Page 81 of Theirs to Treasure

“Four tours seemed like enough,” the big man said. “Leif and I are starting up an auto body shop here.”

“You grew up here, didn’t you?” Chance asked.

“My dad was a lumberjack, so Mom and I followed him between here and Alaska. After a while, Mom settled us here, and Dad came back when he could. That’s how Leif and I became such good friends.”

“Were you in the same unit overseas?” Chance inquired.

“Yeah, we enlisted together.”

Josie heard Isla mutter something but couldn’t make out the words. Elise patted her hand.

“The only other people I don’t think you’ve met here are the Hendersons,” Sam said. “Their son, Kyle, is on my team. Bob and Vera.”

Bob stood up to shake Josie’s hand. “Sam is a great coach, but I knew he would be. I played pickup games with him over at the firehouse. It was Joshua’s, Dane’s, and my idea that he take over coaching the team, when that jerk, Floyd, bailed on us.”

“Kyle loves Sam,” Vera assured Josie. “Floyd always made him feel like he was bad at basketball, but now he feels better about himself and he’s playing better. It’s amazing what a little confidence does for a child.”

It doesn’t just work for children, Josie thought.

“We saved you seats down here.” Lola waved to Josie. They sat down next to Jace, Dale, and Lola. Josie was not surprised to see her friend drinking soda instead of wine. She looked over at Kara, and indicated Lola’s drink of choice. Kara lifted her glass in a toast. Josie knew better than to ask. She figured when Lola was ready, she’d share her news.

By nine o’clock she was yawning, and Sam and Chance were saying good-bye to everyone. She was so tired that she only said good-bye to the people sitting closest to her, even though it made her feel rude.

She fell asleep on the drive home and didn’t wake up until Sam lifted her up to carry her into the house. “Can walk,” she muttered.

“I know, but you’ve had wine and it’s way past your bedtime.” He set her down in the bathroom so she could take her evening shower. She would have preferred to shower together, but she just didn’t have it in her.

“This pace needs to stop,” Sam said as she stepped back into the bedroom.

“Hey, let’s get into bed, and I’ll tell you some good news,” she said right before a huge yawn overtook her. She plopped down on the left side, and Sam nudged her over until she was in the middle of the bed. Chance arranged it so her leg was over his leg, and Sam spooned her from the back, and she was now in the perfect position to go to sleep. She shut her eyes.

“What’s your news, sleepyhead?” Chance prompted.

“Put ad, newspaper, wanted help. Not work so much.” Sam and Chance both broke into wide grins.

“I bow to you, brother. You said she would come to the realization on her own, and she did. Chance, how do you know these things?” Sam asked.

“I shall never reveal my secrets, brother. Just rest your pretty little head, and know that I am the Mystic One,” Chance chided.

* * *

Two days before her sisters arrived, Josie hired the perfect employee. He had been a baker for the Matushkas who decided to retire when they sold their bakery. He found, however, that retirement did not agree with his need to keep his hands busy, so when he saw Josie’s ad in the paper, he immediately applied. His name was Bill Jessop, and he was used to working the two a.m. shift, which was perfect. This would free Josie to spend more time with Sarah and Becca.

Lola called shortly after Bill was hired to share a good-news-bad-news message with Josie. Fate Harbor’s spring break social event that included a huge dance was coming up. Hart’s Diner usually catered it, so that put Sweet Dreams on point to provide all the desserts. The dance would provide a great opportunity for her sisters to meet everybody in town, and to see firsthand Fate Harbor’s loving and open community. The downside was that for the two days prior to the event, Sweet Dreams would be blitzed, even with Bill’s addition to the staff.

Chapter 31

Josie’s joy was boiling over the morning she was to pick up her sisters from SeaTac airport.

“Take the Audi,” Chance insisted.

“My car is fine.”

“I’ll feel better if you take the Audi. Your tires need to be replaced, and the roads are wet.” Chance held up the keys. Josie just shook her head and took the keys, knowing it was pointless to argue. She had decided not to have the guys go with her when she picked up her sisters, because she didn’t want to inundate them with their presence before they’d even had a chance to unpack their bags. Chance and Sam understood completely.

It took her two hours to get to the airport, and she was an hour early. She bought a cup of coffee to sip while she waited. Becca texted her when they landed and she went to the baggage claim area. Josie was waiting for them when they stole behind her, yelling her name, causing her to spill her coffee. Some things never changed.

“Welcome to Seattle!” She grabbed each one into a huge hug. Josie noted that their identical wavy blond hair, hazel eyes, and tall frames garnered a fair share of male attention. Her girls had blossomed in the few months away at college. She hadn’t noticed that three weeks ago when she’d visited.