“Yeah. A girl.”
Ivy beamed. “Tell me everything.”
“I’ve known her almost since I moved here. She comes into the bar with her friends at least once a week. First time I saw her, she knocked me off my feet. I had this huge crush on her, but I didn’t know if she returned the feelings. But then her son asked me for guitar lessons, and we started talking. Next thing I knew, I’d actually asked her out on a date. And she said, yes, which I still find hard to believe. She’s way out of my league. She’s a writer. Kind of famous, actually.”
“What’s her name? I want to look her up.” Ivy was already reaching for her phone.
“Seraphina Sinclair.”
“Wait? You’re dating Seraphina Sinclair?”
“That’s right. Do you know who she is.”
“Oh heck, yeah I do. I was just reading one of her books on the plane. I love her.”
“Do not give me a hard time about this—I read her entire catalog over the last six months or so.”
“But she has a million books,” Ivy said.
I grinned, sheepish. “I know. They’re all really good too.”
“I’m happy for you. Truly. Can I meet her?”
“That’s the other thing. You’re her favorite singer.Already Goneis her favorite song. First time she heard it, she was in the car and had to pull to the side of the road because it moved her so much.”
“Oh goodness me, that’s wonderful,” Ivy said. “Is she divorced? Kids?”
“Never married, but she has a son. Fifteen. Tyler. He’s pretty great.”
“What’s the story with his father?”
“Never in the picture. She’s raised him alone. In fact, he and his friends put their single mothers on a dating site without their knowledge.” I shared what I knew of the kids’ plan, knowing Ivy would love the whole thing.
“And three of the mothers are now married?” Ivy asked. “Lord have mercy. God sure had a plan, didn’t he?”
“The lord works in mysterious ways,” I said. “Sometimes through a dating app.”
“Anyway, when can I meet her and Tyler? I’ll be on my best behavior, I promise.”
“Maybe tomorrow for dinner? You could sing the new song for her. Since she’s the one who inspired it.”
Her eyes widened. “Wait, what? Tell me more this minute.”
I laughed. “We were all out to dinner—the three of us—and she said something kind of vulnerable and then followed it up with, ‘Or something like that anyway.’”
“And it stuck with you and pretty soon you had a song.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Hunter, I’m tickled to death for you. I’ve been worried.”
“What about you? Any cowboys in your life right now?”
She shook her head. “I’ve been too busy for love. Anyway, I’m holding out for that knock me on my butt type of love. I know I’ll know him when I meet him. Until then, I can just keep writing sad songs with you.”
“Have you been writing?”
“Yeah, I have a few I want to play for you. Maybe you and Wes can help me decide if they’re worth keeping. Or help make changes if needed. I’ve got the seed of one that could be a great duet, but I need your help.”
