Page 107 of Pink and Country

“A week. I hope. Fuck, I can’t believe she’s gone.”

June squeezed my forearm. “I’m sure the two of you will figure this out. Is she the real deal?”

“You have no idea—” My throat clenched from the emotional storm raging inside me.

“Sorry, Carter. I know she means a lot to you. I’m sure she’ll be back in no time. And in case it wasn’t obvious before, I really like her. She’s good for you.”

I glanced around, avoiding her gaze. A tidal wave formed inside me. “Yeah, let’s just focus on something else.”

We spent the first half of the flight going over some business, and after a quick nap, I worked on a new song while June dealt with whatever she had to do, and Ed read a graphic novel he'd brought along.

Stud greeted me once I touched base in Portland, his famous smirk spreading his lips. I climbed into my friend’s old red pickup truck while Ed and June drove away in a rental toward their hotel.

After Dahlia left the band six years ago, Stud retired too, and Carter Hills Band became Carter Hills, solo artist. My bandmate longed for a slower pace of life. He’d made enough money with his musical career to start afresh.

Six years ago, Stud moved to the West Coast, bought a piece of land, and built his dream house on the outskirts of Portland. Married to his former personal assistant, he had two kids, owned a woodworking shop, and he and his wife managed a small inn they'd built on their property. He said he didn’t miss the fame and all its perks and downfalls. Sometimes I envied him. I wished I could get off the bandwagon and build a farmhouse in the middle of nowhere and just be. No one to impress, no one to report to, no one expecting anything from me.

Each time I came to town, Stud and his wife, Belinda, insisted I stay with their family, and I never missed a chance.

Stud merged on the freeway, and his eyes found mine. “How are things back home?”

“Calmer,” I said with half a smile. “How’s the family?”

“Good. The kids are growing up. Tristan’s now playing the guitar. You’re going to be proud.”

The moment I stepped foot inside the house, Tristan and Kimberly ran into my arms. I dropped my bags on the floor and ruffled the little boy’s blond hair before picking his pigtailed sister up. The child wound her two-year-old arms around me and rested her head in the crook of my neck. Stud didn’t lie. They’d grown up a lot since the last time I visited.

Kimberly chattered in my ear with her contagious cheerfulness, “Uncle Catttter, Uncle Catttter, I missed you.” My arms fastened around her tiny body.

“I’ve missed you too, Kimmie.” I kissed her forehead.

“Come upstairs. I want to show you the train I built in my room with Daddy,” Tristan said, tugging at my sleeve. “Follow me, Uncle Carter.”

Belinda shook her head. “Kids, give Uncle Carter a minute.”

I leaned forward to place a kiss on her cheek. “It’s okay, Belle. I owe these guys some quality time. I haven’t seen them in months. It’s been far too long.” I squatted down and picked Tristan up under my arm, tickling him with my fingers.

With the two children in my arms, and doing my best impression of Papa Bear, I disappeared upstairs to their room, stomping up the stairs. The farmhouse was just how I remembered it. Whitewashed recycled barn wood walls, dark wood sliding doors the same shade as the plank floors, and mint-green kitchen cabinets. The scent of dried branches of the eucalyptus titillated my nostrils. Their house was a home. Warm and welcoming. I took a big gulp of air. A surge of peacefulness washed over me. The tension in my back loosened.

“He’s such a natural with children,” I heard Belinda whisper to Stud downstairs. “I wish he’d find someone nice who’d make him happy. Enough with the Hollywood divas or superficial models.”

Stud answered something I didn’t quite catch from where I stood at the top of the staircase.

A hint of a smile stretched my lips, and my pulse picked up.

My mind drifted to April. For once in my life, maybe I could be happy. For the first time, a long-term relationship was something I could envision. Goosebumps bloomed all over my skin. I ignored them.

A family. Was it even something April wanted?

I put the kids down and fished my phone from the back pocket of my denims as they ran to their bedroom.

My smile faltered when I realized April never replied to the message I sent earlier. Why was it bothering me so much?

Landed. Safe and sound. At Stud’s. Call me when you can.

I shoved my phone back into my pocket and entered the bedroom, but then I changed my mind and picked it up again.

Miss you xx