Page 11 of Second Chance Savior

“Kids,” Mom called out. “Come wash hands. You’re helping with dinner.”

After dinner, River disappeared upstairs into the guest room with his computer. Something he did a lot. Which was fine by me.

I took Ross over to the archery range to show him my new bow in action. Then my sisters wanted to run down to the creek, so Ross and I trailed after them. The sun was going down, but it had been a warm day. The slight evening chill to the air felt amazing. It ruffled the strands of my hair that had fallen from my ponytail.

Ross closed his eyes and inhaled. “I love the smell here. I look forward to this trip every year.”

I felt guilty about what I’d said earlier. I did like Ross. “I’m glad we can share our home with you,” I said, trying to sound gracious, like my mom wanted.

“Even when my brother gets on your nerves?”

“Only a little.”

“A little? I saw your face when he called you Grumpy Charlie.”

“I just don’t know how you put up with him year-round.”

“He can be a lot.”

I kicked a rock into the water. “If he just did one thing, that would be fine. But he’s some kind of computer genius, and he’s also athletic. And then you both showed up today, and he’s even more?—”

“Even more what?”

I realized what I’d been about to say.

Even more attractive.

“More obnoxiously perfect.” I shrugged. “I appreciate excellence. But he takes it too far. It’s not normal.”

“I agree with you there. River is nowhere near normal. I gave up trying to compete with him a long time ago. But why does he bug you so much?” Ross side-eyed me. “Seems like you’re a little obsessed with him.”

“I am not.” First my mom, now Ross. They didn’t know what they were talking about.

“Here’s the thing about my brother. Yeah, he seems perfect. But he’s not close with anyone. He doesn’t let people under the surface. Not even me.”

I wrinkled my brow, unsure what to make of that revelation.

Ross nudged my arm. “You, though. You get fired up and tell me what you really think. That’s what I look for in a friend. I’d rather have a few real ones than a hundred who’re just on the surface.”

“Aww, are you saying we’re BFFs, Ross?”

“You should be so lucky.”

I pushed him playfully. He pushed me back, laughing. We moved on to discussing what we’d been up to since last summer. I was still volunteering with the animal shelter intown, and Ross was still taking photos for his school paper and yearbook.

Then we reached the creek, where we splashed frigid water and laughed with my sisters, jumping from rock to rock. And I barely thought about River at all.

His brother was wrong. I wasn’t obsessed with him. It just frustrated me when I couldn’t figure something, or someone, out.

And River was impossible. In so many ways.

CHAPTER FOUR

Charlotte

Brynn Somerton usheredme into her living room. I sank onto her cushy couch and pulled a throw pillow onto my lap. She crossed the room with brisk strides, checking that each window was secured, the curtains drawn.

“Do you need anything?” she asked.

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