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“I’ve only been here for a few days, but the town seems pretty great,” Nash agreed.
“It’s not just the town,” Flynn said. “It’s the people. Living in Hollywood for so long, I didn’t realize how cynical I’d become. But moving to Bar Harbor helped me see that there are still plenty of good people in the world.”
Nash nodded, having already learned that very thing.
Flynn gestured to the van. “This is quite a project you’ve got going.”
“It’s gone faster than I thought it would,” Nash told him. “Kevin’s been helping, and he’s good with his hands, especially considering he’s only eleven.”
“He’s a great kid. My daughter, Ruby, adores him.” Flynn suddenly looked a little uncomfortable. “About why I’m here today… Considering I was just complaining about people in Hollywood, I can’t believe the favor I’m about to ask you.”
“No worries,” Nash said. “I’m happy to hear what’s on your mind.” Though he didn’t know Flynn well, anyone who had fled Hollywood for Bar Harbor felt like a kindred spirit.
“‘Missing Piece’ is Cassie’s all-time favorite song.” Flynn looked even more uncomfortable now. “And Cassie mentioned that you’re in town and have been spending time with Ashley and Kevin—”
Since Nash could easily guess what Flynn was hoping for, he decided to spare him further discomfort. “Would you like me to sing it at your wedding?”
“If that’s too much to ask, especially from a stranger, I totally get it.”
“Anybody related to Ashley and Kevin isn’t a stranger,” Nash replied. “I’d be happy to sing for Cassie.”
Normally, he was offered seven figures to sing at a wedding or birthday, though he normally turned down those offers. But for Ashley’s family, he was more than happy to do it. Not only would it mean Nash would get another day with Ashley, but now he would also get to meet her entire family. It would be a privilege to get to know the people who had helped shape her into the incredible woman she was today and who had done so much to help her as a pregnant teen.
Flynn looked hugely grateful. “I’m sure your fee is well beyond my means, but I hope we can work something out.”
“There’s nothing to work out. Consider it a wedding gift.”
“I owe you big time for this,” Flynn said. “If there’s ever anything I can do for you, please let me know.”
“No payback necessary,” Nash told him. “Just let me know where to be and when, and I’ll show up with my guitar.”
“We’ll be getting married in our own backyard on Saturday at noon. And if you don’t have anything else planned for that day, I’d be honored if you would stay for the reception. If I tell Cassie you’re coming to the wedding as Ashley’s guest, hopefully she won’t guess you’re going to serenade her.”
“I’d be happy to accept your invitation. Although,” he found himself saying before he could think better of it, “if it’s all right with you, there might be a new song I could debut too.”
“Two songs would be even better than one,” Flynn said. After giving Nash another handshake, he drove off, grinning.
Last night, when Nash had picked up his guitar, a fully formed song had poured out of him. A song that he hadn’t been able to stop singing in his head all day long. A song he’d named “Hold On To My Heart.”
Nash hadn’t thought that he was capable of loving anyone, or of fully giving his heart to another. But he could no longer deny the truth.
He’d fallen in love with Ashley Sullivan.
Kevin came bounding back, and though Nash felt like his entire life had changed, he knew if he didn’t pay attention to the work they were doing on the van, he was likely to screw something up.
That afternoon, they worked on plumbing the interior and underside of the van. Kevin had an impressively long attention span, although they did take a short break to play a video game on Kevin’s phone.
All the while, however, Nash kept repeating the same five words to himself: I’m in love with Ashley. Five words that changed everything.
The sun was starting to fall in the sky when Ashley texted to say that Sammy and his mother would be there in five minutes to pick Kevin up for soccer practice—and that she was hoping Nash would be free too, so they could talk.
His heart leaped as he realized he would be seeing her tonight. She was right—they did need to talk. He needed to tell her how he felt. That he loved her as much as she loved him.
Was there a way to actually make things work between them? Could the small-town single mom and the rock star get their happy ending against all odds?
She arrived thirty minutes later, wearing dark sunglasses and a hat. Almost as though she was trying to disguise herself.
