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“A surprise he’s building for them.”
“Now you’re a woodworker? At least I’m assuming that’s what it is.”
“No, but I have something in mind for Rach too.” I picked at a stray splinter on the table.
“Or you found a more exciting bed.”
The flush started at my shoulders and rushed up my neck. “Maybe.”
She laughed. “Don’t be embarrassed. I was young once too. And he’s quite attractive. Just be careful.”
“He wouldn’t hurt me.”
She gave me a long look. “I didn’t mean that, but interesting you went right to that line of thinking. I meant that you’re in the middle of a change. It’s easy to lean on someone else when you’re uncertain.”
“Oh.” She was right. And things had been zooming along at one hundred miles an hour. Was that why I was so wrapped up in him? Just to put the other things I had to figure out in the distance?
“You’ve been on your own for so long. You don’t even come to visit us much, save for Christmas.”
“I know. I’ll try to be better about that.”
“I’m not saying this to make you feel bad. Just that there are a lot of moving parts in your life right now. When you have attraction jumping into the mix, it makes things even more overwhelming.” She peered down her nose at me. “And whatever else you aren’t talking about.”
How the heck did she know these things? Was there a flickering billboard above my head?
“Well, I’m home now. I always felt I needed to stay in the city because of what I did—that all the important things were there. I’m starting to see that it’s all inside of me.”
“Growing up includes lots of growing pains.” She patted my hand. “I’m just glad to see your smiling face again. In person, that is. I make sure to watch all your videos. And I’ve found a few other fun people on that app of yours.”
Delighted, I slid out of the bench to go around and hug her. “You’re the best, Aunt Laverne.”
“Chaos, your sister is blowing up my damn phone,” Ransom called out to me.
My aunt’s eyebrows shot up. “What did he call you?”
“Yeah, he’s a jerk.”
“Did he say chaos?”
“He sure did.”
Her smile got even wider.
“Don’t get excited.”
“Pet names are a sign of love, you know.”
The fact that we’d had nicknames for one another since the day we met did not mean a damn thing, no matter what she said.
I pecked her on the cheek. “You see love everywhere. Must be all those weddings at the chapel and orchard.”
“Must be.” She rose. “Oh, I forgot to mention. You got a box today.”
I stilled. “I did?”
She nodded. “I was surprised since I never get mail for you, which is what made me take notice of it. I was going to send the box to Rachel’s house with one of the boys, but since you’re here, I’ll go grab it.”
“No!”
