Page 6 of The Fence Between Us

“No, it really is wonderful. The sensors alone are a welcome relief. I just—.” Bekah frowned, searching for words she couldn’t quite conjure.

“It’s going to take some time,” Declan said and Bekah nodded, withdrawing slightly from them.

Rabble frowned, knowing Declan was right. What she’d been through wasn’t something people just recovered from overnight. He hoped that the brothers’ expertise and Elyza’s steady optimistic nature would eventually provide a sense of ease and reassurance to Bekah. Already her shoulders dropped from around her ears, inch by inch.

Declan’s flash of a bright white smile contrasted with Dash’s quiet peace in their sister’s presence as she babbled, the drone of her steady voice a comfort all on its own. Rabble sat back, observing the three biological siblings, enjoying their banter and only inserting himself when asked a direct question. With watchful eyes, Rabble saw the way Bekah’s gaze darted betweenthe siblings as well, taking in their conversation, the air they exuded, and measuring it with her own subdued aura.

The three MacAlister siblings looked enough alike that no one could mistake their relation to each other. As the youngest sibling, Elyza still lived at home with their mother when the twins enlisted in the military, but that hadn’t damaged the strength of their bond. If anything, the twins’ absence made their connection stronger. Rabble’s chest constricted with gratitude for their family’s acceptance. They welcomed him without a second thought, creating the kind of familial bond he’d always dreamed of having and never believed he would.

“—had a favor to ask,” Elyza smiled winningly at them, including Bekah. No matter what she was going to ask, she already knew they wouldn’t tell her no, especially not Declan or Dash.

Rabble refocused on the conversation and raised an eyebrow.This ought to be interesting.

Elyza exhaled, hurrying to finish her sentence in a single, long-winded breath. “I sort of volunteered to be the lead for organizing the town’s floats this year.”

“Sort of volunteered? How do you even do that, El?” Dash scoffed.

“What does that entail?” Rabble cocked his head to the side, trying to dislodge the slight pounding that started behind his right temple.

Elyza picked up three folders from the counter behind her. “Well, clarification: It’s not the whole parade exactly. There are just three floats, and only two of those are technically for the town.”

“Do none of the council members do anything?” Declan grumbled. He already knew they didn’t, but Rabble appreciated his refusal to give up hope.

Elyza handed Declan the folder labeled Historical Society in bright pink gel pen. He flipped the manilla folder open and waded through illustrated examples of her visions and small samples for each part of the float. Dash got the folder for the library, and he too opened it to review the internal documents, while Rabble took the last folder. His eyes skimmed over sketches and pictures of bouquets and faux floral samples.

Rabble made a note not to underestimate Elyza’s creative prowess. He could clearly see what she had planned for each float and was positive the final product would be nothing short of spectacular.

“Please help me.” She pouted and clasped her hands together as a mock plea for their assistance.

Rabble considered his options. Elyza would rope the brothers in no matter what. As an honorary family member, Rabble was likely already on the hook too, and the thought made him break out in a cold sweat. His eyes shot to Elyza’s pleading ones and he swallowed roughly.

Her eyes studied him, no doubt he had become as pale as he felt, the thought of standing on display in front of the entire town spurred the same reaction that being in an enclosed space did. The same people he’d stand before were the ones who judged his mother for staying with an abusive drunk but did nothing to help. They were the same ones who watched him fall apart at the seams after his mother’s passing and sneered at him instead of extending a friendly hand to a destroyed teenage boy. The thought of performing for them now, he’d rather face a firing squad at point blank range.

Elyza must have read between the shadows in his eyes and the lines around his mouth because she backtracked quickly, “On second thought, I think I really only need two grooms and the center bride will shine all on her own.”

Rabble contemplated picking her up and twirling her around in his relief but his knees felt a bit unsteady and he settled on a strained smile that he hoped conveyed his appreciation for her subtle ability to read him and the fears he despised.

Declan and Dash shared a deep groan, their eyes rolling in unison. Elyza took their reaction as an answer and did a little jump before pulling each one in a tight hug. To his surprise, she came up to him and squeezed her arms around his middle again. Two hugs in one day; Rabble was going to end up with a complex.

“I have the perfect person already lined up to help you work on the float, Rab!” She practically vibrated with energy.

He envied her ability to see the bright side in almost any situation, to turn rainy days into opportunities for fun. He wanted to learn that trick. Maybe someday.

“Who is it?” he asked, tilting his head skeptically.

Elyza grinned back at him. “Oh, you’ll love her!”

At Rabble’s side Declan’s amused snicker filled the air. To his other side, Dash smirked quietly, his eyes conveying his mirth.

Great,she’s playing match-maker.

Chapter 4

Skye

Exhaustion pulled at Skye’s shoulders, weighing them down and bowing them beneath the fatigue. She could not recall a time she’d felt quite so drained, mentally and physically. She tossed and turned throughout the night, her nightgown twisted around her, furthering her irritation. Every tick of the clock on the wall grated against her frayed nerves, and the groans and creaking of the house settling echoed in her ears.

Dinners with her parents were, on a normal day, tedious. Discovering her ex-boyfriend sitting at the dinner table added an entirely different level of difficulty to the meal. The entire evening became a trial, determined to test her limits and ability to sit still in her seat without fidgeting uncomfortably.

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