Ryland, Lia, and baby Kody were with them, and they were all smiling and laughing. Andy was doing a silly dance on the dock, trying to make Kody laugh, but the baby got red in the face and passed gas.
Andy screwed up his face. “Auntie Lia, Kody is stinky.”
Lia held him up and took a whiff. Her eyes widened. “My word. That was a doozie. Time for a change.”
Connor sidled up to Elaine, slid his hand behind her back, and kissed her. “Hey, lady.”
“Hey, you. Did you have a good shift?”
“Sure did. I have the best job in the world.”
“I, for one,” said Ryland, “am happy to hear you say that. I’m glad you stuck around, Connor.”
“Yeah, me too.” He winked at Elaine. “I guess this place has some charms.”
“It’s the best place in the world,” she agreed.
Lia tickled the baby’s tummy. “We think so too, don’t we, Kody? Can you say ‘Dada, change my diaper’?”
Ryland took the baby from her and held him at arm’s length. “Good God. What are we feeding this kid? That’s foul. I think the leaves on some of the trees have started changing color.”
“Welcome to the joys of fatherhood, Ry,” said Elaine.
Ryland kissed the baby. “I don’t mind stinky diapers.” He nodded at Lia. “Although Kody told me he prefers his mother’s touch.”
“Really?” Lia laughed. “Kody told you that, huh?”
Ryland smiled. “We have a psychic bond.”
“Nice try, Amazing Kreskin.” Lia poked her mate. “Let’s go change and feed this child.”
Ryland placed their son in his stroller. “I hear you folks have a fishing day planned.”
Layla made a face. “I don’t want to touch the worms.”
“Sweet pea,” said Connor, “you’re not the only one. You’ll have to talk to Auntie Suzan. She doesn’t like them either.”
“I like worms.” Andy picked up the bait can and held it over his head like a trophy. “I have all the worms!”
Ryland chuckled. “Good luck, Connor. You might need it.”
“You too, Ry. Enjoy the diaper.”
As Ryland pretended to cough up a lung, Lia swung the stroller onto the boardwalk heading to the lodge. As the new family walked away, Ryland took over pushing the stroller from his wife. He placed one arm around Lia’s shoulders and leaned down to give her a kiss. The new lodge loomed before them in the distance, framing them with its majesty.
Connor’s heart swelled as he considered the home he loved. So many good people lived here and loved here, and he was lucky to be part of this special community.
He didn’t ever want to be anywhere else.
Elaine slipped her hand in his. “Are you okay?”
He brought her into his arms and brushed his lips against her neck. “I’ve never been better, and it’s all because of you.”
“Connor,” she whispered, “I love you.”
“I love you, too, sweetheart.” Dropping another kiss onto her nose, he turned to their children. “All right. Are we set?”
“Yeah!” Layla and Andy cried out at once.
