Page 42 of Finally Moore

Brittany and I glance at each other, our aunt-niece telepathic link strong. Then we turn back to Scott and yell, “No!” In unison. I take her hand as we make a mad dash to the mini-donut and apple cider stand.

“You’re both going to have stomachaches,” Scott calls out. I don’t have to look behind me to know he’s amused by our antics. I can hear the laughter in his tone as he chases after us.

Chapter eighteen

Scott

“Icancarryher,”Scarlett offers as I tuck her niece tighter to my chest.

“It’s fine. She’s light as a feather,” I say.

Scarlett was right. After their last serving of mini-donuts and cider, Brittany was too exhausted to walk back to the car and quickly passed out in my arms. She didn’t even stir when we buckled her into her seat or when we took her out again once we arrived at the inn.

“Okay.” Scarlett wrings her hands together as we walk down the path to her sister’s room. Fortunately, the inn itself consists of a long strip of rooms with a covered exterior walkway. So it isn’t much of a trek from the car to get her here. Granted, the kid is so light I could probably navigate the entire town with her on my back and forget she’s even there.

We stop outside the third door and Scarlett knocks. It only takes a moment for her stepsister to answer. Trisha takes one look at her daughter and frowns. “How much sugar did you give her?”

“Oh, this.” Scarlett points to her niece. “I didn’t give her sugar.”

“Oh, really?” Trisha questions. It’s clear she’s not buying that story one bit.

“She’s a total lightweight. Three shots of tequila.” Scarlett claps her hands. “And out like a light.”

For the first time since I’ve met her, Trisha smiles. “God, you’re a terrible influence.”

“Let me guess, too much sugar?” Kasey comes up behind her, placing a hand on his fiancée’s shoulder.

“Just feed her one of those awful green smoothies you drink every morning. It’ll balance everything out,” Scarlett tells him.

“Here, I’ll take her.” Kasey reaches out and scoops Brittany into his arms.

“Thank you again,” Trisha says when he leaves to tuck the little girl into bed. “It feels like forever since we’ve been able to have a night alone together.”

“Can’t Mom watch her for you?” Scarlett asks.

“You know her… If it’s anything more than an hour or two, she gets all flakey. But even when we do get time alone, we’re never reallyalone. We’re always off to attend these big award ceremonies or have people stopping him on the street for a selfie. I love that he’s so humble and kind to his fans, but sometimes I just wish…”

“You could have a moment alone,” Scarlett finishes for her.

“Yeah.” The two women share a strange look, before Trisha says, “Anyway, it’s getting late.”

“Um… yeah, we should get to bed. Big day prepping tomorrow,” Scarlett replies.

“Don’t forget we’ve got a spa day with Mom,” Trisha adds with a forced smile.

“Shit,” Scarlett mumbles. “I totally forgot.”

“Sorry, but a sudden bout of willful amnesia isn’t going to get you out of this one. If you force me to spend the entire day listening to Mom complain you aren’t there, I’m going to die a slow and painfully annoying death, then come back as a ghost and switch every coffee you order from here on out todecaf.”

“You wouldn’t.” Scarlett presses a palm to her chest and gasps. Trisha crosses her arms. Her only reply is a pointed stare that screams she’s not joking in the least bit. “Fine,” Scarlett groans. “I’ll move a couple of things around.”

Trisha flashes her a satisfied grin in response.

“You and me…” Kasey reappears, gesturing a hand between us. “We have business to discuss tomorrow.”

“Business?” I parrot back.Did I forget something?

“You, me, and your best friend. I talked to Jax when we were out visiting the shops earlier today. He said he’d take us around to do some location scouting tomorrow.”

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