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“Oh, get off it,” I said to my brother. “You eat more than anyone I know.”
“I’m a growing boy,” he said, shrugging.
“You’re right about the boy part.”
We all sat down and Holt did the countdown to our first bite. The vodka sauce I’d made had some spice, but the kids both ate it without complaint.
“It’s divine,” Avon said.
“I was thinking of maybe adding some sausage?” I said.
“I think I’d like it better with meat,” Holt said. “Sausage would be good.”
“It tastes like tomatoes,” Marley said, wrinkling her nose and setting her fork down.
The kids snuck away from the table as soon as they could, going outside to play on the huge play set with swings, slides and a climbing wall. The adults stayed in for after-dinner drinks, the men doing the cleanup while Avon and I sat out on the deck.
“So how’s married life?” I asked her.
“Honestly, it’s not that much different than life before we were married. But I do love hearing him call me his wife.”
“He’s so happy.”
She smiled, a dreamy look in her eyes. “So am I.”
It was starting to get cooler, especially in the evenings and mornings. I loved sitting on the deck with a sweater on, watching the sun slip below the horizon. Once I opened my business, I’d have to work some evenings, but I planned to work a lot less than I had at The Sleepy Moose. There were only so many sunsets in life, and I wanted to watch as many of them as I could with people I loved.
“Holt is so completely gone for you,” Avon said with a grin. “He looks at you like you hung the moon.”
“I feel the same way about him. I keep waiting for the honeymoon phase to wear off, but it just doesn’t. Every time I get a text from him or pull into his driveway, I’m just so damn happy.”
“You deserve it. Both of you do. Have there been any more issues with his ex?”
I shook my head. “He hasn’t heard from her since she came to town and he shut her down.”
“Good.” She glanced over at the kids on the play set. “They seem really happy and settled here.”
“I think they are. They’re excited about starting school.”
She gave me a knowing look. “I foresee a lot of nooners in your future.”
“Oh, for sure. Holt is all over it.”
“And you’ll be able to set your own hours. I’m so damn happy you’re not at The Moose for twelve hours a day anymore.”
My sister-in-law finished her wine and stood up. “I’m going for a refill. Let me top you off while I’m in there.”
“Thanks.”
I passed her my glass and took the moment of solitude to look out at the lake’s gently lapping waves. It was so good to live life slowly sometimes. To soak up the small things like a delicious glass of wine and a sunset painted with shades of orange and pink.
Knowing what it was like to live full speed ahead all the time made me appreciate these moments more. Never again would I spend more time at work than at home.
It was the first time I’d ever felt more excited about the future of my personal life than work. It was true what they said about finding the person you wanted to spend the rest of your life with making you want it to start as soon as possible.
I wouldn’t take a single moment with Holt, Spencer and Marley for granted.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
