This past trip to Nashville, in general, was what dreams are made of. My show on Wednesday was almost sold out. Then, the preparations for the ACM Awards. Ainsley, Poppy, and I getting our hair and makeup done. The dresses we wore for the show. Everything was like being the star of my favorite movie. I even met some of my favorite musicians, and most had heard of my single and me.
“Hey,” I smile at Averly as she walks out of Cup-O-Joe.
“Oh, my God, Sutton. I’m so sorry I haven’t returned your call. Mason has been sick, and I spaced it.” Averly frowns, the lines around her eyes deep with worry.
“Is he okay?” I place my hand on her arm.
“Yeah. We took him to the doctor right away, and he prescribed medicine that has helped enormously. My mom is watching him now,” Averly releases a deep breath. “What did you want to talk to me about? I’m assuming it’s not about the bed and breakfast or you would’ve asked Melissa.”
“Well, it kinda is, but it’s something I’d have to talk to you about.”
“Do you want to sit inside?” Averly nods her head toward the door.
“If you need to get back to Mason, we can talk later.” I don’t want to interfere. I knew it was weird that I hadn’t seen her at The Farmhouse this week when she’s there every day.
“I’ve got some time. He hasn’t had a fever in twenty-four hours, and he laughed this morning, so I’m calling that a win, or a miracle. God, sick kids break my heart, especially when he’s mine.” Averly sighs and opens the door.
My mind races back to a desperate Gavin waiting at the pharmacy to pick up Penny’s medicine when she was sick. With a small smile, I walk into Cup-O-Joe and take a seat with Averly. My heart furiously beats as I prepare to make her an offer that I hope will be too good for her to pass up.
“What’s going on?” Averly smiles.
Without talking circles, I get straight to the point. “I decided to move to Everton, and I was wondering if you’d be interested in renting the guest house to me. I know you use it as part of the bed and breakfast, but I was hoping we can come to an agreement that could work for both of us.”
Her eyebrows shoot up, and she leans back in the chair. “Wow, that is not what I was expecting.” She chuckles. “Here, I thought you were going to ask me for dating advice on a certain single dad.”
I shoot her a glare. Am I that obvious?
“Don’t look at me like that,” she dismisses my attempt to intimidate her. “You do have a crush on Gavin—”
“Shhh….” I lean forward on my elbows, interrupting her. “Don’t say his name so loud,” I hiss.
Averly throws her head back, her cackles bouncing off the walls. “I knew it!” People look at us as they try to enjoy a quiet cup of coffee or concentrate on work.
“Okay, sorry.” She wipes under her eyes and catches her breath. “Back to business.”
I nod, anxious for a response. From what I’ve been told, finding a place to live in Everton is difficult, and this could be the perfect solution. I’m already staying in the guest house at the bed and breakfast, but hopefully, a monthly rent would be lower than my daily fee.
“Can I think about it for a few days, crunch some numbers?” Averly asks, serious now.
“Of course,” I nod. “I don’t expect you to jump in with a decision right away. I love the house and it’s available, so to speak, but I want this to be fair for both of us.”
“Definitely. It was already used as a home when Melissa lived there.” That gives me hope, knowing it won’t be the first time that the guest house is used for someone to live instead of a house for guests to book on their vacation.
We agree to talk in a few days, and I leave Cup-O-Joe with the hope that this could be the perfect solution for this transition. Knox, Harris, and Ainsley agreed that living in Everton would eventually be more convenient for me. More and more work will be done here at the studio going forward, and my managers and label are here. It just makes sense, and I feel more confident about this decision after talking to Kelsey while I was in Nashville.
…
After a successful interview and two songs finalized for the movie, Knox, Ainsley, Harris, and I head to Clarke’s to meet Poppy, Lia, and Axel. My favorite thing about Everton is how the neighbors come out for a few drinks, food, and to spend time together.
I observe the camaraderie in the bar and smile.
“Ainsley told me you’ll be the newest Everton resident,” Lia says next to me.
“Yeah,” I nod. “It makes sense with working here and all.”
“Honestly, there’s nowhere else I’d rather live.” She looks around and catches Axel’s eyes. “Maybe you’ll even rope yourself a cowboy,” she winks on a chuckle.
A light blush creeps up my cheeks, and I try to cover it by taking a drink of beer, but Lia catches it.
Raising her eyebrows, she asks, “Already?”
“What? No.” I shake my head, and my eyebrows pinch together as if she were crazy.
“You’re a terrible liar, Sutton.”
“If there is a cowboy that sweeps me away, you’ll be the first to know.” I smile, patting her arm.
“Hey!” I hear Ainsley say behind me. “I want to be the first to know.” She points at herself and raises an eyebrow.
“Okay, okay. I don’t need a battle of the sisters-in-law. I’ll get you both together and tell you
