Page 68 of Unstoppable Love

“Let’s go!” Josie tugged my hand again and guided me to the kitchen island. There wasn’t a spare inch of space that wasn’t covered with food, either prepped or in the process of it.

When I went to the sink to wash out a bowl so we could add the cupcake mix to it, Lydia was right there at my shoulder, leaning in close. “I wonder why he wants you relaxed tonight, my friend.”

I bumped her with my hip as my face flamed. Thank goodness Jenny couldn’t see me. Or hear Lydia. “Shut up or leave.”

“Not a chance in hell,” she fired back. “This is going to be the most entertaining day I’ve had in years.”

The table was lined with food for a holiday feast, and my stomach had been growling with hunger pains since I caught the first whiff of Jenny’s homemade cinnamon rolls with cream cheese frosting when Emily walked in.

“I feel so lost,” she said with a huge smile. “I don’t get much of a break to be alone, and the day got away from me.”

She carried in a casserole dish held in an insulated holder, removing the dish with hot pads and setting it on the table.

“It’s good to see you, Ava.” Emily Russo, recently turned Kelley, gave me a kind smile. Cameron had told me how he’d gone to their house after our fight, but there wasn’t any hint of it in her eyes. “And I hear you’ve moved back.”

“Couldn’t resist when my dad showed me the house.”

“It’s a good one,” Gavin said from his spot on a chair in the living room. “My crew helped the previous owner renovate it.”

“Really?” I hadn’t known that. “My dad had said someone from your crew did it, but I thought it was a personal side project.”

“Nope.” He shook his head. “We get frequent calls for renovations for homes like that.”

“Well, I love everything about it.”

“Suits you.” He gave me his kind, standard smile, but there was something about the way Gavin smiled that was cold and empty. I was certain the only time he was truly happy was when he was grinning at Josie. “Bet you’re loving that backyard.”

“I’m already planning the fall planting and harvesting season.” The backyard held a half-dozen raised beds that would be perfect for me to grow my own food. I’d already been pricing cattle fencing that could be used as arches over the beds. The only bummer about the yard was that I moved in too late to really plan for a summer harvest. But I’d have potatoes, onions, broccoli, and carrots at minimum once the weather cooled.

“I’d love to see it someday,” Emily said. “Jenny’s been trying to help me garden all spring and summer, but I’m not much of a green thumb, and it’s not looking so good.”

“I can always stop out and help.” Gardening was one of my favorite things in the world. There was a peace to working in the dirt, growing your own food, and a sense of accomplishment when I could make a meal prepared with only the fewest store-bought items. “Or help work it once you’re back in Denver.”

“That’d be wonderful.”

“When are you guys headed back? Hasn’t school started?”

“My classes actually started last week, so I’ve been going back and forth. The guys are staying here until Labor Day, and we’ll all head back after. Landon wasn’t in a hurry to go back to preschool, so he talked Caleb into hanging out longer.”

“That must be hard. Especially with them gone today.” That means she hadn’t spent much time with them recently.

“We’ve had all summer together, and Caleb will start traveling soon. It’s not ideal, but we make it work. Come on.” She nudged her head toward the kitchen. “I need a glass of wine after all the work I’ve done today, and I want to hear about your job. Caleb said something about you doing freelance work?”

I’d only mentioned it to Cameron once.

“Cam told him?”

“I’m sure you already know, but those boys tell each other everything.”

My cheeks burned. God, I hope they didn’t share everything.

Emily laughed and squeezed my arm tighter. “Not that,” she whispered, choking on a laugh. “But I’m guessing things have progressed faster than I expected.”

I swallowed my laugh and then couldn’t hold it in any longer.

Which means both of us were giggling like teenagers when we reached the kitchen.

“What’d I miss?” Lydia asked.

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