Luna started to speak. “I … um …”
“Luna, can you help me in the kitchen for a few minutes?” Boone, bless his heart, rescued her from having to respond.
“Sure.” She swung her legs over the picnic table bench and stood.
“Who wants some homemade ice cream?” He started stacking everyone’s plates to carry inside. “I have vanilla and chocolate.”
They all shouted out their preference, and Charlotte made a mental note of their choices.
“Viking, can you do me a favor and get the fire started? I figured we could chill over there.” He pointed toward an iron ring filled with cut-up logs and surrounded by comfy lawn chairs.
“Sure thing.” He kissed Marigold on the cheek, hopped up, and grabbed the lighter from where it sat next to the built-in barbecue grill and outdoor griddle.
Luna and Boone headed inside, and everyone else grabbed their drinks and headed toward the lower part of the property, where he’d dug out a firepit.
“Thanks for saving me back there.” Luna walked alongside him.
“No problem.” He leaned down to talk closer to her ear. “But if you decide you want to give it a try, let me know.”
Her mind instantly went to all of the carnal possibilities for whatgiveit a trycould possibly mean.
He’s talking about camping, you twit. The internal reminder did nothing to quell the sensual images floating through her mind.
Her gaze dropped to his tight butt as he jogged ahead of her up the steps. He effortlessly shifted the plates to one hand, and the spring on the screen door announced their entrance when he swung it open.
“I can’t believe I’m going to say this, but I miss that sound.” She glanced down at the long spring, then followed him inside. “I love having my independence, but hearing that has me missing Dawn a little.”
“You guys must be pretty close.” Boone set the stack of dishes in the kitchen sink, turned to lean back against the edge of the counter, and crossed his arms.
“We are, but I sure didn’t make it easy for her.” Luna was always ashamed when she thought back to the way she treated her sister. “I’m embarrassed when I think back on those years and how I didn’t always treat her with the respect she deserved.”
Luna could blame her behavior on immaturity, but that felt like a cop-out.
“Like I said before, you were just a kid, Luna.” Boone slid open a drawer and grabbed an ice cream scoop, then opened another one to lift out a handful of spoons. He reached into a cabinet and pulled out enough bowls for everyone. “Dawn was a kid once, too. I’m sure she understands.”
“It’s just that—” Ugh, was she really going to talk about this now?
“Just that what?” He set everything on the counter and gave her his full attention.
She blew out a long breath.
“Our parents died when Dawn was eighteen and I was ten. My mom died first, then our dad drank himself to death shortly after that.” She strolled over to the small kitchen table, pulled out a chair, and sat. “Poor Dawn, she pretty much never had a childhood because she was always looking after me.”
“Oh, man, losing them must’ve been rough for both of you.” Boone dragged out the chair next to her and sat.
“I cried for days. A little bit for our mom and dad but mostly because I was terrified the state would take me away from Dawn.” She’d had nightmares about being dragged away by strangers and never seeing her sister—the only family she had left—ever again. “I was so afraid they would sneak into my room and take me that she would lie down with me every night until I fell asleep. She would bring her big medical books into the bedroom and lie next to me, using a book light to study.”
Boone reached out and rubbed his hand up and down her arm, offering silent comfort.
Luna shook off the memory and drew back her shoulders.
“But my big sister was so brave. She went up against the system, telling them that she was the only family I had left and that it would be devastating and wrong to separate us.” Luna had never felt more loved than when she watched her sister stand in front of a judge and fight for them.
“I can tell you love and admire her.” Sadly, he moved his hand and rested his arm on the table.
“I really do.” She’d saved her life, first by taking care of her when their irresponsible parents didn’t, and again when she’d made the stupid decision to meet with Enoch.
“I guess we’d better get that ice cream out there before there’s a revolt.” Boone stood, pushed the chair up to the table, and walked over to open the freezer drawer. “I’ll just take out both containers.”
