“No sauna. Eli brings out his old Airstream and turns up the heat. But I’m not allowed in the Silver Bullet. That’s what he calls that thing. Fancies himself the reincarnation of the Lone Ranger.”
“Then how do you warm up?”
“I hop back in my Mustang and crank up the heater.”
“How long have you been doing this?”
“That’s the kicker. Longer than those old boys. They got the idea from me. Since the parking area’s visible from the road they spotted my red car and came to investigate. Claimed they were concerned for my safety. They got an eyeful.”
“You were topless?”
“Oh, no.”
“So going topless is something new?”
“Right. I used to go in naked. They got the full monty.”
“Oh.”
“When they started showing up for their Polar Bear Club I put on my bottoms. My butt’s not as tight as I like but I’m proud of my girls. I do exercises to keep ’em perky. Started it during my modeling career.”
“You’re an inspiration, Auntie Kat.”
“You are, too, honey. It’s been fun watching you grow up and make something of yourself.”
“I’ve had great role models — you, Grandma Doris, my parents, Raquel and Spence.”
“Ah, Spence.” She let out a sigh. “My dear departed nephew. Bull-headed just like his dad.”
“Grandma Doris tells me stories about Grandpa Joe that make me wish I’d known him. She loved him so much.”
“I loved him, too. Joe was the best big brother a girl could have, but he set a bad example for his son. Doris and I worry about Adam, taking over as COO of the foundation and adding the mayor’s job on top of it.”
“He says his dad could do both.”
“And look what happened to him. The Bridger men work too hard, take on too much.”
“Adam loves being in charge.”
“And he’s good at it, but he’s even more of a workaholic than his father. At least Spence took breaks. If he’d given up thatdamn steak and eggs breakfast every morning like your folks told him to, he might still be with us. Every time I visit him and my brother at the cemetery I chew ‘em out.”
“Mom and Dad said he was a challenging patient, kept insisting that breakfast was the secret to his success.”
“Exactly what Joe used to claim. As I mentioned before, Bridger men are hard-headed.”
Tracy grinned. “I don’t think that trait’s confined to the men.”
“Oh, my darling girl.” Auntie Kat’s eyes sparkled. “Thanks for putting up with me.”
“Happy to. You keep me entertained.”
“I like to think so.” She paused. “You’ll probably laugh at this, but from the first day I saw you playing with Mila and Adam, your red pigtails flying and your contagious energy making everything more fun, I’ve fantasized that someday you and Adam would fall in love.”
Her breath caught. “Really?”
“Silly, isn’t it?”
“Not silly.” She resisted the urge to put her hand over her racing heart. “It’s sweet. I do love him. He’s a dear friend.”
