“You really think this will work?” I asked.
“This ain’t my first rodeo. I know it will. In your interviews, Hunter, talk about your mother—how she left you when you were only ten, which will help the listeners understand the first verse. But nothing about your marriage. We let the song say the rest. Fans connect the dots themselves. They always do.” Madeleine leaned back, reminding me of a very satisfied feline. “And once they hear it in that song, the story needs no explanation. No smear campaign necessary.”
“What about Ivy though?” Hunter asked. “Dana went after her pretty hard. The affair implication. The sabotage story. As much as she probably hates me, Dana’s true aim is to damage Ivy’s reputation.”
Madeleine looked at Ivy. “We talked about it this morning.”
“That’s right,” Ivy said. “I’ve been pretty open and authentic with my fans—showing them who I am outside of music. Probably too much. Regardless, my listeners feel like they know me personally. It’s going to take more than Dana’s accusations to convince them I’m a husband stealing home wrecker. I think people are smart enough to see the difference between Dana and me.”
“I think so too,” Madeleine said slowly. “But I don’t want to take any chances. Which means we get after this hard.” She turned her laptop around to show us the screen. “I’ve booked Ivy for a television interview. One of the network nighttime news shows. Long interview format.” She looked at Ivy. “During the interview, don’t mention Dana. Instead you talk about your music and the new record. Why you chose to leave the label. You can tell the story about your early days in Nashville when you met Hunter. How you were both broke, trying to make it. What The Meadowlark Café meant to you—and your friendship. Maybe tell a few stories about your early collaboration, then hit them with the story about Hunter sending you his very personal song for the new album. You touch hearts by explaining how deeply loyal you are to each other and how valuable your partnership has been to both your careers.”
“What if she asks about Dana’s accusations in the interview?” Ivy asked.
“Then you tell the truth. He’s like your brother.” Madeleine closed the laptop and looked around the table. “We run two tracks at once. Track one is personal—Ivy and Hunter both tell your stories, once, to the right people, and then you're done talking about it forever. Track two is professional—the music comes out and we focus on that messaging. Make a big deal about how Ivy’s taking control of her own career. People love that.”
“Just like that, we silence all the rumors?” Ivy asked.
“Funny how the truth does that,” Madeleine said.
“What do you think?” I asked Seraphina, who had been way too quiet.
Seraphina smiled, folding her hands on the table as if she were about to say grace. “I’d say there are some smart women in this room, and we best do as they suggest.”
“All right then. I’ll get to work,” Madeleine said. “I booked a room at the inn in town. I’ll let you know next steps. For now, you all relax. This is all going to end exactly as it should.”
ALL SHE CARRIES BY HUNTER SLOANE
Verse One
She got the call in the middle of the night
An accident and her sister's gone
And a baby without a mother
She answers the call
Gives away her dreams
For changing diapers
And never looks back
Carrying it all alone
Verse Two
He left her for a woman
Closer to their daughter's age
Than his own
Leaving behind an empty house
And a baby girl without a father
That mama doesn't blink
