“What about the driving?” I ask, tapping my foot.
Gene pulls out his phone, and I sit down, grabbing the bass.
“Dr. K! I’ve delivered the smackdown you requested, but now there’s a question on the table about driving an ATV on the property.” He pauses, then holds out his phone. “She said to put her on speaker.”
Dr. K’s dry voice comes across the line, strong and clear. “I’m not a fan of any driving, Mac.”
“Dr. K—” Mac starts but is immediately cut off.
“I’m not finished. I’m not a fan, but as long as you’re accompanied by an adult and not on main roads, it’s not a bad way to sharpen your motor skills and evaluate your driving in a safe environment.”
Mac sticks her tongue out at me, and I throw up my hands.
“Baby, I know you’re stuck in the house all day long, and I’m sorry. I’ve got another couple of intense weeks with this pregnancy boom, and then, hopefully, it’ll get better.”
She blows me a kiss.
“Okay, okay. I hear you. I’m sorry I scared you two. I promise I’ll be a good girl.”
Gene, Dr. K, and I all snort at the same time.
“Assholes.”
“Assholes who love you,” Dr. K says, and I grin as Mac’s eyes meet mine.
We end the call, and Gene’s face is all smiles.
“So! What else have you been working on?”
“I’ve been doing this all day. Don’t you want me to take it easy?”
“Of course. But you’ve already overdone it today. A little more won’t kill you. We’ll take it easy tomorrow. Now, stop stalling and show me what else you’re working on.”
“Fine. After that, I’m dragging Kinley to our room, and there’s no telling what kinds of things you’ll hear.”
“I brought my earplugs,” Gene says, then grimaces. “I’m sorry. I’m actually not assuming I’ll stay here. I just got on a flight before I really thought about the logistics.”
“Eh, Mac’ll do that to you. Besides, I’ve got a whole guest suite upstairs, and we’re nowhere near as loud as Mason and Freddy. You’ll be safe.”
Gene chuckles, and Mac scowls while setting the newest music on his stand.
Oh, this is going to be so good.
Chapter15
Mac
Gene was impressedwith the songs and even more impressed with Kinley. She doesn’t see how she affects the people around her, but I do. There’s just something in her steady way that sets everyone at ease.
Before we pack it in for the night, Gene stops me.
“You need to marry that girl,” he says, his expression completely serious.
“I’m trying to figure it out, Gene. This land—it’s been in her family for generations. I love what I do, but I can’t ask her to leave, and I don’t think I can leave her. I’m sorry. I don’t know what that means, but you’ve shown up here, and you’re like the fifteenth person who’s said the same thing as if I don’t know I need to marry her.”
He wrinkles his nose. “Why on earth does anyone have to leave anyone?”
“Because everything I do is in Nashville?”
