Once he was pretty sure that if Siobhan woke up determined to leave as soon as possible she would have left already, he put the sign with theclosed but heremessage and Rob’s cell phone number in the window and locked up. They’d blocked off the wedding week back at the beginning of the season, so they had no transient campers, but a few of the seasonal campers were up. They probably wouldn’t need anything, but he and his brothers tried to be available.
Outside, it was already warm and heading toward hot, and he wasn’t surprised to see people sitting quietly under their camper awnings. Some were in small groups, chatting. Emma was reading while Sean was either really interested in the underside of the awning or taking a nap that his neck muscles would regret later. There was a group of people gathered under the awning next to the playground, though, and he could hear both of his parents’ voices coming from that direction.
He found Stella sprawled on the grass in the shade of the big red maple tree at the edge of the grass, not far from the canopy. It was one of her favorite spots because the shade was dense and kept the ground cool, and she could see much of the campground without moving, so it was usually the first place he looked. But he didn’t expect to find Oliver lying on his back with Stella as a pillow, pretending to read a board book to the dog.
He’d always assumed he’d have kids one day. Eventually he’d fall in love again and start a family. It wasn’t something he actively thought about, really, especially since they decided to buy the campground. He kept busyand tried not to think about his failed marriage and his lack of dating.
But looking at Oliver and Stella, his heart aching and his throat tight with emotion, he knew he’d never wanted anything more. He savored a moment of what would be his perfect life, and then he cleared his throat and turned away.
It was just his luck, of course, that the first person he made eye contact with was Siobhan.
She held his gaze for a few seconds, her lips pinched together, and then turned to watch Oliver.
And then he looked at his mother, who gave him a raised eyebrow that very clearly communicated how ironic it was that he’d lecturedherabout getting too attached to Oliver before they got confirmation of his paternity.
“Good morning,” was all he came up with.
“Good morning.”
He wanted to ask her if she was just letting Oliver have a little more time outside before they left or if she was going to stay, but he didn’t. If she hadn’t made up her mind yet, he ran the risk of making her feel put on the spot.
“I promised Oliver he could go swimming in the pool. And I told him we’d play on the playground and watch his auntie Steph get married.”
“Actually she’d be his…” He let the sentence fade away. “Oh, auntie in the friend-of-mom sense, not…you know.”
Kevin laughed. “And you toldusnot to make it awkward.”
Brian ignored his uncle, hoping he hadn’t blown it so soon after she told him they were staying. He was relieved to see amusement in Siobhan’s eyes, though. And while he didn’t get quite as much warmth as she’d given others, her mouth curved into a smile.
And somehow, despite the history between them and the stressful shock of the last twenty hours or so, he didn’t have to force the return smile.
“Rob was looking for you earlier,” his mother said. “Something about lights, but then Hannah asked him about something else and Danny called and then your uncle Joe started talking about a book idea that centered around an old photo, so they started talking about camera stuff, and I think he forgot he was looking for you.”
“I’ll go find him,” he said, casting another look over his shoulder at Oliver, who was still leaning on Stella. The dog lifted her head, but then dropped it again, clearly content to stay. “If he comes this way, keep him here or we might just chase each other in circles around the campground all day. Ask me how I know.”
Chapter Seven
Before Siobhan could even see the pool, she could hear the utter chaos coming from that end of the campground.
She kept walking, with Oliver bouncing along beside her, tugging at her hand. What was going on might be a mystery, but knowing Oliver would throw the tantrum of his life if he couldn’t go in wasn’t.
When the pool came into view, she realized the chaos involved a lot of Kowalskis, a great deal of shouting and a huge inflatable ball.
Some of the women were watching from the safe side of the fence, including Ellie, who was holding Nora’s hand. The little girl was dressed for swimming, too, so it was clear the little ones would be getting a turn soon.
Ellie turned and saw them approaching. “They’re playing Water Ball of Doom, but one of them just yelled last point, so I think they’re almost done.”
Siobhan watched the chaos in the water, trying to figure out the objective of the game. “How do they score a point?”
“I’m not really sure, to be honest. I think it’s mostly a vibe—if you do something that makes the other team mad, that’s a point.”
“So basically Water Ball of Doom is just an excuse to horse around in the water.”
“More or less. But by having points involved, you can keep claiming you need a few more minutes.” Hannah chuckled. “There is some structure, though. I think tothem, it’s an actual game with points and winners and losers. It’s just a little short on rules.”
Siobhan looked at Ellie, and then down at Nora. “You don’t worry about…you know?”
“Not at all.” Ellie rested her hand on her daughter’s head. “They’re great with kids in the pool. The whole family loves the water, so the last thing they want is a little one being afraid of it or feeling unsafe around them.”
