Chapter One
“Y’ALL AREN’T GOING TO BELIEVE WHAT I HEARD THIS MORNING. ” MRS.AGNES ABERNATHY BLEW INTO DELTA DAWN’S BEAUTY PalacelikeanEasternCarolinaHurricane
There were two things youcould countonina small Southerntown God and gossip. As a preacher’s daughter who’d gottenknockedupoutofwedlock,Iwasnostrangertoeither.
TotuneAgnesout,Iturnedmyblowdryeronhigh ThelastthingIneededwastogetbehindwithmyfirstclient Ihadafull dayof hair and nail appointments, a mountainof night school homework, and double the kindergartenregistrationforms to completebeforeIcoulddragmyselftobed
Ms.Hazelpattedmyarmandshouted,“Turnthatoffforasecond.Thissoundslikeit’sgonnabegood.”
“Surething”Iheldinasighandhitthepowerbutton
“Whathappened?”Delta,mygrandma,setdownherhairsprayandgaveAgnesherfullattention.Shealwaysperkedupat thepromiseofsnoopingthroughsomeoneelse’sdirtylaundry.
For the owner ofa beautyparlor, a red-hotrumor was more thana chance to be nosey Itmeantanincrease inwalk-in business.Theonlythingfolksinthesepartslovedmorethanhearinggossipwasgivingtheiropinionsaboutit.
“Hold your horses I’mgetting ready to blow your minds” Agnes grinned like she’d found the winning lottery ticket “Truly,comeoverhere.You’regoingtowanttohearthis.”
I cringed before I could stop myself. Gossip in Swans Harbor worked a lot like that old game, Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon.Ifshewantedmetohearit,Agnes’srumorwasprobablyaboutmeorsomeoneIcaredabout. Thankfully,myphonerang.
“Savedbythebell”IgrinneduntilIglancedattheRaleighnumber “Ineedtotakethis”
Agnesblewoutafrustratedbreath.“Fine,thenI’llwait.”
Deltaraisedabrowandmouthed,“Lawyer?” Inoddedandhurriedtothebackporch.“Hello.”
“Hey,Truly.Doyouhaveamoment?It’saboutyourcases.”Macysoundedfartoochippertobediscussinglegalmatters. Myalreadyfrazzlednervessparkedlikedownedpowerlines.“Hi.Yes.Ofcourse.”
MacyandIhadbeencollegeroommates until I’ddroppedoutwhenI’dgottenpregnant.Whilewe’ddriftedapartafter I leftDuke,shewasthefirstpersonIthoughtofwhenIdecidedtoexploremylegaloptions Macyhadtakenonelookat both my casesanddeclaredshe’dworkformeprobono.
“IheardbackfromtheLasVegascoroner’soffice Eli’sbloodandtissuesamplesweredestroyedbeforetheyreceivedthe courtorder.”
She’d warned me establishingpaternitythis waywas a longshot, butI’d insisted we try. Itwasn’tthe twins’faulttheir fatherhadnotonlynevergottenaroundtosigningtheirbirthcertificates,butdiedwithoutawill “Whataboutthegrandparents’ DNAtests?”
Macy’stonehardened “MavisandHaroldVaughnrefusedtosubmitasample”
“Because theystand to inherit everything.” I would never forgive Eli’s parents for robbingmygirls of a share intheir father’sestate Itwasn’tlikeIwasaskingformillions,justenoughtokeeparoofovertheirheadsandfoodintheirbellies,and maybe,somemoneyforcollege.
“HasMavisaskedtoseePaisleyandSkylar?”
“Notsince the funeral” Iunderstoodmoneymade people dohorrible things,butIcouldn’tunderstandhow Mavis could turnherbackonhergranddaughters.Whethershelegallyclaimedthemornot,theywereherfleshandblood.
“That’ssadforherandthegirls”Shedrewadeepbreath “Westillhavetheintellectualpropertycase”
“Iguess.”Establishingpaternitywasonething,butoutrightsuingmydaughters’fatherwasadifferentkettleoffish.Sure, he’d never givenme creditfor the music I’d written, butthe whole IPlawsuitthingfeltgross Especiallynow thatEli was dead.
“Isentyour copyrightcertifications,thepertinentcorrespondencebetweenyouandEli,andaninfringementnoticetothe
recordcompany.Asexpected,theyrefutedyourclaimtothesongsyouwrote.”ShesoundedfarmoreoptimisticthanIfelt.
“What’sthenextstep?”
“Wetakethemtocourt I’dlikeyoutocomeinandreadovereverythingbeforeIfilethesuit Youcansignthepaperswhile you’rehere.”
Betweentheprospectofatwo-hourdrive,thelawsuit,andmylifeingeneral,Idesperatelyneededtoblowoffsomesteam MybodymusthaveagreedbecauseIlaughedinMacy’sear.
“Youstillcacklewhenyou’refreakedout?”Shechuckled Myfaceburned.“Youknowmetoowell.”
“We’llgetthroughthis,Tru.WhatcanIdotomakeiteasieronyou?”
“Canyouemailthepaperstome?Idon’thaveamorningoffuntilthetwinsstartschool”Ipacedthebackporchtoclear myhead.“Plus,Ineedtoslowdownandthinkthisthrough.”
“I’ll sendthemnow”ThesoundofMacy’stypingfilledtheline “Iunderstandwhyyou’rehesitant,butthinkaboutwhat thismoneycouldmeanforyouandthegirls.”
“PaisleyandSkylararetheonlyreasonsI’mevenconsideringthis ”Istruggledtoswallowbacktheemotioncloggingmy throat.“It’dbedifferentifEliwasstillalive,butdoingthisnowseems…Idon’twanttodirtyhislegacy.”
“Ihearwhatyou’resaying.Andyes,Eli’saccidentwasatragedy,butyouwouldn’tbeinthissituationifhewasalive.You couldgetthissortedoutwithasimplephonecall”
There was more to the situation thansullyingEli’s memory. Ihad the girls to thinkabout. “I’mworried about how the twinswillfeelwhentheyfindoutIsuedtheirdad Oncethepressgetswindofthecourtcase,everyoneintownwillbetalking aboutit.There’llbenokeepingitfromthem.”
“Technically,youcan’tsueaco-copyrightholder.We’regoingafterShenandoahRecords,”Macysaid.
Thedistinctiondidn’tmakemefeelanybetter.“Iknow,butitfeelslikewe’resplittinghairshere.Peoplearegoingtoget hurt.”
PeoplelikeChanceAlden,theotherhalfoftheVaughn-AldenBand
Whenwewerekids,Eli,Chance,andIhadbeenliketheThreeMusketeers.Onceuponatime,I’dconsideredChancemy bestfriend,buthewassomuchmore Hewasmyfirstkiss,firstboyfriend,firstlotsofthings IowedittohimtotellhimwhatwasgoingonbeforeIfiledthelawsuit.Byrights,thesongswerehalfhis.I’dcomposed themusic,andhe’dwrittenthelyrics.
“I’mgoingtoreachouttoChanceonemoretime,”Isaid.
“I’msureheknows this is coming.Therecordlabel wouldhavetoldhimabouttheinfringementnotice.Besides,you’ve beentryingtocontacthimformonths Myguessishisattorneysadvisedhimnottospeaktoyou”
Thetruthinherwordshitmelikeatwobyfourtotheheart.“Ididn’tthinkaboutthat.”
“AndI’madvisingyoutodothesame Anythingyousay,nomatterhowinnocent,couldbeusedagainstyouincourt” Iwanted to argue the Chance Iknew would never betrayme, butthatwas a lie. Ididn’tknow himatall notanymore. “Thisisamess.”
Macydrewadeepbreath “I’msorry Iknowyoulovedthemboth” Loved,asinpasttense,didn’tquitesumupmyfeelingsforChanceAldenandEliVaughn.Apartofmewouldalwayslove them Eliforgivingmethegirls,andChance I’dalwayslovehimfornootherreasonthanhe’downedapieceofmyheart sincewewerekids.
“Thanks”Eventhoughshecouldn’tseeme,Istoppedpacing,stoodstraighter,andputonabraveface “I’llletyouknowif IhaveanyquestionsafterIreadthedocuments.”
“Keepyourchinup.Youhavearock-solidcase.”Macydisconnectedthecall. IglancedacrossthestreettoDelta’sramblingVictorian Thepeelingpaintandsaggyfrontstepsweren’ttheonlythingsthat neededfixing.Theplumbingranscaldinghottoicecoldornotatall,andtheelectricaloutletsinthegirls’roomdidn’twork whenitrained Theentireplacewasabig,beautifulfirehazard
Themoneyfromthelawsuitwouldgivemethemeanstofixitup.ItwastheleastIcoulddoaftereverythingmygrandma haddoneformeandthetwins WhenI’dfirstfoundoutIwasexpecting,myfathercutmeoffandrefusedtoallowmetocome home. Mymomhad died a few years earlier, so Iwas onmyown. Thankfully, Delta had takenme in, givenme a job, and providedashouldertocryon.
Atsomepointduringthoselongninemonths,AgnesandHazel,mygrandma’sbestfriends,hadsteppedupandnominated themselves honorarygreat-aunts-to-be. They’d gottenme throughthe newbornphase, the terrible twos, and the darkmonths afterEli’sdeath Iwouldneverforgettheloveandsupportthewomenhadshownmeduringthehardestyearsofmylife even iftheirshenanigansdrovemebatty.
I walked backinside withmyhead held high. Otherwise, the ladies would have peppered me witha millionquestions aboutmyphonecall.
Itturnedoutthegrown-upsweren’ttheonesIhadtoworryabout.
Paisleyglancedupfromhercoloringbookandwrinkledherbrow“Youlooksad,Momma.” “ShealwayslookssadwhenshetalkstoAuntMacy.”Skylarranabrushthroughherbabydoll’shair.
Ikneltbesidethem,stuckmytongueout,andcrossedmyeyes “Isthisbetter?” Skygiggled,butPaisleycontinuedtostarewithaworriedexpression.
“TalkingtoAuntMacydoesn’tmakemesad IfIwasfrowning,it’sbecauseshegavemealotofthingstothinkabout,”I said.
Paisleynoddedandpulledapinkcrayonfromthebox Withthegirlsappeased,Istood,squaredmyshoulders,andmademywayintothemainpartofthesalon. “Aboutdangtime.” Hazel shookher headatme before motioningto Agnes.“Now, spill it.Whathas yougrinninglike a donkeyeatin’briars?”
Eyestwinkling,Agnesdrewadeepbreathandpreparedtolaunchintoherstory. Beforeshecouldsayaword,MavisVaughnstrolledintothesalon “Didy’allhearChanceAldencanceledhistour?Word ishe’sindrugrehab.Ialwaysknewthatboywasnogood.”
Myheartthuddedtoastop Therehadtobeamistake Chancedidn’tevendrinkalcohol He’dneverdodrugs Notafterhis biologicalmotherhadoverdosedwhenhewaslittle.
“Mavis.Thatwasmystorytoshare.”Agnesstompedherfootandfoldedherarmslikeascoldedtoddler.“Andyougotit wrong Chancedidn’tcancelthetour,therecordcompanydid Theyhaven’tsoldenoughalbumssinceElipassedaway” Alleyesturnedtome.
I’d never getused to the pityinglooks and muttered prayers everytime someone mentioned him Before Icould thinkof somethingtosay,orevenreact,thetwinsrantomyside.
BothgirlsstaredatMavisasifwaitingforhertoacknowledgethem.Shedidn’t. “Ifanyoneownsthestory,it’sme.Itwasaboutmy boy.”Mavisglared.“Besides,itwasalloverthenewsthismorning.” Sensingaseniorcitizencatfightbrewing,Inoddedtothebackofthesalon.“Girls,goplayBarbiesinGrandma’soffice.”
Thetwinsglancedbetweenmeandthetickedoffwomenbeforehurryingaway “Well,sinceyouspoiledallthefun,youmightaswellleave.”Agnesblewaraspberryattheotherwoman.
“Asperusual,yourmoodisasuglyashomemadesoap”Withoutsparingaglanceinmydirection,Mavisstormedout “Goodriddance,”Hazelmutteredunderherbreath.
Theclackingoffakenailsonakeyboarddrewmyattention.Deltasquintedatthelaptop,shookherhead,andtypedsome more.
IhadafeelingIknewwhatshewasdoing,butthatdidn’tstopmefromasking,“Whatareyoulookingup?”
“Turns out poor Chance is still struggling with injuries from the accident” She turned the screen so I could see the headline,alongwithapanty-meltingphotoofthe bad boy of country music singinghisheartoutonstage.Behindhimstoodthe gorgeousredheadedbassplayer,MirandaBishop hisfiancée
Ithurtmetolookathim,butIcouldn’tturnaway.
Delta handed the laptop to Agnes and wrapped her arms around me. “I’msorry. Ididn’trealize seeingthe photos ofthe boyswouldupsetyouso”
“It’sjust…”Istruggledtogetmywordsout.“IhatethatIwasn’tthereforhimaftertheaccident.”
“That boy is trouble on two legs” Agnes pursed her lips “He might have been raised here, but living in the big city changedhim.”
“What are youtalkingabout?” Staringat the computer, Hazel cocked her head this wayand that as if tryingto find the trouble,orknowingtheelderlywoman,shewascheckingouthislegs.
“Withhair like that, Ibethe’s one ofthose metrosexuals,” Agnes spoke loud enoughto be heard inthe nextcounty, and certainlyloudenoughtobeheardintheoffice
“Agony.”Hazelgasped.“Doyouevenknowwhatthatwordmeans?”
“Don’t call me that And yes, Hazel, I do” She harrumphed and folded her arms so dramatically, she put the twins to shame.
Deltalaughed “We’vebeencallingyouthatsincedirtwasyoung Youoldbat” “Hushyou.Whatisthis,pickonAgnesday?”
“Whatdoesitmean, Agnes?”Hazelstretchedouttheotherwoman’snameintofivesyllables.
“Whatdoes what mean?”Shescoffed Hazelcuppedherhandbesidehermouthandwhispershouted,“Met-ro-sex-u-al.”
Agnesglancedaroundtheroom,huffed,andthrewupherhands “They’relikethosemenonthatdragracingshow” Deltapointedaboneyfingeratone,andthentheother,ofhermisbehavingfriends.“Playnice.Thereare children present, andI’mnottalkingaboutthetwoofyou.”
Peekingaroundthecorner,PaisleyandSkylarwatchedtheverbalsparringmatchlikespectatorsatWimbledon.Theylikely hadnoideawhatweweretalkingabout,butbothgirlsworehugegrins.
EvenDixie,mygrandma’stinyPomeranian,gotinontheactionbybarkingandspinningincircles. Callitastressinducednervousbreakdown,butIstartedlaughingandcouldn’tstop.
Agnesshottoherfeetandplantedherhandsonheroversizedhips “What’ssofunny?”
Delta rolled her eyes so hard theydid a complete three-sixty. “You. That’s what. Notonlyare youinappropriate, you’re wrong ThepeopleonRuPaul’sshoware drag queens MetrosexualsarethoseprettymenlikeRyanSeacrestandthat Pirates of the Caribbean actor.”
Agnessweptherarmsoutwide “Ohplease,enlightenus,Delta Sinceyou’resodamnedknowledgeable” “Asamatteroffact,Iwill.”Deltawipedherhandsonhersmock.“Hazel,takethegirlshomeandgetthemasnack.” Assoonasthetwinswereoutofearshot,mygrandmaproceededtoschoolAgnesoneveryletterintheLGBTQalphabet andsomethatweren’t
I HADN’T FALLEN ASLEEP IN THE GRASS SINCE I WAS A KID. Sunonmyface,coolbreezeinmybeard,theearthyscentofthecottonfieldafewyardsaway,itwasperfect Noteventhe factIcouldn’trememberhowI’dgottentherecouldspoilthismomentofpure,unadulteratedpeace.
Memories of afternoons napping in a different field filled me with nostalgia. It struck me as funny that I could miss a hometownthat’dneverfeltmuchlikehomeandwasbarelyatown
Ahorse-shapedcloudfloatedacross the brightblue NorthCarolina sky.Istretchedmyarms outatmysides anddugmy fingersintothecrunchy,sunbakedgrass “Ishouldwriteasongaboutthatcloud” “That’s a greatidea. I’ll getyoua penand paper.” Apolice officer, witha face as brownand withered as the pasture, stareddownatme “RightafterIbookyoufortrespassing,destructionofprivateproperty,andpublicintoxication” IwasprettysureIwastrespassing,andnowthathe’dmentionedit,Ivaguelyrememberedcrashingintoafence.Butpublic intoxication?Absolutelynot.
“Idon’tdrink”Ipushedmyselfuprightortriedto
Hepinnedmeinplacewithaboottotheabdomen.“Staydown.Onyourbelly.Now.”
Thiswasn’tmyfirstbrushwiththelaw,butitwasdefinitelytheweirdest “Can’trolloverwithyourheelinmygut” “Don’ttryanythingfunny.”Handhoveringoverhisgun,hetookastepback. Irolledontomystomachandclaspedmyhandsbehindmyback.“I’mnotdrunkorhigh,ifyou’ll ” “Saveit.”Hemutteredsomethingaboutdrugaddictsandhippiesunderhisbreath.“Isthatyourhotrodamileorsoback?” “Yeah.Adeercameoutof ”
“Adddrivingundertheinfluencetoyourlistofcharges”Hesnappedcuffsonmywrists,yankedmetomyfeet,andhauled metowardhiscar.
Painshotfrommyrighthiptothesoleofmyfoot,butImanagedtostayupright Barely “Careful ofmyrightleg,Ihave twenty-threepins ”
“Whatyouhave is the rightto remainsilent. Isuggestyouexercise thatright.” He smirked a familiar smirkthatbrought backarushofoldmemories.
Iglancedfromhissourexpressiontohisnametag.“Youdon’trememberme,ChiefHobbs?”
Henarrowedhiseyes “I’mOfficer Hobbs ChiefHobbsismyfather”
“Holyshit,Wyatt?” Man, did he get old. IlaughedbeforeIconsideredthewisdomofpissingoffaguywithagun.“Ididn’t recognizeyou It’sme,Chance ChanceAlden”
Wyattglancedfrommymuddybootstomyovergrownbeardandlonghair.“Bullshit.Let’sgo.” “It’sme.CheckmyID.It’sinmybackpocket.”
“Nicetry,buddy Ifyou’reChanceAlden,I’mthenewKingofEngland”Heswungthedooropen,puthishandonthetop ofmyhead,andshovedmeinside.
While Iwasn’t expectinga homecomingparade, Inever thought I’d be rollinginto townfor the first time inalmost six years,inthebackofapolicecruiser.“Comeon,Wyatt.CheckmyID.”
Heslammedthedoorinmyfaceandmarchedtothedriver’ssideofthecruiser Infull freak-outmode, Isangthe chorus ofmyfirstnumber one hitsong, “Takingthe Backroads Home.” It’d topped the countrymusicchartsforsixmonthsandputtheVaughn-AldenBandonthemap.
Wyatt spun around and stared slack jawed “Chance? My God What ? How ? Wow You look like you stapled roadkilltoyourface.Kindasmelllikeittoo.”
IknewIlookedbad,butnotthat bad “It’sbeenaroughcoupleofyears” “IwassorrytohearaboutEli…”
I nodded No matter how much time passed, I doubted I’d ever be able to talk about the accident that’d killed Elijah Vaughn,mybestfriendandbandmate.Hell,judgingbytheeventsofthepreviousfewhours,talkingaboutitwastheleastofmy issues.
Henoddedtowardthepasture.“Whattheheckhappened?Mrs.Connellycalledthestation,saidsomelunaticwaspitchin’ ahissyfitinhercottonfield.”
“Ihitadeer”IleftoutthepartwhereI’dhadapanicattack,losttime,andwokenupinthegrass Wyatttookoffhis hatandmoppedthe sweatfromhis brow.“Your car’s a goodmile downthe road.How’dyouendup here?”
“Iwalked.”
He quirked a brow, an expression that reminded me too much of his hard-assed father “And what? You got tired and decidedtotakeanap?”
“IalwaysfallasleepwhenI’mmeditating,”Imumbled,well-awareIsoundedlikeanut-job.
“Whywereyoumeditatingonthesideoftheroad?”
Istared outthe window, unsure how to respond. I’d grownup withWyattHobbs, butIdidn’ttalkaboutmyPTSDwith anyoneexceptmytherapist,andeventhatwasacrapshoot
“Come on, Chance. I’mgonna need somethingmore thanthatto tell myfather…and Mrs. Connelly.” He cracked a grin. “Anddon’tthinkshe’sgonnaletyouoffthehookbecauseyou’refamous She’shaditoutforyousincethecowtippingincident freshmanyear.”
“CorrectmeifI’mwrong,butyouandEliweretheoneswhodecidedto ride thecow.”Memoriesofthatnightweremore bitterthansweet Whoeverhadcomeupwiththatoldsayingabouttimehealingallwoundshadneverwatchedtheirbestfriend die.
“Things change I’manofficer ofthe law, and you’re the bad boyofcountrymusic” Wyattlowered his voice “Offthe record,areyoudrunkoronsomething?”
“TheonlythingI’monisgasstationcoffeeandLittleDebbieoatmeal pies.”Idrew adeepbreathandlookedhiminthe eye.“IfItellyouwhathappened,isitgoingtoendupallovertown?”
“OnlyifIputitinmyreport.” His expressionsoftened. “Butfolks are gonna talkone wayor the other. It’s better ifwe comeupwiththestorywewantthemtospread”
Gotta love small towns.
“You’reright”Ihadnochoicebuttotrusthim,butthatdidn’tmeanIknewwheretostart “Wherewereyoucomingfrom?”Wyattasked. “Nashville.”
Hewhistled.“Tenhoursisalonghaul.”
“Yeah.” Iswallowedbackthe bile risinginmythroat.“Iwas fine until Ihitthe deer.Itwas like a switchflippedinmy head,andIwasbackintimetothenightEli ”
“Iknowwhatyoumean.ItwasthesameformewhenIcamebackfromAfghanistan.”Wyattglancedaway.“That’swhyyou weremeditating?”
Inodded.“Ithelps,evenifIdofallasleep.”
“Andthehissyfit?”Hechuckled.
“Idon’tremember MaybeIwaspacing?YellingatGod?” “Beenthere myselfa few times.” He dragged his hand downhis face. “Okay. So, this is whathappened. Youhita deer. Whenyougotouttocheckonthedamagetoyourvehicle,yousteppedinayellowjacketnest Thosesuckerswillfollowyou formiles.”
Ilikedwherethiswasgoing,butwehadaproblem “Idon’thaveanystings”
“Sotheybityouthroughyourclothes.”Hemotionedtomyface.“Notthatanyonecouldtellwithallthatfur.Seriously,man, youlooklikeaskinnyversionofthatwoolyfellafromHarry Potter. ”
“Hagrid?”Iwasn’tsureifIshouldlaughordefendmyhonor Ichosethelatter “Iwas People Magazine’ssecondsexiest manontheplanet.”
“Thatwasthreeyearsago,and close onlycountsinhorseshoes Bragaboutitwhenyouwin”Heshookhishead “Chancefreaking-Alden.Ineverthoughtyou’dsetfootbackinSwansHarbor.”
“Technically,myfeetaren’tintownlimits”ItwistedtothesidetoremindhimIwasstill cuffed “Canyouletmeoutof thesethings,orareyougoingtoarrestmeforneedingahaircutandshave?”
“Ohshit,Iforgotaboutthose.Although,Ishouldarrestyouforcancelingyourtour.Meandmygirlhadticketsfortheshow inRaleigh”Wyattclimbedoutofthecar,strolledtomyside,andhelpedmeoutofthebackseat
Myrightfootslippedontheloosegravel.Ajoltofpainshotfrommyheeltomyasscheek.Theshockofithadmegasping forairandstrugglingtokeepmybalance whichwasimpossiblewithmyhandscuffedbehindmyback HesteadiedmebeforeIhittheground.“Damn.I’msorry.Iheardyouwerehurtintheaccident,butIdidn’trealize…Isthat whyyoucanceledthetour?”
“Ihatedtodisappointthefans,butIcouldn’tdoit.”Iturnedsohecouldremovethehandcuffs,butalsosohewouldn’tsee thehalf-lieinmyeyes.
Theofficialstatementfrommypublicistblamedon-goinghealthissuesforthecancellation.ThetabloidssaidI’dgoneinto rehab. Industryinsiders whispered shittyalbumsales and half-emptystadiums marked the end of mycareer. Theywere all right ExceptIhadn’tgonetodrugandalcoholrehab I’dspentmonthsinintensivephysicaltherapy Asformycareer,itwas hangingbyathread,butIhadaplantosaveit.
Irubbedmychafedwrists “Anychanceyoucangivemearide?”
“Surething.Climbin.”Wyattnoddedtothefrontseat.“Didyoucallatowtruckbeforeyournap?”
I’dbeensobusytryingtotalkmyselfoutofthebackofthecopcarthatI’dforgottenaboutthemessthedeerhadgottenme into.“No,butIwill.Ineedthepaperworkfromtheglovebox,andmyguitarandsuitcasefromthetrunk.”
IeasedintothefrontseatandsentupasilentprayerthattheEasternCarolinaheathadn’twarpedthewoodonmyvintage Gibsonsix-string
Wyattpulledthecarontotheroad.“Whereareyoustaying?”
“Outatthefarm MyfolksareinEuropeforanotherweekorso,butSundae’shomeforthesummer Plus,Graham’sstaying therewhilehishouseisbeingbuilt.”It’dbeenafewyearssinceI’dseenmybabysisterandolderbrother,butwetalkedoften.
Likeallmybrothers,I’dbouncedfromboys’homestofostercareuntiltheAldenshadadoptedme Maybeitwasbecause we’dgonethroughthesamekindofhell,ormaybeitwasendingupwithamazingparents,buttheAldenboysweretighterthan mostsiblings anddon’tgetmestartedonSundae,theonlygirl,andthebabyofthefamily.
Heglancedatmeintherearviewmirror “Thefarm’sagoodfifteenmilesfromthestation MindifIdropyouoffintown first?IcanrunyououtthereafterIfilemyreport.”
“Thatworks Ihavesomebusinesstoseeto”Ididn’telaborateonsaidbusiness ThelastthingIneededwastoaddmore gristtotherumormill.
“IheardyouwereengagedtoMirandaBishop.”Wyattwiggledhisbrows.“YouluckySOB.Don’tsupposeshe’sjoining you?Meetingthefamilybeforethebigday?”
“RandiandIaren’ttogether,”Isaid,alittlerougherthanI’dintended.Theshitshow,otherwiseknownasmyengagement, wasthelastthingIwantedtodiscuss
Wyattpulledofftheroadandeasedbehindmyfour-wheeledbaby,asilver1971PontiacGTOJudgeconvertible.“Woooweeshe’sabeauty Mustacostyouafortune”
“Nah, believe it or not, I found her in a junkyard. Restored her myself.” I hopped out of the car to put an end to the conversation.GrowingupthewayIhad,IdoubtedI’devergetusedtotalkingaboutmoney.Letalonehavingany.
WyattfollowedmetotheGTOandeyedthedamagetothefrontendandwindshield.“IbetoldSilasGreencanhavethis fixedupinnotime.”
Normally,Iwouldn’tletanyonetouchthecar,butdesperatetimesandallthat “Doeshestillhaveatowtruck?”
“Yep.Asamatteroffact…”Hehookedhisthumbsthroughhisbeltloopsandrockedbackonhisheels,therednecksignal forpreparingtolaunchintoalong-drawn-outstory
Ratherthancontinuingtobakeonthesideoftheroad,Iattemptedtochangethesubject.“IsDeltastillrunningthesalon?” Wyattblinkedasifhavingtroubleshiftinggears.“Uh,yeah,butTrulymanagesthingsnow.ShemovedinwithDeltabefore thegirlswereborn”
TrulyCallaway,themotherofmybestfriend’stwins,theloveofmylife,andthewomanwho’deithersave,ordestroy,my career Ifthe stars aligned, she’d help me find whatIneeded to save mysorryass Ifnot, the news media would have a lot moretosayaboutChanceAlden’sepicfallfromcountrymusicgrace.
SeeingTrulyagainwouldlikelybringupoldfeelings,butIwasn’tabouttorekindlesomethingwithmydeadbestfriend’s baby-momma.Nope.Ihadaplan convincehertohelpmefindthesheetmusicandgetoutoftown.
Inodded,moretomyselfthantoWyatt.“Don’tworryaboutdrivingmetothefarmlater.I’llhaveGrahampickmeupafter IpaymyrespectstoMissDelta”
“You might want to swing by the barber shop first. Things have changed since you left home, but I don’t think Swans HarborisreadyforSasquatchchic”
DELTA DAWN’S BEAUTY PALACE WAS A LOT OF THINGS, BUT QUIET WASN’T ONE OF THEM. BETWEEN THE CHATTY CUSTOMERS, thewhirringhairdryers,andthelaughterofmyfive-year-oldtwins,thenoiselevelinsidetheoldwoodframebuildingmadea tornadosirenseemlikeawhisper.
Thatis,untilChanceAldenwalkedin.
Everyfemaleintheplacegawkedatthemaninblack,includingme Heck,mygrandmadroppedthecurlershewasputting inAgnes’shairandletoutasquealthatwouldmakeateengirljealous.
It wasn’t everydaya countrymusic star waltzed into the salon But I didn’t stare because he was good looking We’d grownup together. Iwas immune to his handsome smile. And Ididn’tstare because he was famous. I’d beenaround inthe earlydayswhenhe’dbeenscaredtosinginpublic NordidIstarebecauseIwassurprisedtoseehim Chancehadcomeand gonethroughthatdoormoretimesthanIcouldcount.
Istaredbecausehe’dnevercomehomealone.
Andmystupidheartkeptlookingforhispartnerincrime Eli Chanceleanedagainstthedoorframewearingabadboygrin.“Hey,Truly.”
I couldn’t get over how different he looked, how grown up Gone was the string bean who’d left Swans Harbor with nothingmorethananoldguitarandabigdream.Inhisplacestoodafull-grownman.Fromthenicksonhisjaw,Iguessedhe’d recentlyshaved,andhe’dgrownouthisjet-blackhairlongenoughtotwistitintoaman-bun.
PaisleyandSkylarwhisperedsomethingbackandforth,butIcouldn’tmakeouttheirwordsovermypulseroaringinmy ears.
“Youtwo must be the Callawaytwins” He knelt to their eye level and motioned betweenthem “Whichone of youis Paisley,andwhichisSkylar?”
Paisleybitherbottomlipanddartedtowardachild-sizedtableinthebackofthesalon Hersisterwasn’tnearlyasshy.
“I’mSkylar, butIgo bySky.” She stared as ifshe too was waitingfor her daddyto walkinbehind him. Onlythatwas impossible.ShehadbarelybeenthreewhenElidied.
“Nicetomeetyou,Sky.”Heheldouthishand,butratherthangettingcloseenoughtotouchhim,sheranafterhertwin. “Chance ”Myvoicecrackedlikeababyroostercrowingathisfirstdawn “What whatareyoudoinghere?” It’s been years. Why’s he here now? Is it because of the lawsuit?
“Iwashopingwecouldtalk”Hisvelvet-smoothtonefeltlikeacaress,andbasedonthechorusofsighsbehindme,every womanintheroomhadthesamereaction.
“Oh…I…”Toodamnedmanymemoriesflashedthroughmybrain.
Days collectingmussels inthe marsh Nights curled up beside a bonfire Wild escapes inanold red truckto anywhere awayfromthe watchful eyes ofparents, relatives, and nosytownsfolk. Tearful goodbyes and joyful reunions…and that last goodbye Theonethat’dbrokenbothourhearts
“It’sgoodtoseeyouagain,Chance.”Delta,Godblesshersoul,filledtheheavysilence.
“Goodtoseeyoutoo,Ms Delta You’relookingasprettyasever”Hewinked,andmygrandmablushed “And you’re still able to flatter the fleas off a hound dog.” She made a show of fanning herself before shooting me a worriedlook.ShehadtoknowseeingChanceagainwashittingmelikeafisttothegut.“Trulywillberightwithyouassoon asshefinishesupwithMissHazel’smanicure Won’tya,Tru?”
I loved her for buyingme some time, but a few minutes wouldn’t be longenoughto get myhead onstraight. “Yes. Of course”
“Norush.”Chancesteppedoutoftheglareoftheafternoonsunandperusedaselectionofseaglassjewelryinthedisplay cabinetneartheregister
Itore mygaze awayfromhimand frowned atthe blob ofpinklemonade colored polishthat’d dripped onMiss Hazel’s hand.Cheeksburning,Iputthebrushbackintothebottleandfumbledfortheremover.“Sorryaboutthat.”
“Don’tworryaboutit,sugar.He’samightydistractingman.”Shegavemeanunderstandingsmile,beforeleaningcloseto whisper,“Butyouneedtobecareful.Agneswasright heain’tthesameboywholefttownallthoseyearsago.”
Iriskedanotherglanceinhisdirection I’dseenhimonTVandtheinternetseveraltimesovertheyears,butthatwaslike lookingatphotosinanoldscrapbook.Pleasant,butflat.Inperson…Mygoodness,inperson,themanhadagravitationalpull allhisown
Hazelgavehimaonceover.“Buthesureispretty.”
Chanceturnedhishead,andmybreathcaught Thelightstreamingintheplate-glasswindowsilluminatedthespiderwebof scarsontherightsideofhisfaceandneck.Sexycountrysinger,bestfriend,firstlove,whateverI’dcalledhimbeforedidn’t matter.Inthatmoment,ChanceAldenwasawalking,breathingreminderofeverythingI’dlost.
MygrandmaputthelastrollerinAgnes’shair Wipingherhandsonherapron,shecrossedtheroomanddrewhimintoa bighug.“Ain’tyouasightforsoreeyes.”
He flashed her the same smile that’d graced the covers of countless magazines “I was wonderingwhenI’d get one of Delta’sworld-famoushugs.”
“Why,youhaven’tchangedatall Notonewhit Exceptforthisgorgeousmaneofyours”Shetuggedhishairlooseandran herfingersthroughthesilkystrands.“Iknowplentyofwomenwhowouldkillforthis.”
“Forgetthehussies.Heshoulddonateittobaldheadedkidswithcancer,”AgnesAbernathymuttered.
Chancelaughed “Goodtoseeyoutoo,Ms Agnes Stillkeepingusmeremortalsinline,Isee” Sheflubbedherlips,buthercheeksreddened.
“Don’tyoulistentoher It’dbeasintocutthisoff”Deltapattedhischest “Ican’tbelieveyou’refinallyhome What’sit beennow?Five,sixyears?”
Hewinced.“Somethinglikethat.”
Sheseemedtorealizewhatshe’dsaidandloweredherchin.
Deltawasright.Chancehadn’tdarkenedourdoorsinceI’dtoldhimIwaspregnantwithEli’sdaughters.
“Howlongareyouintown?”ThisfromAgnes,whocouldneverresistbuttingintootherpeople’sconversations “Atleastacoupleweeks.Maybelonger.I’dliketospendsometimewithmyfolkswhentheygetbackfromEurope.”He glancedatme,andforthefirsttimeinmylife,Icouldn’treadhisexpression
“Whereareyoustaying?”Delta’svoiceturnedsyrupysweet,thetonesheusedwhenshewasuptosomething,andIknew exactlywhatshehadinmind.
Ishottomyfeet.“That’sreallynoneofourbusiness.Isit?”
Everyone stoppedwhattheywere doingandturnedtome.Hazel,Agnes,andthe twins staredwithwide eyes,butDelta gavemeaknowinglook AndChance?Hegrinnedthesortofgrinthatmademenervous Mygrandmawasn’ttheonlyoneupto nogood.
“Nonsense”DeltaturnedherattentionbacktoChance “Youcan’tstayoutonthefarm It’stoofarawayfromtheaction, andthere’snowayI’mlettingyoupayforoneofthoseswankynewbedandbreakfasts.”
Hefurrowedhisbrow.“SincewhendoesSwansHarborhaveBnBs?”
“Since the new mayor decided to turnus into the nextNew Bern” Agnes snorted “The whole townis gettinggentrified withhipsterhooey.”
“Nextshe’llbetellinghimaboutthenewstatuetohernamesake,”Hazelmumbled Heflashedthatdevilishgrinofhis.“SwansHarborgentrified?Now,that’ssomethingI’dliketosee.”
Ineededtodosomething Fast
Delta’ssmilewidened.“TrulyandIhaveanewsidehustle.WerentroomsthroughAirBNB.It’sourwayofstickingitto thoseYankeesnobswhoruntheBnBs.”
“Ohyeah?”Chanceshotmeaquickglance
“Youcan’tstaywithus.Theapartmentoverthestudioisbooked.”IblurtedouttheliebeforeIcouldstopmyself.Whatcan Isay? Iwas desperate No waywould mybattered heartsurvive beingthatclose to Chance Aldenfor whathad he said? Weeks?Amonth?Longer?
Deltaplantedherhandsonherhips “Wedidn’thaveanyreservationsthismorning Ichecked”
“Someonemusthavebookedtheplacesincethen.”IgaveChanceanapologeticsmile,buthewastoobusyfiddlingwith hisphonetonotice.
Hazelloweredherglassesandlookeddownhernose Shefrownedsodeep,herchindisappearedintothewrinklesonher neck.“Delta,thinkaboutwhatyou’resaying.”
“AirBNBmyfanny Youtwoarecrazyfortakinginstrangers”Agnesshookherhead “You’rebeggingfortrouble” Foronce,IagreedwithAgnes.HavingChanceherewasabsolutelybeggingfortrouble,butnotthekindshesuggested. “I’llcheckthewebsite.”MytraitorousgrandmawinkedatChance.
“Noneed.”Heshrugged.“Yourpreviousreservationmusthavecanceled.”
“How do youknow that?” Iglanced
replied.
Heslidhiscellintohisbackpocket.“Ibookedtheapartmentonline.” “Youwhat?”IshoutedoverHazelandAgnes’sgrumbling “CancelitorIwill” I’dgottensocaughtupinthesituation,thatI’dforgottenthegirlswereintheroomuntilPaisleytuggedonmyshirt.“Why areyouyelling,Momma?Areyoumad?”
Damn it.
Ignoringtheso-calledadultsintheroom,Ikneltbesideher “No,I’mnotmad Iwassurprised,isall” Shetiltedherheadandpursedherlipsasifshedidn’tquitebelieveme.
Great Just great Chancepulledhisphoneoutagain “Ididn’tmeanto surprise you,Tru I’llcancelthereservation” Thathe’dusedthesamewordIhadtokeepfromupsettingPaisleysoftenedmeup,ormaybeIrealizedIwasbeingajerk. Eitherway,Ihadachangeofheart “No Don’t It’sfine Givemeaminute,andI’llshowyoutheapartment” Hehitchedhisthumbtowardthebackdoor.“MindifIwaitforyouontheporch?”
Nottrustingmyvoice,Inodded HazelandAgneswatchedhimgothroughnarrowedeyes.They’dknownhimhisentirelife,butthatdidn’tmatteranymore. He’dcommittedtheultimatesin,andithadnothingtodowithbookingtheapartmentortherumorsswirlingaroundhismusic careerorhislonghair He’dleftSwansHarbor Andthatmadehimanoutsider Orworse astranger Skylar,who’dbeenshampooingherBarbiedoll’shair,rushedovertome.“Momma,isthatourdaddy?”
Myheartshatteringtobits,Ididmybesttoignorethepityineveryone’seyes “No,Sky That’syourUncleChance Hewas mineandyourdaddy’sverybestfriend.”
“Thenhe’sourbestfriendtoo.”Sheglancedathersister.“Right,PaisleyRose?”
“Right.”Shechewedherlowerlip.“Butareyousureyou’renotmadathim?”
“No, baby. Ipromise I’mnotupset. Iwas surprised to see him. It’s beena reallylongtime since he’s beenhome.” My voicecracked MylifemightnothaveturnedoutthewayI’dimagined,butmysweetgirlsmadethestrugglesworthwhile Skylarglancedoverhershouldersasiftomakesurenoonewaslistening everyonewaslistening.Sheleanedcloseand whispered,“CanIgooutsidewithhim?”
“Maybelater.It’sbestifyouletmetalktohimfirst.”Inoddedtothewaterdrippingoffthedoll.“Grabatowelandclean thatupbeforesomeoneslipsandfalls.”
“Yes,ma’am.”Shedartedofftowardthelinencloset.
IsatandturnedmyattentionbacktoMissHazel’smanicure,butmyheartwasn’tinit.“Mercyme.Ican’trememberifIdid thesecondcoat”
Deltarestedherhandonmyshoulder.“I’msorry,Truly.Ifyouwantmetotellhimtoleave ” “No”Ishookmyhead “Thiswillbegood It’spasttimeChanceandItalkedaboutsomehardthings”
AsmuchasI’ddeniedittoher,andmyself,IneededanswersaboutEli’saccidentandmylawsuitandwhyhe’dghostedme afterI’dtoldhimIwaspregnant.
Seemingtoknow exactlywhat things I’d referred to, she nodded “Whydon’tIfinishup here, so youcango see to our guest?”
“Thanks”Istood,smoothedmysundressovermyhips,andmyflyawaysbackintomyponytail “Be careful,Truly.” Hazel frowned.“As muchas we’dlove for youtofindsomeone special,he’s notthe stayin’around kind”
Agnes pointed at me. “Remember what I said about himlast week. Youcan’t trust a metrosexual. They’ll always think they’reprettierthanyou.”
Deltathrewupherhands “Don’tstartthatnonsenseagain What’shegoingtodo,stealherbeautyproducts?”
Shakingherhead,Hazelclickedhertongueontheroofofhermouth.“Idon’tliketheideaofhimstayinghereanymorethan youdo,Agnes Buthe’saboutasmuchametrosexualasPastorCallaway”
Icringedatthementionofmyfather.Sundaysermonwouldundoubtedlybeathinlyveiledmessageabouttheevilsofsex, booze,andcountrymusic inotherwords,ChanceAlden
“AllI’msayingisy’allmightwanttostartlockingyourdoorsatnight,”Agnessaid. Hazelplantedherhandsonherhips.“YouandIhavebothknownthatboysincehewasfreshlyweanedfromtheT-I-T.”
Whatlittle control I’d gottenover myselfvanished atHazel’s outburst Always one to laughatinappropriate moments, I crackedup.Beforelong,DeltaandHazeljoinedin.Eventhegirls,whoIhopedhadnoideawhatwassofunny,giggled.
“That’sit”Agnesthrewherhandsup,grabbedherpurse,andmarchedtothedoor “I’mnotgoingtostandaroundhereand belaughedat.”
“Oh, Agnes. Youcan’tleave yet. Youstill have curlers inyour hair.” Delta motioned to the rows ofbrightpinkrollers coveringthewoman’shead.
“Yoube careful withthat one, TrulyBeth. Anyone witheyes intheir head cansee somethingain’t right withthat boy.”
AgnesblewaraspberryatHazelandstormedout.
“Dollarstodonuts,thewholetownwillknowpoorChanceisametrosexualbeforesunset”Deltashookthebottleofpink lemonadenailpolishandturnedherattentiontoHazel.“Now,let’sgetyournailsfinished.” Ihadnodoubtmygrandmawasright Besidesfishingandchurch,gossipingwasabouttheonlythingtodotopassthetime “I’llkeepaneyeonthegirls.”Deltanoddedtothebackdoor.“Ithinkyou’vekepthimwaitinglongenough.”
“Yesma’am”IgatheredmystrengthandmycourageandwalkedoutsidetotalktoChance Here goes nothin’.
STANDING ON THE BACK PORCH, I COULDN’T HELP BUT OVERHEAR THE CONVERSATION GOING ON INSIDE THE SALON. THAT OLD saying, the more things change, the more they stay the same,hadneverbeentruer As one of those troubled Alden boys,most ofthetownsfolkhadtreatedmelikeastraydog.Somehadgivenmescraps,somehadkickedme,butonlyonehadwelcomed meintoherhome DeltaCallaway.
Herson,ontheotherhand,hadtakenadisliketomethefirsttimehe’dlaideyesonme TheolderI’dgrown,themorethat dislikehadturnedtohatred.WhenIpickedTrulyupfortheprom,PastorCallawayhadpulledmeasideandmadeitabundantly clearafterthatnight,Iwastostayawayfromhisdaughter
NotthatIcouldblamehim.Ihadnothinggoingformeotherthandecentlooks,asecondhandguitar,andabonedeepneed to never eat beans for dinner again But it turned out the joke was on him I wasn’t the one who had gotten his daughter pregnant.UnlikeEli,I’dhavemarriedheronthespot.
Trulysteppedoutthe backdoor andeyedme,her expressionsomewhere betweenshock,curiosity,andfear.“Sorry,that tookmesolong”
“I’minnorush.”Iforcedasmile.Thepaininherprettybrowneyesbrokemyheart.Onceuponatime,she’dlookedatme likeI’dhungthemoonandthestars
“AndI’msorryaboutthem.”Shemotionedbacktowardthesalon.“Theoldertheyget,thelesstheirbrain-to-mouthfilters work.”
“Eh,mystylist,manicurist,andaestheticianwill begladtohear all their hardworkispayingoff.I’veofficiallyreached metrosexualstatus.”
Shelaughed,andforasplitsecond,Icaughtaglimpseofthegirlsheusedtobebeforelifehadstolenhersmile “Ifigured ittookateamtomakeyoulooksogood,butIneverthoughtI’dhearyouadmitit.”
“YoustillthinkI’mgoodlookin’?”Ishovedmyhandsinmypocketsandgavehermybestaw-shucksgrin “It’snotnews,Chance.Halftheworldthinksso.”Trulyblushedanddippedherchin,thesamewayshehadwhenI’dasked heroutonourfirstdate.
Westaredateachotherforalongmoment.Herlikelywaitingformetosaysomething,andmeunabletoformasentence. Sheseemedtocatchherselfsmilingandglancedaway.“Youdidn’tcomeallthiswaytoflirt.WhatcanIdoforyou?” Iranmyhandoverthebackofmyneck “I uh waswonderin’ifyoustillhadthemusicEliwasworkingonbeforehe ” “Died?”
Inodded
Shenarrowedhereyes.“Andyou’relookingforthemusic he waswriting?”
Inoddedagain,unsurewhysheseemedsoskeptical.“Ifthat’sokaywithyou.”
“Aslongasit’sstuffEli wrote,whywouldIcare?”
Confused,Istudiedher.Whenhadshebecomesodamnedjaded?“Idon’tknow,butIthinkyoudo.” “Youdon’tknow,doyou?”Herwordscameoutlikeanaccusation “Knowwhat?Whatareyoutalkingabout?”
Thecolordrainedfromherface “Oh ” “Oh?”Iwaitedforhertoexplain.Whenshedidn’t,Iasked,“What’sgoingon?” “Thecourtcase.”Shemetmygaze.“Youreallydon’tknow?”
“IguessIdon’t”Iwrackedmybrainforanexplanation “IsthisaboutEli’sestate?Iknowhedidn’thaveawill,butit’s beentwoyears.Isn’tthatallsettledbynow?”
“Elilefteverythingamess”Shewrappedherarmsaroundhermiddleasiftoholdherselftogether Thetopichadupsether,or I’d upsether.Either way,Iwantedtoknow whatwas goingoninthatheadofhers.“Talkto me”
Shebitherlowerlip,likelytostopitfromtrembling.
“Hey,it’sokay.Imisshimtoo.”Outofhabit,Ibrushedmyknucklesacrosshercheek.
She jerked backas if I’d scorched her, walked to the far side of the porch, and checked her phone. “We have a lot to discuss,butIhaveanotherclientcominginfifteenminutes.”
“Okay”BesidesEli’sestate,Icouldthinkofaboutamillionthingsshe’dwanttotalkabout,andnoneofthemweregood Trulyhitchedashoulder.“You’rewelcometolookforthemusic.Everything’sprettymuchwhereElileftit.”
Myheart thudded to life “Youstill have his studio? I thought youwould have converted it to a playroomor office or somethinguseful.”
“I’vethoughtaboutit”Shemetmygaze “TheonlythingIaskisthatyounottakeanythingoutoftherebeforewetalk” “Sure.”Therequeststruckmeasodd,butIwastoostunnedbythefactshe’dkeptthestudiointacttoaskquestions.
Eli, Truly, and Ihad spent most ofour teenyears inthe old carriage house. At first, we’d used the dustybuildingas a hangout,butwhenEliandIdiscoveredmusic,ithadbecomeourpracticepad Itwasn’tuntilafterwe’dsignedourfirstrecord dealthatwe’dconvertedthespaceintoaproperstudiocompletewithaplacetocrashonthesecondfloor.
Asifshe’dreadmymind,Trulysaid,“Theapartmentlooksalotdifferentthesedays”
“Yeah?”Acoldshiverrandownmyspine.Whathadseemedlikeagreatideathirtysecondsagosuddenlyscaredtheshit out of me Being back in this God forsaken town was hard enough Renovated or not, how could I sleep in a glorified mausoleum?
“I’mactuallysurpriseditwasn’tbooked.”Shegavemeacrookedgrin.“It’sbecomelikeamini-Graceland.Morbidfans wantingto see where the Vaughn-AldenBand gottheir start I’ve evenhad some ghosthunters staythere Theyclaimed Eli playedthemasongfromthegreatbeyond.”
“That’s wrong”Iscowled “Hewouldhatehavingstrangers ”
“Relax.Idon’tletanyoneinthestudio,andIwaskiddingabouttheghosthunters.”Trulylaughed.“It’sjustawaytomakea littlemoney.”
Thatshehadtotakeinstrangerstomakeendsmeetconfusedme.Eli’sestateshouldhavemorethanprovidedforherand thegirls.“CanIseetheapartment?”
“Sure”SheheadedacrossthelawntowardthebackofDelta’shugehouse Istared, mesmerized byher longponytail swayinginrhythmwithher hips. TrulyCallawayhad always beena beautiful girl,butshe’dturnedintoastunningwoman Betweenhersun-bleached,waist-lengthhair,deepbrowneyes,andlipsthatmade amanthinkthingsheshouldn’t,Iwasagoner.
Trulystoppedhalfwayacrossthelawnandglancedoverhershoulder.“Youcoming?”
“Yeah.”Ifellinstepbesideher.“Isawalittleofthetowntoday.Itlooksdifferent.Ibarelyrecognizedit.”
“ThenewmayorhasbeenworkingtomakeSwansHarboratouristdestinationinsteadofapitstoponthewaytotheOuter Banks”
Iwinked.“IbelieveAgnescalleditgentrifiedhipsterhooey.”
“Whateveryoucallit,it’snicetohavemorethanonerestaurant”
“PleasetellmeKissMyGritshasn’tchanged.”Ilovedtheolddiner.BesidesTrulyandmyfolks,theirchickenfriedsteak wastheonethingI’dmissedinSwansHarbor.
“It’sstill open Gotafreshcoatofpaintandexpandedmenu,buttheystill havethatdeep-friedchickencoveredingravy youusedtolikesomuch.”Trulyledmethroughthegarden,tothecarriagehouse.
I hadn’t realized how much I’d missed the old place Everything fromthe tire swing hanging fromthe oak tree to the fountainbubblinginthekoipond,remindedmeofthegoodpartsofmychildhood.Ininterviews,itwassoeasytotalkabout the nightmare of growing up in the system To push the image of the poor little orphan who’d made it big Why hadn’t I mentionedmyparentsorthisplaceorthekindnessDeltahadshownme?
“It’salittledusty.”Trulyopenedtheheavydoor,steppedinside,andhurriedtothethermostat.“Andhot.I’ll turntheAC downtocoolitoff,butdon’tletmeforgettochangeitbackwhenweleave”
“Willdo.”Istoppedinmytracks.ThestudiowasexactlyhowIrememberedit. Ononesideoftheroom,anoldcomputersatonthebigblackdeskwe’dpickedupattheGoodwill inGreenville We’d thoughtwe were hotshitwhenthe cable companyhad runinternetto our official office. Anancientdrumkit, guitars, and a pianotookuptheothersideofthespace
Trulyrestedherhandonmyarm.“Areyouokay?”
Her softtouchbroughtbackanentirelydifferentsetofmemories. The firsttime Iheld her hand. Our firstkiss. The first timeItoldherIlovedher Prom,thenightIbrokeherheart Andourlastgoodbye thenightshebrokemine “Chance?”
Itookastepbackinhopesthedistancewouldclearmyhead “It’slikewalkingthroughatimewarp Everythinglooksthe same,excepttheSteinway.It’squiteanimprovementoverthatolduprightfromyourdad’schurch.”
“EliboughtitsoIcouldteachthetwinstoplay.”Shenoddedtothebabygrand.
“Aretheymusicians?”
“They’re learning.” She straightened a stackof music books. “I taught lessons out here for a while, but kids nowadays
preferelectronickeyboardstotherealthing.”
“It’sthesamewiththepros.Everyonewantsover-producedstudiogarbage.Noneofithassoul.”Iranmyfingertipsover thedarkgraysoundproofingonthewalls EliandIhadinstalleditourselves Atthetime,wecouldbarelyaffordthematerials, letalonetheextracosttohavesomeoneputitin.“Thisis…It’sexactlylikeIremember.”
“Notexactly”ShepickedupapileofBarbiedollsandthrew themintoapinktoyboxnearthedoor “ThegirlsandIsit outherewhenwe’remissingEli.”
“Theyrememberhim?”IwishedIcouldtakebackthequestionthesecondit’dleftmybigmouth Truly’sshouldersfell,andsheshookherhead.“Notreally,butIkeepapictureofhimintheirroom,andthey’veheardall thestories.”
Ineededtodosomethingtomakehersmile,soIwentwithhumor “Notall thestories,Ihope?”
“No.TherearesomethingsabouttheirfatherthatIhopetheyneverfindout.”Sheturnedandwalkedupstairs. Iagreedonehundredpercent ThereweresomethingsaboutEliIhoped Truly neverfoundout Ignoringthepaininmyleg, Itrudgedupbehindher.
“Guestsusetheexteriorstaircase,butthiswayismoreconvenientifyou’reinthestudio”Shepausedtounlockthedoor “Thanks,Tru.Ireallyappreciatethis.”
Shenoddedandledmeintotheapartment.“It’snotfancy,butitshouldhaveeverythingyouneed.”
Trulywasn’tkiddingwhenshe said she’d renovated She’d added a kitchen, complete witha narrow refrigerator, small stove,andenoughcrispwhitecabinetstoholdtheessentials.Astainless-steelrollingislandserveddoubledutyasextraprepspace and a dining area Off the kitchen were a loveseat and coffee table Aqueen-sized bed sat in the far corner Large windowsandcrisppastel-coloredlinensgavetheentirespacealight,brightfeel.
Blownaway,Isaid,“ThisisnicerthansomeoftheplacesIrentedinNashville.”
“Thanks.”Shepointedtothedoubledoorsonthebackwall.“There’sagood-sizedclosetandafullbath.”
Ipeekedinthebathroomandsmiled.She’dgonewithblackandwhitebasketweavetileonthefloor,whitesubwaytilesin theshower,anddustyrosepaintonthewalls Itwasfeminine,butcozy “Thisisgreat,butIinsistyoutossmeoutifyougeta realbooking.”
“Noneed Youpaidforthemonth”Sheshiftedherweightfromonefoottotheother “Areyouplanningonstayinglonger thanthat?”
As long as it takes to either find Eli’s songs or find my muse Preferably both “Idon’tknow,maybe?”Ishruggedasifitwasnobigdeal,butIwantedtogaugeherreaction. Hereyeswidened.
“Icouldstayatthefarmif ”
“No,it’sfine.”Sheletoutanervouslaugh.“Ifiguredyou’dhightailitoutofhereassoonasyoufoundthesheetmusic.”
I’dplannedtodojustthat,butnowthatIwashere,Iwantedtostickaroundalittlewhilelonger “I’dliketospendsome timewithyouandthetwins,ifthat’sallright?”
Shecrossedtheroomandopenedasmallcloset.“Thereareextrasheetsandblanketsinhere.Thereisn’tawasher,butyou canusetheoneinthemainhouseanyweekdayortheoneinthesalonafterhours Nopets,noovernightguests,anddon’tuse thetoasterandmicrowaveatthesametime.You’llblowthefuse.”
“All ofthat’sfine”Ihadn’tmissedthefactshe’davoidedmyquestion Nor hadImissedhow she’dwrungher handsas shewentthroughthedetailsoftherental.
Trulyfoldedherarms “Ishouldgetbacktothesalon”
“Whattimedoyoutakelunch?I’mmeetingGrahamforaquickbite.I’dloveforyoutojoinus.”
Shelookedeverywhereexceptatme.“IhavetocramforafinalafterI’mfinishedwithmynextclient.”
Thatshehadn’tfinishedcollegesurprisedme “Stillstudyingmusiccomposition?”
Her expressionsank, alongwithher shoulders. “Business. It’s a safer betsince I’ll be takingover the salonwhenDelta retires”
“Isthatwhatyouwant?”
She’dgottenhercosmetologylicenserightoutofhighschoolsoshecouldworkinasalonwhileattendingcollege Cutting hairanddoingnailshadbeenameanstoanend,notthegoal.ForaslongasIcouldremember,she’dwantedtowritemusic.
“Noteveryone’sdreamscometrue,Chance.”Trulymotionedtothedoor.“Afteryou.”
Iwanted to lockher inthe apartmentuntil she talked to me Really talked, notthe verbal tap dance we’d beendoing I wanted us to be like before whenwe’d sitfor hours daydreamingaboutthe future. Hell, Iwould have settled for a genuine smile,butIknewbetterthantopush TrulyCallawaywasasstubbornasamuleinahayfield
“Ishouldgo.Graham’swaiting,andIneedtogetmybagsandguitarfromWyatt.”Iwalkeddownstairs.“I’llseeyouina couplehours.”
Shefollowedme.“I’msorry,Chance.Idon’tmeantobesostandoffish.”
“Hey,it’sokay.Iunderstand.”Itookherhandsinmine.“Itookyoubysurprisetoday.Ibethavingdinnerwithmetonight
wouldhelptheshockwearoff.”
Trulywentquietlongenoughto make me antsy. Iknew her, or atleastIused to. There were two possible reasons she hadn’tansweredmeoutright One,shedidn’twanttohurtmyfeelings,andtwo,sheneededtimetocomeupwithaplausible lie.
“I’m um I’mseeingsomeone”Shesquaredhershouldersandraisedherchin Maybeitwaswishfulthinking,butIdidn’tbelieveher.“Isthatright?AnyoneIknow?”
“No He’snewintown”Shefidgetedwithherponytail asuresignshewasfullofshit
Ninety-nine-point-ninepercentconvincedshewasmakingitupasshewentalong,Idecidedtopush.“How longhasthis beengoingon?Ishegoodtoyouandthegirls?Becauseifnot,I’dbehappytosethimstraight.”
“Notlong”Shehitchedhershoulder “Andifit’sallthesametoyou,I’drathernottalkabouthim” “Suityourself.”
Trulyturnedandspeed-walkedbacktothesalon Ifshenoticedmestrugglingtokeepup,shedidn’tleton Icaughtupwith heratthebackdoor,butforonce,keptmymouthshut.
Delta’sunmistakablevoicedriftedoutontotheporch “Well,Ithinkit’saboutdangtimeshestarteddatingagain It’sbeen toolong,andshe’stooyoungtobeholedupinthatoldhousewithme.”
Another ofthe ladies replied, “She could do worse thanChance Alden. Did yousee his backside? Woo wee. Thatman gavemehotflashes”
“Bestbuns this sideoftheMasonDixon.Ifshedoesn’tsnatchhimup,someoneelsewill.”Deltacackled.“Lordknows, therearen’tmanysinglemenintheseparts”
IturnedtoTrulyandarchedabrow.“Aboyfriend,huh?”
Sheglancedfrommetothescreendoor,andfinallybacktothecarriagehouse.“Ohshoot.IforgottoturntheACbackto normal.It’llfreezeupifit’ssetbelowseventy.”
Iopenedmymouthtocallheroutonherfib,butbeforeIhadthechance,sheboltedacrossthelawn.
You can run, sweetheart, but you can’t hide Not this time
“Y’ALL DO REALIZE YOUR VOICES CARRY ALL THE WAY TO THE STATE LINE, DON’T YOU?” I WALKED INTO THE SALON THROUGH thebackdooronlytofindallthreeladies,andmytwingirls,staringoutthefrontwindow
Allfiveignoredme.
Agneshadreturnedatsomepoint,brightpinkcurlersstillinherhair.“Y’allareallgoin’toH-E-double-hockey-sticks,and you’recontributingtothedelinquencyofminors”
“Hush,you.You’reruinin’theshow.”Deltawavedmeover.“Cometakealook.”
ImovedbesideherandstaredasChancespokeintohiscellphonewithhisbacktous Hechosethatmomenttobendover andbrushdustoffhisjeans.
“Lord,havemercy,”Hazelwhispered
After knowingthe manmyentire life, I’d thoughtIwas immune to his charms, butIwas wrong. So wrong. The alluring curveofhisbacksidecaughtmeinitsspelllikeithadtherestofthewomen.
That’s one seriously nice ass
Chance glanced back at the salon and caught us staring. However, he didn’t seemto notice the others. Nope, his deep browneyeslockedonmine Asifthatwasn’tbadenough,heflashedmeacockygrinthatwasone-hundredpercentmale “Thosedimples.”Hazelfannedherself.
“He winked.” Mygrandma grabbed myarmand shookit hard enoughto dislocate myshoulder. “Did yousee that? He winkedatyou,TrulyBeth.”
Cheeksblazing,IduckedbehindHazelandslunkoutofsight.
“Momma?”Grinning,Skylartiltedherhead “Ithinkyourverybestfriendwantstokissyou” “Outofthemouthsofbabes.”Hazellaughed,andtheothersfollowedsuit.
“He’sjustbeingnice,honey,”Isaidtomydaughter,beforeshootingDeltaandhercrewofhornyoldladies,theevileye “He’s nothin’but trouble. I heard Wyatt Hobbs dragged himinto the police stationinhandcuffs this morning.” Agnes’s voicerose.“Thepolicereportsaidhewasateupwithyellowjackets,butIdidn’tseeabiteonhim.”
“That’snonsense.”Deltahuffed.“Wewouldhaveheardaboutitifhe’dbeenarrested.”
ImadeamentalnotetoaskChancewhyWyattHobbshadhisluggageandguitar. Agneshuffed “Maybeso,butIbetthere’snothinghelovesmorethanthesightofhisownreflection” “Leavethatboyalone,Agony.”Deltawalkedbacktoherstation.“Besides,Ididn’tseeyoucoveringyoureyes.”
“Someonehastokeepyoulooneytunesinline”Shesmirked “Now,areyougonnatakethesecurlersoutbeforethegood Lordreturns,orwhat?”
“Yes,yes.Calmdown.Beforeyourhotheadmeltstheplastictoyourhair.”Deltablewoutanexasperatedbreath.
“Thosebunsthough liketwokaiserrollstuckedintothebackofhisjeans”Hazelsighedlikeateengirl “MyCarlnever hadthatkindofjunkinhistrunk.”
“Momma,allthistalkaboutbunsismakingmewantahotdog”Paisleyrubbedhertummy “Metoo,darlin’.Metoo,”Hazelsaid,whichsenttheentiresalonintoafitofgiggles.
“Youallareincorrigible”Agnesshottoherfeetandofferedmydaughterherhand “Comeon,babygirl Let’sgoseewhat yourgreatgrandmahasinherfridge.”
“You’restillincurlers.”Deltamovedasiftofollowher.
“Andyou’restillaP-E-R-V-E-R-T”Agnesturnedtome “Don’tsupposeyouhaveanywieners ” Theoverseventycrowdcrackedupagain,andIhadtoagreewithAgnes.Theywereincorrigible. “Oh,fortheloveofPete”Agnesglared Holdingherbelly,Deltasaid,“There’sapackofjumbo franksinthemeatdrawer.” “IbetChancehassomethingjumboinhisdrawerstoo”Hazelwiggledhereyebrows “Comeon,let’sgetyoutwoasnack.”Agnesmarchedoutofthesalonwithtwogigglinggirlsonherheels. “Oh,he’sasnack,allright,”Deltacalledafterher.
Agnesflippedusthebirdoverhershoulder.
IcollapsedintothechairAgneshadvacated.“I’mnotsureshe’sthebestinfluenceonthetwins.”
“They’llbefine Yougrewuparoundherandlookhowwellyouturnedout”Deltamovedbehindmeandpulledmyhair outoftheponytail.“Whatdoyousay,wetakeafewinchesoffthebottom.Maybeputinsomelayers?”
“Idon’thavetimeforahaircut Mrs Andersonwillbehereanyminute” “Shecanceledher appointment.Poor thingisn’tfeelingwell.”Deltareachedfor her comb.“Whichgivesusenoughtime forahaircut”
“Ihavetostudy.”Iknewwhatshewasupto.Anewlook,tocatchChance’seye.Istartedtostand,butshepushedmeback intothechair.
“Nonsense Everyonehastimeforalittlepampering”DeltagaveHazelaquicknod “I’mgonnagocheckonAgonyandthegirls.”Shehurriedout,leavingmealonewithmygrandma.
“Idon’tknowwhatIwoulddowithoutthethreeofyou”ImetDelta’seyesinthemirror
“It’sbeenourgreatestpleasuretohelpyouwiththoselittleangels.”Sheranabrushthroughmyhairasshespoke.“Aslong asIwalkthisearth,I’llneverunderstandhowmenfolkcanturntheirbacksontheirchildren”
Havingmyhairbrushedrelaxedmebetterthananentirebottleofwine.“Daddycamearound,withthegirlsanyway.”
“Iwasn’ttalkingabouthim,thoughheisasstubbornasthedayislong.Your poor mommamusthavebeenrollinginher graveoverthewayhetreatedyou”ShebrushedsohardIfearedshe’drendermebald “Ouch.”
“Sorry”Deltapattedmyheadbeforegrabbingasquirtbottleandapairofscissors “Idon’tmeantospeakillofthedead, butElineverdidrightbythosegirls.Oryouforthatmatter.”
Therewasnouseinarguingwiththetruth.He’dvisitedwhenhecould,buthe’dspentmostofhistimeinthestudio.Asfor howhe’dtreatedme,Iwasn’treadytothinkaboutit.
“Gram,maybeweshouldn’ttalkaboutthiswhenyou’reholdingasharpobject.”Iforcedasmile.
“Ican’thelp it Nothingthathappened backthenhas ever made sense to me” She plopped downatthe nextstationand spunmychairtofaceher.“IknowyouandEliagreedtowaittogetmarried,butTruly…isthatwhatyoureallywanted?Was he whatyoureallywanted?”
She’daskedmethesamequestionsmoretimesthanIcouldcount,butI’dneverbeencompletelyhonest.I’dneveradmitted Chance had myheart, because after beingmyfirstboyfriend, firstkiss firstjustabouteverything he’d decided we were betteroffasfriends.AsformyrelationshipwithEli,itwascomplicated.
Whenanyonehadasked,I’dpaintedaprettypictureoftwopeoplewaitingfortherighttimetogetmarried.Butthatwas bullshit I’dbeentooembarrassedtotellthetruth
I’dlovedhim.Forashorttime,I’dhopedwe’dbeafamily.Oncethepregnancyhormoneshadwornoff,Irealizedthatwas nevergoingtohappen Welivedintwodifferentworlds Ifocusedonbuildingalifeformeandthetwins Elididn’twantto grow up,letalonesettledownandbethemanweneededhimtobe.Hewas busywiththebandandfameandall thatcame withit.
Deltapattedmyknee “Yoursilenceisanswerenoughforme”
Gatheringmythoughts,Ishookmyhead.“Ididn’tpushformarriagebecauseEliandIwereheadingindifferentdirections, andwebothknewit”
Deltadidn’tseemsurprised.“AndElihadathingfortheladies.”
Mymouthfellopen
Shelaughedsoftly.“Imightbeold,butI’mnotblind.”
“Hewasoneofmybestfriends,andI’llalwayslovehimforgivingmemygirls.”Iwrinkledmynose.“Butyeah,hewasa hounddog”
Shestood,pickedupthescissors,andmovedbehindmychair.“WhyisChancebackintown?”
Ah, now we ’ ve gotten to the real point of this conversation
“He’shopingtofindsomemusicEliwasworkingonbeforetheaccident.”
Shearchedabrow “Yourmusic,youmean?Doesn’theknowaboutthelawsuit?”
“Macysaystherecordcompanywouldhavetoldhim,butIdon’tthinktheydid.”Feelingdefensive,Ifoldedmyarms. “Aren’t you worried he’s going to find your songs? You never could say no to those boys. You’ll end up in the same positionasyouwerewithEli”
Myinabilityto sayno to those boys had caused me more thanmyfair share oftrouble, butI’d changed. I’d learned my lesson, grownup, and growna spine Thatshe couldn’tsee that, or had doubted me, stung “I’mthroughlettinganyone take what’smine.MacyhelpedmefilecopyrightsforeverysongIwrote,includingtheonesElistole.”
“I’msorry.Ididn’tmeantoupsetyou.”Shepattedmyshoulder.
“And Ididn’t meanto snap at you.” Ismiled to lightenthe mood. “For the record, Eli wrote a lot ofsongs. Only, they weren’tasgoodasmine.”
“Ofcoursetheyweren’t.”Deltagrinned,butitfadedasquicklyasit’dcome.“YouhavetotellChanceaboutthemusicand thelawsuit.”
Shaking my head, I said, “Macy warned me against it She’s worried anything I say to himmight be twisted and used againstmeincourt.”
Shepointedinthegeneral directionofthecarriagehouse “Thatboyhaslovedyousincebeforehisvoicechanged He’s notabouttospeakagainstyoutoajudge.Talktohim.”
Idippedmychintohidemyconfusion Deltawaswise,butshewasn’tanattorney IhadtotrustMacyinthis Ifdealing withMavishadtaughtmeanything,itwasthatbloodandmoneymadepeopledothingstheywouldn’tnormallydo.
“Bestill.”Shewaitedformetositupstraightbeforewhackingseveralinchesoffthebottomofmyhair.
“Notsoshort”Horrified,Istaredattheblondestrandslitteringthefloor
“Youhaven’tcutitsincethefuneral.It’stimetoletgoofthepastandstartoverwithanewlook,TrulyBeth.”Deltalifted thelengthandsnippedevenmoreoff Shemighthavebeentalkingaboutmyhair,butitdidn’ttakearocketscientisttoknow she’dreferredtosomething,or someone,elseentirely.
“Ican’tbelievehe’s goingtobestayingintheapartment Icanhear therumors now”Animageofmyfather’s scowling facepoppedintomyhead.“Daddy’sgoingtohaveafit.”
“Whocareswhatpeoplethink?”Shemetmygazeinthemirrorandpointedthescissorsatme.“Asformyson,helostthe righttohaveanopinionthedayheturnedhisbackonyou Preacherornot,thatmanhasalottoatonefor includingFlynn”
Thementionofmyprodigalbrothermademyheartacheinadifferentway.Iwasproudofhim.He’dachievedhisdreams ofplayingmajor league baseball His fame,or more specifically,his lifestyle hadcauseda fallingoutbetweenhimandour dad.Flynnhadn’tcomehomesince.Iunderstoodhisneedtoputdistancebetweenhimselfandourfather,buthe’dleftmetoo.
“DadandIhavebeenworkingonourrelationship.”Ineededtowalkorpacetheroom.IdidmybestthinkingwhenIwas movingaround.“Ireallylethimdown.”
Shespunmetofaceher.“Youlistentome.Parentsaresupposedtolovetheirchildrenunconditionally.Gettingpregnantout ofwedlockisn’ttheendofthedamnedworld You aren’ttheproblem Heis”
We’dhadthisconversationamilliontimestoo.Iunderstoodwhatshewassaying.Icouldn’timaginetreatingmydaughters thewaymyfatherhadtreatedme,butIwasn’ttheonewhohadtostandatthatpulpiteverySunday
“You’re right.” I motioned to myhalf-scalped head. “Now, please finishup before I have to walkaround townwitha lopsidedhairdo.”
Deltagotbacktowork.“Whatdo you thinkaboutChancebeinghere?Ithoughtyouweregoingtopassoutwhenhewalked in.”
“Itdoesn’tmatterwhatIthinkbecausehe’sjustpassingthrough”Iclosedmyeyes “Lookatmewhenyousaythat.”Shenudgedmyshoulder.
“Ican’t You’recuttingmyhairsoshort Ican’tbeartowatch”
“It’stimeyoustoppedhidingbehindallthis.”Shesquirtedthesidesofmyheadwithwaterandcontinuedtosnipawayat myformerlywaist-lengthcurls.
Onceagain,IhadthedistinctimpressionDeltawasn’ttalkingaboutmyhair “I’mnothiding” “Youare,anddon’tchangethesubject.”Shetsked.“Youalwaysdidhaveathingforhim.”
“Nowthatyoumentionit,IguessIdohaveatype”Ismirked “Handsomeanduninterested” “Openyoureyes,girl.”Shepattedmyshoulder.
“Grandma,Iknowyoumeanwell,buttrustmewhenItellyou,Chancehasnointentionsofstickingaround He’llleaveas soonashegetswhathecamefor.”
“Maybe.Maybenot.”Deltachuckled.“Butyouneedtoopenyoureyesandtellmewhatyouthinkofyourhair.” Iglancedatmyreflectionandgasped “Oh”
Theshorterlengthmademycurlsspringbacktolife,andthenewlayersframingmyfacemademyeyesseembigger.She’d takenmore thanhair off She’d takenyears For the firsttime since becominga mother, Ilooked like myself Like a woman withhopes,anddreams,andtheconfidencetomakethemcometrue.
“Istillneedtoblowitdry,butthelayersmakeyoulookyounger”Shescrubbedmyrootstoaddvolume “It’s…”Speechless,Iturnedmyheadfromsidetoside.
“Youhateit?”Hervoicewentuptwooctaves.“Oh,Truly,I’msorry.Ishouldhaveaskedfirst.Youalwaysusedtowearit likethis Ithought ”
“No.Iloveit.”Icouldn’tstopsmiling.
Hazelwalkedinandwolf-whistled “Woo-wee ChanceAldenisn’tgonnaknowwhathithimwhenhegetsalookatyou” Agnes,who’dcomeinbehindHazel,groaned.“Canwe please talkaboutanythingbutthatGeorgeStraitwannabe?” Ididn’tknow how longhewouldstay,orifhe’dlikemyhair,butonethingwasforcertain SwansHarborwouldn’tbe boringaslongasChanceAldenwasintown.
