As soon as we get back to the barn, I tell Zara that I can take care of the horse if she wants to go inside and freshen up. She takes me up on the offer and quickly rushes back to the house, but not before I stand and watch her leave.

Truth is, I need some time to comprehend what just happened. I’m beyond thrilled that she kissed me but don’t want to assume that this means anything. She’s hurting, her life has been flipped upside down, and her wounds are fresh. Not that there is any predetermined time limit on when you think you’re ready to move on, but I’m the type of guy who doesn’t throw caution to the wind because I have too much at stake. My daughters are always my number one priority, and they just lost their mother. Somehow, I think that jumping into a relationship might not be the best idea right now.

I take my time with the horses, making sure they are hosed down, brushed, and fed. I even go as far as taking Stormy’s girl out and giving her the same treatment, minus the long ride she’s probably been missing. What she really wants is Stormy to come home, and I know that I have to make that happen.

It’s well after dinner when I finally make my way into the house. There’s a note on the counter from June saying my dinner is in the refrigerator and that she’ll see me in the morning. The rest of the house is quiet, making me feel like the biggest dick in the world.

Any man would be blessed to have a woman like Zara kiss him, to make the first move, and believe me I was until my brain started warning me about rebound sex and the complications of screwing your houseguest.

With my dinner now warming up in the microwave, I pull out my cell and call the girls.

“Hi, Daddy,” Willow says on the first ring. It warms my heart knowing that she was waiting for me to call and hearing her voice really puts me at ease.

“Hey, baby girl. What are you doing?”

“Watching Memaw try to dance. Stormy is teaching her some hip-hop moves.” She laughs, and it’s the most calming sound in the world.

“Oh boy,” I say, laughing right along with her.

“What’d you do today?”

“Zara and I took the horses out for a walk, and I just finished giving them a bath.”

“I miss Abby.” Her voice changes from chipper to solemn in a second.

“She misses you too, but you’ll be here soon.”

There’s a long pause, and for a minute I fear that Stormy has convinced her that living in California is best for them. Not that I can blame my oldest for thinking that since her career choice is heavily present there, but in my eyes, they’re still growing up and need to be in their home.

“Daddy?” Willow’s voice drops to a whisper.

“What’s wrong, Willow?”

“I want to come home now.” Hearing her say this tugs at my heartstrings. I want nothing more than to bring both my girls home now.

“I know you do, and believe me, Willow; this is where I want you.”

“I won’t bother Zara if that is what you think.”

“It’s not. I promise. I’m trying not to disrupt the lives you’ve been living.” Knowing that Willow is ready to move home is a relief.

“I’ll be there next week. I’ll tell Memaw to have the moving company drop some boxes off, but you start packing.”

“Okay, I will. Who do you want to talk to?”

“Stormy, please.”

Willow pulls the phone away and yells for her sister. There’s laughter in the background, which puts a smile on my face. I’m happy that the girls aren’t wallowing and are enjoying their time with my mother, although I can’t imagine she’d let them mope around all day either.

“Hey, Daddy.”

“Hey, Stormy. So I wanted to talk to you about selling your horse. With me traveling and you living there, she’s not getting the attention that she needs.” I hate saying this to her, but feel that it has to be done. She’s skirted her responsibilities with her horse for far too long, and it’s not fair to the animal, although I can’t imagine I would sell her.

“Um…”

“She needs to be ridden, Stormy, and I just don’t have the time.”

“I don’t want to sell her, though, Daddy. I mean… she’s mine, and I love her.”

“What do you suppose we do?” I ask, putting the ball in her court. I want her to make an adult decision here. Granted, she’s only fifteen.

“Well, you talked about us moving back, right?”

“I did, but you didn’t seem too thrilled with the idea.”

“I’m not, but… you did say we could find a dance company out there.”

“I did. In fact, I believe Barb is already looking.”

“It’s just; I don’t want to be stuck doing country music videos. No offense.”

“None taken, Stormy. I’m sure Barb knows this and considering that she loves you like her own child, she’ll find the best for you. Before I left, I told you that I want you and your sister back here. This is your home, regardless of where you’ve been living. Do you have any auditions coming up or a recital?”

Stormy laughs. “We rehearse a lot, but we don’t have recitals.”

“Oh,” I say, clearly not in the know.

“But I don’t have any auditions coming up either.”

“So maybe now is a good time to move?” I should be ashamed with this tactic, but I’m not. I have no shame when it comes to helping my oldest see that being in Nashville is where she belongs. When she’s done with school, if she wants to move back and pursue dancing, I’ll gladly pay her way, but until then I want her home.

“Stormy, I know you’re having doubts, but look at it as a fresh start. Your mama… she’s not there to help you. I can’t be there all the time and neither can Memaw, and you’re far too young to live by yourself and too old to have a nanny.” The father in me wants to tell her that she doesn’t have a choice, but I can’t bring myself to say those words to her. It’s not her fault that her mother made a bad decision.

“Willow really wants to move back.”

“I know she does.”

“You promise I can still dance?”

“Of course. I would never take that away from you.”

“Okay, Daddy.”

I have no doubt the smile on my face would be classified as super cheesy, but I don’t care.

Stormy and I say goodbye, and she hands the phone to my mother. I share the good news, much to her enjoyment, not that she doesn’t love being with the girls, but having them home will be so much nicer I tell her that Barb will arrange for a moving company to come in and take care of the house if she can start packing the essentials that the girls will need.

After I hang up, I text Barb the good news, and while I expect her answer to be cheery, she replies that she’ll take care of everything. I know she’s still upset with me about bringing Zara here and know she’s looking out for me. Honestly, even though it’s been a day, I like knowing someone is in my house.

My food is somewhat warm when I pull it out of the microwave. I’m hungry and eat it as is while my mind contemplates knocking on Zara’s door. No sooner do I finish, does my doorbell ring.

Much to my surprise, standing on my front porch are a few of my buddies and their wives.

“We brought beer,” Chet says as he lifts up two cases, one in each hand.

“And food,” his wife Lori adds.

“Come in,” I tell them, slightly upset that they didn’t call first, but why would they? They don’t know that I have a guest here and we often drop in on each other. Roger and Sarah follow in behind Chet and Lori. We all went to high school together, and they are the few that have stuck around because they like me and not my fame. A fifth person walks in, and she’s someone I have never met before.

“Levi, this is my cousin Holly,” Sarah says as she introduces us. We shake hands, and it dawns on me that this is a set-up.

“I’m going to go get the fire started,” Chet says, taking Roger with him and leaving me alone with the women. Normally, I wouldn’t care, but right now I feel a bit awkward.

Sarah and Lori head right to the kitchen and start filtering around in there, leaving Holly and I standing here like two teenagers at a middle school dance.

“If you’ll excuse me,” I say as I quickly disappear down the hall. I knock softly on Zara’s door, hoping that she’s awake. The waiting almost kills me though. My heart is beating so fast that I can feel it in my throat. She put herself out there earlier, and like an ass, I closed the door after I tasted what she had to offer.

Zara opens the door wide and inviting. I think about stepping in, but I’m not so sure I’d come out in time to entertain my friends.

“Hey.” My voice is soft and quiet, almost as if I’m trying to hide her. “Some friends stopped by They brought beer and food, and the guys are outside starting the bonfire. Do you want to join us?”

She shakes her head and starts to close the door, but I reach for her hand. “I’m sorry I took so long with the horses. That wasn’t my intent.”

“Okay.” That’s all she says as the door closes, effectively locking me out. I deserve it.

Left with no choice, I head outside with the guys and help put the chairs around the bonfire. I add a seventh for Zara just in case she decides to come out.

“One chair too many,” Roger says as he points to each one. I can see him counting to make sure.

“I have a friend staying here. I put it out just in case.” I don’t bother to tell them who she is because they likely wouldn’t know her nor do I mention that my guest is a female because they’d turn into vulgar boys and I don’t want to chance Zara hearing them.

With the fire roaring, beer bottles open and laughter carrying over my property, it feels good to be among friends even though I know they’re here to ask about Iris.

When we all sit down, I’m hoping that one of the chairs is left open next to me, but as luck would have it, Holly takes one while Sarah takes the other. I can already feel the tag team coming on.

“Where are the girls?” Lori asks.

“They’ll be here next week. It was a tough sell tryin' to get Stormy back here.”

“I can’t believe Iris is gone,” Sarah says. She takes a long pull off her beer and stares out into the fire. When we were growing up, they were best friends. But when I became famous, Iris found new friends and didn’t have time for Sarah. It wasn’t until Iris moved out that Chet, Roger, and I started hanging out again. I hated how Iris ruined friendships, but thankful that my friends saw through her bullshit.

I keep glancing back at the house, wondering what Zara is doing. I should be inside, groveling for forgiveness, but instead, I’m outside with my friends, who happen to think I’m lonely. They must’ve conveyed as much to Holly because she’s leaning so far over her chair that she’ll likely be on my lap after a few more beers. That is something I can’t have happen.

“You know, Levi,” Sarah says as she leans toward me. “Holly is dying to tell you that she’s a huge fan.”

“Shut up, Sarah.” I can tell by looking at Holly that she’s embarrassed. Holly’s cute with her shoulder length blond hair and blue eyes. She’s dressed like every other female around here with tight jeans and boots. Truthfully, Holly is the type of girl that I would go for, which is probably why Sarah brought her over.

“It’s okay, Holly. Sarah likes to embarrass me as well.” My comment gets Holly to smile. I find myself smiling back, but it quickly goes away when I realize that I want it to be Zara who I’m smiling at.