Page 142 of Ransom

"Why don't you shove—," Kade bites back the words as he locks eyes with a grinning Max, then forces his attention back on rebuilding his walls.

Mia giggles as she and Max pour more water, washing away Kade's second attempt. This time he doesn't stop the curses. Ransom slaps him on the back of the head with a wet, sandy hand, but Kade apparently has a hard head and doesn't seem at all bothered.

"My turn!" Max grabs fresh sand. "We should make it like a mountain."

"That's essentially what I've been suggesting." Jonas nods approvingly.

"No, like this." Ransom demonstrates, his hands moving with surprising delicacy through the sand. "You want to pack it tight, create layers."

"That's not working." Mia places her hands on her hips. "We need a moat. Like a castle. I'll be the princess, 'kay?"

"A moat would just direct more water toward the base," Jonas explains.

"But moats are cool!" Max jumps up and down.

"The kid's got a point." Kade starts digging.

"That's not going to—" Jonas sighs as their latest attempt dissolves.

I can't help but laugh. These successful businessmen are covered in wet sand, arguing with children about dam engineering. The scene is so absurd, I've actually forgotten about Maggie for a few blessed minutes.

"Aunt Blair!" Max waves. "Come help us!"

"I'm good here." I shake my head, smiling.

"Your loss." Ransom winks at me. "We're making history here."

"Scientific history," Jonas adds seriously.

"Engineering disaster is more like it," I mutter.

"I heard that." Ransom points at me with a sandy finger. "Just wait until we perfect our design."

Another wave of water crashes through their latest attempt, sending all five of them scrambling back with surprised yelps.

"Okay, new plan." Kade wipes his face. "We combine all our ideas."

"That's not how engineering works," Jonas protests.

"Watch and learn, brother." Kade starts gathering more sand. "Max, get me that bucket. Mia, we need your moat expertise."

I press my lips together, trying not to laugh as they start yet another doomed attempt. These people are completely ridiculous. And somehow, they're exactly what I needed today.

Becca, Bree, Abby, and Janey all collapse onto the bench beside me, breathing hard from chasing the rest of the menaround the science center. Where are those guys? These boys haven't made it past the water table, but there are a bunch of others running loose somewhere in this giant place. I'm not much for the city, but I can see the benefits of places like this. At home, if it's bitterly cold, we hunker down at home, and Max ends up watching way too much TV. Here, we could bring him somewhere like this to run around.

I.

I could bring him somewhere like this.

There's a groan from beside me, and I eye the woman, looking like she'd rather be anywhere but here. Janey clutches a can of ginger ale, taking careful sips between nibbles of saltine crackers.

"You okay?" I shift over, giving her a little room and, yes, getting out of vomit range. Just in case. "You look a little green."

"I'm not sick. Just pregnant." Janey's eyes sparkle despite her pale complexion.

The bench erupts in squeals and flailing limbs. Becca tumbles sideways, landing hard on the floor as the others surge forward to hug Janey.

"Oh my god!"

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