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“What?”
“No matter what happens with you and Austin or me and Beau or with us in Montana, let’s just enjoy our time here. And if we have to go back to New York, then so be it. But at least we know there’s something better out there waiting for us.”
“You’re absolutely correct, Olivia.” I gave her a quick hug. “Thank you so much for coming.”
“Oh, Lucy, any time.” She pulled back and stared into my eyes. “I know you miss your mom. I miss her too. She was a beautiful, kind soul. I was just as shocked as you when she passed, and I know that perhaps you weren’t happy in the city anymore with all those memories, and I understand that. I understand that you’ve been hurting, girl, and I know I can’t take the pain away, and I know that I don’t fully understand what it is to lose someone that close in my life, but I’m always here for you through everything. You are my sister, Lucy, okay? You are my best friend and my sister, and I will always be here for you.”
“I love you, Olivia. And I want to let you know that no matter what you’re going through, even if you think it’s not a big deal compared to my mom dying, remember that whatever you’re going through is important as well. And I’m here for you as well, okay?”
“Okay,” she said softly. “Now we better head to the front, so we don’t keep those guys waiting.”
“Let’s do it.” I grabbed her hand and we walked around to the front of the house.
As we walked past the porch, I saw Amelia staring out the window. She grinned as she saw us and gave us a little wave, and my heart filled with love for her, for this woman who had invited a stranger into her home and welcomed her with open arms. She was a beautiful, wonderful human being, and I hated the fact that I was going to have to break her heart when I told her that Beau and I were not meant to be together, but I knew she would understand because she was just that sort of person. I knew that no matter what happened, she would forgive me. And that was all that mattered.
Chapter Twenty-Five
“Kayaking was so much fun.” I looked in awe at Austin, as we made our way to the large cloth he put down on the grass. Beau was unpacking a hamper that Amelia had made for our lunch, and Olivia was helping him by unpacking paper plates and plastic forks and knives.
“You had fun, huh?” Austin said as he stroked my hair.
“I had a lot of fun.” I nodded. “Thanks for bringing me.”
“Well, it wasn’t really my idea. It was Beau’s.” He laughed.
“You shouldn’t be playing with my hair, though. What if Beau sees?”
“So what?” Austin shrugged. “I hate to break it to you, Lucy, but he seems more interested in your friend.”
“Oh no,” I pouted. “What am I going to do?”
“You don’t care, do you?” He looked worried and nervous.
“What do you mean, ‘do I care’?”
“I mean, are you upset that Beau’s not interested in you?”
“Why would I be upset?”
“I don’t know. Maybe because—”
“Austin, I like you. You have to know that, after everything that we’ve done.”
“I wasn’t sure, maybe, if you wanted me and my brother or—”
“I just want you, Austin, but I think we should talk to your mom. We have to let her know that Beau and I don’t have feelings for each other like that, and that you and I do.” I paused. “I mean, if you do, of course.”
“I know you’re not seriously asking me if I have feelings for you.”
“I am asking because—”
“Lucy Kensington, I adore you.”
Without any warning, he picked me up, threw me over his shoulder, and began running back to the picnic.
“What are you doing? Austin!” I giggled as I swatted him on the shoulders. “Put me down!”
“No, I won’t,” he huffed, not slowing down.
