Page 84 of Big Island Summer
“Did you get her a helmet?”
“Yes,mother.” Ethan rolled his eyes. “And she promised to wear it.”
Emma crossed her arms and looked up at him. “So, when are you bringing Fern over for dinner?”
His eyes widened and he looked down at Juniper. “You told her!”
“Sorry!” she sang out, utterly unrepentant.
“Liar.” His eyes sparkled as he looked as his daughter, and there was a genuine smile on his face.
Juniper grinned and rode away.
“I’ll go put these in the freezer.” Lani said, picking up the half-finished pints of ice cream.
“So.” Emma looked up at her brother. “You and Fern.”
“It’s new,” Ethan grumbled, running a hand through his hair.
“I meant it – you should bring her over for dinner.”
“Weren’t we supposed to be getting out of the house? Making new memories?”
“We could meet up for a beach day or something.”
“I’m not ready to subject her to the inquisition just yet.”
“It’s just me! I’m not going to grill her.”
“It’s not you I’m worried about.”
She watched Jun race through the orchard on her new mountain bike.
“Yeah, okay, fair enough. She is a bit… up and down lately.”
“That’s an understatement.”
“Well… when you’re ready, I’d like to get to know her better.”
He smiled bashfully and looked away. “So would I.”
“You really like her,” Emma said, surprised.
“I really do.”
“I’m happy for you.”
He looked down at her, his expression uncertain. “Are you?”
“Of course. Why wouldn’t I be?”
“I thought you might be more… judgey.”
“Gee, thanks.”
“What you said the other day…”
“What?”
