Page 29 of Big & Lily

Brick lets out a soft chuckle. “Yeah, sorry again about that.”

I flap my hand. I’ve got bigger fish to fry than a grumpy dog. “Thirty dogs is impressive! And as a teenager. I can barely manage one stubborn cat.”

“Yeah, she’s got a much cushier job now. Running the only bar in town, back-office stuff for the adventure business, catering meals for the groups. Although sometimes the clients can act like a pack of starving dogs—present cohort excluded, of course.”

“Of course.”

We grab two more glasses each, deliver them to my now-adoring fans, and return for the last of them.

“Hey, Brick,” I say before we can head back. “I’m awaredrinks for falling in the drinkisn’t a thing.” My face flushes as I say it.

“You are, now?” he answers, not sharing my flush or any embarrassment at being called out. “I think I need to have another talk with Jace about discretion and the better part of valor.”

“Oh, don’t get him in trouble! He was so helpful today. Saved me a couple of times from falling on my face. But seriously, why did you do it? The drinks, I mean.”

He glances down to the toe of his boot, but only for a moment. Then he is looking right into my eyes, and I feel a prickle at the base of my skull. “It’s clear you and your sister aren’t the most experienced trekkers here. Lily seemed to power through...”

“Well, she’s on a mission. And a lot younger than me. She can still fake it till she makes it.”

“Ha, well, age doesn’t really factor in. The outdoors is for everyone. But I’d love to hear more about this mission later.”

If I could only tell you, I think.

“Anyway, Lily did a nice job of what you call faking it, but I saw you struggling. I may have been at the head of the group, but I know what’s going on with all my people. And despite the strain of that trail, you didn’t give up. You didn’t even complain.”

“You should have heard what was going on inside my head.”

Brick chuckles. “Well, I didn’t, and neither did anyone else. You made light of it when you went into the creek, though I could tell you were embarrassed. I didn’t want you to lose confidence, because every day you are going to get better and stronger, and I didn’t want you to give up. So, I made it into a prizewinning situation. Now you’re their champion. But let’s keep this between us. I don’t want everyone throwing themselves into the drink or off a trail for a reward.”

He holds out a pinkie, and I lock mine around his. “Promise.” I have some experience with this secret-keeping thing. Back at the table, I sip my beer and think about what our guide did for me. I’m touched and a bit off balance. I’m usually on the other end ofthat, looking out for people, smoothing out the bumps and cracks in their road.

The noise level rises as more people come into Heidaway, most of whom pat Brick on the back as they walk toward the bar. Everyone must know everyone in this one-moose town.

“Earth to Big.” Lily leans across the table and waves her hand in my face.

“I’m sorry, Lil. Wow, I’m beat. I think I’m going to go back to the cabin. Another long day tomorrow.”

“What? No! Stay.” Lily reaches across the table, wraps her fingers around my forearm, and squeezes gently. I take it as a sign she needs me. And I am nothing if not the employee of the month when it comes to my big-sister job requirements.

“Sure,” I say with a smile meant to convey empathy, to say,we’re in this together, I’ve got your back, little sis. My smile lands on the side of Lily’s head as she turns immediately to her audience, the men so easily rapt by anything that comes tripping out of my sister’s beautiful lips. Even Xavier, whose connection to Lily gave Luna the idea she was a great maternal figure for him. I think Ian had it right, though, judging from the twinkle in the boy’s eyes. So, my purpose here right now is exactly what?

Brick has gone to talk to some people at the bar. Jace is bopping his leg, I’m sure anxious to end a very long day of schlepping and caretaking. I turn to Luna and Mimi, but they are deep in conversation, Luna’s arm around her wife’s shoulders, her lips close to Mimi’s ear, the latter looking pale and drained.

“Everything good?” I ask.

Luna rubs Mimi’s back and says, “We old folks have to turn in. Today was like spending the day with our grandkids.”

“You have grandchildren?” I ask before I stop to think if it’s offensive. Families come in all shapes and sizes. “I mean, neither of you are old enough.” My cover sounds lame even to me, but Luna is gracious.

“Five of them. And two daughters. Before I was married to Mimi I was married to Nathan. For twenty years. Sometimes we do what’s expected of us. We want to make everyone around us happy. Until we realize that our best intentions are helping no one. You know what I mean?”

“I do,” I say. I do.

“Anyway, we’re going to head back. Do you want to join us? You must be exhausted. Jace, could you give us a ride?”

Jace jumps up as if he’s been called out of the bullpen. “I’d be chuffed, yeah.” I think that’s the last we’ll see of him tonight.

“I think I’ll stay for a bit.” I hold up my beer as if I’ve got to finish my drink. Truth is, I’ve barely finished a beer since college, but I want to work on taking Lily back to the cabin. I think about what Tim said about convincing her to talk to me. Unbottle her feelings about Eric, get it off her chest, so that when we go home next week, she feels strong enough to start the process of removing that asshole from her life.