Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 81401 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 407(@200wpm)___ 326(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81401 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 407(@200wpm)___ 326(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
He looks back toward the house and sighs. “Something on your mind?” I head toward the barn, knowing he’ll follow me. When I get in, I go right to the small frig that I keep out here and offer him a beer.
“Saw some headlines today, thought I’d stop by and see how things are.”
Instead of answering, I take a long pull off my bottle of beer. “You or Lori?”
“Lori,” he admits.
“Right, well if you have a question, ask it.” There was a time when I considered Buck my best friend, but after the other night, I’m not so sure we’re on the same page where our friendship is concerned.
Buck shrugs. “Lori’s concerned that you have yourself in a pickle.”
“Would Lori feel this way if it were Holly who was pregnant?”
He runs his hand through his hair and grimaces.
“That’s what I thought.” I walk further into the barn and pick up my tools to muck the stalls. “I don’t know why y’all have an issue with Zara.”
“I dunno. I mean, she’s not one of us. I mean, she doesn’t even listen to our music.”
“And that makes her some sort of alien?” I can’t even look at Buck right now because I’m fuming. Friends aren’t supposed to be like this.
“No, but come on, Levi. She’s different. She doesn’t fit in.”
“She fits in just fine,” I tell him.
“How much do you even know about her? I mean, Lori’s going on and on about her being hitched up and how there’s a scandal brewing because you got her pregnant. She ain’t good for your career, and the girls just lost their mother. Don’t you think you’re moving too fast?”
“I know plenty about her,” I tell him, purposely avoiding the pregnancy rumor and anything that has to do with her divorce.
“Oh yeah, what’s her favorite movie? Color? Song?”
Unfortunately, I pause long enough to let him know that I don’t know those things. “That’s all trivial.”
“It’s all first date questions that you ask, man.”
I put down my shovel and sigh. “Except I don’t get first dates, Buck. Hell, it’s hard enough to find a woman that wants to be with me, for me, and my fame and fortune. Holly, she wants the fame that comes with dating someone like me. It oozes off her. I could tell from the moment I met her. But with Zara, she doesn’t care about any of that because she has her own.”
“But she’s nothing like you!”
“Exactly, and that’s why I love her.”
Buck takes a step back, almost as if I’ve stung him. It’s true, and she knows it. I’m in love with her despite the differences we share.
“Hey, Uncle Buck,” Stormy’s voice breaks through the tension. He turns toward her as she walks into the barn. She eyes me warily, making me wonder how much she’s heard. I know she had trouble accepting that Zara was going to be a part of my life in the beginning, but they’ve grown close and over the past few weeks have been inseparable. I’m not trying to replace Iris, but I wouldn’t mind Zara stepping into the role.
I also wouldn’t mind finding out that the pregnancy rumors are true, even though I know they’re not. I’m not opposed to expanding my family, especially if that includes her.
“Hey, Stormy. Glad to have you back home.” He gives her a hug, but I can tell she’s not really into it.
She pulls away and looks at me. “I found some dogs. There are a few older ones and puppies down at the shelter in Franklin. Willow and I thought maybe we could get an older one too, give him a home since he was abandoned by his family.”
“Y’all gettin’ a dog?” Buck asks.
I shrug. “Looks like we’re fixin’ to pick up two.” I smile at Stormy, who clasps her hands together. Seeing the excitement on her face is worth it, although I’m not excited about having two dogs running around. “Go get your sister ready, and we’ll scoot on down there.”
“Thank you, Daddy.” She hugs me, which sends my heart racing toward the moon.
“You’re never home,” Buck points out. “How are you gonna care for two dogs?”
“See, Buck,” I say as I scoop up my tools and take them back over to the rack. “If y’all would quit meddlin’ and start talking to me like a friend, you’d find out that I won’t be touring like a madman with the girls home, and when I do go on a tour, my ma will be here.”
“Or Zara?” he asks.
I know the smile that spreads across my face is pissing him off, but I don’t give a shit. I love that woman. “Nah,” I say. “The more I think about it, the more I’m certain. When I go back on tour, my family is coming with me. Two dogs included. It’ll be one hell of a cramped bus, but man it’ll be worth it.”