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“Is that really the worst thing?” I raised an eyebrow as I tugged the new shirt into place.
“No. Of course not.” He shifted around in his seat.
“I’m not worried.” I patted his leg before finally putting the truck in Drive and heading out of the parking lot. Fall felt closer and closer every day. If I could get him okay with people assuming we were dating, maybe we could drop talk of this being only a summer thing, slide into autumn without any big drama or discussion, simply keep going. “Besides, Mason and Lilac will be there to distract her. Mom can gush over his domestic bliss with Flint.”
Funny how much less irritating I found all my coupled-up friends with Quinn beside me. We made it to the B&B and only had to circle the street once to find parking, which I took as a major win.
“Happy birthday, sweetie!” Mom greeted us at the door. “And welcome, Doctor Strauss.”
“Quinn, please. It’s my day off.”
“And you’re among friends.” Mom had a pointed look for me as Quinn handed her a small package.
“Thank you for having me. I knew better than to try to compete with your cooking, but I saw this local cordial and thought of you.”
“Oh, aren’t you the sweetest?” She gave him a hug. “And I have to be careful with drinking with the new medication, but I’ll save this for a special occasion.”
“Good.” Quinn’s head tilted, all concerned doctor expression. “How is the new regimen treating you?”
“Now, now, you said no doctor talk.” Mom waved away the question. “Besides, you both have to see Adam’s big surprise.”
“Surprise? Mom, I said no presents—”
“Uncle Adam!” Teddy came barreling into the front hall.
“Teddy?” I had to blink a couple of times to make sure I wasn’t imagining my nephew, who looked to have grown several inches over the summer, or my sister right behind him.
“Surprise!” Ramona gave me a huge hug and a kiss on the cheek. “Happy birthday.”
“What are you doing here?” I was still struggling to make sense of their sudden appearance. We’d texted only a few days ago, and she hadn’t mentioned a word about coming home early.
“Hey, Teddy. Come see the puzzle Lilac and I are working on.” Mason called from the big common room off the entryway before Ramona could answer me. My mom had also conveniently drifted away, back to the kitchen undoubtedly. “You too, Doc. You’re smart enough to get a kick out of this 3-D design."
As Teddy and Quinn trooped over to the table in the corner, I shot Mason a grateful look for giving me a moment alone with Ramona. “We weren’t expecting you for another few weeks.”
“Well, I didn’t want to miss my favorite brother’s birthday.” She shrugged all casually, but her eyes were cloudy. She never was a good liar, especially to me.
“Ramona. What happened?”
“What? I can’t want to surprise you?” She leaned against the wooden pillar that framed the opening to the common room. “Aren’t you happy?”
“I’m happy to see you. I am.” I hugged her again, harder this time, before releasing her and peering deeply into her eyes. “How’s Darren?”
She made a sour face. “All right. You got me. We had a…disagreement. A minor one. Nothing to trouble yourself about on your birthday.”
“I’m always gonna worry about you and Teddy. You know that.”
“I appreciate that. It’s nothing.” She made a gesture similar to the one my mom used to escape discussions she’d rather not have. “He got offered a full-time gig in Alaska, but I’m not sure I want to move permanently.”
“Full-time.” I swallowed hard. This was her life, but Teddy was already taller after only a few months apart. “Am I allowed to say I’d miss you guys?”
“I know. I’d miss you too. And that’s all that’s going on. I needed some time to think, and your birthday was as good an excuse as any.”
“Glad you’re here. I’m here if you need to talk it out.” This was one of our busiest months at the tavern, and I’d also been doing my level best to help Mom with her ever-present list of repairs, reduce her burden, especially in light of her new meds. Any other spare minutes had been going to Quinn, but I’d always make time for Ramona. Somehow, I’d make all the things needing me balance out because I wasn’t giving any of it up.
“I think I mainly need time to think. But thank you.” She gave me another quick hug then poked me in the chest. “Nice shirt, by the way. Very you.”
“Thanks. Quinn had it made for me.”
“Did he now? Mom said you and the doctor are a thing.”
“Maybe.” I stuck to my new plan of not denying it but playing it low-key. “Don’t go scaring him off.”
I couldn’t help wondering if things were already changing. What if Quinn took Ramona’s return as some sort of end-of-summer signal? Across the room, over at the puzzle table, Mason said something that made Quinn laugh, and my chest clenched. I wasn’t ready for this to end. I hoped he felt the same way.
