Page 74 of Playing it Country

“Oh, um, sure. That’s fine with me.” Adding that to the list of things that melt my heart, I say, “What’s your favorite thing about sleepovers with Uncle Case?”

“We make pizza! And he gets my favorite ice cream and we make forts and he lets me stay up late. But don’t tell my Otto because he gets mad.”

I try and hold back a laugh. “Not your mom?”

“No, just my Otto. He’s so silly and Uncle Case says it’s karma because they were trouble when they were like me.”

I have no doubt, I say to myself before smiling down at Briggs. “A sleepover sounds great.”

“Cool!” He scurries off as Isla sidles up next to me.

“You know,” she says casually, “for someone so keen on getting the hell out of dodge, you haven’t stopped smiling all night.” She eyes me. “You hiding a big ole heart in there?”

“This place is weird,” I admit. “It’s got me all out of sorts.” Isla nods. “And for the record, just because I move around a lot doesn’t mean I don’t have feelings—they just never made me want to stay before.”

“So stay.”

“This job could be a big opportunity if I get it. The kind of thing people dream about.”

She takes a sip of her drink as her other hand falls to her baby bump. “But are you dreaming about it? It doesn’t matter if the dream isn’t yours. You’ll never be happy like that and then you’ll be right back to chasin’ the next big high.”

My mouth falls open as I stare at her. She lifts a delicate shoulder and gives me a sad smile.

“We’ve all been in that place, Hannah. Don’t do it because you think you should do it. Do it because it sets your soul on fire and you can’t imagine living another moment without it.”

Her eyes are locked on her husband’s as she says the words before slowly turning to look at me.

“I spent a lot of time chasing the wrong things.” Isla nods toward her father. “I almost lost him without ever really knowing him. Being here,”—she waves her hand around—“brought the two most important men into my life and I’m thankful every day I picked this little spot on the map.”

“Is your dad excited about the babies?”

“He is. I have a feeling he’s going to spoil them senseless.” She chuckles. “I’d love for you to meet them.”

“That’s low,” I say with a wry grin.

“No one has ever accused me of being nice.” Her expression is pure mischief as she wraps her arm around my waist.

“I can always visit.”

“Will you, though?” I open my mouth to say but nothing comes out. She gives me another squeeze before taking a step back. “It’s okay if it’s best for you. You always have our support. We just would love to keep you.”

“You doin’ okay, City Girl?” Hank asks on a low growl as he looks between the two of us.

“Just tryin’ to guilt-trip Hannah into staying.” He snorts and then looks up at me. “You’ve been good for my brother—nice to see him finally happy.”

They’re pulled into another conversation with Gwen and Cullen and I make a beeline for the makeshift bar we set up between the kitchen and the living room.

Pouring myself a shot of whiskey, I down it and then pour myself another.

“Rough night?” Montana asks from my left and I force a smile as I look at him.

“No, just lots of socializing and guilt-tripping.”

“That’s our love language. Like chicken potpie and did you make sure to call your mama you know how much she worries.”

I smile but it’s just as fake as my good mood. In my entire adult life, I’ve never caught up with my parents regularly. It’s always been alet’s see if we connect and if not we’ll catch you on the next adventurekind of thing.

That mentality has never bothered me until right this second. Aunt Holly and I have texted or talked at least once a day since they’ve been gone, but I can’t remember the last conversation I had with my mom that didn’t revolve around getting this damn job.

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