Reverence: Heart of the South: Dax: Heart of the South, #3

By Lyssa Layne

Fresh out of college with a broken heart, Dax Lindsley is trying to find his path. When his brother, guitarist for the popular band Heart of the South, invites him to tag along on a quick vacation, he welcomes the opportunity to escape reality and clear his mind. What he finds is Stella Lindemann hiding from her own reality? The two have more in common than they realize but will they give each other a chance to figure that out?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lyssa Layne
• Release date: Jun 12, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393647881

Book preview

Chapter 1

Stella

The gravel road kicks up underneath the truck tires. I lean my head against the cool window, watching the sunset. The bright red and orange colors paint a picture across the sky, and with each passing second, the masterpiece changes ever so slightly. It’s beautiful to observe and it takes my mind off other thoughts floating around inside my head, finally, keeping my tears at bay. I’d forgotten how gorgeous South Dakota really is this time of year.

A sign looms over us, swaying in the wind, as we pull off the main road and drive underneath the piece of lumber. Happy Trails R&R Ranch—my home away from home. Normally, I love this place, but today, it feels like a jail sentence. My oldest brother, Finn Lindemann, is about to take me back to this place that I haven’t seen in almost four months and he’s leaving me here, alone.

One year ago, I told my parents I was taking a semester off college to work at the ranch with my brother. He’s not the owner of this travel resort but he could’ve been. Ms. Randi has owned the place for years, but it was Finn that ran the operation.

Then, the Queen of Country Music decided to vacation at Happy Trails, stealing my brother’s heart and taking another one of my siblings away from me. Unlike my brother Theo’s wife, Tess, Queen Miranda and I clicked right away, not to mention, I adore her daughter, Emmylou. There was just too much going on in my life when Theo introduced us to Tess.

Growing up, Theo was always the brother I’d go to when I needed help and it seemed as though Tess was taking that away from me. Now, I can see that both Theo and Tess were dealing with loss that only the two of them could understand. Luckily, Finn, the underdog brother stepped up and took care of me when Theo couldn’t. It’s not that Finn is a bad guy, he’s just a big kid, not someone I would trust with my secrets, but now, he’s the only one that knows my biggest one.

The truck comes to a stop and my oldest brother looks over at me. You sure you’re ready for this?

Unbuckling my seatbelt, I grumble, Do I have any choice?

Finn’s hand moves on top of mine. You do, Stells. You can stay at our place, you don’t have to be here, alone.

I roll my eyes, only because it’s easier than crying. Whatever, Finn. I know you told Miranda, but I doubt she wants to babysit me while you go back to war.

Actually, I didn’t tell anyone.

Snapping my head in his direction, my jaw opens, shocked at his admission. Bu-but, she’s your wife...

He nods, moving his finger under my chin and closing my gaping mouth. And, you’re my sister.

I thought husband and wives were like supposed to tell each other everything. Isn’t that like the cardinal sin of marriage, keeping secrets from each other?

Finn shrugs. Yeah, but, Stells, you’re my baby sister and I know this is important to you.

Tears fill my eyes and I shake my head, feeling stupid about how much I’ve cried lately. Thanks, I mutter, looking away quickly and opening my door. The crisp wind hits my cheeks as the familiar smells of horses and dinner tickle my nose. For the last four months, I’ve been holed up in a tiny apartment outside Nashville. When I begged to escape from reality, Finn wanted me close by, I refused to stay with him and Miranda, so, we compromised. The smallest apartment possible with a job at a preschool was the truth but everyone else thought I was studying abroad. I hate lying to my family but they all have enough going on in their own lives to be worried about me.

Finn appears beside me, my suitcase in his hand. Stella, I want you to be happy.

Scoffing, I reach for my bag. Kinda hard, don’t you think?

He sighs, setting the bag down. I don’t know what it was like for you, but Stells, you have to learn to be okay with your decision. Once you are, then you can move on with your life without feeling guilty. Promise me you’ll try?

Looking up at my brother, who easily stands almost a foot taller than me, I touch his cheek, trying to capture his features perfectly in my mind. Originally, Theo was the only Lindemann in the military. Then, he went and got his leg blown off, so Finn felt it was his responsibility to step up for Theo. My brothers are insane, literally insane. I wish they would recognize the war on our own home front and stay here to take care of me and the rest of our family instead of everyone else. I hate when they’re deployed, it makes me sick to my stomach, afraid I’ll wake up one day to the news that I’ve lost another brother.

I can’t, I whisper, the tears collecting in my eyes as a lump forms in my throat.

Finn moves his arms around me, pulling me into a bear hug. You can, Stella. You’re a Lindemann. We get dealt crappy hands and we get through it. He looks down at me, taking my head in both his hands. You made the right decision, Stella, don’t ever second guess that.

I nod, biting the inside of my cheek so hard that I can taste blood. My big brother kisses my forehead and I quickly hug him, not ready for him to leave. Come daylight, I’ll have to hide all of this sadness and pretend like nothing’s wrong. Come daylight, my brother will be flying into a warzone while I fight my own internal battles. Come daylight, I’m not even sure I’ll be able to get out of bed.

Dax

God, I love my drums. There’s nothing better than beating all the day’s aggression out on this instrument. Adrenaline courses through my body as I pound my sticks harder and harder, the rhythm getting faster and the noise getting louder. Images of her flicker through my mind and the beat picks up. Eventually, my hands are moving so fast that it’s like an out of body experience as the sticks race from the toms to