Page 106 of Just a Plot Twist
“I’m excited for you.” And when Sophie clutches my forearm before moving on, the look in her eye tells me she’s excited about more than my new job—more than this project. She means something else entirely. My gut thrums with wonder.
When she passes, Thomas and Celine make their way to us. “Thank you for coming. It means a lot,” I say and then Benson hugs Celine and does one of those guy pats on Thomas’s back.
“I’m not in the greatest hiking shape, but I’ll try,” Thomas says, glancing at a smiling Celine.
“We wouldn’t have missed it, Claire,” Celine assures me, stepping in to hug me.
After they pass, Gabriel, River, and River’s sister, Skye, greet us.
“It’s Lunch Lady Liz,” Skye informs me in a very matter of fact way, as she pulls out the hem of her pink, sparkly t-shirt. Its entire front is covered in an image of a King Charles Cavalier, complete with a shiny crown and scepter.
“She’s an adorable dog!” I give Skye a fist bump.
“Skye’s friends at the care center made the t-shirt for her,” River says.
“Hey, you’re pregnant,” I say to River. “If you want to stay behind and help in other ways, I under—”
“Oh, I’m coming. Gabriel says if I get too tired, the three of us will turn back and finish early. Besides, we’re the water crew.” She points to the matching backpacks that Gabriel and Skye are wearing.
“You have water bottles in there?”
“Of course! I got a pass on that because of the baby. But Skye insisted on carrying one. A few others have them, as well. We all gotta stay hydrated, right, Skye?”
Skye nods and starts to sling her bag off her shoulder.
“Is it getting too heavy?” Benson asks as he takes it from Skye. “I’ve got it for a while.” He takes the backpack and easily slings it over one shoulder, like it isn’t weighed down by at least a dozen water bottles.
Be still my heart.
We bring up the rear, and thankfully, this trail is wide enough that two of us can walk up in unison.
“I’m still so shocked, Benson. How is it that like a dozen Tate family members managed to be available today? I’m in awe of it, frankly.”
“Me, too. Glad it all worked out.”
I want to ask how he’s doing, for real. And I want to tell him I miss him…and just…everything. But there are too many people around. “Well, I’m sure it wasn’t easy getting everyone all together.” I pause. “Benson, Sophie told me about your donation.”
“It’s not from me. It’s from Foundations.”
I smirk. “But that’s you. Also? I thought your father was taking it back?”
“Gabriel and I talked to him. He changed his mind.”
“It made it possible for us to work on the trail. Without it—”
“Without it, you would have found another way to make it all work. It’s one of my favorite things about you.”
A smile tickles my lips, but like always lately, I think of Grandma and my smile disappears. It feels disloyal to be happy when she isn’t. I need to tell Benson about her diagnosis, but right now out in public like this, is not the time. I have to soon, though. I stick to a brighter topic. “Are Dax and Indie back at home with Cinnamon?”
He frowns, tossing me a wary look. “No. They’re hanging out at the resort for now. And actually, Cinnamon’s gone.”
I stop and blood drains from my face as I grab his bicep. “What do you mean, she’s gone?”
“Don’t give me that look. She’s still very much alive and kicking, she’s just…not alive and kicking with the Kilpack family anymore.” He sighs, shooting me a glance.
“What? Did Reggie…?”
“His grandkids came a couple of days ago.”
