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The men grilled the meats while the women and Grandpa munched on the appetizers and entertained the dogs. Isabel was so happy to be a part of this group. She’d had friends in Pennsylvania, but nothing like these people. All the Henleys and their women felt like family and for her and Grandpa it was such a gift to be included. She smiled when Donovan and Landon asked Grandpa to play horseshoes. She felt like a member of a tight sisterhood when Nicole, Tessa, and Aliza talked about their workout routines with her. She simply adored how everyone played with Blaze though he hadn’t necessarily stopped harassing Christian’s pack of cats and he’d been a little overbearing with Remi and Delilah, wanting to herd them. These people were wonderful and it was worth staying in Maplehaven to be able to hang out with them.
“Okay, carnivores!” Christian hollered from the grill. “Meat is done. Come and get it.”
Everyone descended upon the burgers, chicken, and steak Christian had cooked to perfection.
Isabel bit into her hamburger and closed her eyes. “Oh my God. Why do burgers served up in your backyard taste so damn good, Christian?”
Christian picked up the spatula he’d used and made a flipping motion. “It’s all in the wrist.”
“It’s all in the superb organic meat we get from the farm down the road,” Nicole said.
“Hey, hey, baby,” Christian said, pointing the spatula at her. “Don’t tell her the secrets and make me look less magical.”
Nicole put her hands on her hips as she regarded her fiancé. “Oh, you’re still magical, Chrissy.” She blew him a kiss and the grin that bloomed on Christian’s face was adorable.
Isabel missed Jackson even more at that moment. Everyone was paired off at this shindig. Well, except Grandpa, but Blaze was sticking pretty close to the man because he knew Grandpa was most likely to share some of his steak.
Patience. She only had a few more days and Jackson would be local. She intended to not let him get more than an arm’s length from her once he was here. Hopefully he’d be okay with her gluing herself to him.
If he wasn’t, too bad. She’d like to see him try to peel her off him.
Isabel swigged some iced tea, suddenly unbearably hot thinking about what she wanted to do to Jackson as soon as he returned. Yes, she wanted to show him the expanded cottage. Yes, she wanted to share the plans for the resort she and Grandpa had devised. Yes, she wanted to cuddle with him as they watched TV.
But most of all, she wanted to touch him again. Have her hands all over his body and his hands all over her body. Make love until they couldn’t see straight.
She dabbed her overheated forehead with a napkin and tuned back into the conversation the others were having while she’d been fantasizing about all the different ways she’d welcome Jackson home.
“The Brentons are hosting an end of summer bash at Brenton Lake,” Donovan said. “They’re inviting the entire town. Going to be food, games, a shit ton of gossiping.”
“That sounds fun,” Tessa said. “I told Jacy and Dena I’d organize a dance-a-thon to benefit Maplehaven High School. The students need some upgraded technology.”
“That’s totally true,” Aliza said. “I did an afterschool yoga class there last week and the tech hasn’t changed since I went to school there. I know the elementary technology was updated when they rebuilt that school after the fire, but the high school barely has enough pencils.”
“A good cause then,” Landon said.
“Does that mean you’ll dance, Landon?” Tessa asked.
“No. It means I’ll be deejaying the event by broadcasting live there with the radio station.”
“So you’ll be working?” Aliza pouted. “That stinks.”
“I’ll take breaks when I play the slow songs.” Landon leaned over and kissed Aliza’s cheek.
Her pout disappeared then she turned to kiss him on the lips. “You’d better play a lot of slow songs, mister.”
“It will be a nice way to put another Vermont summer to bed,” Christian said. “This one has been exceptional.” He elbowed Nicole seated beside him.
“Best summer ever.” Nicole raised her drink and everyone followed suit.
Isabel drank her iced tea, ate her burger, and enjoyed the company of her friends and grandfather. She soaked in the sun, played horseshoes, spent some time visiting with Christian’s horses, Clover and Zip, and took a little walk with Blaze. Afternoon eased into evening and the dessert round kept them all elbow-deep in ice cream sundaes.
“This is the way to end a day,” Grandpa said. “I’m glad I stuck to my diet all week so I could partake in all the great food today and this dessert.”
“We’re glad you could make it, Eugene,” Donovan said, clapping the man on the back.
“Thanks for the invite.”
“Any time,” Christian said. “You and Isabel are family.”
