Page 161 of Banter & Blushes

Ryan pressed his lips together. “Just because your wedding is small and last-minute doesn’t mean it’s not as important.”

“I know,” she said. “But we’ll be having a second wedding in Montreal. It’s too much to ask?—”

“Wynnie,” I said firmly. “It’s not. I told you. I’ve spoken with everyone. They understand. They’re all getting an expenses-paid weekend away and are thrilled to be here. And they sure won’t miss the party we’re going to throw in Montreal when we get there, either.”

“Okay. It just seems like … a lot.”

“And you would do it for them if it was the other way around,” I reminded her.

“True,” she conceded.

Meggie emerged from the barn with a cowbell, striking it five times to signal the hour—or the end of camp. She set it down on a table next to a plastic binand called all the kids over. The girls gave their brushes to the teen and ran to her.

Parents and babysitters filed in around us as we waited for our children. Noah released the other kids, and soon the lot of them were standing in a huddle, each with one arm extended into the center.

“Count us off, Bianca,” Meggie said.

“One, two, three!” Bianca shouted.

“Sandpipers!” the kids cheered. Then they turned towards us parents and began to sing to the tune of “Eight Days a Week.”

We’re the pipers, yeah Sandpipers

We don’t have nothin’ but fun, yeah!

Five Days a week!

Five days a week, we luh-uh-uh-uh-love it!

Five days a week, is not enough to strut our stuff!

Apparently, each child had come up with their own special walk to strut, which they demonstrated as they filed into a single file line. Meggie handed each of them a large mesh tote bag and sent them off.

“Daddy!” Isla exclaimed with glee as she and Amelie reached us. “We have a song! Did you like it? Did you see us brushing Slade? He’s such a nice horse. That’s Mocha in the paddock. Can you buy us a horse?”

“Please, Daddy? Jamie said we did such a good job brushing her!” Amelie begged.

Before I could answer, Ryan’s daughter caught up with them. “Daddy, can Isla and Amelie come to dinner with us? Please?”

Amelie chimed in. “They’re going to the milk jug stand for hot dogs and ice cream! And Hallie and Harlan are going, too! They’re cousins!”

Crane’s Cove was starting to sound like a Lilo and Stitch cartoon with all the cousins. Waseveryonehere related?

“I thought Hallie and Harlan were cousins with Paisley and Bianca?” Arwyn asked, as if reading my thoughts.

“They are,” Nicki said. “That’s theotherside of the family. Bianca’s mommy and Paisley’s mommy are sisters, and my mommy and Auntie Shelby are sisters.”

As Ryan tried to explain all the connections, my head started to swim. I didn’t need to worry, though. I’d bet a year’s salary Amelie would go home tonight and make lists.

“Please, Daddy? Wynnie? Can we go? And can we bring the pups? Jamie is bringing his dog, Rodeo.” Isla pointed to the golden retriever who was sitting calmly by a set of mounting steps. “And Hallie said her dad might bring their old dog Fenway, too. After work. Cause he’s a policeman.”

“We-ell…” I looked at Arwyn.

“Sure” she said. “Is that Dockside?”

Ryan nodded. “Best ice cream in town!”

Arwyn’s face lit up. “That’s what I heard. I was reading about a flavor they have that I’d love to try. Blueberry coffee crumble.”

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