“Tie one hand behind her back?” I joke as I stick my hand into the water and watch the light current move over my fingers.
“Tell the runners of the contest she’s a fake. A fake citizen of Darcy. And that she’s moving as soon as she changes her name.”
I nod. “I could do that. But I doubt anyone would care anyway. I’ll just have to beat her in the contest. I’ll kick her ass right back to Manhattan Island.”
Ginny claps her hands. “I like your idea better. Just don’t lose. For all of us Texans, you have to win.”
“I’ll do my best. Right now, though, I’m so damn hot,” I say. “I think I’m going to hop into the water. We’re nearly at the cooking grates anyway.”
Ginny’s already off her float. “I’ll get out, too. This part of the river’s only waist high, anyway.”
As we reach the edge of the river, and I plunk down to my shoulders, the sound of Logan’s fiancée’s loud giggle overpowers all other noises. I can’t help cringing.
“Mace, I’m worried about you. Are you okay?” Ginny’s brow furrows as she looks at me.
“I’m fine. Gigi’s beautiful, and sweet, and sophisticated. Sure, she doesn’t know how to touch him like I can. But little things like actual connection don’t always matter.”
“That’s not true,” Ginny protests. “Logan appreciates you just the way you are. He always has.” She pauses. “Not to change the subject, but I wanted to ask you for a favor. And it’s something that would help us both. Although, it may sound dumb, I’m warning you.”
“Gin, nothing you can say to me could sound worse than what I sound like most of the time these days. What’s the favor?”
“I need you to find me proof that Dave and I are meant to be. Maybe in Vivian’s diary you can locate a clue that proves we’re the match?”
I raise my eyebrows. “You know that diary’s a piece of fiction, right? It’s like reading Vivian’s fantasies downloaded from her brain onto paper.”
“I know, but your mama has studied that diary for years. Can you maybe, I don’t know, talk to her and see if you can help me regain some confidence?”
“I can talk to her, sure. I’m seeing her this week for theater rehearsal, so I’ll have her come by The Cowherd one day. But what’s going on?”
“I finally bought the electric guitar I’ve had my eye on.”
I shift forward so I can hug her. “That’s awesome.”
“But then Dave and I got into something.” Ginny fiddles with the skirt on her suit. “I shouldn’t have pushed it, but you know how I feel about his partying. I mean, I’ve loved him forever, but he’s not the same when he’s drinking, and yesterday there was this girl. I don’t think anything actually happened, but we were supposed to meet at the florist this morning and he didn’t show up. I didn’t know if he’d even come to the river today.”
I wince. “Is he partying more because he’s scared about becoming a father, or is it just Dave being Dave? Have you asked him?”
“I tried, and the thing is, I don’t want to just make up with Dave in the bedroom. Physical chemistry isn’t our problem, and sometimes that makes me forgive him too fast, I think.” Ginny chokes up. “Honestly, I can’t stand his flirting. Or his drinking. I don’t know which is worse, and I feel so dumb!”
I don’t answer her because I’m remembering Mama. “It’s the flirting,” She’d say. “And the drinking! No respect, I tell you. None!”
I put my arm around Ginny. “You don’t deserve any of that. He seems to be a lot worse than usual. And I think Nickel is super nice and cute, by the way.”
Ginny whips her head over to look at me. “What are you saying, Macey?”
“I’m just saying—instead of walking away after her husband was disrespectful and cheated on her, Vivian kept blaming Jane Austen for his indiscretion. Maybe she should have moved on.”
“But I get why Vivian was confused. Jane Austen was the Queen of Romance. So even though Vivian’s anger was misplaced, she felt betrayed.” Ginny pats her belly. “And my little munchkin doesn’t make walking away an option.”
* * *
After we drag our tubes out of the water, we set up two tents—one for the girls and one for the guys. While we wait for the sun to start going down before we cook dinner, everyone pairs off around the campsite. Everyone who has someone, that is.
Not wanting to watch Logan and Gigi together, I excuse myself from the group and call out that I’m going to take a walk along the river.
Luckily for me, I’m not the only one who came here solo.
Blake jumps up and offers to join me on the walk.
