Page 58 of Collect the Pieces

He heaves a dramatic sigh. “Okay.”

Laughing, I tuck the container under one arm. “Do you need me to carry anything else?”

“No.” He closes the back door and opens the tailgate. A few seconds later, he emerges with a thick blue blanket. “I didn’t think about chairs, but I did bring a clean blanket. We can check the garage if you want a chair, though.”

I step closer and slip my arm around his waist. “Cuddling on a blanket with you sounds perfect.”

“Let’s go cuddle, my little lady death.” He captures my hand, intertwining our fingers as we make our way toward the path at the far end of the fence.

Small dots of light line the trail, flickering softly in the night. Even some of the trees are wrapped in dozens of tiny white lights, turning the wooded path into something almost ethereal.

“Oh, this is so pretty,” I murmur, glancing up at the glowing canopy overhead. “Like a magical forest.”

Jigsaw chuckles. “I think Murphy started this for Heidi and Alexa.” He waves a hand toward the lights. “But everyone liked it, so they keep adding more.”

“Prettyanduseful.”

The path forks with a narrower trail veering off to the left. Colorful balls of light hang from the trees on the new path but the same lights on the bottom mark the trail. Faint voices and music drift toward us.

Jigsaw steers us onto the new path. “That way continues to Rock and Hope’s house, and all the other guys’ houses.”

“They wanted to divert traffic away from their homes?”

He huffs a laugh. “Yeah, probably.”

We push through a denser group of trees, and suddenly, the space brightens. The low hum of voices grows into lively chatter, laughter, and the occasional pop from the fire.

Clearing a small hill, the bonfire comes into view—tall orange flames licking toward the sky, encircled by a wide ring of cinderblocks. Shadows flicker over the faces of those gathered in a loose circle around the fire.

Couples are sprawled out on blankets spread over the ground. Others settle into camping chairs, coolers nearby. A few tents are nestled between the trees, one strung with glowing lights similar to the ones marking the path.

Jigsaw follows my line of sight.

“For the kiddos,” he explains. “They usually conk out early.”

“It’s nice that they’re included.” Leaves rustle under our feet and we snap a few twigs as we approach the circle.

Rooster leans lazily against a tree, while Shelby sits cross-legged on a blanket next to a bag and a cooler. She turns at our approach and lifts her hand. “Over here!”

Jigsaw’s steps quicken, and I match his pace.

Rooster pushes off the tree, motioning toward the open space beside them. “Saved you a tree.”

“Thanks.” Jigsaw claps Rooster on the shoulder before spreading out our blanket next to Shelby’s.

Shelby’s gaze drops to the container in my hands, her eyes lighting up with curiosity. “Whatcha got there, Margot?”

I grin. “Cookies.”

She flips the lid of the cooler open. “We’ve got water, seltzer, beer, grapefruit juice, lime juice, and,” she pulls out a large plastic jug, “Emily and I made this.” She holds the jug high in the air like a trophy.

“I’m afraid to ask,” Jigsaw says.

“It’s sweet tea and limoncello,” Emily calls out from a few blankets over.

“Sure is.” Shelby grins, shaking the jug enticingly. “You wanna try it?”

I don’t usually drink, but we’re staying here tonight.One cup shouldn’t be enough to pickle my liver, right?

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