Page 33 of A Brambleberry Summer

Rosa always loved spending time with the Abbotts. Joe and Carrie were deeply in love, even after being married more than twenty years. They held hands often, they touched all the time and they kissed at random moments.

And Bella. Being around the girl was a unique experience, like constantly walking a razor wire between joy and pain.

At dinner, Bella wanted to tell Rosa all about a boy she liked named Charlie, who might or might not be going to the same place in the nearby town to watch the fireworks.

“I really like him but I’m not allowed to date until I’m sixteen. That’s not fair, is it?”

Rosa looked over to where Carrie was talking to Joe and Wyatt. She didnotwant to interject herself into a dispute between Bella and her parents over rules.

“I think that your parents have your best interests at heart. You should listen to them.”

Bella clearly did not welcome that answer. “It’s not like we’re going to go somewhere and make out. We’re watching fireworks with about a billion other people.”

Rosa did not want to come across as a boring old woman but she also felt compelled to offer some advice. Bella looked on her as an older sister of sorts, just the person whoshouldbe giving counsel.

“You should stay with your friend and her parents, especially since they are giving you a ride.”

“I know. I would never ditch my friends over a boy, no matter how cute he is.”

“What cute boy are you talking about?” Carrie asked, overhearing her daughter’s words.

Bella looked as if she didn’t want to answer her mother but she finally sighed. “Charlie. He texted me to tell me he might be going to the fireworks.”

Carrie looked vaguely alarmed. “You didn’t tell me that.”

“Because I knew you would blow everything out of proportion. We’re not going together. I might not even see him there.”

She gave Rosa an annoyed look, as if it washerfault Carrie had overheard their conversation.

“I don’t even know if I like him that much,” Bella said. “You don’t have to make a big deal about it.”

“I just want you to be careful. You have plenty of time for boyfriends,” her mother said.

“I know. I told you he’s not my boyfriend. I like him a little but that’s all. I need to go find my portable phone charger. Jaycee’s going to be here any minute.”

“Don’t forget to take a hoodie. It’s going to be much colder once the sun goes all the way down.”

“I know.” Bella hurried off to her room and Rosa had to fight the urge to go after her and warn her again not to leave her friends.

“I hope I can make it through these teenage years,” Carrie said, shaking her head.

“You can.”

“All this talk of boys and learning to drive. She’s growing up, isn’t she?”

Rosa nodded, that bittersweet joy a heavy weight in her heart.

Chapter Seven

The barbecue was one of the most delightful evenings Wyatt had experienced in a while. He always enjoyed hanging out with his sister and considered his brother-in-law one of his closest friends. But having Rosa there, listening to her laugh with Carrie and Bella, tease Joe and trade corny jokes with Logan, somehow turned the night magical.

He tried to tell himself he was simply savoring the delight of good food and family. That didn’t explain how the stars seemed to sparkle more brightly and the air smelled more sweet.

“Everything was delicious,” he said to Carrie. “That cherry pie was divine. Did you try a new recipe?”

She shook her head. “No. I’m using the same one Grandma always made. She got it from Abigail Dandridge, actually. The cherries are just extra delicious this year, I think.”

“That must be it.”

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