“Because you’re Gray Hartson. You earn more in a minute than a plumber earns in a month. There’s no sense to what you’re doing.” Marco cleared his throat. “Did you really call the Johnson brothers for help?”
“They’re giving me some advice.” Gray knew he sounded defensive. And that it wasn’t Marco’s fault he was finding it all so strange. Heck, it was strange.
“Okay, look, just don’t do anything stupid, okay? I don’t know why you’re doing this, but you are and I’m going with it. But take care of those hands and make sure you write some music. That’s all I ask.”
The music wasn’t the problem. He’d already written two tracks. Raw, gritty, and full of emotion.
The way he felt every time he woke up in Hartson’s Creek. Or each time he stepped into the diner and saw a certain brunette behind the counter. He raked his fingers through his hair, trying to work out what it was that drew him to his ex-girlfriend’s little sister. Yeah, she was pretty, but he was so over pretty women. Like the drugs and the drink, being surrounded by perfect lost its luster pretty quick for him.
But then Maddie wasn’t perfect. She was forthright but cagey, confident yet he could see the vulnerability there, too. Madison Clark was an enigma, and so different to the teenage girl he remembered. And he was fascinated by her.
Marco cleared his throat. “Ah, Gray?”
“Yeah?” He watched as Aunt Gina walked in with a basket full of clothes. Sandwiching his phone between his ear and his shoulder, he took it from her and carried it to the laundry room.
“Are you okay?” Marco lowered his voice. “As in, you know, mentally okay?”
“What?” Gray coughed out a laugh. “Yeah, I am. Why do you ask?”
“Because you’re making strange decisions. I’ve seen it before. A long tour followed by burnout. Shall I arrange a video consultation with Doctor Tennison?”
“I don’t need to talk to my shrink. I’m just taking care of my family. Try not to worry so much.” Gray shook his head. “Two months and I’ll be back in LA, recording the next album. Don’t worry.”
“I do worry. Don’t do anything stupid. And keep your head down. I’ve no idea how I’m going to spin this. Maybe we can get a film crew in or something…”
“No film crew.” Gray shook his head. “We don’t need to spin anything. I’m going to repair a few pipes and shingles and spend some time with my family. Nothing could be simpler.”
“Famous last words,” Marco said quietly.
“I’ll speak to you later, Marco.” He hung up before Marco could suggest anything else. Because this was fine. He had it under control. He’d spend the next few weeks repairing the house and writing songs.
What could go wrong with that?
* * *
“Here you go,” Maddie said, putting her mom’s prescriptions on the kitchen table. She’d stopped in to the pharmacy on her way home from work. “Enough to see you through the next month. And Murphy sent some pie over for us to have after dinner.”
“What kind?” her mom looked up with a smile. She had that hazy look that she wore after her nap.
“Cherry. Your favorite. I’m going to take a shower and then cook us something tasty. You need anything?”
“I’m good. Rita Foster came over earlier. Helped me with lunch.”
“That’s good.” Maddie leaned down to kiss her mom’s cheek. “I stink of grease, I’m sorry.”
“Rita said that Gray Hartson had to escape from Church on Sunday. Said you helped him.”
Maddie’s spine straightened. “Oh did she?” she said, keeping her voice light. “I’d have thought she’d have saved that for chairs.”
Her mom chuckled. “She couldn’t help herself. Said there’d been complaints. Della Thorsen says you almost scared her to death.”
“Della Thorsen could barely see us. We were at the end of her yard for about three seconds. I was trying to help. Reverend Maitland asked me to smuggle Gray out of there.”
Her mom smiled. “How is he? He was always such a lovely young man. At one point I really thought he and Ashleigh…” her voice trailed off. “Well that’s history now,” she added hastily. “Ashleigh is so happy with Michael and the kids.”
“Yeah.” Maddie’s throat felt scratchy. “And he’s good. I’m sure he’ll come by at some point to say hi. He always had a lot of time for you.”
“How long is he staying in town?” her mom asked.