Page 81 of Whatever Will Be

“The fire at Cassini Brewery in Lake Stuart is now under control, although the brewery itself has been completely destroyed by the blaze. And in entertainment news, celebrated singer Abigail Fisher has reportedly died at the age of seventy-nine. Fisher, known for such hits as Rose Nights and Whatever Will Be, began as a popular performer at various upstate summer venues and often headlined at the famous Rosebriar Resort just outside Lake Stuart. In honor of her legacy, stay tuned for this weekend’s Abigail Fisher music marathon.”

The loss hits me hard considering I’ve never met Abigail in person. Maybe I should have written to her more often and let her know how much I appreciated her for watching over our family. I miss her already now that she’s gone.

Both girls are asleep when we pull into the driveway. Danny has already beaten us there. He and Trent each carry a sleeping twin up the stairs.

I’d like to visit with my brother but we’re all too tired to do anything except sleep right now. Before Danny heads out to the carriage house, he says, “I heard on the radio that Abigail Fisher died.”

“Yeah, we heard that too.”

He takes off his hat and sighs. “Kind of feels like we lost our guardian angel, doesn’t it?”

I hadn’t thought of it that way before but he’s right. “I’d like to believe she’s still going to be looking out for us, wherever she is. Both her and Jules.”

Danny thinks this over. “In that case, we’re lucky.”

Trent drapes one arm over my shoulders and agrees with him. “We are lucky.”

Danny needs to get some rest if he’s going to make the long drive to catch his flight later. He’s welcome to sleep in one of the real bedrooms but he’d rather take his regular space in the carriage house.

“I like jelly donuts,” he calls over his shoulder as he crosses the yard. “Just throwing that out there.”

Trent responds with a salute and Danny disappears into the carriage house.

I wrap my arms tightly around Trent. Nothing will ever feel as good as being close to him.

“We both smell like smoke,” I notice.

He rubs my back. “Let’s fix that. We’ve already proven your shower stall is big enough for two.”

“Aren’t you tired?”

“Never too tired to see you naked, Gretch.”

My lips tease a line of kisses on his neck and my body stirs as he breathes harder and proves his arousal by pressing closer.

I’m not too tired for this either. I’m never too tired to want him.

“Show me,” I whisper and slip my hand under his shirt, hungry to feel more of his skin and abruptly eager to celebrate the joy of being alive.

And in love.

And happy.

18

Trent

My brother died an hour after we left him at the hospital. Sometimes I wonder what was going through his mind at the end, if he was tortured by regret for all the shit he’d done, or if he was just pissed that karma finally came for him.

Anyway, I’m not stewing in hatred for Liam any longer. There’s no point. He’s dead and I’m more interested in spending my energy on love rather than hate.

By any standards, I’ve got plenty of love in my life to keep me busy.

Gretchen stands out instantly as she waits with the girls beside the lake. She’s the picture of carefree spring today in a light blue dress with her hair loose. The boardwalk is crowded this afternoon as visitors have been drawn by the warmer weather. It will only grow more crowded as the season deepens and the summer people begin their migration.

The twins are adorable in matching pink dresses, attracting attention from people who smile at the sight of them capering along the boardwalk together. Mara and Caitlin turn when Gretchen calls to them and I’m sure she’s warning them to stay back from the railing. With my mission to find refreshments a success, I decide I should go help their aunt keep them contained.

“Uncle Trent!” Mara notices me first and waves ecstatically. Her sister does the same.

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