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"Who's paying for all that?"
"I covered the last one, but my parents are paying for Japan—AJ is coming with me, and we're staying with a friend, but they're getting the flights. They also paid for this one. I only booked this ticket two days ago."
"Did that make it more expensive or cheaper?"
"I actually have no idea. My mom wanted me to come so badly that she bought it and emailed it to me the second I mentioned coming. I didn't see a price."
"We're glad you're here. My end of the house seems empty this year without Lila and Beck. Even Uncle Max is gone right now. He and Casey were here, but they had to leave unexpectedly for work. Caleb's here, though. He's got a dog with him—a German Shepherd that's trained for his work. It knows all sorts of commands. He's been hanging out with the young lady your mom invited out here. Sophia's friend. She's got a dog with her, and they have a whole dog operation. She gets along well with your sister, too. She's a real nice girl."
"What do you mean by a dog operation?"
"Well, Caleb's got his dog with him, so they let their dogs play together all the time. They're inseparable. They go on trails and out on the water together. Caleb is always working with his dog, and so Holland, that's the girl's name, lets her dog play with his. They're really cute together. Hers is small and his is big, and they ride around on that side-by-side all day together. Have you met her—the girl your mom has staying in that back apartment this year?"
"Yeah, I've met her a couple of times."
"Oh, she's sweet. She makes those collars and leashes. She's got a big sewing machine that can go through leather. I don't know how she lugged that thing all the way over here. She's got a whole production area set up in the living room. And a photography area, too, where she takes pictures of the products. She said she's amping up production for when she starts selling tags separately."
"You sure know a lot about her business."
"I do. I think she's got a good idea. And she's a nice girl. She's always pitching in and helping out around here. We've gotten to know her."
"So, she's seeing Caleb? I thought she might set her sights on my brother."
"Oh, I don't think she dating Caleb, if that's what you're saying. I don't think she has her sights set on anyone—not in that way. I just think she's got a good idea for that business. That's all I was saying. I thought it was neat that Caleb happened to bring his dog when we had another dog here visiting."
"Uh-huh, that's good for both of them," Beau said.
It was ridiculous of him to be jealous, and he knew it. He was in Arkansas to see his family. Holland and her presence at the house were not a factor at all. If anything, he shouldwanther to be preoccupied with his cousin. That way there would be no temptation.
"Your mom is lucky, she's got all her babies here now. And Danny. Your whole family is here."
"That's why she bought the ticket the second I mentioned coming." Beau was thankful for the mindless conversation because his thoughts were on other things. "What about you?" he asked.
"No, none of mine are here right now. Beck went back home the other day, and Lila is out in California. Don had to be at the hospital, but he'll be here this weekend."
"What are you doing out here by yourself, Aunt Sarah?"
"Working. I had a lot of paperwork to catch up on for my husband. I'm productive out here. I'll probably stay most of this month while everybody is in and out. I drove, so I can head back to Houston whenever I need to."
"I like your SUV," he said looking around. It was a brand new Chevy.
"I love it," she said. "I just got it for Christmas."
Beau smiled and nodded and went on having the conversation with his aunt. He said all the right things and all the right times, but his mind was somewhere else.
Holland.
He thought of Holland spending time with his cousin, Caleb, from Florida. He wasn't jealous of Caleb. He didn't want Holland. He was just thinking about them and wondering, speculating if something had happened between the two of them. It would have to be a short-term fling since Holland didn't want a relationship. It didn't matter. Beau wasn't there to see Holland. He was there to see his family.
Chapter 8
Holland
I absolutely loved Arkansas.
Lake Sutton was the most beautiful place I could have accidentally ended up this summer. It was perfect—exactly what I had hoped for when I wanted a place to work and plan.
The Morgan-Cameron clan was unbelievably hospitable and kind. I was hoping for a secluded one-room situation where I didn't have to talk to anyone, but they were a pleasure to be around and they welcomed me into their home as if I was one of them.
