Page 87 of Ardently Yours

“You’re welcome. Thank you for the chocolate chip cookies.”

“We made them with love.”

Arden’s smile spreads so wide, it breaks into a chuckle. “I heard about that. Thank you, Bronnie.”

He glances past her. “Here come the boys.”

Sure enough, the two boys who’d been running along the shore were Henry and Gabriel. They stop short approximately five feet away and eye Bronnie and me like we’re wild animals likely to attack at the slightest provocation.

They’re wearing pristine white polo shirts tucked into khaki shorts, and Gabriel has a pair of Ray-Bans perched on top of his head.

“Boys, this is Miss Charlotte and Bronnie,” Arden says.

“Henry McRae. I’m pleased to make your acquaintance, Miss Charlotte.” Henry gives my hand a firm squeeze.

I blink at the adult words and actions coming from an eight-year-old boy, then squeeze his hand in return. “I’m very happy to meet you, Henry.”

Henry retreats and Gabriel steps forward, enthusiastically pumping my arm in his own handshake. “Gabriel McRae. We’re going to ride a pontoooooon boat.”

I return his enthusiastic shake and smile. “Sounds like a lot of fun. I’m glad to meet you, Gabriel.”

Henry stands with his hand extended to Bronnie. Bronnie twists her lips to the side and puts her hands behind her back.Crap. I didn’t practice handshakes with her.

I crouch beside her. “How about a fist bump?”

She sticks out her little fist.

Henry eyes Bronnie’s hand and sinks his teeth into his bottom lip. Finally, he reaches out with his own and taps her knuckles. She fakes an explosion when their knuckles meet, sound effects included, and Henry flinches from the implied, but largely invisible, spray of spit. Straightening his spine, he takes a fortifying breath. “Dad, I’m going inside for some cooldown time.”

Arden nods. “Good job. I’ll make sure no one disturbs you.”

Henry bolts for the cabin like his pants are on fire.

Gabriel fist-bumps Bronnie, his explosion even louder and spittier than hers, then points toward the giant blocks on the porch. “Do you want to play?”

She takes off running for the porch, and Gabriel chases after, quickly overtaking her.

Arden reaches for my hand. “That went pretty well.”

“The day is young.”

His expression sobers. “It’s okay if we hit some bumps in the road. Aren’t you the one who told me it doesn’t have to be perfect to be wonderful?”

I run my thumb over the veins that map the back of his hand. “You’re absolutely right. So, what’s our itinerary look like? Do you have plans or are we winging it?”

He squints at me in mock reproof. “You know me better than to think I’m a man who ‘wings’ anything.”

Shiny Happy People

Arden

Arden

Riding shotgun in the passenger seat next to me, Charlotte shakes out the itinerary I’ve printed and smiles at the kids in the backseat. “Tours of some of the Frank Lloyd Wright houses and the mushroom houses are up first. Sounds exciting!”

“Houses made out of mushrooms?” Gabriel asks doubtfully.

“You can’t make houses out of mushrooms,” Henry says.

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