Suitcases were stashed in the luggage compartment as the family lined up to get on the bus, amid laughter, joking, jostling, line cutting and other shenanigans as they made their way onto the bus.
“Welcome to the ultimate Abbott family shitshow,” Landon said, speaking so only Amanda could hear him.
She glanced over her shoulder at him. “It’s the most fun I’ve ever had in my entire life.”
He hugged her from behind. “I’m seeing it in a new light through your eyes.”
“You can’t possibly know how lucky you are, because you’ve never been without the shitshow.”
“Whatever you’re about to witness at the hands of the rolling shitshow, promise you won’t hold it against me or change your mind about me.”
“I promise,” she said, smiling back at him. “Nothing could change my mind about you.”
“Don’t be so sure. Three hours on a bus with my entire family is apt to have you running for your life.”
“No way.”
They ended up sitting across from Will and Cameron, who’d blossomed into nearly full-term pregnancy in the last few days, or so it seemed.
“How’re you feeling?” Landon asked her.
“Like a whale.”
“Most beautiful whale I’ve ever seen,” Will said.
“He has to say that. He did this to me.”
Izzy sat in front of them with a blond man Amanda hadn’t met.
“Amanda, this is my cousin Noah,” Landon said. “He’s the one rebuilding the inn.”
“Oh, nice to meet you,” she said.
“You, too.”
He didn’t seem too thrilled to be on the bus.
Landon leaned in and whispered in her ear. “Long story. Will tell you later.” He pointed to the older couple getting on the bus. “That’s my aunt Hannah and her…”
“Boyfriend,” Izzy said of the man with her mother.
“Okay, then,” Landon said. “Ray Mulvaney. He’s Lucy and Emma’s dad.”
“Oh, so they met through your family, then?”
“Yep. So it went like this… Cameron came from New York City to Butler to build the website.”
“And crashed into Fred,” Cameron said. “I like to get that out there, because if I don’t say it, someone else will.”
“She’s known in Butler as the girl who hit Fred,” Will added.
“Got it,” Amanda said, amused.
“Then Lucy came to Butler to help me,” Cameron said, “and met Colton. Emma and Simone came for Christmas and Hunter and Megan’s wedding and met Grayson. With Lucy, Emma and Simone moving to Vermont, Ray, who was widowed, decided to come, too, and now he’s dating Aunt Hannah.”
“Who’d been alone for twenty years,” Landon added. “See what happens when people come to Butler?”
“I’m seeing it,” Amanda said.
“And then there’s my dad,” Cameron added, “who met Mary when he came for my wedding.”
“Are they coming this weekend?” Landon asked.
“Absolutely. They said they wouldn’t miss it for anything. They’re flying to Boston from Paris.”
“I’m going to Paris.”
Landon stared at her. “You are?”
“Yes, in July.”
“When did that happen?”
“During the meltdown after the fire when it occurred to me that I’ve never been to Europe.”
“Can I come?”
“You want to?”
“Hell yes.”
Amanda smiled. “Then I guess we’re going to Paris.”
“You’re sure you don’t mind?”
“Of course not. I’d love it.”
“Holy crap,” Landon said, grinning. “I’m going to Paris.”
“Listen up, everyone,” Linc said from the front of the bus. “We’re in for a treat on our ride to Boston. Izzy has put together a slide show from the catalog shoot this week. I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait to see all our models at work.”
Lots of groans and “no, thanks” comments followed his announcement.
“Izzy assures me the shoot went great, and you’re all going to be stars.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of,” Amanda said.
“Awesome,” Will said.
“If everyone would close the shades on the windows, we’ll be able to see the slide show better.”
“What if we don’t want to see it?” Hunter asked.
“You’ll love it,” Izzy said.
“Without further ado, let’s get this bus rolling,” Linc said.
Ella and Charley had brought snacks, Hannah had drinks, Colton provided maple candy, and Izzy had supplied the entertainment. The minute the bus was out of the store parking lot and on the road to Boston, the screen at the front was lowered, and the slide show began with baby Callie.
“Ohhhhh,” Hannah said. “Look at my sweet girl!”
Next came Caden, and then the two babies together.
“She’s easing us in,” Colton said. “Her strategy is to soften us with the babies.”
“You found me out, cousin,” Izzy said.
Elmer’s smiling face came on the screen as he sported a red flannel shirt and matching down vest.
“Sexy!” Lucas said.
“You know it, boy,” Elmer said.
“You’re going to have every widow lady in New England flocking to Butler looking for the guy in red flannel, Dad,” Hannah Coleman said.
“Aw, shucks. I don’t know about that.”
Molly was next, wearing an oatmeal-colored sweater. Izzy had captured her so perfectly as she looked over her shoulder, an impish expression on her face and her hair down around her shoulders.
“Look at that hot mama,” Linc said to groans from his children. “Sexiest model I’ve ever seen.”
He was next, sporting a tweed sport coat.
“Speaking of sexy,” Molly said with a growl. “Meow.”
“Ew,” Hunter said. “Gross.”
“Nothing gross about it,” Molly said to her oldest son.
“I think I’d rather walk to Boston,” Hunter said.
“Take me with you, brother,” Will said.
“How did we raise such prudes, Linc?” Molly asked.
“Been asking myself that a lot since Amanda and the toys came to town.”
Cameron leaned across the aisle. “I may be the girl who hit Fred, but you’re always gonna be the girl who brought the sex toys.”
“Oh joy,” Amanda said, laughing.
Photos of Hunter, Megan, Will, Cameron, Colton, Lucy, Max, Wade, Mia, Grayson and Emma followed in rapid succession, all of them wearing clothes that would be for sale in the catalog. Izzy had gotten beautiful pictures of each couple in addition to their individual shots.
“I want a copy of that,” Hannah said of the photo of her, Nolan and Callie.
“I can hook you up,” Izzy said.
Even Simone had been included, to her delight. “Check me out!”
“Cutest model of them all,” Grayson said.
“We couldn’t have paid for better-looking models,” Elmer said.