Page 64 of Time for Change

“Well, technically, I don’t think you’re supposed to, but we’ve done it there for years. Everyone is super respectful of the graves and the big hills are at the very back. You actually sled away from the graves, so we don’t disturb anything. The man who takes care of the cemetery is great, and as long as we don’t mess something up, he doesn’t say a word.”

I take a big bite of my pancakes. “Wow, these are good, and as long as I’m not going to get arrested, I’d love to go sledding with you, despite the fact I’m doing it around dead bodies.”

He snorts. “Fortunately, we’re not near any bodies, but if we happen to see one climbing from the grave, I’ll protect you.” He winks before flipping his own two pancakes.

“So you moonlight as a zombie slayer?” I quip, taking another bit of fluffy pancake drenched in rich syrup.

“It’s one of my many talents,” he states with a knowing smile.

“I’ve recently become acquainted with some of your talents. I’m a fan.”

He laughs a rich, gravelly sound that makes my thighs clench. “Well, the feeling’s mutual, Sweets. I’m very much a fan of yours as well.”

We’re eating in comfortable silence when the sound of my cell phone ringing beside me interrupts us. I flip over the device and spot Jameson’s name on the screen. “It’s my brother. I should probably take this,” I tell Jack, getting a little kick of excitement every time I refer to one of my siblings.

He nods as I tap the screen to accept the call. “Hey, Jameson. What’s up?”

“Where are you?” he asks, his tone flat and direct.

“Why?” I ask, shifting in my seat.

“Because I’m at your apartment and you’re not here. I thought you had the day off.”

“I do. I’m at a friend’s,” I tell him, suddenly feeling a bit embarrassed, as if I’m doing something wrong.

I’m met with silence on the other line. I steal a quick glance over at Jack, who’s watching me intently.

“Jameson?”

“A friend? Is this the same friend you had dinner with last week?”

My heart starts to pound as I straighten my spine. “Not that it’s any of your business, but yes, it is.”

“Stevie,” he grumbles.

“I’m an adult, Jameson.”

“You’re my little sister,” he insists.

“Who’s about to turn twenty-one. Not a child.”

He sighs, and even though I don’t know him very well, I can picture him running his hand down his face in frustration. That makes me smile a little bit, knowing I’ve gotten under his skin. “I know.”

“I’m sorry I’m not there to talk to you in person.”

“Yeah, whatever,” he mutters, which makes me grin from ear to ear. “I was just stopping by to see if you wanted to have lunch with all of us at Madelyn’s grandma’s house on Sunday.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. Everybody wants to get to know you a little better, so Estelle offered to host a luncheon.”

“Oh. Wow.”

“Sunday at noon. You can come?”

I mentally go over my work schedule, and even though I work Saturday night, I’ll make sure I’m up and ready to go at a decent time on Sunday. “Sounds good.”

“We’ll pick you up,” he insists.

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