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“Do you agree with Josh’s assessment?” Brad asked.
“I’m not certain my opinion is relevant,” she replied, with a grin.
“I see.”
“I’m so glad we had this chat,” said Emily.
“Yes, I agree. It’s been... almost enlightening.”
“Yes... practically illuminating.”
“Virtually informative.”
“Nearly edifying.”
Then Brad added, “And just in case anyone asks, this conversation never happened.”
“Absolutely did not occur.”
“In fact, I don’t even remember it.”
“Remember what?”
Now everyone was back at the house. Well, everyone but Charlie. And Brad was relaxing and enjoying a hot cocoa after a long tiring day of boarding. Everyone was relaxing except Josh. Josh was pacing and walking to the door to check outside every few minutes and muttering under his breath something about girls being ridiculously independent and getting in dangerous situations and not being very smart and keeping people informed and family who might be worried.
Brad smiled as he observed his friend’s escalating anxiety and decided this was a good time to keep his promise to Josh and give him exactly what he’d asked for. So he approached Derek, who was watching television with Jace.
“Hey Derek. You know what would be a really good idea? You should text Charlie and go pick her up. She’s going to end up at the far side and have to take the shuttle around. You could save her the trip, and you guys could go out for a private dinner tonight, just the two of you.”
His face brightened. “That’s a great idea. You think she’ll go for it?”
“I’m betting she will.”
Jace chimed in. “Aunt Charlie was going to show me her movie tonight.” His earnest face was lined with concern.
“We’ll be back in plenty of time for that,” Derek assured him. “I know she’ll be excited for you to see it.” He fired off a text to Charlie. Within a few minutes, she had replied.
“Awesome! She was waiting in a long line for the shuttle, and she says she’s starving.” Derek grabbed his jacket and headed out the back door.
Jace asked, “Uncle Brad? Are you going to tell Uncle Josh Aunt Charlie isn’t coming back for dinner? He was acting kind of like he was worried about her.”
“I will, for sure. But I might wait a little while. It’s kind of a secret joke, so don’t say anything.”
“Okay,” Jace grinned with excitement. “I won’t tell.”
“Dinner’s ready!” Spencer called out. “Come and get it.”
“Thanks for cooking again,” Anne told Spencer. “According to Emily’s very organized schedule, it’s Hannah and Claire’s turn to do dishes after dinner.”
“We’re on it,” Hannah agreed. Then she looked around in confusion, “Where’s Charlie and Derek?”
“I don’t know about Derek,” Josh said, scraping his fingers through his hair. “But Charlie never came back from her hike to ski off-trail. And it’s getting dark. She could be lost somewhere. Or hurt.”
“Oh no,” said Anne. “She texted me when she made it down. She’s having dinner in town with Derek.”
Jace giggled. “Uncle Brad said it was a joke.”
Josh glared at Brad, motioning with his chin for Brad to join him.
