Page 7 of Nashville Lights

“You guys play?” We all used to play instruments and sing together when we were kids, putting on little concerts that we demanded the adults listen to. Dakota, Tobias and I were mostly banging on things just for fun, but the older boys, from both families, all had talent.

“You’ll have to listen to them while you’re here.” Tobias wipes his hands on a dishcloth. “We want to hear more about your glamorous life on the road, Rox. It must be wild watching the band play to sold out stadiums every night.”

Wild doesn’t even come close to describing it. “Honestly, it’s hard work. There are parts of it I wouldn’t change for the world, but it’s also…crowded and noisy and there are nights, especially on the tour bus, that do get tiring. Not that I’m complaining. It’s amazing how much everything has taken off. We’re enjoying it while it lasts.”

Dakota puts a glass of milk in front of Daisy. “Roxie’s three brothers are in a band,” Dakota tells her. “They’re really famous. You’ve probably heard Uncle Nate play their songs.”

“He likes to sing them,” Daisy says.

“Nate sings their songs?” For some reason, the thought charms me.

“Of course,” Tobias says. “Everyone around here does.”

“Everyone in the whole damn country, more like,” Leo says, handing out beers. “Rox? Beer? Wine?”

“Sure. Wine would be great, thanks.” I don’t usually drink but what the hell, I’m on vacation for the weekend.

After a few more minutes of chatter flowing round the table and Daisy quietly observing as I open my bag to check a message that just vibrated on my phone, her small hand reaches for the tube of lipstick I just pulled from my purse, her fingers barely touching it.

“What color is that?” she asks, her voice full of fascination.

I smile down at her and pass her the tube to examine. “It’s called Pink Kisses.”

“Can I put some on?” she asks soulfully, her eyes like pools. How could anyone refuse this kid anything?

“How about just a tiny bit,” I suggest, and she nods seriously as if we’re sharing an important secret.

I dab a little on my finger and touch it to her lips. I’m a little shocked when she climbs onto my lap, where she whispers into my ear, “My Mommy used to wear pink lipstick.”

Dakota and Tobias are both watching Daisy do this, like it’s unusual.

She softly fingers one of the shell buttons on my cowgirl shirt, which is a delicate pink and white plaid.

“I got this at one of my favorite stores in Nashville. Same with the boots.” Daisy glances at my boots, which are brown suede with pink-stitched flowers. Daisy gasps when she sees the bright colored stitching. These boots are without a doubt the best damn thing I own. Daisy clearly has taste.

“I’m going to ask Uncle Nate for some boots for my birthday,” she says softly, her smile with its faintest dab of Pink Kisses. “Do they have pink ones?”

“I’m sure they do. You could get a matching hat too.”

Daisy’s eyes light up at the thought.

“You already asked Uncle Nate for a pony, didn’t you?” Tobias laughs.

“I’ll need boots toridemy pony.”

“Of course. My mistake.” Tobias grins at me. “It’s good to have you back, Rox. Lou and Earl are beyond excited to see you.”

“I’m surprised Lou didn’t come barreling over here the minute she heard your truck on the driveway,” Luke says.

“She and Earl are at her sewing circle’s annual dinner event,” Betty-Ann informs him. “She said she could hardly wait to see Roxie but she’s on the social committee and it was too late to cancel.”

“Now that is a level of restraint I didn’t realize your aunt had,” Dakota laughs. “She talks about the four of you coming home on practically a daily basis.”

“I’m excited to see them both.”

“You need to get the boys out here again soon, Rox,” Leo says. “We need a proper Tucker-Boone reunion.”

“Absolutely. Maybe we could do something for Thanksgiving. Although Kade has his solo tour and Travis has been hard at work on some new songs. But I’ll see if I can pin them down.”

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