Page 15 of Unexpected Adventures

He seems like such a nice guy, I think to myself. Humble, yet confident. And to see everyone mixing and mingling with one another… Google must be a great place to work.

I look at Denise as she’s watching Jim, thinking, there’s more to that story. She’s trying hard to keep a distance, but the look in her eyes when she watches him... Longing? Wanting? Or is it just professional admiration?

Nope. It’s definitely more than professional admiration as I watch Jim place his hand at the small of her back before leaning in to whisper something in Denise’s ear. She blushes deeply before touching her hand to his chest again. Intimately, I might add. No one else around seems to bat an eye at their behavior.

I don’t get much further in my thoughts about my sister when I’m startled by Shaun whispering to me, his hand gently touching my lower back. “Can I get you something more than water?”

His voice is enticing, tickling more than my ear canal. But I think I need to keep my wits about me, so I shake my head no. “Thank you, though.”

He nods and straightens, remaining close by my side, his arm around my waist.

How did this begin to feel so comfortable, so fast? I smile to myself.

Denise must notice because she gives me a wink. If the lights were any brighter, she’d see the rose in my cheeks and the nervous delight in my eyes.

“Well, if no one else wants to display their singing skills,” Sherri begins. “Why don’t we go into another room and wind it down a bit? I think Sarah can handle the karaoke from here.”

It’s then I notice a petite blond at the laptop, preparing a selection for a gentleman on the stage. “Who’s Sarah?” I ask as we begin to file out of the room.

“She’s our house sitter,” Sherri answers. “It so happens Jeff and I are going to be taking off tomorrow for a quick business trip of his, so I invited her over.”

“Oh.” I look up at Shaun to gauge his reaction, knowing he came to visit his sister, just as I did.

He shrugs his shoulders, giving me an ‘oh well’ smile. But Sherri is quick to soothe him.

“Sorry, little brother. This trip came up at the last minute, and it’s important I accompany Jeff for a few days. I promise to be back soon to spend time with you. And even though you’re staying here and perfectly capable of taking care of the house, you don’t need to worry about a thing. Sarah will be here to do her duties, as well as take care of my babies. Your only responsibility is yourself, and I’m ordering you to relax and have fun.”

“Yes, ma’am, Mrs. Jet-setter.” He tries again to shrug it off.

“I’ll hold her to that promise, Shaun,” Jeff adds.

“Abby and I can keep him occupied, can’t we, Abbs?”

“Sure.”

“Shaun knows the area well,” Sherri begins. “There’s no lack of things to do. Or, you can just spend all your time hanging out here, taking advantage of the pool and enjoying some relaxation.”

“Whatever works for the ladies,” Shaun says. “After all, this is Abby’s first visit here with her sister.”

“Oh, we’ll get plenty of sister-time in,” Denise adds as she breaks away from Jim to stand by my side.

My head volleys to and fro, from Sherri to Shaun to Denise. “I’m just along for the ride.”

Denise––who I’ve now dubbed Ms. Giggles, because she’s doing it more than I ever realized she was capable of––guides me behind Sherri as we’re led into another, quieter room.At least it seems quiet at first, until I hear a series of click-click-clicks and excited whimpers.It’s then I notice a small mob of fur balls, all eagerly making their way toward everyone.

Five tiny dogs, two of which are twin terriers, rush to our feet.They congregate around their momma, Sherri, who bends down to greet them, and I can’t help but smile broadly. They are the cutest dang things I’ve ever seen, and I automatically descend to their level to get a better look at them.

“Go ahead,” Sherri starts. “They love attention.”

I reach out to one of the dogs, which looks like a Pomeranian mix. She brings her little legs up as if dancing and begins turning in a circle. Another similar looking dog, this one being pure white, follows suit.

“Those two always try to out-do one another,” Denise says. “That’s Gypsy, the black one.And that’s Mysty, with a ‘Y’, the white one. They’re two rescues, along with this one.” I see Denise holding a long-haired Dachshund. “Greta. A little beauty.”

As I’m being entertained by Gypsy and Mysty, laughing like a little girl, I happen to look up and notice Shaun grinning at me. It makes me smile even more before returning my attention to the performers. I reach out to pet each of the dogs, giving them praise for their antics.

“And these two are Eva and Ginger,” Sherri supplies, holding her twins. She’s lavished with kisses from her babies.

“They’re all so adorable. I love them!” More excited yaps have us all laughing. I scoop up the two dancers and make my way further into the room.

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