Chorus— together
But the moment I saw you
I saw everything
All the torn pieces of my heart
Stitched into a patchwork quilt like my mama made
The only warmth I'd ever need
10
SERAPHINA
We arrived at the Callahan’s home a few minutes after six. Lila had come by earlier with a plat of fresh strawberries from her garden. Tyler and I had sampled a few, marveling that Lila could coax them into ripening so early in the season. Tyler had declared them better than candy and suggested we make some kind of dessert with them to bring to Margaret. However, as usual, I’d chosen to write a chapter instead of make shortcake. So instead, we had a box with Lila’s gorgeous strawberries as our offering.
Hunter answered the door before we even knocked. “Hey. Welcome.”
“Hi there.” I had to fight the instinct to wrap my arms around him for a kiss. He looked absolutely delectable in a pair of jeans and a T-shirt that stretched across his muscular chest.
“Good to see you both,” Hunter said, holding out his hand to shake Tyler’s, then gave me a quick hug.
He smelled way too good.
“Come on in. Everyone’s in the kitchen,” Hunter said.
We followed him through the front entryway into the kitchen. I resisted the urge to wipe my sweaty palms againstmy jeans. Meeting Ivy James had me as giddy and excited as a teenage girl at her first school dance.
“You look beautiful,” Hunter said in my ear before we entered the kitchen.
“Thank you,” I said, staring up into his eyes, forgetting everything else for a moment.
“Hey, y’all.” Ivy stepped forward. “I’m Ivy.” She held out her hand for me to shake.
I was embarrassed by how sweaty my palm was and really hoped she didn’t notice. Happily, I didn’t have to worry for long because she said, “It’s so nice to meet you. I’m such a fan that I’m worried I’m going to make a dang fool of myself.”
Ivy looked exactly like she did in her videos, only a little less glamorous. Her blonde hair was pulled into a ponytail, and she wore minimal makeup. Not that she needed any. She was breathtaking. A stab of insecurity came, but I pushed it aside, not wanting anything to wreck this moment.
“No, it’s the other way around,” I said. “You have no idea what your music’s meant to me.”
“It’s true,” Tyler said.
Hunter introduced us to Margaret and Wes, who I had seen occasionally around town. Margaret gave off earth mother vibes, holding out her hand to shake Tyler’s.
“It’s sure nice to have you here,” Margaret said.
“Thanks,” Tyler said, holding out the box. “We brought strawberries.”
“Oh, now that’s what I’m talking about,” Wes said. “We’re gonna make us some homemade strawberry ice cream.”
“That’s my mom’s favorite,” Tyler said.
“If you’re going to do that, you best get on with it,” Margaret said, before turning to me. “Our ice maker’s as old as dirt.”
“Hand crank’s the best kind,” Wes said. “Tyler, you want to help me? We’ll do it in our outside kitchen, otherwise Margaret gets mad at me for making a mess.”
“Salt goes everywhere,” Margaret said.
