I focus my gaze on my reflection in the mirror as I try to adjust the tie. “Show my what now?”
She snorts. “Put a smile on that handsome face of yours.”
Oh, that. I stretch my mouth for my sister’s benefit.
“You know what Dad used to say,” Lane continues. She comes to my rescue as I struggle tying the knot around my neck. “Appearances might not be everything, but they’re darn close.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
Lane tilts her head like I’m a little slow. “It means it’s important how people perceive you. Also, you’re in the wedding party, and I know they said no dress code, but that’s bull. It’s your job to look good up there with them. So you makethemlook good.” She tugs on the tie, tightening the noose around my neck.
My tie adjusted, I walk to the open window and force a deep breath down my lungs.
Lane joins me. “Isn’t it gorgeous?” she sighs. Our hometown shines in all its understated beauty today, a cruel reminder of everything my family is about to lose.
“Our ancestors knew what they were doing when they built Lilyvale right here,” she continues, her words bruising me further. She whips out her phone, turns it to video mode,and starts narrating like the journalist she wants to become. “Situated at the edge of the Northeast Kingdom in Vermont, Emerald Creek is nestled in a bend of the eponymous river. Centered around a village of Federalist buildings, Georgian and Victorian homes, a white steeple church, a Green, and tree-lined streets, the town sprawls over acres and acres of farmland, pastures, and woodlands, all the way and including Emerald Lake and its upscale resort.” She turns her phone off.
“What was that?” Another wave of panic hits me. If Lane is writing about Emerald Creek, her timing sucks.
“Nothing, just can’t help myself.” Taking a deep breath, she yells, “Beck! Time to go!”
Her Irish twin exits the barn he turned into his living quarters as I close the windows. How will I tell him that his whole universe is about to fall apart? He and I are the only ones to have stayed in Emerald Creek, and this town is our world. Just this morning, Beck was telling me about his ideas to start a landscaping business, the clients he’s approached, the people he wants to hire. Like me, he breathes and lives this town.
Heartbroken for him, I follow Lane downstairs right in time to see a car I don’t recognize pull up the driveway.
If this is another realtor, I might actually punch them.
But as I step out the door, Lane screeches, “Griiiiiff!” and throws herself into the arms of the bearded man who extricates himself from his car.
“Well look who decided to show up,” Beck mumbles, fists on his hips as he settles next to me in a wide-legged stance. “Did you know about this?”
“Nuh-uh.” Any other time, I would’ve been pissed that Griff didn’t bother to call from the road. Today? I can hardly give anyone lessons in family etiquette.
Beck shrugs. “I guess it’s his home too.”
Not for long. I can’t help but check the passenger seat.Empty. Shit.
Needing a mental breather, I glance at my youngest brother. “You clean up well.”
He runs his gaze up and down me. “Runs in the family.” He hops down a couple of steps, to Griff who’s locking his car. “Yo! You’ll unload later, it’s time to go.”
I have to give it to Griff. He does look happy to see us. Beck and I each get a warm hug, and his smile extends to his eyes.
“I can’t stay the night,” he informs us.
Beck visually deflates.
“Boo,” Lane whines, then jumps. “Selfie!” She places herself in front of Griff, frames Lilyvale behind us, and snaps the first photo of the four of us since… maybe a decade?
“We should get going,” she says after she’s taken half a dozen shots.
We fall into step with her.
“Closed today?” Griff asks as we walk past the family store.
I nod. “Gave everyone the day off.” I worked alone this morning in case someone had an emergency. From diapers to animal feed to our deli counter and greeting cards, we’ve been supplying the town with everything they might need for the past century and a half.
As we turn onto The Green, the four of us naturally line side by side. Lane links her arms with Griff and me. “I almost forgot the feeling of walking with some of the best-looking men around,” she says as we return the smiles and greetings of the townspeople, all headed in the same direction.
