Then I Met You: A single dad romance (Love in Everton Book 6)

by Fabiola Francisco

  And me? That only fueled my crush.

  Blowing out a breath, I write back to him before fixing my coffee.

  Sutton: You own the bragging rights for all the dads out there and you’ll only get better

  Gavin: Thanks again, Sutton. It might sound silly but learning to do this meant a lot to me

  Sutton: Anything you need, I’m around. From braids to loading a gun

  Gavin: Loading a gun, huh?

  Sutton: Born and raised in the South. If you didn’t know how to load one could you even consider yourself a Southerner?

  Gavin: Lol very true from what I’ve heard. Thanks again

  Sutton: You’re welcome

  Nothing can tear away the smile I’m sporting today. If I start each day like this, I’d be happier than a tick on a fat dog. With a skip in my step, I head out of the guest house and toward town with my to-go cup in my hand.

  I’ve grown to love this town and find peace walking around in the mornings. I watch the awakening town on my walk before going to the studio for a phone interview with a radio station in Chicago. Since our performance at the ACM Awards, more and more stations around the country have been playing our music, and our online streams have tripled. My duet with Knox is being played everywhere, and fans are loving it.

  This past trip to Nashville, in general, was what dreams are made of. My show on Wednesday was almost sold out. Then, the preparations for the ACM Awards. Ainsley, Poppy, and I getting our hair and makeup done. The dresses we wore for the show. Everything was like being the star of my favorite movie. I even met some of my favorite musicians, and most had heard of my single and me.

  “Hey,” I smile at Averly as she walks out of Cup-O-Joe.

  “Oh, my God, Sutton. I’m so sorry I haven’t returned your call. Mason has been sick, and I spaced it.” Averly frowns, the lines around her eyes deep with worry.

  “Is he okay?” I place my hand on her arm.

  “Yeah. We took him to the doctor right away, and he prescribed medicine that has helped enormously. My mom is watching him now,” Averly releases a deep breath. “What did you want to talk to me about? I’m assuming it’s not about the bed and breakfast or you would’ve asked Melissa.”

  “Well, it kinda is, but it’s something I’d have to talk to you about.”

  “Do you want to sit inside?” Averly nods her head toward the door.

  “If you need to get back to Mason, we can talk later.” I don’t want to interfere. I knew it was weird that I hadn’t seen her at The Farmhouse this week when she’s there every day.

  “I’ve got some time. He hasn’t had a fever in twenty-four hours, and he laughed this morning, so I’m calling that a win, or a miracle. God, sick kids break my heart, especially when he’s mine.” Averly sighs and opens the door.

  My mind races back to a desperate Gavin waiting at the pharmacy to pick up Penny’s medicine when she was sick. With a small smile, I walk into Cup-O-Joe and take a seat with Averly. My heart furiously beats as I prepare to make her an offer that I hope will be too good for her to pass up.

  “What’s going on?” Averly smiles.

  Without talking circles, I get straight to the point. “I decided to move to Everton, and I was wondering if you’d be interested in renting the guest house to me. I know you use it as part of the bed and breakfast, but I was hoping we can come to an agreement that could work for both of us.”

  Her eyebrows shoot up, and she leans back in the chair. “Wow, that is not what I was expecting.” She chuckles. “Here, I thought you were going to ask me for dating advice on a certain single dad.”

  I shoot her a glare. Am I that obvious?

  “Don’t look at me like that,” she dismisses my attempt to intimidate her. “You do have a crush on Gavin—”

  “Shhh….” I lean forward on my elbows, interrupting her. “Don’t say his name so loud,” I hiss.

  Averly throws her head back, her cackles bouncing off the walls. “I knew it!” People look at us as they try to enjoy a quiet cup of coffee or concentrate on work.

  “Okay, sorry.” She wipes under her eyes and catches her breath. “Back to business.”

  I nod, anxious for a response. From what I’ve been told, finding a place to live in Everton is difficult, and this could be the perfect solution. I’m already staying in the guest house at the bed and breakfast, but hopefully, a monthly rent would be lower than my daily fee.

  “Can I think about it for a few days, crunch some numbers?” Averly asks, serious now.

  “Of course,” I nod. “I don’t expect you to jump in with a decision right away. I love the house and it’s available, so to speak, but I want this to be fair for both of us.”

  “Definitely. It was already used as a home when Melissa lived there.” That gives me hope, knowing it won’t be the first time that the guest house is used for someone to live instead of a house for guests to book on their vacation.

  We agree to talk in a few days, and I leave Cup-O-Joe with the hope that this could be the perfect solution for this transition. Knox, Harris, and Ainsley agreed that living in Everton would eventually be more convenient for me. More and more work will be done here at the studio going forward, and my managers and label are here. It just makes sense, and I feel more confident about this decision after talking to Kelsey while I was in Nashville.

  …

  After a successful interview and two songs finalized for the movie, Knox, Ainsley, Harris, and I head to Clarke’s to meet Poppy, Lia, and Axel. My favorite thing about Everton is how the neighbors come out for a few drinks, food, and to spend time together.

  I observe the camaraderie in the bar and smile.

  “Ainsley told me you’ll be the newest Everton resident,” Lia says next to me.

  “Yeah,” I nod. “It makes sense with working here and all.”

  “Honestly, there’s nowhere else I’d rather live.” She looks around and catches Axel’s eyes. “Maybe you’ll even rope yourself a cowboy,” she winks on a chuckle.

  A light blush creeps up my cheeks, and I try to cover it by taking a drink of beer, but Lia catches it.

  Raising her eyebrows, she asks, “Already?”

  “What? No.” I shake my head, and my eyebrows pinch together as if she were crazy.

  “You’re a terrible liar, Sutton.”

  “If there is a cowboy that sweeps me away, you’ll be the first to know.” I smile, patting her arm.

  “Hey!” I hear Ainsley say behind me. “I want to be the first to know.” She points at herself and raises an eyebrow.

  “Okay, okay. I don’t need a battle of the sisters-in-law. I’ll get you both together and tell you at the same time.”

  “Me, too,” Poppy pops her head in between Ainsley and me.

  “Jesus,” I huff out.

  “Besides, I hear a certain one already caught your eye.” Poppy waggles her eyebrows.

  “Who?” Lia shoots out.

  “No one,” I grit, my face flaming with embarrassment.

  “No way!” Lia gasps as Ainsley mouths his name.

  “He is a cutie, and he could use someone with your charm in his life,” Lia adds.

  “Yeah,” Poppy sighs with a shake of her head and a frown on her usually smiling face.

  “Anyway,” I switch subjects. “I hear congratulations are in order.” I peer down at Lia’s stomach.

  A wide smile takes over her face as she places her hand on her belly. “Yeah,” she sighs happily. “We’re still keeping it on the down-low, but we’re so freaking happy.”

  After rounds of congratulations and telling Lia about the ACM Awards, I find myself scanning Clarke’s as if Gavin would magically appear. I know he won’t. He has a daughter, and drinks on a Wednesday night aren’t exactly possible. At least, not with the way I’ve witnessed him being with Penny.

  He’s there for her through and through. Gavin is the kind of dad that’s present in his daughter’s life, and I admire that more than I ever thought I would. How
ever, that leaves the lingering question: Do I fit in that life?

  After spending time last night teaching him to braid and our brief text message conversation this morning, it felt like a shift happened. I got a glimpse of a different Gavin, and I haven’t been able to stop wondering who he was before he became a single dad.

  Feeling courageous and confident, I turn part of my body away from my friends and grab my phone. Typing quickly, I send a short message asking how Penny’s day went with her braid.

  Gavin: She was on cloud nine but it looked like a bird’s nest when I picked her up from school

  Sutton: Lol that’s normal. No braid stays in its place for hours on end unless it’s magical

  Gavin: Definitely not magical. She’s been making me do a bunch of braids all over her head all afternoon and evening

  Sutton: You’ll be a pro before you know it then

  Gavin: Thanks. I feel like I owe you a cupcake for teaching me this

  Sutton: You don’t owe me anything. I was happy to help, honestly

  Darn, was that a way to ask me out, and I just shut him down without even knowing it? Think quick. I type a second message and send it before chugging what’s left of my beer.

  Sutton: But if the mad batter has those lemon ones, I wouldn’t say no lol

  When Gavin doesn’t reply right away, I feel like I’ve somehow screwed up the slim chance I had with him. Placing my phone in my jean’s back pocket, I listen in on the current conversation about something one of Poppy’s students did today at school. From the stories she’s told, being a teacher is one hell of a job but also funny as all get out.

  As I’m getting dropped off at the bed and breakfast, my phone vibrates with a new message. I smile down and find Gavin’s name on my screen.

  Saying bye to Knox and Ainsley and thanking them for a ride, I skip toward the front door. Once I’m inside, I hold my breath as I open Gavin’s message.

  Gavin: I could make that happen. Goodnight, Sutton

  I bite down my squeal and jump up and down. Shy cowboy and all, Gavin just made it a point to see me again. High on the idea of spending time with him, I get ready for bed and dream of lemon cupcakes and a handsome cowboy.

  Gavin

  My braid lesson was a success with Penny. Since I told her Wednesday morning that I was going to braid her hair and I prayed to whatever hair gods exist that my braid came out decent, she hasn’t stopped asking me to do them. One braid. A bunch of thinner ones. Today’s request was pigtails. While the line isn’t quite down the center of her head, my little girl is rocking her hairstyle around town, bragging about her dad.

  Everyone we’ve crossed paths with and said hello to from the feed store to the grocery store she’s told them I did her pigtails.

  I proudly smile as I hold her hand and cross the street. Having a hand in making Penny this happy is my goal in life, and I can say this week she’s been happier than usual.

  As we walk into Cup-O-Joe for her hot chocolate and my coffee, Penny tugs my hand and points at Sutton sitting on one of the armchairs. Before I can stop her, she runs toward Sutton.

  “Look at my braids!” Penny jumps in front of her, pulling her attention away from her phone.

  Sutton’s face lights up in a smile, her eyes soften as she assesses Penny’s pigtails. I can’t hear what Sutton tells her, but they both look at me standing in line when Penny points in my direction.

  A gentle smile morphs on Sutton’s face, and she waves at me. I haven’t spoken to her since our Wednesday night messaging, but she's been on my mind.

  In the few seconds it takes for me to put in my order, I turn around to find Penny sitting on Sutton’s lap, giggling at something Sutton tells her as she tugs on one of her pigtails. The view freezes me in place, my heart going wild as the two of them continue on in their own world.

  “Excuse me.” The person behind me taps my shoulder.

  “Oh, sorry, uh… Here.” I move out of the way so the teenager can order his drink.

  Sutton’s eyes meet mine across the coffee shop, and her eyes crinkle with a smile before she focuses her attention on my daughter again. As if my feet were filled with lead, I move to pick up my order when the barista calls my name and walk toward them.

  “Daddy, can you do braids on Sutton, too? Like that we could be the same?” Penny blinks up at me with those wide eyes.

  “Um…” I look between her and Sutton, the idea of doing her hair isn’t exactly what crossed my mind.

  Fortunately, Sutton speaks up for me. “My hair isn’t long enough for braids yet, but as soon as it is, we’ll both do braid pigtails. How does that sound?”

  “Yesss!” Penny cheers, then stands up and grabs her hot chocolate from my hand.

  One thing I learned with Penny early on is that you can’t make a promise to a child unless you intend to keep it. It would devastate Penny if Sutton doesn’t follow through with this, and I don’t want to have to explain to her that not everyone you meet will always be a part of your life. A lesson I know too well.

  “Y’all are welcome to take a seat.” Sutton points to the other chairs in the area.

  I sit on the chair across from her, and Penny climbs on my lap, blowing the steam off her hot chocolate.

  “We don’t want to bother you if you’re busy.” I look at her over the top of my cup.

  “Not at all. I met with Averly a few minutes ago and decided to hang out for a bit. I love seeing everyone moving around the town on the weekends.”

  “It does get busy around here.” I look out the big windows, noticing the townspeople moving around.

  “I saw you on TV, which means you really are famous,” Penny speaks up.

  “I heard. Did you see Knox and I perform?” Penny nods in response. “It was really cool,” Sutton leans in to tell her.

  “Daddy, we know someone famous.” Her small hand holds my face so that I can look at her.

  “Yeah, we do.” My eyes stay trained on Sutton, trying to read her. I’m met with a shy smile and pink cheeks.

  “I’m really not that famous,” she defends.

  As we fall into conversation and Penny describes her dress for the sock hop to Sutton, I lean back in my chair and watch their interaction. They definitely click. Something about them flows together.

  Something about Sutton pulls both of us in. Call it her charm, her southern drawl, or the genuine smile she always wears. Sutton has us wrapped up in her light and joy, and my daughter isn’t the only one that wants to spend more time with her.

  I haven’t forgotten about the cupcake I owe her. I also haven’t forgotten the way it felt to spend time with her as she helped me put the smile that’s been on my daughter’s face for days. And I definitely haven’t forgotten that I crave to see her, hear her laughter, and feel her warmth next to me. When she’s around, I’m more than a father, and I remember the man I was before heartbreak.

  Making a mental note to take her up on that cupcake offer soon, I tell Penny we have to go to lunch at my aunt and uncle’s house.

  “Daddy’s going to take me on a ride with Dusty Buckaroo,” she tells Sutton.

  “Have fun, cowgirl. I’m sure I’ll see you soon.” Sutton turns to look at me with a tilted smirk and a secret nod. The fact that she kept our braid lesson between us is something I’m grateful for. She’s allowing me to be the hero in my daughter’s world, and that’s priceless.

  …

  After church, Penny goes home with my parents, and I take Abbie’s advice about getting back into the things I love. With my cooler and supplies packed in the bed of my truck, I stop at Cup-O-Joe for a coffee and sandwich to go.

  Fly fishing was always something I made the time for. I’d go out to the river and spend hours out on the water catching anything that would bite. Mostly trout in this area.

  As I turn away from the counter, someone smashes into my side. “Whoa.” I hold my cup above my head to avoid it from spilling.

  “Shit.” I hear a mumble.

&n
bsp; With raised eyebrows, I see a flustered Sutton. “Seems like you’re my crash barrier these days. I’m sorry. Did you drop your coffee? I’ll buy you a new one.” She turns toward the counter, and I grab her arm before she can order.

  “My coffee is safe,” I assure her by waving the cup in front of her face.

  “Good…okay…sorry again.” She stutters over her words, pink brushing her cheeks, but her eyes are downcast. Unlike her usually easy-going mood, Sutton’s face is marked with worry lines.

  “Are you okay?” I bend my head to look at her eyes.

  “Yeah, rough morning is all. Nothing a good cup of coffee or five can’t fix. Actually, is it too early to start drinkin’? Do y’all do mimosas Sundays? It’s a thing, you know. Brunch and mimosas, the day of the Lord is the day day-drinking isn’t frowned upon. Oh man, did I just offend you since you’re coming from church? It was meant as a joke. I go to church, too. Well, not today, obviously. I probably should’ve.”

  My eyebrows lift on my forehead, and my eyes widen as I listen to her babble about mimosas and day-drinking.

  “Ugh.” She tosses her head back. “Sorry. I’m fine. I just need a comfy seat and coffee.” Her eyebrows dip together as she looks around me. “Where’s Penny?” she asks as if noticing for the first time that I’m alone.

  “She went home with my parents after church, so I could go fishing,” I explain.

  “I haven’t gone fishing in years,” she sighs wistfully. I know the feeling well, though I’m surprised by her comment.

  “Do you want to come?” I ask slowly, unsure if it’s a good idea or not.

  “Oh man, that totally sounded like I was fishing for an invite, no pun intended. No, no,” she shakes her head. “You go and enjoy your time alone. I’m sure it’s necessary.”

  I nod my head toward the door. “Get your coffee and come on. You can tell me all about this rough morning.” It’s the least I can do after all she’s done for Penny and me. Besides, it’ll be fun to watch her try to hold a rod. She may be great at singing, but can she hold her own while fishing? I hide my smile at that thought.