“Sit close and hold up your phone so I can cheat with you.”
“You’re River Winfrey and you don’t know the words to a classic country song like ‘Islands in the Stream’? What kind of country musician are you?”
“I know the chorus well, but I’m not a hundred percent sure about the rest of the lyrics. I don’t go around singing that song all of the time, but I may take you on the road with me and start. I’m sure that the fans would love it.”
“Sorry. I have other job priorities involving the lady of the house.”
We lean close so we can both see the lyrics on my phone. River’s part of the duet comes first. And I’m glad he has to take the lead; I’m not entirely confident about singing this song. It’s been a while since I’ve listened to it.
Diane must love this song. She looks like she’s in heaven.
River’s eyes connect with mine, and for a moment it seems like we’re singing this song to each other. It feels like… we’re having a moment. A very intimate moment. And I like it, but it’s not real. The song and its lyrics about making love are fooling me into feeling something that isn’t there. To River, this is nothing more than simply singing a song together per his mother’s request.
Diane claps when we finish. “That was wonderful. Thank you for that treat, Leighton.”
River returns his guitar to its stand. “Did you come by to visit or is something going on?”
“Just came by to see my sweet little grandbaby.” Diane is crazy about Scarlett. She can’t go long without coming by to see her.
I look at my watch. “She just went down for her nap. She won’t wake up until around one-thirty or one-forty.”
“You have our girl on a tight schedule.”
“I was a NICU nurse too long to not keep her on a schedule. It’s the only way I know how to do it.”
“I don’t have anything to do if the two of you want to get out of here for a while.”
I’m with Scarlett day and night, and it’s fine because that’s my job, but I wouldn’t mind a little break.
Diane looks at River. “You should take Leighton out for lunch.”
“I would love to do that if people would leave us alone, but you know that they’ll harass the shit out of us. We won’t be able to eat in peace.”
I can’t imagine not being able to go out in public without being hounded by people.
“Then take her out for a ride. I’ll pack a lunch for you while you saddle the horses.”
River looks at me. “Would you want to do that?”
A girl has to eat, so why not? “I would love that. Sounds like fun.”
River Winfrey on a horse… I have a feeling that I won’t mind seeing that at all.