Page 70 of Brides and Brothers
Benson joined them at the window. Three was a crowd, so Camille had to back out of the way.
“I think Flynn might be proposing,” Camille announced.
“Camille Peterson! Quit spreading rumors!” Aiden’s voice blared.
“Shh! You’re ruining the excitement of the moment!” she said. She pointed to Sage. “He gave her an envelope.”
“Flynn said nothing to me,” Benson said.
“Me either,” Easton added. “But he spends every free minute with Sage. He just sleeps here. I wouldn’t be one bit surprised.”
Camille nudged Easton’s arm. “I’m hoping to record the moment. Do you mind?” She motioned to her spot at the window, and Easton stepped over enough that the three of them were all able to stare outside.
“What’s that under the bench behind Flynn’s feet?” Benson whispered.
“I don’t see anything,” Camille whispered back.
“Why are you whispering? They can’t hear you,” Easton said in a normal voice.
“Spies whisper. It’s what they do,” Camille whispered.
“I’m still here,” Aiden said. “Remember? And I’m not okay with you guys spying. Am I the only adult here?”
Camille chuckled. “You aren’t here. This is payback for leaving us. Now you have zero control. I guess you’d better hurry home, because your brothers are under my bad influence.”
“I bet that dark thing is flowers,” Benson suggested.
Easton shook his head. “I bet it’s a cat.”
“Flowers are such a sweet touch! It’s probably flowers.” She pulled her phone back into position and pressed record.
Aiden sighed long and loud. “I’m gonna jet. I think John Wayne needs my attention. You guys are making me nervous.”
“I’ll call you when the action is over.” Camille ended the call but kept recording. Someday she would show the video to Aiden, and he would appreciate her efforts.
Several minutes passed. Sage read what appeared to be a three-page letter. Flynn scooted closer to her, removed a glove, and held her hand. Their heads were bent together as they talked and pointed at different parts of the letter.
“She must be the slowest reader ever,” Easton said, stepping back. “I think even the cat fell asleep. Nothing is happening here. I’m getting a snack.”
Benson stepped away as well. “It isn’t any of our business anyway. He’ll tell us the minute they’re engaged.”
Camille watched with disappointment as the two of them started rummaging through the fridge and cupboards. For a moment, she had forgotten about her loneliness as well as the ever-present, hovering nausea.
Camille hit stop on the camera and put her phone down on the counter. She should probably find a snack too. She heard the front door open again, followed by two different giggles. Emma and Daisha came into the kitchen with their arms linked conspiratorially.
“Sorry, we didn’t ring the bell in case it made a noise and interrupted the moment,” Emma said, her soft voice bubbling with excitement. Her huge smile froze on her face when she saw Benson and Easton. Camille watched her eyes. Which one had made her freeze? Or had both of them affected her that way?
Camille blew her hair out of her face. “It was a false alarm. Love note, probably, but nothing else. How did you guys get here so fast?”
Emma nudged Daisha, who started laughing. “Daisha has a lead foot.”
Benson offered the women some Oreo cookies. Emma accepted, and Daisha, naturally, rejected.
“When was the last time you ate an Oreo?” Benson asked her. He pinned her with his probing gaze.
Her mouth pinched to one side. “Junior high, maybe?”
Benson shook his head, disgusted. “I’ll make you a deal. If you eat a cookie and drink a glass of milk, I won’t report you to the police for breaking into our house.”
