“Aunt Karen is my dad’s youngest sister,” Seb said for Martin’s benefit.
“What’s in this?” Martin’s arms trembled under the weight of the box.
“It’s a gift. From both of us.”
“Both of us?”
“Seb, are you listening?” Oliver followed them into the house.
“Aunt Karen. She called. Continue,” Seb grunted as they made their way into a wide front hall.
“Jeanine decided she was coming at the last minute.”
“That’s my cousin,” Seb said. “She’s seventeen.”
“She’s twenty,” Oliver said. “And she’s bringing her boyfriend.”
“Ollie.” Seb’s face was strained. Whatever was in the box weighed more than it had any right to. “This whole family chronicle is fascinating, but can you please show us where to put this before we drop it?”
Oliver lead them down a hall into a bright room furnished in warm woods and plush carpeting. A table was set up by two French doors, and they placed the box on it with an ominous rattle.
“Seriously.” Martin stretched until something in his spine popped. “What was in that?”
“Just a little something for my favorite grandmother.” Seb smiled, blue eyes flashing, before he turned to his brother. “Is Nana going to be at dinner tonight?”
“No, she’s resting. She’ll be here tomorrow. But Seb, I need you to listen.” Oliver waved his hand impatiently.
“Can I go get a drink of water first? We’ve been in the car for hours.”
“Seb!” Oliver’s voice rose, and Martin froze in place.
Seb sighed. “If I die from dehydration, it’ll be your fault.”
“Drama queen,” Oliver muttered. “You’re not here five minutes, and you’re already irritating the shit out of me.”
“I told you not to invite me.” Seb grinned.
“Karen’s coming with Uncle Richard. Jeanine announced this morning she’s coming with her boyfriend. Karen’s got a room booked at the Bluewater Inn.”
“Isn’t that where we’re staying?” Martin asked.
“So what’s the problem?” Seb said. “Karen’s not my favorite person, but I’m grown up enough to make small talk if we pass each other on the way to the ice machine.”
“They need another room for Jeanine and the boyfriend.”
“So?”
Oliver ground his teeth. “Are you being dense on purpose?”
“Ollie, I really don’t see what this has to do with us.”
“The Bluewater’s sold out.”
“So Jeanine and her boy toy can stay somewhere else. They’d probably prefer it actually.”
“Everywhere’s sold out.” Oliver ran a hand through his hair. “It’s homecoming at Watersmith this weekend. That’s half the reason Parker picked this date for the party, since everyone we know will be in town already. But all the accommodations are sold out for fifty miles.”
“That’s their problem.”
