“Good. I think that’s a smart plan. Even if it’s mostly for peace of mind.”
She nodded. “That’s exactly what I need too, peace of mind.” She smiled again. “How about we go join Birdie and Zinnia for a glass of wine? I think we’ve both earned that. And I promise to practice more tomorrow.”
“Sounds good to me. But I might have a Dr Pepper instead.”
She laughed and hooked her arm through mine. “I’m sorry you and Sin are leaving in a few days. It’s so nice to have you here. Nice to have the cats around too. They’re such good company.”
“They are. And I’m sorry we have to go, too. But it’s our job now.” I shook my head. “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but it’s a lot of fun traveling in that coach. And I am not a girl who likes camping.”
“Me either,” she said. “And not just because the last thing anyone wants to see is a zombie walking through the woods toward them.”
I laughed as we strolled into the kitchen. “I hadn’t thought about that.”
She waved her fingers at Anson. He was wiping down the counters. “We’d like a glass of pinot noir and a Dr Pepper on the deck.”
He snorted. “Oh, I see how it is.”
“Well,” she said, her tone light and playful. “I’m in recovery. And wine is very restful. Come on, Jayne. Let’s go wait for our beverages.”
I shot Sin an amused look. And not just because he was up to his elbows in suds at the kitchen sink. I wiggled my index finger at him as we walked away. “That’s very sexy, by the way.”
He rolled his eyes, smirked at me, and went back to his chores.
It really was sexy. Which was a little surprising. Who knew a man washing dishes in a T-shirt and jeans could be so hot? Or maybe the hotness came from him already being my husband and already being pretty smoking. Whatever the reason, it reminded me what a lucky, lucky girl I was.
Lila and I went outside, and I was a little surprised to see Spider and Sugar out there, lounging on the deck. They had their collars on, but there was nothing to keep them from wandering. No leashes, no fence. Just the pool and then wide-open yard beyond that.
“Spider,” I said. “What are you doing out here?”
He barely glanced over his shoulder at me. “Spider knows, Mama. No running off.”
Well, at least he remembered that. Although he was starting to remind me of a slightly petulant teenager.
Sugar looked at me, too. “We know, Momlady. No running off.”
“Good. You’d better not.” I hoped they really understood that. Maybe a little extra deterrent would help. “Or coyotes might eat you.”
Sugar sat up. “Coyote?”
I sat next to Birdie. “It’s like a wild dog.”
A rather concerned expression took over Sugar’s furry white face. “Sugar don’t like that.”
Birdie snorted, then lightly slapped my arm. “You’re scaring the babies. Stop that.” She shook her head. “Don’t worry, Sugar, honey. No coyotes will come around here as long as they smell wolf. Aunt Birdie will protect you.”
Sugar walked over to Birdie, jumped up on her lap, and stared me down as she settled in. “Sugar like Aunt Birdie.”
“Yeah, yeah,” I said.
Birdie laughed as she petted Sugar. “That’s what you get for being a meanie.”
Before I could protest, Anson came out with our drinks. “Is the kitchen help allowed to join you when our chores are done?”
Zinnia held up her nearly empty glass. “Only after refills.”
He laughed. “Okay, on it.”
In a few minutes and after a round of refills, the men joined us. Sin sat on the deck by my feet, leaning back against my chair. He, Anson, and Jack all brought beers out with them.
The sky was turning the most amazing colors thanks to the setting sun, and the air had the loveliest hint of coolness to it without a trace of humidity.
“This is nice,” Anson said. “We never get to do this because of the show every night. But it’s really beautiful out here this time of the evening.”
“It is,” Lila said. She’d given him her chair only to settle in his lap. He had one arm around her, and I was glad things had resolved with such a happy ending. They were a remarkable couple. A lot like my parents in many ways.
Lila looked at him. “Doesn’t mean I won’t be happy to get back to work tomorrow.”
Jack was standing behind Birdie, one hand on her shoulder. She reached up and laid her hand over his. “We’re going to head out in the morning. Off to see the Grand Canyon, then one more overnight before we fly home.”
“By plane,” Jack said. “Just in case you were wondering.”
We all laughed.
I reached over to rest my hand on Birdie’s arm. “I’m so glad you were both here. You’re the best, Birdie. You really are.”
“Happy to help, Princess. How long are you two staying?”
I sighed. “My dad texted earlier to say he’d call in the morning with our next destination, so I imagine we’ll be leaving tomorrow too.”
Lila’s smile grew a little sadder. “It’s going to be quiet around here without all of you.”
“About that,” Zinnia said. “I’ve decided Canyon Meadows is too boring for me to keep living there. I’m going to move.”
Lila perked up. “Are you going to take the guest house like we offered?”
Zinnia shrugged. “That depends.”
“On what?” Anson said.
“I want us to have a family meal at least once a week.”
Lila nodded. “We can absolutely do that. Anything else?”
Zinnia’s mouth set with new determination. “I want a cat.”
Anson and Lila both smiled and looked at each other. Anson nodded. “I don’t see a problem with that.”
“All right then,” Zinnia said. “I’ll move in.”
Sin sat up a little. “That’s great, Aunt Z. How long will it take you to sell your place at Canyon Meadows, do you think?”
She gave him a sly look. “It sold last week.”
He chuckled. “Then maybe I should be asking how long it’ll take to get the moving trucks here.”
“Thursday,” she answered without a beat. “And I have an appointment to adopt at least one cat at a local rescue the following Saturday.”
“Hold on,” Anson said. “At least one cat? That’s not what you said a second ago.”
“Don’t try me, Anson.” Zinnia arched her brows. “The more you fuss, the more cats I will bring home.”
As we all laughed, I savored the happiness of the moment and gazed at my husband in complete admiration. Not only had I married well, because Sin was such an amazing guy, but how incredible was it to end up with a family like his to boot? They were wonderful, welcoming people.
Getting Lila home would forever be one of the great accomplishments of my life. My heart was full, my soul was light, and I’d never been more in love.
I’d also never been more curious as to where our next adventure would take us.
Thanks for reading!