna gave her sister a huge hug as tears fell onto her cheeks. "You have no idea how happy you've made me. I love you so much!"
Tandy chuckled, "Well I know it's important to you."
Deacon, who had gone to the other room to dress and give the girls some privacy, stood in the doorway smiling. "Thank you for doing this, Tandy."
"What are sisters for," she replied as she took one of Rayna's hands and squeezed it. "Okay, I really need to get back. I'll call you when I can make it back over next."
The girls exchanged hugs again and Tandy headed out.
"I'm off to the Bluebird," Deacon announced as he picked up his keys. "I'll see what I can do about getting us some more work." He kissed her cheek. "You wanna come?"
"No, thanks, I think I'm gonna stay here and work on some music. Wallow in my pity for a little bit longer," she responded. "I mean, if I'm already sad and feeling gloomy I might as well turn it into a song, right?"
Deacon laughed. "A hit song," he added. "Well you have fun and I'll be back in a little while." He headed towards the door before pausing and turning back to her. "Hey, Ray," he stated, "I'm glad you came here last night."
She gave him a small smile and thanked him. "I'm grateful for your hospitality."
"Make yourself at home," he said as he walked out and closed the door behind him.