AllFreeNovel
Share Us
ChapterThirty-Nine
TESS
“AHHHHHHH!”
That’s the sound my sisters make when they burst into the camp office on Friday. Then we go in for a group hug, practically falling all over each other. These two may drive me crazy, but we once shared a womb. I love them more than the crazy, and as busy as I am, I’m so happy they’re actually here.
“You look amazing,” Olivia gushes. “Are you using melon shampoo? Is it true you’ve got a secret boyfriend?”
Argh.Stupid Mac. When we were at the hospital, I hinted around that something might be happening between Spencer and me, but only so he’d stop hyperventilating into a bag.
“How does it feel to be the big boss here?” Darby jumps in. “When is Nash selling his place? Where are you going to live after?”
“Slow down!” I step out of the tangle of their arms, grinning and gaping at the same time. I’m pretty much graping. “One question at a time.”
“Okay, then back up.” Olivia smooths her strawberry-blonde tresses. They’re sleek and shiny and perfectly Liv. “Let’s hit the most important topic first. Who was that dark-haired, yummy-looking guy I saw just heading across the ranch?”
I tilt my head. “I’m not sure.” At this time of day, yummy and dark-haired could be either Spencer or Clive.
Darby smirks, tightening her ponytail. It’s so taut she must have a headache. “Leave it to Liv to already be scouting some new victim to snare in her web.”
Olivia frowns at me. “How can younotknow who the guy is?” This is very on brand for Liv, skipping the part where Darby called her a spider and focusing on me not naming names. “This place is crawling with little kids and counselors,” she says. “How many hot, age-appropriate guys are there?”
Circling my desk, I drop into a chair and point to the plastic seats across from me. “Sit.” Then I lean over, resting my elbows on top of the desk. “That depends on who you ask. But since you’re askingme, I’ll say … two. There are two hot, age-appropriate men here.”
Olivia glances at Darby. “Perfect. One for each of us.”
My stomach twists, a longstanding reflex of fight or flight. After years of being away, both my sisters are back in town. This means Spencer will be face to face (to face) with them soon. And they’re so dynamic. So impressive. So …
“Sorry, Liv,” I say. “But all the yummy men are already taken.”
“No fair.” Olivia sticks out her lip, pretending to pout, but she’s only kidding. At least Ithinkshe is.
“So. How long will you be in Apple Valley anyway?” I ask. They both flew in last night and are staying at Nash’s place, with his permission, of course.
Darby bites back a laugh. “An hour’s enough for Liv to find a man.”
Olivia shrugs. “Just becauseyousettled down with one guy when you were practically in diapers doesn’t mean the rest of us can’t play the field.” Her eyes shift to me. “And I did see a big field out there. Can we play some games here today?”
Darby rolls her eyes. “To answeryourquestion, Tess,we’ll be here through next weekend. Ten whole days!”
“Wow.” I blow out a breath. “Great.” I’m glad they’re staying so long, but this means my entire family will be together a lot. Without me.
“That should give us plenty of time to spend with Mac and Daisy,” Liv chimes in. “Plus lots of Teddy snuggles.”
“Speaking of which,” Darby says, “we just left Mom over at their place. She’s in total newborn heaven. All googly-eyed and mushy. Brooke may never get her baby back. I got the feeling she loves us visiting, but you know.” Darby quirks a brow. “In-laws. You don’t exactly want them living with you full-time.”
Right. And that’s exactly why I’d never ask Mac if I could move in there when I’m kicked out of Nash’s place.
“Motherhood sure looks good on Brooke,” Liv adds.
“I’ll bet.” My stomach begins to flutter. It’s a stirring I only felt recently. Like basically since Teddy was born. That’s when I started to think having a family might be something I want to do someday. So maybe this change of heart is some kind of unconscious competition. Maybe I really am just reacting to my brother having a new baby. Or to Emi and Lucy getting married. Or to Jill getting engaged.
“Mac told us how great you’ve been doing here at camp,” Darby says. Her mouth goes crooked. “That’s about all he managed to say before Daisy jumped in to monopolize him. When we left, she was climbing all over the poor guy. But she’s a big sister for the first time. New cute baby in the house. Sibling rivalry is for real.”
Yeah. Tell me about it.
“So we decided to let Mom have the first shift with them,” Liv says. “Naturally we came straight here to say hi to you.”
