Ivy shrugged. “I say that’s kind of sad.”
“Sad? Why?”
“Because when people say things that aren’t true, it’s usually from a place of deep pain.”
“Are you saying you and Hunter were never romantically involved?”
“That’s right, ma’am. He’s my brother. Simple as that.”
“Why would she make those accusations?”
“I guess you’d have to ask her. I sure didn’t appreciate it, though. I’ve always been authentic with my fans. They trust me to be who I truly am. Which is a simple girl from Tennessee who loves her mama. I’d never do anything that would make her ashamed of me. Anyone who knows me knows that.”
That seemed to satisfy Miranda. She asked a few more questions about the independent label, about Wes producing and about what Ivy hoped listeners would take from the new record. Ivy answered them in the same forthright manner. It was no wonder she was the sweetheart of country music. Anyone listening would feel like Ivy was their best friend.
“Would you play it for us? The new single?”
Ivy beamed. “I’d love to. Wes and I decided to record this with just the guitar and my voice. We’re all real excited. This is the first song Hunter’s written for me in a minute, and, I have to say, it was worth the wait.”
Someone off camera handed Ivy a guitar. She played the whole song through in her signature “honey meets sweet cream” voice.
“Oh, Hunter, it’s such a good song,” Seraphina said, placing her hand in mine. “It’s going to be a big hit for her.”
“Yeah, it’s a good one,” Tyler said. “Kind of sad, though.”
“It’s about your mom,” I said. “So it can’t be all sad.”
Tyler nodded, glancing between us. “Is she the thousands of words?”
“That’s right,” I said.
“Teaching you how to stay?” Tyler asked.
Smart kid.
“That’s right,” I said.
“And are you going to stay?” Tyler asked, looking down at his hands.
“I’ll stay for however long you’ll both have me,” I said.
Tyler looked up at me, tears glistening his thick lashes. “You won’t leave. Not like him.”
“That’s right,” I said.
Tyler surprised me by leaping up to give me a hug. “I’m glad you found us.”
“I am too,” I said, fighting the lump in my throat.
“Okay, I have to go to bed,” Tyler said. “I have a math test in the morning.”
He said goodnight to both of us and then headed up the stairs, taking two steps at a time.
“I had no idea how badly he wanted a father,” Seraphina said, her voice just above a whisper.
“I did. Because I was the same way.”
Seraphina snuggled closer, fitting under my arm as if I’d been made by the good lord for exactly this purpose.
