Page 70 of Revival

“You look good, honey.” Her smile crinkles the corners of her kind, assessing eyes. Nancy Powell doesn’t miss a thing when it comes to one of her children. By the way her attention doesn’t linger, I assume I’ve passed the test.

“I feel good.” I pop a sliced strawberry in my mouth and join the others in the living room. The brown recliner by the window beckons me.

A quick survey reveals all my siblings and their partners. Even Isla and baby John are here, bouncing quietly in the corner. I offer a brief wave, which she returns with a smile.

“Is it good to be home?” Whitney tosses a small inflatable ball for her son, Bennett, to chase across the room.

“Vacation is great and all, but I miss my bed and my creatures at the clinic,” I reply.

“I talked to Bridget when she dropped off a refill med at the Sanctuary, and she said things were slow,” Juniper says.

“I’m glad to hear that. I shut down all my appointments, and when I extended my vacation, she managed to reschedule the week for me.”

As if they share one brain, Juniper, Whitney, and Frankie lean in closer.

“Are you doing okay?” Frankie asks first.

Knowing what they want, I don’t let their curiosity linger. “I’m fine.Really.I know I left in not the best headspace, but I can say after some distance, I’m completely over Sebastian and what he did.”

“Is that why you stayed?” Whitney asks. “To clear your head?”

“Something like that.”

The real reason for my extended stay remains locked behind sealed lips.

Surveying the room again, both Isla and Bree have joined our circle.

Nosy women. If I didn’t trust them so much, I’d think they’re just here on my brothers’ orders to get all the secret details.

I pick at my cuticle. “That’s all, girls. That’s the scoop.”

“I don’t know. I think there’s something you’re not telling us.” Isla props John up on her shoulder and rubs his back in circles.

“I think we’re due for a girls’ night. Say next Friday?” Juniper adds.

“Is that the day of the Fairview Valley Festival?” Whitney asks.

“Don’t ask me. My timeline is all screwed up after being gone.” I smirk.

“I think it’s the week after. Corjan said something about picking up some dogs from a breeder surrender situation. They have some frightened mommas that need to go into foster care, but the healthy puppies are looking for new homes,” Bree replies.

“It’s the Sunday after,” Juniper confirms.

With the new information dominating the conversation, I neither confirm nor deny if I’m available for a girls’ night. Let’s be real, it doesn’t take much to get me down to The Rocks on a Friday night. Especially now that I’m single, and my only child is seventeen.

But I know these girls, and they’re hoping a little alcohol will loosen me up. What information they’re hoping I’ll divulge, I can’t be sure.

A loud knock on the front door catches everyone’s attention.

“Who could that be?” Mom says, wiping her hands on a white dish towel.

My heart rate spikes as over a dozen eyes turn to the front door.

Oh no.

I haven’t gambled much in my life, but I’m suddenly weighing the odds of Spencer Stone standing behind that door.

An unfamiliar, anxious energy steals over me.

---