Page 42 of Wild and Wrangled

“You all look so cute in your matching sweaters,” Teddy said on a laugh. She wiped a tear from her eye. “Including you, Dusty.” She waved at me. I should’ve known to be more suspicious of a gift from Teddy a few days before Christmas.

“Oh god, not you, too,” Gus said when he looked at me. I couldn’t help but laugh.

“I’m changing,” Brooks said, standing from the table.

“No, you’re not,” Emmy said, pulling him back down. She laughed and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “I like it.” Brooks immediately relented.

“It’s a nice sweater,” Wes said with a shrug and slung anarm around Ada’s shoulders. “Good choice, sweetheart. Dusty,” he said, looking over at me, “good to see you.”

After that, there were a bunch of hellos and hugs exchanged. Amos was manning the stove, a kitchen towel draped over his shoulder. My mom and Hank were on the love seat opposite Gus. I walked into the living room and leaned down to give my mom a kiss on the cheek and give Hank a handshake.

“Hi, honey,” she said.

“Hey, Mom.” I sat on the floor next to Teddy and Riley. “What’s going on here?” I asked.

“It’s a puzzle,” Riley said.

“Yeah, dummy,” Teddy said. “Can’t you tell?”

“Thanks for clearing that up,” I said. “What’s the puzzle a picture of?”

“Rebel Blue,” Riley said. “My mom got it for Papa.”

“Amos, what soap is in the guest bathroom? It smells so good.” Cam’s voice came from behind me, and my spine went straight. “Oh my god. Is that the same exact sweater?” Everyone laughed again.

She was here.

I turned around. She was wearing a light gray sweater and black jeans. I let my eyes track down her body, even though I shouldn’t have. Her snowman socks took me by surprise, and I smiled.

“Oh,” she said. “Hi.”

“Hey.” I waved. Cam swallowed and gave me a sheepish wave. When she turned to go into the kitchen, Riley called after her.

“Mom, you were doing the puzzle with us!” I watched Cam take a deep breath, and when I turned back to Teddy, she was fighting a smile.

I must’ve taken Cam’s spot without knowing. After a few seconds of hesitation, she came and sat on the ground next to me. I hadn’t realized that almost everyone had stopped talking until Cam sat down and the chatter started again.

“How many pieces is this?” I asked her.

“Twenty-five hundred, I think,” she said.

“We’re sorting out the edges right now,” Riley told me. “Well, me and Teddy are sorting out the edges. You and my mom can find middle chunks and put them together.”

“Sir, yes sir,” I said with a salute and looked over at Cam, who was looking at her daughter with a hell of a lot of love.

I hoped I wasn’t looking at Cam the same way.

—

We sat down at the dinner table a few hours later. Amos and Hank were at each end of the table, then Riley, Gus, Teddy, Emmy, and Brooks on one side. Then, my mom next to Hank, Ada, Wes, Cam, and me. Ours were the last two seats left, and based on the wink Teddy gave me, it was on purpose.Jesus Christ.

I don’t know what I expected—it was basically impossible for anyone at this table to mind their own damn business. Not that I was complaining, but I worried Cam would feel smothered or uncomfortable—especially because everyone else at this table, except for Amos and Riley, was coupled up.

The spread of food was amazing. Amos didn’t know how to half-ass meals. There was prime rib, turkey, a few different types of potatoes, stuffing, multiple roasted vegetables, and homemade rolls with shiny golden tops.

There was chatter going on all around the table—except between Cam and me. Great.

“So,” I said, trying to crack the tension a little bit, “how are you liking the house?”

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