Page 13 of Spark
"If not, maybe they can board her at that farm. I’m sure Olive is campaigning right now for the horse to share her room. She already has the kittens and dog sleeping in there." Finlay’s smile turns wicked. "Maybe we should go over and team up with her. Tell Cam that you can build a barn."
"Why not? Cam already thought I could construct the bounce castle." I smirk, thinking now that I should have seen through his ruse. Maybe I would have if I hadn’t been so distracted by thoughts of Finlay. When Finlay’s brows draw together, I elaborate, "That’s what he said when he asked me to be here today."
With the reminder of Cam’s meddling, the mischief morphs into something I can’t name. Finlay is studying me like he’s seeking the secrets of the universe. I wish I knew how to supply the answers he needs. We’re standing so close I can feel his heat. Our arms brush together and that tiny touch of skin on skin has all the nerves in my body standing at attention.
Olive races to us, her face lit with excitement. Eyes sparkling, she grabs hold of Finlay’s right hand and my left hand. "Uncle Fin, come meet her. You too, Mateo."
Unsure if he needs space, I glance at Finlay as Olive pulls us forward. "I can wait, so the horse isn’t overwhelmed."
A wealth of understanding in his expression, he bumps his shoulder into mine. "I think the horse will be fine."
I want to say more, to dig further, but not in front of Cam, the woman from the farm, Olive, and the horse. Standing beside Finlay, I stroke the horse’s wheat-colored mane. Our fingers brush against each other and each touch of his fingertip imprints on my skin like invisible tattoos. Before this party is over, I need to find a private space for us to continue our conversation. If today is my only chance with Finlay, I can’t blow it.
Olive lays her hand on the horse’s side. "Petunia, you can sleep at the bottom of my bed."
Cam ruffles his daughter’s hair. "I don’t think so, sweetie."
Sticking her chin out, she crosses her arms over her chest. "But, Daddy, I want her to."
I have enough experience with my niece and nephew to sense that this could blow up into something big. Luckily, some party attendees are arriving, and my sister and her family are among them. Feeling only slightly bad for abandoning Cam, I touch Finlay’s shoulder. "My family is here. Excuse me."
Isabella and Elliott, my niece and nephew, met Olive on the sidelines at a rugby match two years ago. Sharing toys and playing tag, they became fast friends. My sister Sofia and her wife Eve come out to support me and the squad as often as their busy schedules at the tattoo parlor allow, which lets the three kids have monthly playdates at the playground adjoining the rugby pitch.
"Uncle Teo!" Elliott, a three-year-old whirlwind, runs at me and leaps. "Catch me."
Sofia winces as her son lands in my arms and shares a glance with Eve. The pair shake their heads. "Elliott, what did we tell you about jumping on people?"
"Um, I don’t know." He grins at me through unruly hair that he refuses to have cut and whoops when I turn him upside down.
Isabella, a mini-me of my sister, with long, curly brown hair, tugs on my jeans. "My turn. I wanna be upside down too."
I carefully set Elliott on his feet. Before I can reach for Isabella, she spies Olive and the horse and sprints in their direction, quickly followed by Elliott.
“Be careful,” Eve calls out after them before kissing my cheek. "Good to see you."
"You too." I hug her, and then turn to my sister. She may be five years younger than me, but she’s always been my rock. I gently put my arm around her. "How are you feeling today? Mom and Dad said you were having a flare up when I called them last night before work."
"It’s nothing." She glances at her right wrist which is wrapped in a soft support brace. This is the first flare up I’ve heard of since she completed physical therapy one year ago, after a car accident left her wrist and hand in really bad shape. "Elliott jumped on me, imitating some of the older kids on the playground with their pro wrestling moves. He caught me unaware. I’ll be fine in a few days."
"We hope. And until then," Eve says, sliding her arm around Sofia’s waist, "we’re being careful and babying the wrist."
Leaning into Eve’s side, Sofia rests her head on Eve’s shoulder. "I had to reschedule a few of my clients, but they’ve been cool about the situation. Eve hasn’t let me lift anything, not even a stock pot or a laundry basket."
Eve shifts her hand to Sofia’s back. "Just taking care of you."
Once again, I’m reminded of how perfect Eve and Sofia are for each other. Strong partners in marriage, parenting, and business. Even the sleeves of colorful tattoos decorating their arms complement each other. "I can come over after work tomorrow to watch the kids and give you both a break."
"No. You look exhausted. You should be spending your time off sleeping." Shadows darken Sofia’s gaze and the guilt I see there guts me. "If it weren’t for me, you would—"
"Stop that. I’m fine. Indestructible." I gently pull her into a hug. "I’m glad I get to hang out with you two today. You should relax. You’ll need it. Your kids are going to be hopped up on sugar and birthday cake. Just think about how tough getting them to settle down tonight is going to be."
She sniffs and laughs against my chest. "Do you know how many stories Elliott asked for last night, and how many drinks of water Isabella wanted?"
"Having put them to bed before, I can hazard a safe guess. Somewhere between ten and a million?" I press a kiss to the top of her head and then release her. "Take a seat. I’ll get you a drink."
"Already on it." Eve pats me on the shoulder as she passes, twin French braids swaying over her shoulders. "I’ll get you one too."
I lead my sister to an unoccupied grouping of chairs surrounding a table under a large umbrella. "Let’s sit here."
