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“Hey!” Sara’s last sip of beer almost flew out of her mouth with laughter as she slid her plate out of Mary’s grasp. “You’ve got your own!”
“Sara, I’ve told you this a thousand times.” Mary savored the chicken and picked up her beer with a satisfied sigh. “What’s yours is mine when it comes to your cooking.”
Sara dished her up a second helping, then laid a warm hand on Mary’s shoulder as she sat back down. “There. That should hold you off for a bit.”
“Seriously, though, has it been easier than last summer? You guys hired a camp director for this season, right?”
“Yep, that’s Charlotte. Once we got the property renovated with the waterfront cabins and main lodge, we were at a loss about what to actually do with people when they got there last summer, so she’s been a big help. She could run a country if she had the chance.” Sara paused, pushing a pea around on her plate with her fork. “Everyone loves her.”
Mary glanced up, obviously avoiding asking the question that hung in the air between them, which Sara was thankful for. “Well, I think a retreat center for lesbian couples is genius. They get to be on that gorgeous property and just focus on each other for a while.”
“And this year, on top of waterfront activities and tons of classes, we also have a chef who does family style meals, an on-site couples counselor, and a Latin dance instructor.” Sara brightened and bumped Mary’s shoulder. “Too bad you refuse to date anyone. I think our new dance instructor might sway you over to our side.”
“Oh, I saw her, I think. She wandered into the drugstore the other day during Days of Our Lives. I’d forgotten to lock the damn door, as usual.” Mary popped the last forkful of piecrust into her mouth and winked. “Tall, dark, and handsome, right? Let’s just say I turned off the TV and showed her where the Band-Aids were.”
“I knew it!” Sara laughed as she reached for her napkin and pushed her dish away. “I told Sam when we hired her that no one would be able to resist that charm, even—”
Sara’s last words were drowned out by a loud pounding that sounded like it was about to shatter the front door. Sara jumped off her stool and ran out to the dining room, feeling the color drain from her face when she saw her sister, Jennifer, on the other side of the glass doors.
Mary swept her aside, then pulled Jennifer through the door with one swift movement, sitting her on a nearby chair before she could get a word out. “What is it? Is it the baby?” Mary’s words tangled together in a rush of sudden panic as she laid a protective hand on Jennifer’s pregnant belly. “How far apart are your contractions?”
Jennifer burst into laughter, pulling up a chair for Mary beside her, who, by this time, seemed completely out of breath. “Mary, you’ve got to relax! You’ve been thinking I’m going into labor every time I so much as sneeze.”
“Actually, since the moment you and Murphy announced you were pregnant.” Sara wrapped her arms around her sister’s shoulders and hugged her. “Well, I’m on Mary’s side with this one. You were banging on the door like the world was on fire, and your due date is getting close. What’s up?”
Mary clasped a hand over her heart and took a deep breath. “I swear on everything holy, Jennifer. You’re going to give me a heart attack before that little guy finally makes an appearance.”
Jennifer squeezed Mary’s hand with obvious affection before she went on. “I mean, I know the diner closes at three, and you two usually have a late lunch in the back, but have you seriously not seen what’s going on down at the coffee shop?”
Mary and Sara got up and pressed their faces against the glass as they looked down the street toward Moxie Java. Mary finally opened the door and stuck out her head. “What the hell is going on down there? They’ve got everything roped off, and every officer in town is outside.”
“Sam was supposed to be here ages ago with a cinnamon roll. I forgot all about it.” Sara pulled out her cell phone and dialed Sam’s number with shaky fingers. It rang only once before Sam picked up. Sara held her breath, fear settling heavy on her chest and preventing her from drawing another until she heard Sam’s voice.
“Baby, I’m fine. We had a little situation at Moxie Java, but everything is handled.”
Sara turned toward the kitchen and spoke closer into the phone. “Are you sure? You sound out of breath. I don’t like this.”
>
A gentle knock behind her made her turn to see Sam, tall and handsome in her uniform, holding up a Moxie Java bag outside the door. Sara ran to the door and fell into Sam’s arms, hugging her a little harder than usual, only letting go when she thought to ask what the hell was going on. Sam didn’t speak, just cradled her face in both hands and kissed her slowly, brushing Sara’s lips with hers at the end as if she couldn’t bear to let her go.
Mary rolled her eyes and took another look out the window. “Yeah, this is cute and all, but will someone tell me what the hell is going on before I have to go down there myself?”
That was enough to make everyone laugh, but Sam’s phone started ringing as she opened her mouth to answer. Sam only had a moment to skim over the details before she clicked on her phone and raised it to her ear as she headed back toward Moxie Java with a quick promise to share more later. She blew a kiss to Sara and pointed at her watch before she turned and jogged back down the street where Murphy, Jennifer’s husband, was taking up the traffic blockade.
“What did she mean by that?” Jennifer said, eyeing the Moxie Java bag in Sara’s hand.
“It’s our shorthand. She won’t be home till late.” Sara smiled and handed the bag to her sister. “Here, it’s all yours. I can’t even think about eating.”
Mary squinted her disapproval. “You know I’m only allowing this handover because you’re pregnant.” She closed her eyes as she continued. “Otherwise, that sweet, sweet pastry of God would have been all mine.”
Sara and Jennifer turned, already laughing. Sara had anticipated exactly that sentiment.
“What?” Mary said with a sniff. “What are all the kids saying these days? I’m just keeping it real.”
* * *
Lily rolled the window down to take in the White River falling and crashing over boulders as she took the narrow, winding road beside it up the mountain from Boise to McCall. Afternoon was falling into evening as it did only in the mountains, and the air had cooled to a shimmering blue as she neared the summit. She opened the skylight of her bright green rental Jeep to take in the blaze of copper streaks and shades of melting sienna hovering just past the evergreens lining both sides of the road.
