Page 37 of The Summer Arrangement
My family ascends, and it’s blissful chaos.
We’re loud, boisterous, and full of opinions.
I wouldn’t trade it for the world. It’s hard to believe but when I’m on my own at college, I truly miss the noise.
After setting up our chairs and blankets, I settle in and watch the commotion ensue. Milli flits from person to person, chatting them up. My family isn’t one to put on airs, so I know their smiles are genuine when she tells them one story or another. Even Ryker is enamored when she uses her whole body to explain how she jumped off the high dive at swim lessons this week.
Eventually, she spots the sand toys I brought out for her earlier, and she settles in the small space between her dad and Ryan and plays in the sand.
“Did anyone see the sign on Harriet’s place changed to sold?” Lanie asks the group once we’re finally settled around the fire. “I’ve been so busy, I haven’t even noticed anyone touring it.”
“Really?” Sloane says on a sigh. “I wanted to see it again. I loved that place when we were kids. It hasn’t even been on the market that long.”
“I’m sure Harriet would let you see it one last time before the new owners take over,” Lanie suggests. “Her number is in that notebook Nana kept by the landline.”
Even though she and Ryan live in the house full time, there are still subtle reminders of Nana everywhere—a landline being one of them. Between winter storms and cell reception far too unpredictable, it’s something we’ve kept since Nana passed. I’m not sure any of us were ready to give up the number we’d memorized so diligently as kids, either.
“I sure hope our new neighbors use it for themselves, rather than as a vacation rental,” Ryan mutters. “I love how quiet this place is most of the year.”
“I never understood why Nana wanted to be here year-round, but I totally get it now that I live here as an adult,” Lanie admits.
“Hey now,” Jax challenges. “I’ll admit I couldn’t wait to leave this small town as a kid…”
“No kidding,” Ryan chimes in. “I couldn’t wait to get out of here either… and look where that got me.”
“Exactly,” Jax guffaws. “We’ve both found our way back home—one way or another. You’re building your family’s business and although the band will likely be on tour again soon, it’s where the Lancasters have landed, and you and I both know where they go, we’ll be right behind them.”
“Guilty as charged,” Finn coughs, making us all laugh.
Raven cups her fiancé’s cheek knowingly and teases, “Look at you… putting down roots in this town, too.”
“I told you, love.” He leans in and presses his lips to hers. “Where you go, I go.”
My heart melts watching their intimate moment. With Finn’s career, he’s traveled the world several times over and always has focused on his music—that is until Raven came and stole his heart.
Gah, I want a man to look at me like that someday.
“It’s a good thing the two of you bought a house so close,” Sloane teases. “I’m not sure I could bethatfar from my partner in crime.”
“Oh, please.” Raven swats at the air between them. “You left me at college for awholeyear while you went off and lived your best life with Jax at the start of his first tour.”
“I’d never say living on a tour bus is my best life,” Sloane cuts in. Looking to each of the guys in the band, she scrunches her nose and says on a laugh, “Don’t get me wrong… I love you all… truly, I do, but I’ve learned more about each of you than I ever thought possible. There are some things…” She shakes her head in disgust. “Ewww… Just no… It’s a good thing you’re family, or I might have throttled you a time or two.”
Ryker pipes in, “I’m not family. Does that mean you don’t love me?”
Ohmigod, that’s the most pathetic voice ever. It’s a good thing he can sing because his acting sucks.
“Of course, I love you, Ryker. We’ll have to work on finding you someone here in Seaside this summer, so you’ll want to stick around, too. We can’t have the band breaking up because you fall in love with someone in Timbuktu.”
Ryker claps his hands together and rubs his palms. “Oh, really… Just who…”
“The point is…” Raven clears her throat. “We’re back in Seaside… Together.”
“Yes, we are.” Sloane beams. “And I, for one, couldn’t be happier.”
“Oh, I can think of one thing that might make you happier…” Jax challenges and reaches for Sloane’s hand.
Sloane’s brows knit together. “What’s that?”
