Page 130 of When You Wish Upon a Wideout

Beau was eager for more of those moments. Because in less than two months, he would be in lockdown camp. There wouldn’t be very many Scrabble nights for the rest of the year.

Fuck time. There isn’t much more left until I go.He bid goodbye to Chase and went home to shower.

When the fog cleared from the bathroom mirror, Beau nodded at himself. “Persistence conquers all.”I’m not giving up on her.

* * *

Scrabble night. I have a standing invite,Beau told himself as doubt crept through his mind when he got out of his truck. He sighed when he walked past Sienna’s car in the driveway and up the steps to knock on the door.

“Oh,” Grace answered, appearing surprised. She fiddled with the sleeves of her dress as a curious look captured her face before it shifted to one of annoyance. “Ugh. She lied, didn’t she?”

“What?” Beau asked.

Grace huffed. “She told me you’re at some off-season camp that’s like prison where you can’t use the phone.” She sighed when Beau raised an eyebrow. “Okay, maybe she didn’t say it was exactly like that but you know what I mean.”

Beau only shook his head. “How are you feeling?”

Holding her arms up as if to show him she was still there, Grace dropped them at her sides. “Good as new.”

Beau took in the pink of her cheeks, the absence of circles beneath her eyes. “Good. Can I come in? Did you guys order food yet?”

“We’re not playing tonight,” Grace told him. “Henry has adate, and my Mom and I are going somewhere. I asked why you weren’t coming with us, she said you were at camp.” She folded her arms across her chest. “What did you do?” she asked, her voice a whisper. “Why would she lie?”

Beau didn’t want to tell Grace that Sienna had found the letter and was about to talk himself in a circle when Sienna appeared behind her daughter. He hated her guarded positioning—shoulders tense, mouth closed with a dead stare.

“Grace, give us a second.”

Beau watched the look between them, the one only a mother could give a child that said, “get lost.”

With another sigh, Grace shrugged at Beau and went into the house as Sienna stepped through the door, shutting it behind her. “What are you doing here, Beau? I told you—”

“It’s Scrabble night,” Beau offered.

“Well, we’re not playing tonight.”

Beau nodded. “Yeah, I got that. Grace said you had plans.”

“We do.” Sienna looked down at her feet, rocking back and forth.

“You know, I think Beau’s car gets better gas mileage.” They both jumped when Grace opened the door, quickly locking it behind her. “Give me your phone, Beau, I’ll look up the address.”

“Grace—”

“Mom, we can’t belate,” Grace whined and walked down the steps.

Beau looked between Grace, heading to his truck, and Sienna, who nearly had one foot back inside the house.

“If you don’t already know,” Grace called out, “the cancer carddoesn’texpire, even if the cancer does!”

Sienna’s eyes floated to her daughter, and she locked her jaw tightly, breathing deeply through her nose. “I... fine. Let me go grab my jacket.”

Sienna left Beau standing on the porch.

“Are you coming?” Grace asked.

I’d follow your mom anywhere, Beau said to himself, quickly jogging down the path back to the street where he had parked by the curb. He unlocked his truck and climbed in, shutting the door.

“Are we busted?” Grace whispered. “Please tell me you didn’t tell her about the letter. I just realized this was on the list.”

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