Annie was busy, and she was only the opening act. She couldn’t imagine how many directions Bristol was getting pulled in. Tonight, they were back onstage together. There were four more concerts left, and even though she was sad that this magical time was coming to an end, she was eager to see what the future held for her.

She smiled when she saw Peyton’s face on her phone. “Hey, baby girl. What are you doing?”

“Talking to you. Where are you?”

“I’m in Portland, Oregon. Do you know where that is?” Peyton shrugged one tiny shoulder in the frame of the phone. “It’s all the way by the ocean. Very far from Colorado.”

“When are you coming home? I start school next week. Like kindergarten, not preschool,” Peyton said.

“I can’t believe what a big girl you’ve become. And I love your new glasses.” Annie was worried that Peyton would fight having to wear glasses, but Sarah said she liked the attention she was getting from them.

“Look at the ladybugs.” Peyton couldn’t figure out how to show Annie the sides of her frame, but Annie pretended she saw them.

“Those are so much fun. What are you looking forward to the most when you go to school?”

She rolled her eyes at Annie. Rolled her eyes! When did she grow up?

“I’ve been going to school.”

“Yeah, but that was preschool. Kindergarten is the start of big-kid school. Do you have a new backpack yet?”

Peyton’s eyes lit up. “I do. It’s red and has ladybugs on it. Want to see it?”

“Of course. Having the right backpack is important. Have you met your teacher yet?”

Peyton nodded. “I like Miss Emily. She knows your music.”

“You talked about me to your teacher?”

“Uh-huh. She went to your concert here and said she’s been to Charley’s.”

There was a slight scuffle, a few giggles, and Sarah’s face showed up on the screen.

“I can’t believe Peyton called you. Are you busy right now?”

Annie looked around the stadium. They were still working on the stage. “No. I’m free for the first time in forever. Peyton picked the best time to call me. What are you up to?”

“School next week. Most of her preschool friends are in her kindergarten class,” Sarah said.

Annie watched as Peyton crawled on Sarah’s lap to be a part of the conversation. “Peyton said her teacher likes my music. Is she cute?”

“Really? You’re dating you-know-who, and you’re asking about Peyton’s teacher? What has being on the road done to you?” Sarah asked.

Annie laughed. “Trust me, I’m not dating anyone. I was just making conversation with my sweet little niece.”

“When are you coming home?” Peyton asked.