Page 38 of The Love Ambush
“No grown-ups allowed,” Ivy says gently. “But Eden’s a really good driver and we’re pretty boring kids. We won’t drag you into anything crazy, promise.”
Emily gives her a hesitant smile. “I like your hoodie.”
Ivy beams. “Thanks. I just got it for my birthday. I turned fourteen last week. How old are you?”
“Fourteen,” Emily says. “My birthday’s in February.”
“So you’re in tenth grade?”
“ninth,” Emily says.
“Me too,” Ivy says. “I just thought you were in tenth ‘cause you look older. Your makeup is so perfect.”
Emily beams, and she and Ivy fall into deep conversation as Sophie and Eden talk about their plan of attack for the shops in town.
“Eden’s a great driver,” Liza says. “And the rental is All Wheel Drive with snow tires.”
“This is a great idea,” I say. “Thanks for including my sisters.”
“Of course,” Liza says. “Ivy and Eden are close, but they’ll definitely have more fun with new friends.” She smiles. “And that leaves us several peaceful hours at the spa.”
“Yay,” Daphne says, doing a little hip wiggle.
I remind my sisters to wear their coats and watch them leave. They’re chatting continuously with the girls who will soon be their cousins and seem happier than they have so far on this trip.
My mom’s an only child and my dad is estranged from his family, so I never experienced cousin friendships. I’m glad my sisters will have that opportunity.
“Text me,” I call after my sisters, but they ignore me as the doors close behind them.
“You have a rental?” I ask Liza as we walk through the building, Daphne leading the way. “Are you not from around here?”
“We live in Bend, Oregon,” Liza says. “I’m from Seattle originally, but I met Daphne’s brother in college and moved to Bend with him after we got married. That’s where all of Daphne’s family is now. Daphne’s the only one who moved away permanently.”
“Not permanently, necessarily,” Daphne says. “Denver’s where my work is, and it’s a great city. Maybe some of the family will decide to move this way.”
“Or you might move back to Bend someday?” I hope it comes off as a casual question and none of my concern about my brother potentially moving even farther away leaks through.
“Maybe someday,” Daphne says. “Not anytime soon. Brodie’s happy with his job in Denver, but I’ve definitely thought about opening a law office in Bend, one that helps people less able to afford representation.”
“Brodie said you’re a lawyer, but he never told me what kind.”
“I’m a defense attorney,” Daphne says. “I work for lower-income folks as much as I’m able.”
So, she might work sixty hours a week, but she probably doesn’t make much money. It now makes so much sense to me why Brodie wouldn’t want to keep sending us money. Especially if they want to buy a house in what I assume is a very expensive area to live.
My shoulders sink. I can’t ask Brodie to give that up. He’s right. He didn’t think taking over guardianship of the girls was a good idea. He voted to send them to our aunt, but he fully supported me when I insisted on taking care of them and staying in Mom and Dad’s house.
The sad thing is, I’m not at all sure I made the right choice.
Our aunt is only in her sixties, and she’s very kind. The girls might have really enjoyed living with her in Florida.
“Here we are,” Daphne says, arms spread wide in front of the entrance to the spa. “Get ready to be more relaxed than you’ve ever been before.”
As soon as we step inside, we’re taken back to a locker room where we change into robes and then into a room with three massage tables already set up. They tell us to leave our phones, but I keep mine with me in case the girls need me.
Before I slide my phone into the pocket of my robe, I check the girls’ location on the map. They’re already about halfway to town.
They’re fine. They’ll be fine. Ivy and Eden seem nice, and my sisters are teenagers. Nothing to worry about.
