It must have been the day of rushed goodbyes because I was two for two.
“Well, all right then. That’s my girl. Go get him.”
I stopped, almost tripping on my feet from the abruptness. “What makes you think I’m going to find Stetson?” I asked, mid-turn.
“Because you’d be a fool not to, and I know you well enough to know you’re no fool.”
“Bye, George.”
“Bye, darlin’.”
Chapter Thirty-Four
“Ifeel like I’m going to throw up,” I admitted.
“That seems normal for the current situation,” Maggie said.
I called Maggie after I left Rolling Meadows and told her everything. How Stetson had turned my article into Country Music and Company, the conversation with George, and how my mom thought I needed to let him hear the whole story from me, to give him a chance to really understand the situation, and how that was exactly what I planned to do by going to Nashville. Within twenty minutes of hanging up the phone, her and Booker were on my doorstep with suitcases in hand.
“The fact that I have to wait for his entire show to be over makes this even more grueling,” I whined.
“At least we’ve got a good view.”
She wasn’t wrong.
Booker managed to snag a couple of last-minute seats just a few rows back from the front. When George said a benefit concert, I’d envisioned something small, intimate, butthis was anything but. The outside venue was very much an amphitheater, and there were barely any empty seats.
“Yeah, I’m not sure how Booker managed it, but we’re here and that’s all that matters.”
“Except, do you have plan? Like when are you actually going to talk to him?”
I hadn’t gotten that far. I just assumed I’d figure it out once I got here.
“Scarlett?” a familiar voice came from behind us, followed by a tap on my shoulder. I rotated around and was met with Ruby’s gaze.
“Ruby, hi!”
“Hi,” she said, practically bouncing up and down. “Why aren’t you backstage with Uncle Stetson?”
“Oh, um.” I paused, figuring out what to say next. “Why aren’t you in the front row? I thought that was your favorite seat in the house,” I deflected.
“Ugh. I’m with my aunt Lucy and she didn’t want to be smooshed between all the girls screaming their faces off. This is the closest she’d let us get.”
“Ha, I can’t blame her.” I chuckled. “Ruby, this is my best friend, Magnolia and her boyfriend Booker.”
“Hi, Ruby, it’s nice to meet you!” Maggie said.
“Very nice to meet you.” Booker added.
“You too.”
“Ruby Tyler, what did I tell you about talking to strangers.”
Tyler.
The name rattled through my bones.
“She’s not a stranger, Aunt Lucy. This is Uncle Stetson’s girlfriend, Scarlett.”
