Page 69 of A Taste of Whiskey
“Don’t worry. I stood guard. Nobody else saw you, and if they would’ve come close, I’d have shot them,” Birdie reassured her.
“Are yousure? Why didn’t you tell me? We got carried away and thought we were alone each time.”
“Yes, I’m sure, and I didn’t say anything because I wanted to see if you’d come clean first.”
“It’s not like I can talk about it, and you can’t either, or he could lose his job and have to move. It would be awful for him and Gus, and Mom and Dad would never trust me again. Promise me you won’t say anything.”
Birdie took the bag of marshmallows, tossed it on the counter, and clapped two times. Then she clapped her hands against her thighs, eyeing them mischievously.
Sasha and Bobbie exchanged happy glances and joined Birdie in their secret-sister swear.
They clapped twice, clapped their hands against their thighs, then clapped one hand to each of the other girl’s in a repetitive pattern, chanting, “Sister, sister, I declare, I’ll keep your secrets and never share. Sister, sister, trust me true, my loyalties lie with each of you.” They held up their pinkies, hooking them to one another’s, and added the parts they’d made up as they got older. “Forever in my heart, forever in my soul. Always your alibi, the shoulder on which you cry, and when you’re in trouble.”
“I’ll bring the shovel,” Sasha said.
“I’ll bring the booze,” Bobbie said.
“I’ll bring the bail money and my kick-their-ass shoes,” Birdie said.
They hugged and laughed, and when they headed back to the fire, Sasha felt a little lighter inside.
“Aren’t you and Ezra going to that networking dinner together?” Birdie asked.
“Yes. So?” Sasha asked.
“We need to go shopping and get you a sexy dress,” Birdie said. “Something irresistible.”
“It’s a professional dinner,” Sasha reminded her.
“You can be professional and sexy,” Bobbie said.
“I know the perfect place to shop,” Birdie said.
They made plans to go shopping the week after Dare and Billie’s wedding and went to join the others by the fire.
“Oh good, you’re back,” her mother said.
“Did you miss us?” Birdie asked, flopping into a chair beside Doc, who snagged the bag of marshmallows from her.
Gus was snuggled on his daddy’s lap, and Sasha sat in the empty chair beside them.
“We were just talking about how busy things are going to be over the next few weeks, with the wedding and Festival on the Green and the Reindeer Ride,” her mother said.
“I’m gonna practice being the ring boy for Billie and Dare’s wedding when we decorate,” Gus said.
“Ring bearer,” Ezra corrected him, and kissed his forehead.
“That’ll be fun.” Sasha tickled Gus’s belly, earning an adorable giggle. “You’ll be so handsome in your suit.”Just like your daddy.
“I wanna sit with you, Sugar.” Gus tried to wriggle off Ezra’s lap.
“Give her a minute, buddy,” Ezra said. “I think Sasha went to get marshmallows because she wanted to make a s’more.”
“I’d much rather have a wiggly boy in my lap.” She reached for Gus.
“Would you like me to make you a s’more?” Ezra offered, but his gaze offered so much more, stirring flutters in her chest.
She thought about how Bobbie had read their glances and forced herself to tear her gaze away. She cuddled Gus. “Thanks, but I’ve got all the sweetness I need right here.”
