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“Just spill, Rye, she’s in the car, so she’ll find out anyway,” Sawyer said.
“I want to buy the bakery and turn it into something.”
He could hear how excited his brother was about the prospect of owning that bakery. Sawyer tried to think of the last time he’d been excited about something.
The startup he and Nick had invested in, he guessed. Especially when it had exploded and made them rich. But that had soon faded with all the other crap that came with it.Like Jolena.
“No way! That’s awesome. I love that idea.” Zoe wrapped an arm around Ryder’s neck and squeezed. She planted a loud kiss on his cheek.
Out of all the Dukes, she and Dan were probably the most demonstrative and affectionate. Sawyer thought that was because they were the youngest. His phone buzzed again.
“Hey Ally, what’s up, sweetheart?” he said to his niece.
“I have a school trip, and we need parent helpers, Uncle Sawyer. Dad’s busy cus you have the guys coming in to talk about a contract, and Nana has to do a shift at the library.”
“So you’re working your way through your aunt and uncles, starting with the oldest?”
She giggled.
“I’ll go, baby girl. When is it?” Sawyer said.
“Friday. You can take me to school, and we go pretty much straightaway.”
“Where are we going?” He imagined a fishing trip or some rock climbing. He’d have to deal with the other parents, most of which were mothers, but he could play nice for a few hours for Ally.
“To learn about sustainability with the McAllisters. Love you, Uncle Ya Ya. Bye.”
She cut the call before he could reply, and he stared at his phone. He should have asked the questions first about where they were going.
“What was that about?” Zoe asked, because unlike his brothers, she needed to know everything that was going on.
“I’m helping Ally’s class out on a school trip as parent helper.”
She turned more in her seat to look at him. “Since when do you, the grumpy Duke, go on school trips?”
“He’ll do anything for her,” Ryder said. “It’s just the rest of us he doesn’t like.”
“All true,” Sawyer said.
“Where are you going?” Zoe asked.
“McAllister farm to learn about recycling and sustainability.” Sawyer kept his expression calm.
“Aha. Now I know why you’re going.” Zoe smiled.
Sawyer ignored her and looked out the window.
“Because of Birdie,” she persisted.
He didn’t speak, so she drilled a finger into his side. Sawyer was the most ticklish Duke. He grabbed her hand. “Cut it out.”
“Or what?”
No one could annoy you like a sibling, even when you were in your thirties and should know better.
“Or I’ll tell Mom that I’m pretty sure you’re hiding the reason you came home from us.”
“You wouldn’t?” Zoe’s smile fell off her face.
