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“You’re welcome.” She turns to leave, and I watch every single step she takes. I can’t seem to peel my eyes away from her. Unfortunately, Royce notices.
“She’s cute.”
“She is,” I agree. Thankfully he doesn’t comment further. I don’t need my big brother to join my sisters, one of who is his wife, and is part of the “let’s set Marshall up on a date to find his magic” campaign. No, thank you.
If the magic is real like they say it is, I’ll find it on my own.
Chapter 8
Wren
When I approach the boat, Lena, Marshall’s mom, must see the worry written all over my face. She offers me her hand to help me board. “He’s the youngest, and he plays that card well.” She smiles kindly. “However, I can assure you, that baby girl of yours couldn’t be in better hands. Marshall will take good care of her.”
I nod. “Thank you. I feel guilty. He should be out having fun, not babysitting.”
She shrugs. “He offered. If I know anything about my five sons and their father? They don’t do anything that they don’t want to do.”
“Take advantage of the break,” Aspen says, stepping onto the boat with the help of Marshall’s dad, Stanley.
“Good luck getting her away from him. That boy, hell, all of my boys are baby hogs,” Stanley grumbles good-naturedly. “This is for you.” Stanley hands me a life jacket. “I don’t plan on driving crazy with such precious cargo on board.” He looks at his wife with so much love in his eyes I feel my cheeks flush. He then turns his gaze to his daughters-in-law, two of which are expecting, and then he lands on me. “Suit up, ladies.” He grins before turning and heading to the steering wheel.
“What are you waiting on, old man?” Lena calls out once we’re all suited up. Stanley winks at her, and we’re off.
The wind whips through my hair as the spray of the warm water from the lake splashes against my skin. We’re all laughing and hanging on as Stanley increases his speed, propelling us across the lake. When we reach the opposite side, where we can no longer see the shoreline, Stanley kills the engine and turns to face us.
“I thought we could float here for a little while,” he tells us.
“This is perfect,” Aurora says from her seat on the side of the boat. She tilts her head back, and even though she has sunglasses on, I know her eyes are closed as she lets the warmth from the sun wash over her.
“Kick back and relax,” Aspen tells me.
“I’m not sure I even know what that word means anymore,” I confess.
“Anytime you need a break, you bring that sweet girl to me,” Lena speaks up.
“Oh, I couldn’t do that.”
“Of course you can. I know you don’t know us well, but today is a good start at changing that.” Her wink is accompanied by a kind smile.
Hot tears prick my eyes. I’ve been doing everything on my own. Sure I have Carrie, and she’s a huge help, but this… these people, they understand motherhood. They don’t know me, but they’re offering to help me, to give me a break. The offer alone is more than I ever could have hoped for.
I swallow hard, forcing the emotions down as I nod and give her a watery smile. It’s all I can manage right now. Lena seems to understand as she changes the subject asking Aspen about the wedding.
“Soon,” Aspen tells her. There’s something in her tone of voice, almost as if she might be hiding something. Of course, I don’t know her well enough, but it sure seems like she might have something up her sleeve.
I don’t know how long we float on the water, soaking up the sun and enjoying each other's company. They make me feel included, and it’s as if I’ve known all of them for years. I’ve never had a lot of friends, I had Carrie, who I have been friends with since we were little, and then there was Travis. Other than that, it was work and a night class here or there when we could afford it.
“We better head back,” Sawyer says. “Royce is probably giving Roan sugar, and he’ll be up all night.” She laughs.
“Did he learn nothing from Owen feeding Carter cake icing?” Layla laughs.
“Please tell me that Marshall isn’t giving any of that to Madeline,” I groan.
“I’d say you’re safe. Owen is there, and he remembers all too well the sleepless cranky night we had with Carter.”
“This was a bad idea,” I mutter, making them all laugh.
“It will be fine. If he did, you could leave that sweet angel with us overnight,” Stanley tells me. “Momma can get a good night’s rest.” He smiles. He doesn’t give me time to reply before he’s starting up the engine and pointing the boat back to the shore where everyone else is waiting for us.
