Page 49 of Nashville Lights

There’s a split second when I wonder if maybe this was mistake. Nate has become her whole world. Maybe it’s too soon to add me to the mix.

But then her little face lights up. “Miss Roxie.” Filled with awe. “Youcame.” Like she wanted me to. Like showing up for her means something.

My heart melts for this sweet child who’s missing something profound in her life that maybeIcould help provide. I understand it, and a feverish pull in me wants with my whole heart to give it.

She squirms out of Nate’s arms, running over to me. She takes my hand, and Nate’s, and leads us up the porch steps. “Did you and Uncle Nate have a sleepover, Miss Roxie?”

We’re within earshot, and all the little girls—and the mother—are waiting for my answer. “Um…well, we had a glass of wine and I decided not to drive back.” It’s Nate’s white lie, after all.

The little girls gather around me, wide-eyed. Some are bold enough to reach out to touch the fabric of my dress. “Isn’t shebeautiful?” Daisy whispers to her friends. “Look at herboots. They havepinkon them. And look at herlips. That’s the lipstick I told you about. The one called Pink Kisses.”

The woman comes over and Nate introduces us. “Kristie Anderson, meet Roxie Tucker. Roxie, Harper’s mom Kristie. Kristie and her husband Shane are old friends of mine and of Jed and Laney’s. Daisy and Harper have grown up together.”

“So nice to meet you, Roxie.”

“You too, Kristie.”

“You wouldn’t be Roxie Tucker of the Tucker Brothers’ fame, by any chance? Nate’s mentioned that he grew up with the four of you.”

“I’m just the manager. The boys do all the work.”

“I know that’s not true,” Kristie laughs. “I used to be in the music industry myself, before having Harper.”

“Were you?”

“I was the assistant manager for the Down Home Boys, before they got big and before I found out Harper was on the way. Shane and I got married and we moved out here, so I’ve been out of the scene for a while, but I really do miss it.”

“My brothers have played with the Down Home Boys at a couple of festivals. They’re nice guys.”

“Yeah. Superstars now.” She smiles as thoughremembering good times. “But I knew them back when they were lean, hungry kids.” To Harper, she says, “Honey, why don’t you help Daisy get her bag and her party favors together.”

“Okay!” Harper holds Daisy’s hand and all the little girls scramble inside to help.

After the commotion settles, Kristie pours Nate and I some lemonade. “That must be a huge job, Roxie, managing such a successful band. Every song on their newest album is in the top twenty.”

“Yeah, it’s going well. And it’s definitely busy.”

“I’ve often thought about going back to it,” she says. “I’d love to. But I have no idea how I’d even go about doing that. It’s probably been too long.”

Nate nudges me lightly. “Roxie was just saying she might be looking for some help. Maybe the two of you could get together and talk it over sometime.”

Kristie’s eyes cautiously light up. “I wouldlovethat. If you’re interested. I mean, I’m probably not qualified to do much.”

“Anyone who played a part in launching the Down Home Boys is more qualified than most, I’d say.” When Nate talked about delegating some of my work, I was quietly thinking it would be hard to find someone who could fill that role. My brothers are too used to me being at their beck and call. But now that Kristie’s offering, and is clearly excited about the possibility, and has worked with one of the biggest bands in country music, the idea doesn’t sound quite so crazy after all.

“Think about it anyway.” Kristie says. “Nate can give you my number. Just reach out whenever.”

“Thanks, Kristie. I will. Actually, if you want to give it to me now, I can put it in my phone.”

She gives me her number and Nate asks her, “Shane’s working today?”

“Yeah,” she confirms. “Every Saturday, at least for now.” To me, she explains, “My husband is a builder and a contractor with his own small business, but he’s also been working to complete a business degree at night school. He’s just about finished and I can’twaituntil he’s done with it. This working full-time while studying for his degree has been a lot.”

“Sounds like it.”

Kristie glances at the door, which is still closed. “Nate, Daisy did wake up last night. She was crying and I was about to call you. But Harper and some of the other girls knew why she was crying. We all kind of gathered around her and talked about it and she calmed down. I stayed with her and they all eventually fell back to sleep. I would have called if she hadn’t stopped crying, but she seemed okay. I asked her if she wanted to stay and she did. I just wanted you to know what happened.”

Nate nods, and that weight-of-the-world heaviness is back. “Thanks, Kristie. I appreciate it.”

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