Page 59 of This Loving Feeling (Mirror Lake)

“Don’t get fresh.”

“I’d like to get fresh,” Alethea said. “Not with you, specifically, Lukas, even though you are hot stuff, but in general.”

“Mrs.P.!”Sam said, a little appalled. She pried out a compact mirror.

“Why would you bring that with you?” Ben asked, chuckling. “For zit cover-up on the trail?”

“If you must know, it’s to signal the plane in case we get lost.”

“Why not just bring a cell phone?” Ben asked.

“I have that too,” Lukas said. “But just in case there’s no reception in the woods.”

“You’re such a girl,” Ben said jokingly.

“Shut up, Ben,” Sam said. “You might be good at doctor emergencies but what did you show up with today, huh?”

Ben shot her an older-brother look and tapped his temple. “I’m resourceful, babe. Like Survivorman.”

“Now, dear, don’t be cocky,” Effie said, turning to Lukas. “I like the camo backpack, too,” she said with a wink. “Very stylish.”

“What’s in there, hot stuff?” Sam asked, pointing to his backpack.

“Bug spray, more juice boxes, fish crackers, a first aid kit, and an extra pair of Batman undies.”

“Wow. Prepared for every emergency. I like that,” Sam said.

“My middle name is prepared.” He was glad she was impressed. Little did she know that’s what you tended to do when all you remembered of your childhood was chaos.

“Nice camera, too,” she said, checking out his eighty-to-two-hundred zoom lens.

He shrugged. “I want Stevie to have lots of great memories to replace the bad ones.”

His comment seemed to strike her. Her eyes softened, and she gave him a look like she really didn’t hate him at all. He sure didn’t hate her, either. There he went again, staring at her too long, so long she blushed. It was just how cute she looked in those hiking boots and those little shorts, and how great her rack looked in that tank top. If they slept together, all of this longing would go away. Wouldn’t it?

As they set off on the path, the boys scrambled up a rock and Lukas took pics of them posing at the top, biceps flexed. They ran around and pretended to shoot each other and blow things up, just like a million boys did every day. Only for him, every burst of mischievous laughter was a revelation. That Stevie had a buddy to run around and play with. That the sadness that was so much a part of him when he first came to be with Lukas had lifted. He had Sam to thank for a lot of that.

As they walked, he pretended to take pics of everyone and everything, like the trees and the play of light in the woods, but every chance he got, he snuck shots of Sam as she joked with the boys or helped her grandma or talked thoughtfully with Ben.

“So, dear,” Effie said, suddenly beside him. Alethea miraculously appeared on his other side. “Tell me about your family. Alethea tells us you’re planning to reunite your brothers.”

Lukas frowned at Alethea, but she was suddenly very busy examining the ground. “My brothers and I haven’t been together since I was ten.”

“Stevie’s father is addicted to drugs,” Alethea whispered.

So much for keepingthata secret.

“Oh, dear. I’m so sorry,” Effie said. Lukas was, too—especially knowing how quickly that news would fly around to Brad and the brothers. Another piece of ammo to use against him.

“What about your other brothers?” Alethea asked innocently.

He shook his head. “Last I heard, Roman was in New York working for a craft beer company. I don’t know where my two younger brothers are.”

“So are you going to find them?” Alethea asked.

“Well, with our history—”

“The bonds of family can’t ever be broken,” Alethea said. “Maybe you were meant to use your success to bring your family back together.”

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