Page 103 of Loud Unspoken Memories

Charlie races into the room and points out back. “Mommy, they have a pool!”

“And you can come swim in it anytime you want,” Allie says. She turns to my brother and winks. “That goes for you too.”

I don’t tell her she’s being ridiculous. And far more hopeful than I could ever dare to be.

“Car’s warmed up and ready to go,” Chris says. “No need to grab your car seat, we already have one for our granddaughter, Maisy.”

I’ve only known these people for a half hour, yet they’re treating me like family, even though they already have a massive one. Sarah is treating me like a daughter. And Allie, a sister. I’m sad that tomorrow we’ll be leaving, and it’ll go back to being just the four of us—Asher, me, Charlie, and Bug. No extended family. No grandparents. No second and third cousins. No village in which to raise our children.

And despite all the tragedy Dallas has endured, I hope he understands what a lucky, lucky man he is.

Chapter Forty-one

Martina

When we enter the party at a place called Donovan’s Pub, people immediately swarm to meet the strangers. We’re introduced to Lucas, Blake and his wife, then Allie’s aunt, uncle, and cousins, and so many Calloways I can’t keep them all straight. And every single one of them is warm and welcoming.

I feel like I’m in the twilight zone.

There are several children here, but Charlie is particularly fascinated by Maisy, Dallas’s deaf niece. He doesn’t fully understand that she can’t hear him, so he talks to her normally, which Allie informs me is just how he should.

“This is Cooper and Serenity,” Allie says when an attractive couple walk over. “They run the place. Ren and I have been friends since we were kids.”

They both shake my hand.

“It’s very nice to meet you,” I say, caught up in the surreal experience of meeting what seems like everyone in Dallas’s world. Or hisoldworld anyway.

Cooper says, “We’re peanut-free here. Have been since a friend of our son had a bad reaction a few years ago. We do cook with peanut oil, but I’m told that’s okay.”

I nod and smile, curious as to how they even know about Charlie’s allergy. “Yes, that’s okay. And thank you, that’s good to know.”

Allie elbows me like an old friend. “One anaphylactic reaction this week is enough, eh?”

I’m positive my shock is written all over me. “He told you?”

“Yeah. Pretty crazy, right? Not about the peanuts, but about Dallas actually revealing something personal about his life.” She gets a look on her face. “I’m telling you…”

Arms wrap around her. She turns and squeals as she and another beautiful woman embrace.

“Is this her?” the woman asks when she sees me.

“Marti, this is my other friend, Mia.”

“It’s a pleasure,” I say. “Are you a Montana or a Calloway?”

“Neither,” she laughs. “I’m a Cruz.” A finger settles in front of her lips. “Shhh, don’t tell anyone. I’m the enemy in this territory.”

I narrow my eyes.

“There are a lot of family rivalries in this town,” Allie explains. “The McQuaids hate the Calloways. The Cruzes hate the Montanas. And the list goes on.”

“So how did you and Mia and Serenity end up friends?”

“Because men are stupid,” Allie says. “And we’resomuch smarter. They’re the ones who hold the grudges.”

We sit in a booth, me keeping an eye on Charlie as Sarah supervises him and Maisy at a table with some coloring books. Drinks get delivered to the table and I hear the abridged story of this town, right down to how it got its name and why there are so many feuding families.

“So you’re a single mom?” Mia asks.

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