She crammed every spare moment, taking online practice tests and letting the twins drill her with flashcards. It was ridiculous, really. She’d performed in front of millions on theStar Factorfinale, but somehow this test felt more terrifying.
They had back-to-back shows in Phoenix and Albuquerque then a day off in Oklahoma—one that Ruth wouldn’t stop talking about. She’d invited the entire band and crew to her parents’ house in Bixby for a cookout, hyping it up like the social event of the year. More importantly, she was planning to introduce Nolan as her new boyfriend.
The Abbotts’ farm stretched across ten acres, ending at the banks of the Arkansas River. Jamie had only been there once before but the beauty of it had stayed with her—the open fields, the steady hum of cicadas, the way the river shimmered under the afternoon sun.
The house itself was modest, built in the 1930s when her great-grandparents first bought the land. It had always been a working farm, and everyone in the family had a role to play.
Everyone except Ruth.
She had left straight out of high school, following her sweetheart to California when he earned a full-ride football scholarship to USC. After just one semester he’d blindsided her—something about the pressure of being a backup quarterback, though the truth was written all over his new cheerleader girlfriend’s socials.
With no money, no place to go, and too much pride to return home, Ruth took the first job she could find—Derrick needed an assistant and she needed a way to survive.
The buses rumbled down a long dirt road in convoy, kicking up dust behind them. The landscape was familiar: rolling hills and split-rail fences, reminiscent of the Langleys’ ranch. Up ahead the Abbotts stood waiting.
Mr. Abbott wore a short-sleeve shirt and denim overalls, while Mrs. Abbott stood beside him in a blue dress, a half-apron tied neatly around her waist. They looked like they’d stepped out of a Norman Rockwell painting.
“That’s them!” Ruth shrieked, pointing through the windshield. “My parents!” She waved wildly, and they waved back.
As soon as Mr. Black pulled into the driveway, Gus opened the door. Ruth didn’t wait—she flew down the steps and straight into her parents’ arms.
Jamie took the twins’ hands and walked them over.
“Hi, Mr. and Mrs. Abbott,” she said. “This is Emily, and this is Charlotte.”
“Hi, sir,” Emily said, sticking out her hand.
Mr. Abbott shook it, smiling warmly.
“Hi, ma’am,” Charlotte said, doing the same to Ruth’s mom.
Mrs. Abbott’s face lit up. “Such lovely manners,” she said approvingly before turning her attention to Jamie.
“Jamie!” she exclaimed, pulling her into a big hug. “Please, call me Sue.”
“And Levi,” Mr. Abbott added with a firm handshake. “I insist.”
Jamie nodded, then glanced over her shoulder as a familiar group approached.
“That would be the Langley boys,” she said.
Sue’s eyes widened the moment she spotted them. “Clayton Langley!” She stretched her arms wide in invitation. “I’m such a big fan. I have all your records!”
Jesus help me.
Jamie rolled her eyes at Ruth who nodded, confirming it was true.
“Howdy, ma’am.” Clayton grinned and hugged Sue. “Happy to sign whatever you’ve got.”
“Hands off my wife,” Levi joked.
Clayton chuckled and took a step back.
Sue’s gaze shifted to the man beside him. “And this must be the doctor!” She scanned him up and down, then turned to Jamie. “Just as handsome as his brother.”
Jamie coughed into her hand and Clayton nudged her boot with his.
“Nolan, ma’am.” He tipped his hat and shook Levi’s hand. “Pleasure to meet you.”
