He blinked. “No calculator? No pen and paper?”
“Nope.” She leaned back, smirking. “I’m good with numbers.”
His gaze lingered a little longer than before, something thoughtful in the way he studied her. “Are you some kind of math genius?”
“What? Like Will Hunting.”
“Who?”
“Good Will Hunting. The movie.”
“I’ve never seen it.”
“You need to get out more, Clayton.”
There was a knock at the door and they turned.
“Are you expecting someone?” Clayton asked.
Jamie glanced at her watch. “It must be Ruth. It’s almost time for rehearsal.”
She opened the door and Ruth walked in, laughing as she held up her phone. “Hi, Clayton,” she said, flipping the screen toward him. “I’m FaceTiming with your brother.”
Nolan’s voice came through the phone. “Hey, man!”
“Hey,” Clayton said. “Show me the puppies!”
Ruth moved closer so they could all see the screen. Nolan turned his camera around, revealing a tangle of tiny puppies playing with their toys while Poppy dozed nearby.
“The red one is Heathcliff,” Nolan said.
Two small faces suddenly crowded into the frame.
“Hi, Daddy!” Charlotte chirped.
Emily grinned as she carefully scooped up Heathcliff. “We love him!”
“Be careful, girls,” Clayton warned gently. “They’re justbabies.”
Jamie smiled. “How’s Poppy doing?”
“Hi, Miss Jamie!” the twins said in unison. “Uncle Nolan said we could watch the awards on his TV.”
Clayton shook his head with a chuckle. “Don’t stay up too late, now.”
“Poppy’s fine—just a little tired,” Nolan reassured her. “But the puppies are eating well, and she’s doing great.”
Ruth glanced at the time. “We have to go.”
“Aww,” Charlotte whined.
Clayton softened. “Bye, girls. Love you.”
“Love you too!” Charlotte said. With a proud little smile she added, “Break a leg, Daddy.”
The ACM rehearsals were in the MGM Grand Garden Arena, so they took the elevator down to the lobby and walked a short distance past the comedy club to the venue.
“I’m so excited!” Ruth bounced on her feet. “Reba McEntire is one of the presenters. I hope I get to meet her.” She glanced at her phone. “Who else is presenting? Their website doesn’t list everyone.”
