"You have to show them that you're really not scared. You're playin' with your life, this ain't no truth or dare." Michael Jackson encouraged Jolene as she ran down the park trail with Daisy by her side.

His lyrics were like fuel to her flame as she kept her pace and breathed through her nose so she wouldn't tire quickly.

Every weekday, after she finished her ranch chores, she went for a run. She wouldn't exactly call it a hobby, but she definitely loved to do it.

Ironically, she did track in high school, and though it was a competitive sport, it turned out to be a great stress reliever for her. There was nothing like a good run to make all the worries in her life fade away.

Believe it or not, music is always the best part of her run. She always went to old school jams to keep her going.

Her go-to's were the King of Pop, Survivor, Queen, and if she was in the mood, Beyonce. She'd listen to any song or artist that could keep her pumped up.

Sometimes she brought Daisy along, but other times she didn't because Daisy couldn't always keep up after a while. Part of it was because she was getting old, and the other part of it was Jolene just didn't know when to stop.

She'd never admit that, though.

Daisy gave her a sign of exhaustion when she suddenly stopped. When Jolene felt the leash yank from her trying to continue, she took out one of her ears buds, looking down at the Great Dane, who was sprawled out on the ground.

"Aw, come on, Daisy." Jolene knelt down and patted her stomach, "We're almost there, bud."

Just when she thought Daisy was mustering up some energy, the intelligent Great Dane grabbed the leash out of Jolene's hand and ran off.

"God damn it, Daisy!" Jolene was about to take off behind her but realized she wasn't going far - at all.

Across from them was an Irish Wolfhound drinking out of his water bowl with his owner beside him. Daisy took it upon herself to have some as well.

"Aw hell," Jolene quickly ran off.

While the guy seemed to be amused by Daisy's actions, Jolene was embarrassed.

"I'm so sorry," She picked up Daisy's leash. Patting the Great Dane's back, she lured her away simultaneously.

"No, no, no, it's alright," The guy laughed. "Luna and I have enough to go around."

"Go ahead, girl," he told Daisy, pouring some more water in the bowl.

"Thanks," Jolene was appreciative.

"No problem," He looked up at Jolene, striking her with his gorgeous gray eyes.

While she was mesmerized by his eyes, he was utterly entranced by her brown ones. He liked her unique, strong facial structure and the way her dark brown hair stuck to the sweat beading down the side of her head.

"Teaching your dog to take her own leash isn't a smart thing to teach." He stood up, never breaking eye contact.

"Oh, I know," Jolene nodded. "It was my sister's doin'." She referred to Sage.

"Hi," He held his hand out. "I'm Connor. Connor Griffin."

"Jolene Barrett," She shook his hand, "But you can call me Jo. This is Daisy," She gestured to the Great Dane who was sniffing out Luna.

Jolene's eyebrows furrowed. He had an accent and not a midwestern one.

Plus, his Nike attire gave it away.

No one here in Saxondale wore Nike. And if they wore the shoes, there was no reason to wear the top, the pants, the hat, the jacket - by that time it's like, lay off the Nike.

Here in Saxondale, if you wanted a good workout, all you needed was an old t-shirt, some sweats, and sneakers you've probably had since high school.

"It's my accent, huh?" He noticed her facial expression.

Jolene nodded. "Yeah. Where are you from?"

"San Francisco."

"Oh, cool, what brings you to Saxondale?"

"Just lookin' for something new."

"Oh honey, Saxondale is anythang but new."

He laughed, finding her accent cute. "Yeah, I've noticed, but I like it. I guess it's better to say that I got tired of the city. Decided I need to just get away from it all, you know?"

"Not really," Jolene was honest, "All I know is Saxondale."

"Really? You've never like . . . I don't know traveled?"

"Well, my family and I have a cabin up in Denver, but that's about it."

"Wow. That's interesting. You never thought about traveling?"

"No, not really. I guess I love the place so much I never saw a reason to travel somewhere else. Plus, my daddy's lived here all his life. You talk about traveling, and he'll throw a fit, Lord Bless his heart."

Connor grinned. "He sounds like your usual traditional dad."

"He's very traditional," Jolene corrected him. "But you can't help but love him."

"Yeah, I bet." He smiled, staring deep into her eyes.

Refraining from blushing, Jolene looks down at Daisy. She was sitting on the floor with her new friend, Luna.

"Well, it was nice meetin' you, Connor." Jolene picks up Daisy's leash. "Thanks for the water, and welcome to Saxondale."

She stepped to walk away, but Connor put his hand out. "Wait, uh," he chuckled nervously. "I don't mean to be straightforward, but I'm new in town, and you seem like someone I would love to show me around."

Jolene laughed. He was cute.

"What do you say?"

"I say, I'll think about it." She patted his shoulder, "I'll let you know."

With a mischievous smile, she started walking down the trail with Daisy.

"But I don't have your number!" He yelled after her.

"It's a small town," she yelled back, putting her earphones in. "I'll find ya!"

^^^^^^^^^^

Unlocking the door to the house, Jolene walked into the house only to be blocked by a bunch of boxes in the foyer.

"What the hell?" She dropped Daisy's leash and closed the door.

"More like what the Addison." An unhappy Roy pushed boxes with his foot as he approached the stairs with Sage, Hailey, Mary Jane, and Grace at his heels.

Jolene knelt down and took Daisy's leash off. "What is all this stuff?"

Already opening a box, Sage said, "Addison's stuff from California. A buncha guys came over and just dropped this stuff off'."

"Oooo, free stuff," Mary Jane exclaimed.

She, Hailey, and Grace followed Sage's pursuit while Jolene was shaking her head. "Where's Addy?"

"Still sleepin'," answered Hailey, "Poor girl still isn't used to wakin' up early."

"Or chores," added Grace, who took out a pair of ripped skinny jeans. "Oh my god, is this Armani?!" She held it up to her hips. "Little sis is rollin' in designer now. These are mine now."

"Poor girl my ass," Roy leaned on the staircase railing. "She's been home for a month. Addison Lee Barrett, you get down here right now!"

"Aw hell," Jolene left to the kitchen.

Daisy was going to follow her until Roy said, "Daisy, go get Addy."

Daisy hopped over the boxes and took off upstairs.

When daddy sent Daisy to get you, he was not happy.

Daisy's bark boomed through the house, and in one snap, they heard shuffling upstairs.

"This is hot!" Hailey pulled out an all-white leather jacket with strings hanging from the arms.

"Oh my god, look," Grace pulled out Addison's People Choice Awards. "It looks even shinier in person."

"Take all you want," said Roy. "Cause the rest of its gettin' taken to Goodwill."

"Or we could do a yard sale," Sage advised.

"Doesn't matter. The point is, all of this can't stay here."

The shuffling stopped, and Addison's footsteps could be heard running down the hall. Addison came hopping down the stairs with Daisy at her heels, trying to put on her boots.

With her oversized t-shirt disheveled and one string longer than the other on her sweats, she had her coat hanging on her head.

"I'm up, I'm up! I'm ready to work!" She put on her coat, standing on the last step.

She frowned at all the boxes, rubbing the sleep out of her eyes. "Who's movin'?"

"Apparently you," Mary Jane held up her award. "This is your stuff."

"My what?"

With a bottle of water, Jolene joined the group, as Grace said, "From California."

"Ohhh!" Addison remembered, "Right. Right. Wait, what time is it?"

"Almost three," Hailey pulled out a long sleeve lace top.

"Aw hell," Addison gulped, looking at Roy, who seemed about ready to let her have it.

He held the bridge of his nose, letting out a sigh.

"Sorry?" Addison bit her lip.

"Look, sweetheart, I understand you're used to living the good life with the California hipsters and surfers."

Jolene snickered with her sisters, drinking some of her water.

"But you're home now. You know that under this roof, everyone contributes to the ranch."

"I know daddy and-"

"On time, in the morning, six o'clock," he reminded her. "It's been a month Addy. I need you to get it together."

"Yes, sir," Addison nodded. "I'll start right now." She walked over to a box, "I honestly don't want half of this stuff, but I got it shipped because I thought a yard sale would be cool."

"I had the same idea," said Sage.

"Whatever you do with it, just clean it up," Roy shook his head, going to his man cave.

"Alright," Addison clapped. "You guys take what you want, and then we'll at least get the boxes out of the foyer. You can have everything but my awards."

"We?" Grace scoffed. "Who said anythang bout helpin'?" She held up a yellow sundress.

"Fine then," Addison snatched the dress out of her hand. "You don't help, you don't get anythang."

"Well," Grace snatched it back, "I guess I can offer my services."

"That's better," Addison gave a sarcastic smile.

"If we can sort everythang out by the end of the day, we can have the yard sell up tomorrow."

"I'll spread the word," Sage took out her phone. "Also, find some guys to help us set everything up. Why do all the work when you have men?"

Mary Jane cocked an eyebrow. "You have a bunch of guys in your phone that you can just randomly text and ask for help?"

Sucking in a breath, Sage replied, "I'll ask Isabelle to send some guys over."

"That sounds more like it."

Jolene chuckled. "I guess I'll help too, but I'm gonna go take a shower first."

She goes upstairs.

"I would help now, but I actually have lunch with Sean and Loretta." Sage put her phone away, "So, I'll help when I come back."

Climbing over the boxes, she managed to get to the door. She took her coat off the coat rack and her keys of the keyframe.

"I've noticed you and Sean are pretty close," Addison decided to investigate a little bit.

"Yeah," Sage put on her jacket, "He was really there for me after Brandon left. Him and Loretta. Why the speculation?"

"Maybe because people usually don't hang out with their ex-husband's brother and mother," Grace pointed out.

"Why do you guys have to make everythang weird and so out of proportion?" Sage crossed her arms over her chest.

"Can you blame us, Sage?" Mary Jane asked. "You're actin' all weird, keepin' your emotions built up, gettin' drunk and partyin' all the time."

"For the last time!" Remembering her father was home, she lowered her voice, "For the last time, I'm fine. Now stop askin' me, please, I'm beggin' you."

Turning around, she opened the door, running into her mother.

"Oh, hey, honey." Whitney kissed her on the cheek, "Where ya headed?"

"Lunch with Loretta and Sean, I'll see you later, mama." Sage gave her mother a kiss on the cheek and descended the porch going to her car.

Right behind her came Hailey, who had grabbed her own coat and keys, "Gotta run an errand. See you later, mama."

"Bye," All Whitney could do was wave due to the quick interaction.

As she closed the door, the mother noticed the boxes, "What is this?"

"My stuff from California," Addison answered. "We're gonna gave a yard sale."

"That sounds nice," Whitney hung her coat and purse up, "Can I help?"

"Yes, actually," Addison stepped over the boxes to get to her mother, "I was thinkin' you could bake some pies. I think that'll really bring people in. You could also spread the word to your friends."

"Of course." Whitney was happy to help, "I'll get right to it." She looked at Addison's outfit, "Did you just wake up?"

"Yep," Addison looked down at herself with a headshake, "But don't worry, everythang is fine. I'm gonna do better."

Whitney rubbed her arms. "I know you will. I'll make you a late breakfast."

"Thanks, mama."

Whitney goes to the kitchen, and Addison turned to see Mary Jane holding up a pair of Timberlands, "You lived in a hot state, what the hell did you need these for?"

"I did a show promotin' the brand, so they gave them to me for free." Addison shrugged.

"You were really livin' the life, huh?" Grace asked her.

"Eh, I could care less about the shoes. All I cared about was the music."

The family had learned that Addison quit the band. Though they were happy to have her home, they knew how much she loved music and hoped she wouldn't forget about it altogether.

"Look, I know you left the band, but I don't you think just stop singin' or writin'," said Mary Jane.

"Yeah," Grace agreed. "I mean, you can always find some musicians right here in Saxondale and do your thing right here."

"I don't know guys," Addison sighed. "We'll see. Right now, I just want to focus on my family and me. It's been a month, and I still can't get over Jax and Michelle."

"Aww, Addy," Mary Jane pouted.

"I'm bein' strong, but that don't make it hurt any less."

"You hang in there," MJ told her. "I'm not blind to the love you two had. If it's meant to be, he'll come crawlin'."

"Like mama says," Grace smirked. "They always do."

"And don't you forget it!" Whitney yelled from the kitchen, causing the girls to laugh.

Addison let out a happy sigh, "Let's get this stuff sorted out.

^^^^^^^^^^

Hailey parked her cherry red 1962 Buick on the curb, smiling at the sight of one of her favorite places to be.

Regina's Fashion Boutique.

Turning off the car and grabbing her purse, she got out.

The bell above the door rang when she stepped inside.

"I'll be out in a minute!" She heard that beautiful, cheerful country accent she loved so much.

She looked around the empty store. The business was always slow on the weekdays. Walking over to the cashier counter, she placed her purse down.

Hailey could hear those high heels coming toward her. A blonde with very tall hair comes out of the back with clothing fabric over her shoulder.

"I'm sorry to keep you waitin' I -" She gasped. "Hailey!"

"Regina!"

She walked around the counter, pulling Hailey into a hug. "I just had lunch with your mama and was askin' about you and your sisters."

Regina Alridge was Whitney's best friend. Though complete opposites, they worked.

They've been friends since high school. Most would describe the two as DJ and Kimmy from Fuller House - Regina being Kimmy. Her style wasn't precisely like Kimmy's, but the woman's fashion always stood out.

Even now, she wore a red turtleneck with a leopard print vest, skinny blue jeans, and some pointed red heels to match her red lipstick. It didn't matter the occasion, Regina always looked good.

"You look so beautiful!" She pulled away from Hailey. "You hadn't stopped by the store in a while, and I got a little worried." She placed her hand on her chin. "I figured you were still tryin' to heal from your granddaddy's passin'."

"Yeah," Hailey nodded sadly. "Plus, Addy is home now, and the house has been slowly gettin' back to normal from all the changes."

"Ah, yes, your mother told me about that. Sad to hear about her leavin' the band, but I'm happy to know she's back at home. Sometime's that's the best place to be."

"I hear you," Hailey agreed. "How was your trip? How's your mother?"

Sadly, Regina couldn't give her condolences to the Barrett family because she found out her mother, who lives in Tennessee, has gotten sick.

"She's okay. Turns out dementia is what's been happenin' to her."

"I'm so sorry to hear that," Hailey rubbed her hand.

"Yeah, I begged my brother to let me stay and help out, but he insisted I come on back home and run the shop. But you bet your ass I'm gonna be makin' trips up there every chance I get."

"I don't doubt it." Hailey grabbed her purse and pulled out a few pieces of paper.

"What you got there?" Regina placed her hands on her hips.

"Well, I ran out of space in that notebook you got me, and I haven't had time to get another one with everythang so hectic at home. So, I've been drawin' my designs out on pieces of paper." Hailey spread out her four designs, "What'd you think?"

"My oh my," Regina shook her head, taking them all in. "I know I say it every time, but you've got a gift, girl."

Hailey cheesed in excitement. "You like them?"

"Do I?" Regina pointed to the first one. "I love the skirt on this one."

"Me too. It's my favorite."

Regina pointed to the fourth. "Ooo and that dress."

Shaking her head again, she grabbed Hailey's hand, "Honestly, sweetheart, I don't understand why you won't quick helpin' on your daddy's ranch and come work with me."

Hailey sighed. "I've already told you, Regina. I can't just walk out on my daddy."

"You're not walkin' out. You're followin' your dreams. You love fashion designin'. That's who you are." Regina pointed to her heart.

"I know but-"

"But nothin'. I know your daddy would support you."

"Like he supported Addy, right?" Hailey's eyebrows raised.

"That was different. Addison was just out of high school. Any father would be worried. Roy and your mother would love for you to pursue your dream."

Hailey pulled her hands away, staring at her designs.

"I'm not pressurin' you or anythang. I just want you to think about it, alright?

Hailey just nods.

"Now, fix your face and bring your drawings. You got some work to do."

With an excited smile, Hailey scooped up her designs and followed Regina to the back.

^^^^^^^^^^

"Thank you so much for havin' me over for lunch, Loretta," Sage said with an appreciative smile.

Sage, Sean, and Loretta were currently sitting at Loretta's dining room table, enjoying her famous sweet n' spicy chili. With a slice of sweet cornbread to merge with the spiciness, no one could ever get enough.

"Oh, don't mention sweetheart," Loretta patted her hand, "You know you'll always be family to me."

Sage smiled, drinking some of her beer.

Sean mixed his chili up with his spoon, watching her with a smile of his own.

"So, tell me, Sage," Loretta took a piece from her slice of cornbread, "How is it with Addison back home?"

"It's great. I would describe it as kind of a culture shock for Addison. She's havin' a hard time gettin' back on track."

"Well, that makes sense," Loretta nodded, "I heard about her quittin' the band. Does she plan on-"

The house phone started to ring, interrupting Loretta.

"I'll go get it," Sean pushed himself away from the table.

"I got it, honey." Loretta stood, "You guys keep eatin'."

"Your mom's the sweetest." Sage watched her go.

"She is," Sean agreed. "She is."

A silence fell over the two, and Sage decided to start a conversation. She didn't just come over for lunch. She actually wanted to talk to Sean.

"Look, Sean, I'm sorry I haven't seen you in like a month. Everythang's been a little hectic with Addison adjustin' to being home and-"

"I don't care about that stuff," Sean put his spoon down, "As long as you're okay, it's all good."

"What do you mean?" Sage pushed her bowl away and leans on the table. "Why wouldn't I be okay?"

Sean tilted his head at her. "Come on, Sage, I'm not your sisters. I know what you've been goin' through. And I've noticed how you and Isabelle use drinkin' to-"

"Please, Sean, don't start." Sage held her head in her hands. "It's bad enough I'm gettin' lip from my sisters, I don't need the same from you. I don't want to talk about any of this."

"Which means you need to talk about it."

Sage ran her fingers through her hair, looking away.

"Look, I'm not tryin' to bring up old feelin's or make you upset, but Sage." He reached over and grasped her hand, "I can't turn a blind eye. I care about you so much, and I see you spiralin."

Sage looked into his eyes sadly.

"Can't you see that I just want you to be okay?"

Sean rubbed circles in the back of her hand with his thumb.

Though Sage hadn't exactly moved on from the past, the one thing that kept her steady was Sean. He'd been by her side since his brother left her, and she appreciated it.

Sage knew that he cared about her. Sean always has even when she was married and before. Sadly, she just couldn't get past losing her child. It created a wound she wasn't sure how to heal.

Loretta came back, causing the two to quickly pull their hands away.

"I'm sorry about that." She sat in her seat, "That was your mother," she looked at Sage, "Askin' if I wanted to cook somethin' for your yard sale."

"Oh yeah," Sage looked at Sean. "Can you come over the house tomorrow to help set up?"

"Of course, you can count on me."

Sage smiled and stood up. "Excuse me. I need to use the bathroom."

Loretta watched her son, watch Sage walk away.

She grinned. "Still in love with Sage, I see."

"Who said I ever stopped?"

"Aww, Sean," Loretta rubbed his arm.

"I hate that Brandon hurt her. He didn't deserve her from the beginnin'."

"Don't get all worked up on me now. Your brother isn't perfect."

"Why-"

"I'm not defendin' him. I'm just sayin' he's human, and human's hurt each other sometimes. You're his brother, and you cannot let what you feel for Sage make you hate him."

"I don't hate him, I just . . ." He sighed, shaking his head.

Loretta continued to rub his arm sympathetically while Sean started eating again.