Page 146 of Every Good Thing
“Oh, I know, right?” Cherry steps closer. “If I’m here too much, I double up my Pilates classes to burn the extra calories.”
“A small sacrifice for friendship. It’s working for you.” He smiles, shamelessly glancing her over.
Dot sighs and says what I’m thinking. “Geez.” Leaving Cherry to her flirting, Dot follows Jaye and Ruthie.
Lena tugs at my arm. “Drive us back home?”
I comply, opening the passenger door for her before taking the driver’s seat. I put the Jeep in reverse and carefully steer it toward the house.
“Do you really mean it?” she says in the quiet of the Jeep. “You want the job?”
“Yes.”
“You’re not doing it to make up for things or because I asked? You’re doing it because it’ll make you happy?”
“Yes.”
“You truly want to do this?”
“Yes.”
She sighs, studying my face like she’s looking for dishonesty behind my well-practiced facade.
She won’t find any.
“Sure you’re okay handing over control?” I ask.
“God, yes! I’m a baker and a badass entrepreneur, but I hate the day-to-day details. It’s all yours.”
“We’ll have to discuss my terms… and the benefits package you’re offering.” A smirk edges my mouth as I park beside her truck.
She giggles and bats her big blue eyes at me. “I look forward to our negotiations.”
I exit and meet her at her side, taking her hand as she slides from the Jeep. “I’m a skilled negotiator.”
“That, I know.”
She leads me up the spiral staircase, lightly twiddling my fingers with hers.
“Before those talks begin, I’d like to propose another idea.”
She doesn’t elaborate as we reach the top deck. On the right side, we witness Ruthie reintegrating Ross into the rabbit pen. Lena fiddles with her fingers as we overlook the scene, looking serious, almost anxious.
“Tell me your idea,” I urge after a long silence.
A light October breeze makes her hair dance around her pensive face. She takes a cleansing breath.
“Next year, things will be different.” She locks eyes, her hands moving furiously. “We have time and money. Before we jump back into Saddletree, let’s pull Ruthie out of school, take a month, and do everything we want. Together, as a family. Road trips with the music blasting and us singing… beach days with waves and birds and coastal breezes… mountain hikes with gushing waterfalls… movies and concerts… camping with a crackling fire… let’s tell bad jokes and funny stories and laugh until our sides hurt—”
“A last hurrah for my hearing?”
“If I’m being insensitive, please say so,” she says. “But you haven’t lost your hearing yet, Ben. Let’s take advantage and make so many incredible memories that you don’t feel like you’re missing anything. And every year after, no matter the changes, we’ll make it our family tradition—”
A determined kiss breaks through her signing and stops her frenzied explanation. I love the way she relaxes in my arms, accepting my kiss as freely and easily as she does me. I picture everything she describes, and it gives me renewed purpose.
“May I plan it?” I ask against her lips, unable to entirely pull away.
She laughs. “Of course.”
