Page 70 of His North Star
“In the long run, yes.” He smiled, though not his usual carefree one. As our gazes locked, his smile slowly fell. Was it not good news after all? Was he ending our relationship? “Anyway,” he continued, “besides roasting marshmallows, what else do you do?”
I stepped out of his arms. “Teach everyone some camp songs. I’m not the best singer though. You might want to put your hands over your ears once we start.”
“At least everyone is joining in. You could be singing a solo.”
“Yeah, that would only happen over my dead body.”
Before he could respond, Dad’s cheery voice called out. “Look who decided to come tonight!” He tilted his head toward Mom, who sat in the wheelchair Dad pushed.
“When did you get that?” I pointed to the black and silver chair.
Mom rolled her eyes. “He went and picked it up earlier today. I could’ve made it down here without it.”
I held back the laugh that almost spilled out of me. There was no way Mom could have handled that on her own. Maybe in a few weeks when her leg and foot were better, but not now. “Regardless, I’m happy you’re here,” I said. “Do you feel up to singing tonight?”
Her shoulders briefly lifted, then fell further than before. “Maybe.”
I offered her a weak smile. “No problem. I’ll lead the way. Any songs in particular you want to hear?”
“Not really. Just pick for the crowd.”
I nodded. That was part of Mom’s charm. With older guests, classics were the way to go. Whereas if we had more families, we’d stick to funnier, catchy tunes kids would like.
“I’d like it if we did ‘Sweet Caroline,’” Dad said, eyes flitting down to Mom. No surprise there. It was his favorite to sing with her.
“No problem.” I pointed to James. “Mom, Dad, I’d like you to meet James Wilton. My. . .” boyfriend? We’d never actually stated we were exclusive, but friendseemed too casual.
Mom and Dad stared at me with raised brows.
Heat flooded my cheeks. “Um, anyway,” I mumbled, refusing to meet James’s gaze. “James, this is my dad, Joe, and my mom, Kathleen.”
James stepped forward and shook hands with both my parents.
Mom said, “Please, call me Kitty.”
“It’s nice to meet you both,” James replied. “Your property is amazing.” He gestured to our surroundings.
Dad replied, “We’re happy you could join us tonight. Although I hope you don’t mind Maren’s attention being on our guests and not you.”
“Not at all,” James assured. “She told me she had to work. I promise not to get in her way.”
“Do you sing?” Mom asked, a sudden wicked gleam in her eye.
My stomach tightened.
“Uh, maybe? I’ve never really sung in front of other people before.” James said, not understanding what his admission meant.
“How do you feel about a duet?” Mom asked nonchalantly.
My eyes widened, my lungs seized. Oh no, no, no. That was not happening.
I slid my arm around James’s waist and squeezed. I smiled up at him. My eyes were wild.Retreat, I silently begged.Do not agree with this.
He scratched the back of his neck. “Oh, ah, sure.”
I stepped on James’s toes fiercely. “We’ll do a short song,” I told Mom. Why had he said yes?
Her eyes lit up. “Perfect.”
