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“Let’s take a selfie and send it to Lexie,” Eric said, her phone already in his hand.
He leaned over, his face close to mine, and snapped a photo with no warning.
He pulled up a message, then frowned. “I have her phone. We can’t send it.”
“Beau is with her.”
He beamed. “You’re right.”
In seconds, he’d sent the picture. And in a few more seconds, my phone chimed.
Is that a donut in your hand?
Then Lexie’s phone chimed. Eric read the message before he relayed it. “Sis says we’re busted about the donuts.”
Then another message popped up on my screen. It was the photo of Eric and me. He grinned, I looked like I’d been caught off guard, and there certainly was a donut near my face. Along with two dog noses in the bottom of the image.
I stuffed the rest of the donut in my mouth and tapped out a reply.
I have no idea what you’re speaking of.
No wonder you wouldn’t let me go along. You wanted all the donuts for yourself.
We’re very busy now. We must go.
I grinned as the bubbles danced on my screen indicating Lexie was responding.
Eric snapped another picture. “You should smile more. It’s good for your face muscles.”
Was it?
I see the evidence has disappeared.
The other photo popped up on my screen. I didn’t recognize the man in it. He looked . . . happy. Carefree. There was no sign of the stress of the past few weeks—a lifetime of it, really.
Could I be this man?
Maybe Muffy has some insight.
I patted his head. “Sorry, buddy, but you’re a good scapegoat.” I dusted a fleck of sugar coating off my tie and stood. “Should we finish these deliveries?”
“Let’s do it.”
I untied Muffy’s leash from the table and he rocketed back toward the van, willingly dragging me along with Eric’s laughter not far behind. And it was in hearing Eric’s laughter that I also smiled.
I’m enjoying this.
Being outside rather than stuffed in an office. Entertaining conversation and bothersome dogs rather than emails and tedious meetings. Helping a business survive rather than finding ways to overcome one. What I was doing was adding value to life. Others. And for once, I felt good about myself. Good about life.
Chapter Thirteen
Lexie
“I’ve never seenmy brother like this.”
The knot in my stomach since Lincoln left, tightened.
“Way to keep the conversation casual after I was just released from the hospital.” I tossed a piece of cauliflower at her.
