Page 12 of Nashville Lights

But Laney and Jedlovedthe farm, and they thought of my family as their own. Jed and I met the first day of high school and from that day, he spent most of his time at our place. Jed was an only child and the farm was a hell of a lot more fun than his small rundown house in town.

When Laney and Jed got together in eleventh grade, she started coming along with him.

As soon as they could afford to, they bought a small property across the road from Sugar Mountain Farm. They spent Easters, Thanksgivings and Christmases with us. When Daisy was born, she was welcomed into our family like one of our own.

It was no surprise to me that they wanted Daisy to be raised on the farm. Not flown to Ohio, where Daisy has never even been, to live with an aunt she’s only met a handful of times.

I happen to know Laney could barely stand to spend time with Amanda, and she thought Amanda’s husband Derek was insufferably dull. She complained that their two teenage sons spent most of their time gaming, which Laney always thought was a colossal waste of time. Especially when you could be swimming in the lake, swinging on the rope swing or going on hayrides.

“I know you won’t stop fighting this,” I say, my voice steady. “And believe it or not, I respect that. But I won’t stopfighting it either, Amanda. Daisy’s where she needs to be. With me. With people Laney and Jed loved like their own.”More than their own,I don’t bother mentioning. “Now, I’m going home to have dinner with Daisy, my sister, my brothers, my mother, my aunt and my uncle, who all adore Daisy and who are pouring all the love they possibly can into every day with her. Just like I am.”

“I’ll also mention that I’ve communicated my concerns to my lawyers about your…lifestyle.”

Here we go. “What lifestyle?”

“I took the liberty of googling you. As is my right in a situation like this. I don’t know if you’re aware, but a number of…womenhave posted about you. Online.”

Shit. “What women.”

“The ones you occasionally go out with and apparently spend the night with.”

Damn it.

Laney was actually the one that saw it. She and Jed had a good laugh about it. It was probably a year and a half ago. A woman I met at a local fundraising event who happened to be some kind of “influencer” posted a photo of her and me on her social media. I give money to a bunch of different local groups and the town paper asked for a photo of me at their event. She insisted on standing next to me. I’m not proud of it—and it turned out to be a terrible mistake—but I went home with her that night. I can’t even remember her name.

She later posted the photo, with a caption along the linesof:Turns out the hot country boy is a well-h#ng superhero on steroids in the s@ck. If you see this, Nate Boone, freaking call me, you sexy beast.

Or something like that. I never heard the end of it from Laney and Jed.

She wasn’t the only one. There was the woman I went out to dinner with the night the accident happened. Who’s been hounding me ever since and who might also have posted something. I have no idea.

But, hell, all that wasbeforeI became Daisy’s legal guardian. I’m single and have been for a very long time for reasons I’m not going to analyze right now. But I never signed up to be a monk.

“That happened a long time ago, Amanda. A year or more before Daisy came to live with me. Which makes it none of your concern.”

“Be that as it may, the lawyers did agree with me that it’s concerning that there isn’t…well, a traditional family unit. You’re a single man who apparently…plays the field. And you work long hours. It’s not exactly an ideal situation for a child who recently lost her parents.”

Her words sting, because they’re not entirely untrue. “I’m doing my best,” I say, the defensive edge in my voice betraying my frustration. “I’ve cut back on my hours. Daisy’s well-being is my top priority. She also has a close-knit family and community who will do anything for her. I’m doing everything I can to try to make sure she’s happy.”

“I’m sure you are, Nathan. But the fact is, it may not beenough. My lawyers are in touch with the social workers and I’ve been told they’ll be making their decision within the month.”

“I’ve been told that too. So we’ll be in touch.” I’ve had enough of this tonight. “I hope you have a great night, Amanda. I’m sure we’ll talk again soon. Goodnight.”

I end the call before she can fixate on more of my flaws.

I love Daisy with my whole damn heart, but whenever Amanda calls, her comments dig into me like sharp claws. She’s a wife and mother with two kids of her own. Shecouldgive Daisy a conventional family unit. Cousins to grow up with. A momanda dad. Not the setup I’ve got back at the farm, with my hodgepodge of siblings and my mother and aunt taking turns looking after Daisy, with me working six days a week. Doing our best to make it work.

That kid deserves the best, and there’s an insistent part of me that wonders if that happens to be me.

I drive along for a while, grateful when the city lights are fading in my rearview mirror.

My phone rings again through the Bluetooth.

To my relief, it’s not Amanda calling back. It’s a number I don’t recognize.

I press the answer button. “Nate Boone.”

“Mr. Boone, good evening.” Another uptight-sounding woman’s voice. “My name is Ainsley Beal and I’m a social worker for the state.”

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