Page 37 of Double Exposure

That’s when I learn why the atmosphere feels different. It is Jace who tells me as he hands me a tea towel: “My brother never brings anyone here.”

When we’re finished, Jace snatches the tea towel from my shoulder before I head out into the living area again.

Carter, Brock, and Ryan have draped themselves over chairs. Carter immediately stands and offers me his, while Jace and Codie sit on the sofa, legs folded under them like pretzels.

I shake my head, “I like the floor.”

Carter points at the chair and starts to squat. I wave both hands. “No—you don’t get it. We eat literally on the floor. Just give me pillows.”

“Isn’t that cheating?” asks Brock with a quick grin.

Carter lands a throw pillow from the sofa with one hundred percent accuracy. The fire pops and Helen and Ross are at one end of the dining room table, sitting side by side working on a puzzle.

Suddenly radio static scratches the quiet and a voice connects with the team.

“Where’s that coming from?” I ask sitting up straight.

“Next door,” says Carter. “We’re all connected to Brock’s place so we all get the alarms.” Carter stands quickly with a glance to Brock, who is already pulling on boots. Ross rises as well and Helen swings both legs around. “You two be careful.”

She lays a hand on Ross’s arm and nods to me. I quickly look away—I’m the reason her sons were gone, tackling a storm for a night.

“I should go this time” he says, clasping Carter’s shoulder but speaking past him to Brock. “This guy’s been at it a while.”

Carter looks surprised.

“You stay,” says Ross, making his intentions clear. “I’ll go out with Brock.”

Something in Carter’s expression must have told him he still hadn’t won the argument.

“Look,” Ross says, zipping up a heavy parka, “it’s a snowmobile out of gas, with two teenage boys. Easy.”

“We’re taking thermals anyway,” says Brock, as they head out the door.

“Wow,” says Ryan. “I’m hurt. Jace and I could have handled that one.” He flops on the sofa next to his sister.

“You probably didn’t really want to go anyway, right?” says Helen, gently teasing Carter.

Carter glances to me. “Well, this does free me up to get you back to your room.”

“I was going to have you run me to the trail head where I parked so I could retrieve the rental car.”

“I can do that for you,” says Ryan. When Carter makes a move to talk him out of it,” he reminds his brother, “I’m twenty-six now dude. I can drive a rental.”

Jace shrugs. “I’ll be his ride.”

Helen peeks out the window through heavy drapes, sighs, and then turns to us and forces a smile.

I half expect Carter to say something like, “That’ll be okay,” but he doesn’t. He wants Ryan to retrieve the car rental so I don’t have to. I’m getting used to how this family communicates: direct, with love, and honesty. They don’t lie to each other.

΅

After handing over the keys to Ryan, Carter and I leave and I’m sorely disappointed the ride across town is only ten minutes with another fifteen to get to the hotel.

Echo Hills is small.

In the Jeep, I start talking about my parents, their mutually exclusive careers and then I falter.

“They must really love each other,” says Carter, during the gap in my narrative.