Page 65 of The Lyrics of Love

Then Willow cleared her throat. “I’d like to share some exciting news which has been in the works for a while. I’ve booked an exclusive show at The Runyon Gallery in New York the last week of this month. It will run for three weeks.”

“That’s fantastic!” Tenley cried. “The same gallery who put on last year’s show.” She reached for Willow’s hand. “I’m sorry Boo wasn’t able to be at that one or this, but she’s smiling down on you, Willow, and so very proud of you.”

Everyone congratulated Willow, and she told the group about some of the paintings in the show.

“I’ve seen a bunch of them,” Pops said proudly. “I helped Willow pack them up this week to ship to New York.”

“When will you go to New York?” Ainsley asked. “I know last time you were there both before and during the show.”

“I’ll fly out the third week of October and work with the manager on how to group and hang them,” Willow said. “Since we’ve put on a show at the same gallery, I have a better idea how to present things. It won’t take me nearly as long to arrange things. I also worked off a few themes and will place those with the same theme together.”

Dylan said, “I couldn’t be more proud of my wife. I’m even going to take a little time off and fly to New York for the opening.”

“Speaking of the third week in October,” Jackson said, taking Ainsley’s hand and tenderly kissing her fingers. “My beautiful bride and I are finally taking our honeymoon.”

“To Paris!” Ainsley said, beaming at her husband. “I cannot wait to show Jackson all the sites and my old haunts from when I attended l’Ecole Len?tre.”

“I’ve never been out of the country,” Jackson told Nash and Pops. “I’m really looking forward to trying new cuisines. Of course, my high school Spanish won’t be much good there, but Ainsley can rattle things off in French like there’s no tomorrow.”

“I hope you have a wonderful honeymoon,” Carter said. “And since we all seem to be sharing good news, Tenley and I have some. We—wait for it—finally heard back from the Food Network. While they liked parts of the first pilot I shot, they went wild over the video they saw of me teaching Nash how to prepare a few dishes. That’s what they want—me taking all kinds of people and walking them through different recipes for various occasions.”

Carter looked to Nash. “They want you back as the first guest if you’re up for it. I don’t even have to shoot a pilot this time because they’ve seen our video multiple times. We’ll simply start with Season 1, Episode 1. I did mention to them how Pops has started watching my vlogs. They thought it would be awesome if he could also make an appearance.”

“Do I have to share time on Nash’s spot—or do I get my own show?” Pops asked, grinning broadly.

“I think we can negotiate that,” Carter said, laughing. “But it’ll be a mix. Different ages and genders. Famous people and everyday ones. I’m really looking forward to putting it together. Coming up with the guest cook list. Deciding what dishes to prepare.”

“It’s a fantastic opportunity,” Rylie said enthusiastically. “I can’t believe I’m friends with a TV star.”

The group began pitching ideas of people who could appear on the show, and Carter filled in a few of the details about how many episodes would be shot in the first season.

“You’ll have time to do this and plug your cookbook?” Gage asked.

“The cookbook is written,” Carter said. “Elmo has booked the places for my tour with Tenley. What I’ll be concentrating on now is the show itself. The dishes and the guests. I have a Food Network producer and talent manager who will help me in booking the guests. I know I won’t get a yes from everyone I ask, so I’ll have several lists. And at least I know I can confirm my celebrity guest for the first show. Thanks for that, Nash.”

“Happy to help out a friend,” he said, meaning it.

He glanced around the table, knowing he could count on everyone seated here if he needed their help. These people had come to mean a great deal to him.

Especially the woman on his right.

Nash decided he want to remain in the Cove permanently.

And the first thing would be to ask Rylie to be by his side. Forever.

They talked a while longer, and then Gage yawned. “I was up late last night and too early this morning. Partly working on the class I’ll teach these two tomorrow.”

He explained how he was considering adding SUP yoga classes to his group offerings and that Rylie and Nash would be his test subjects tomorrow morning.

“Then let’s call it a night,” Jackson declared. “Pops, you sit. We’ve got this.”

Quickly, the table was cleared of dirty dishes and goodbyes were said. Dylan pulled Nash aside.

“Would you like Willow and me to run Pops home for you? Give you some extra time with Rylie?”

“That would be great. Thanks, Dylan.”

Nash told Pops that he would be catching a ride with the Cove’s sheriff. All Pops wanted to know was if they could use the siren on the way home, making everyone laugh.

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