Page 69 of For Fox Sake

Across the plane, Oliver has moved the desk forward so Ari can climb into his chair with him. She points at something on his computer screen.

I am sure she’s asking something like, Why?

Piper asks more questions about Ari and Mia, and then the conversation turns to caring for a newborn.

Jake gets up to raid more food from the fridge.

“Honestly, I got pretty lucky,” I tell Piper. “Ari woke up a couple times a night for the first nine months, but it was consistent, you know? I got used to it. I’ve heard horror stories about colic and newborns who were basically allergic to more than an hour of sleep at a time.”

“It must be terrifying. Caring for a newborn.”

“I guess, but you know, you just do it.”

Piper rests her hand on her stomach.

Huh. Kind of like Sam when she— “Oh. You’re...”

She glances over at Jake and then leans in toward me and lowers her voice. “We haven’t told anyone yet. We’re waiting until I’m a little farther along.”

“I promise not to say a word.”

“Thank you. Oliver is a little freaked. He lost his parents fairly young and had a hard time in foster families. He’s scared of being a bad father.”

We both glance over at him. Ari is asleep, leaning into Oliver, her face squished into his suit coat. His head is leaning back against the seat, his eyes closed.

“I am so sorry. She never does this, and to a complete stranger no less.”

Piper’s face softens, watching them.

“Something tells me he’s going to do just fine.”

* * *

By the time the plane lands, it’s nearly six because of the five-hour flight plus the three-hour time difference. But we are able to land right on camp property because Oliver had a private airstrip built for his personal use, complete with hangar and fueling station.

We disembark and head toward a black Cadillac SUV parked about a hundred yards away. Standing outside the vehicle is an extremely broad, dark-haired man in a Camp Aria T-shirt and jeans, a wicked-looking scar bisecting his brow.

“That’s Archer,” Jake tells me as we approach.

He greets everyone with a hug, and an extra smack on the back for Jake.

“Damn, bro, easy on the violent affection.”

Archer points at him. “You ever leave like that without word to Finley and I want you to remember, we have a lot of property and I learned how to operate some serious digging equipment when we were renovating the camp.”

Jake sighs. “I know, man, I know. This is Ryan and Ari.” He gestures to us.

“Hey.” Archer smiles. “It’s really nice to meet you both. Let me help you with your bags.”

The back of the SUV is quickly loaded up with luggage and then we pile in, Oliver in the front seat, Piper, Jake, Ari, and me in the back.

We drive off the runway and onto a dirt road.

“There is pizza up at the main house if anyone’s hungry,” Archer says.

“I’m hungry,” Ari pipes up.

“Great,” Archer says. “I know Finley put some snacks and breakfast items in your cabin, but I’m not sure if there’s enough in there to prepare a full meal or anything.”

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