Page 22 of Nashville Lights

“At least we have jobs now,” Tobias says cheerfully.

Tobias and Dakota are both homebodies and they’re both free spirits. They both went to the University of Tennessee, but they both got homesick and came back to the farm every chance they got. Tobias started his own small local catering company after he graduated, and once she graduated, Dakota took on a few clients as an interior designer. But their jobs have been sporadic and they’ve both been living at home—by choice, but I imagine it takes some of the stress out of life’s inevitable daily expenses.

My besties are happiest when they’re together and around their family. Something I happen to understand. “Who needs a job when you can create your own jobs.Lookat this place. It’s incredible.” The buildings are made of black-painted wood, glass and black steel, a combinationthat’s sophisticated and luxurious but still looks rustic and very Tennessee. There’s a courtyard with arches overrun with rambling white roses, an outdoor seating area, an outdoor kitchen and even a pool.

“Nate got tired of us talking about one day building our dream business, which we’ve been doing since we were sixteen.” Tobias parks the truck in a small parking lot next to the largest building. “So he insisted we make it happen.”

“Nate’s beensogenerous,” Dakota adds, “that we have no choice but to make the place a roaring success.”

“It sounds like it already is if you’re booked out four months in advance.”

“Social media helps.” Dakota and Tobias both happen to have impressive Instagram followings, since they’re both so artistic and know how to stage a photograph like it’s what they were born to do. “The cabins are private so they can be booked by couples. But we’re also doing bachelorette parties, weddings, engagement parties, anniversaries, baby showers and so on. These days so many people want Instagram-worthy settings, we put the whole business together with that in mind.”

“It’s such a great idea. You guys are going to be run off your feet.”

Tobias turns off the truck and I unbuckle Daisy and help her climb out.

“You’re going toloveit, Miss Roxie. There aresomany fairy lights.” I offer my hand again and she takes it as we walk inside.

I gasp when I see the interior. The restaurant looks like a very upmarket barn, with wooden beams crisscrossing across the vaulted ceilings. And Daisy was right: strung around them are hundreds and hundreds of fairy lights.

“Isn’t it pretty?” Daisy tugs at my hand, dancing around me as we make our way inside.

“It’s beautiful.” It really is. Tables and booths are lit with stylish pendant lights. The place has a very luxe feel to it but at the same time it looks like, after hours, they might clear out all the tables and have a barn dance party. I notice that there’s a stage at one end. “Are you planning to have live music?”

Tobias gives Dee a look. “We sure are.” His reply is almost cagey, but I’m too overwhelmed by the lodge to dig deeper. “Come on, Rox. I want to show you the kitchen. You’re going to freak out when you see this.”

We walk past an expansive glass office to the kitchen—which is like something out of a Michelin-rated restaurant. “Tobias. It’s yourdreamkitchen.” I can’t believe Nate paid for all this. We haven’t even gotten to the outbuildings yet. This whole set-up must have cost millions. “You can finally put all those years of cooking practice to good use.”

“The only reason I’ve come down to the house at all is to see you. But I basically live here now. We’ve got a little back room in the office with couches and a bed.” His grin is adorably elated. It’s possibly the happiest I’ve ever seen Tobias.

I give him a hug because I can’t help it. “I’m so happy for you, Tobe. This place is going to explode with business.”

“Thanks, honey. That’s what we’re hoping.”

“Tobias has planned the whole menu—with some help from me, of course. He’s obsessed.” Dakota reaches like she’s about to ruffle Tobias’s hair and he ducks just in time.

“Donottouch the hair,” he protests dramatically.

Dakota laughs. “I should know that by now, right, bro?”

“There’s nothing you can do to dampen my mood, Dakota Boone, so you can politely—” he eyes Daisy, reigning in whatever colorful reply he was about to give— “leave me to it.”

“Gladly. Daze, should we show Roxie the guest cottages?”

Daisy jumps up and down, clapping. “Can we look at the pink one first?”

“You have a pink cottage?”

“It’s got a pink door,” Dakota confirms. “It’s the honeymoon suite.”

We say goodnight to Tobias and leave him to his late night macaroon baking session.

“We’re going to take your truck, Tobe. Do you want us to pick you up after we drop off Daisy?”

“No, I’ll sleep here. There’s still so much to do before the grand opening.” He’s already opened his laptop and has also turned on several of the ovens.

It’s nice to see the both of them so passionate about their new business. Both Tobias and Dakota have, at times,been a little bit aimless. But now the two of them are bright-eyed and excited.

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