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Sam chuckled. “Like might be too strong, but watching the kids out here is totally worth it.”
Ryan pointed his spoon at her. “Absolutely.” He wriggled his brows with a smirk. “Besides, me and Erin are always happy to come back here.”
None of them would forget the backpacking trip that brought Erin and Ryan together. The two of them had planned a day hike for the next day, showing the kids the trail they’d helped rediscover so long ago. The trail had been cleared since then, but five-plus years later, growth might obscure it again.
“Rowan, don’t you dare pour that down Wren’s back!” Erin yelled. Her boy was just as challenging as theirs, a constant whirlwind of activity. Usually something risky or naughty.
Rowan slunk back to the stack of rocks he shared with Cade and Tate. Trevor pointed his fingers from his eyes to Cade’s and shook his head. They both seemed chastened, but that wouldn’t last long. He was dreading the teen years.
Michael shook his head. “Sorry about that, Erin.”
She chuckled. “Kids. Nothing you can do. Besides, Tate is just as bad.”
Deb giggled. “The girls can be worse. They’re just better at hiding it. And planning.”
Trevor snickered, remembering the boys’ screams the night before. After an afternoon of attempted torment, the girls had snuck squishy plastic spiders with glowing eyes into the bottoms of the boys’ sleeping bags. After the initial terror, the adults struggled to hold back their laughter. Isa and Sophia hadn’t tried; they’d laughed so hard tears ran down their faces. The boys had vowed revenge and sulked. Next year, they’d have to put the kids in separate tents.
“I’d bet that was Keziah. She’s sneaky.” Deb smiled ruefully. Her oldest was a reserved bookworm, until she’d had enough. Then she morphed into a book wyrm, breathing fire. Sophia backed her up.
Tom guffawed. “Try again. We all know who’s the sneakiest in this bunch.”
Trevor stared at Wiz. She glanced around the group, all looking at her. “Who, me? Nah.” The corners of her lips rose.
“Aunt Wiz is the best.” Isa plopped on the ground at Wiz’s feet.
Isabella was absolutely correct, for more reasons than she knew. Although, Trevor wouldn’t be surprised if Isa had guessed the truth. After Isa got accepted to MIT’s exclusive-but-expensive engineering program, Wiz and Tom revealed they’d set up college funds for the entire clan’s kids. The parents objected initially but couldn’t help their relief, either. Each set of parents had started funds of their own, but as small business owners, contributions were uneven. They were all on track to fund a state or trade school, but pricey private institutions were out of reach.
Although, Trevor would be happy if the boys survived to adulthood; college wasn’t even on the radar. They were all grateful their girls were born first.
Isa had known about the funding limitations. She’d only wanted to prove she was good enough to get in; Montana State had a great program. Then Wiz had dropped her bomb, with the stipulation that they told Isa it was an anonymous scholarship. And Wiz said if they didn’t take it, the money would fund a scholarship for a kid chosen by the school. Nic and Kim agreed to take the money, if they could tell Isa after she graduated; Wiz agreed.
Kim smiled at her oldest. “Wiz is the best. Thanks again for setting this up.” She squeezed Nic’s hand. “It’s probably the last one we’ll all be on until Isabella graduates.”
Sam squeezed his thigh. Trevor pressed his shoulder to hers. The kids were growing so fast.
“I might be free next summer, Mom.” Isa shrugged one shoulder.
Nic shook his head. “Not a chance. You’ll get a great internship. We’ll miss your creativity on our projects.” Isa and Sophia worked for Acer Home Improvement part-time; Isa liked building, while Sophia stuck to design and painting.
Isa grinned. “I like working with you, Dad, but I hope I can get picked up somewhere awesome.” She swept an arm at the mountain peaks surrounding them. “I’ll be super-sad to miss this, though.”
“You can come back anytime.” Wiz squeezed her shoulder. “Even if it’s not for the family trip, I’ll take you out, just the two of us.” She smiled at the group. “Or more.”
“Thanks.” Isa leaned her head against Wiz’s leg for a moment. “But realistically, I won’t get a week back here until I’ve been working for a couple of years.”
Wiz wrinkled her nose. “Change to computer science and you can work for me.”
“Computers. Ugh.” Isa crinkled her face in reply. “I like things I can see and touch.”
Wiz shrugged. “I tried. We’re not expanding into physical security.”
Trevor couldn’t blame her—despite hiring, Victory Cyber still had more demand than capability. Kim had taken on bookkeeping for the firm a few years ago, and much of Sam’s business came from them, too. Wiz tried to lure Trevor away, but the thrill of stopping evil people never got old.
“You can work for us anytime.” Erin held up her hand. “But you should branch out, explore, figure out what you love, rather than settling for the sure thing.”
Ryan snorted. “Besides, we’re cheap. We only pay you in coffee.”
Trevor laughed, the rest of them joining. Coffee and Cars thrived, but it remained small by choice. Erin and Ryan picked their project cars carefully, selling them for big bucks at classic car auctions across the country. Their coffee shop still catered to locals but had an excellent reputation among aficionados, drawing tourist traffic.
After dinner, Isa and Sophia took the kids on a climb up the rock towers near the lake. They’d burn off energy and return before the sun set, ready to sleep. Tom retrieved the small cooler of adult beverages, along with a bottle of local Montana whiskey. Trevor sniffed, savoring the complex scent, then he stood, raising his plastic glass. “To the Bitterroot Montana Veterans clan. If happiness is a dessert so sweet, may life give us more than we can ever eat.”
“Here, here!” Everyone raised their chosen libation and drank.
He sipped, the luscious liquid revealing its flavors with a slight burn. Returning to his seat next to Sam, he set the glass in the holder and pulled his wife into his arms.
Anticipating his move, she’d already put her glass down and drew him close. “You’re my happiness.”
Their relationship had crossed rough, dangerous waters, but now they floated safely on a sea of love. He was so fortunate, every day and night bringing more joy than he could eat. “And you’re mine. I love you.” Trevor dropped his lips to Sam’s and let the world disappear in their love.
