Page 50 of Nashville Lights

“We may see you at the hoedown later, depending on what time Shane gets home, and how tired Harper is. Iimagine all the girls will need an early night tonight. Once the sugar high wears off.”

Daisy’s ready and we say goodbye to Kristie and the other girls before loading Daisy and all her stuff into the back seat of Nate’s truck.

And we’re on our way to the hoedown.

19

“You ready for this?”Nate asks me. “Here we go with the hard launch.”

“Ready as I’ll ever be.”

By the time we get to the lodge, the party is already pumping. It’s a family affair, with children running around and people of all ages enjoying each other’s company. Guys wearing their baseball hats backward are drinking beer, older ladies are sipping (possibly fortified) iced tea, groups are playing corn hole and other lawn games, laughing as they catch up with old friends. The scene is like a living snapshot of all the best things about country life.

We get a lot of glances, a few waves. One or two whistles. But with Nate’s arm securely around me, my nerves are gone. I get that unexpected feeling again, of beinghome.

The front doors of the barn have been rolled all the wayopen. A band is playing on the stage up at the front corner of the barn—and they’re good.

Tables are decorated with gorgeous flower arrangements and are full of people. A bar that’s been set up along one side is bustling, and a buffet is being loaded up with food. I see Tobias at the far end of it, surrounded and distracted by catering staff.

Dakota’s carrying another flower arrangement, which she sets on a table near the bar. She sees us and runs over.

Nate’s arm is still around me, his other arm holding Daisy.

“Bout time y’all showed up.” Dakota beams at us.

“Hey, darlin’.” Even when he’s talking to his sister, that low Tennessee drawl gets me…hot.

Would you stop?

It’s a major…adjustment, tobewith him now, after all those years of dreaming about it. “You and Tobias have done an amazing job, kid,” Nate tells Dakota. “This place looks incredible.”

“You know we couldn’t have done it without you, Nate. And I need to talk to you about stealing my bestie.” She takes my hand. “But not until after I talk toyou.” She gently kisses Daisy’s cheek. “How’d the party go?”

“Fun.”

“You stayed the whole night?”

Daisy nods, biting a finger.

“Proud of you, pumpkin.” Dakota touches the back of her hand to Daisy’s cheek with affection.

But nothing can distract Dee from pulling me toward her office. “I need to borrow her for a few minutes,” she calls back over her shoulder. “We’ll be back in five. Actually, probably more like ten.”

Nate watches us walk away. He looks almost like…he misses me already. Almost as much as I miss him already.Damn, that man is gorgeous.He always could make my knees go weak.

As we walk away, though, I can’t help noticing several other women are also staring at him.

It’s not surprising that Nate Boone, especially holding his adorable little Daisy, attracts attention.

But it riles me.He’s mine.

He doesn’t seem to notice how many eyes are on him.

Are they past lovers? Local girls he’s partied with before?

I believe everything Nate said to me. It all felt so natural when we were alone together. So real and so true and so easy. But this small separation reminds me that we still have the entire outside world to navigate.

Dakota pulls me into her office and shuts the door, leaning her back up against it. “Tell me everything.”

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