“So…pining.”
“Moist.”
“That doesn’t botherme.”
“Irregardless.”
Bree gasped. “Youdidn’t.”
“I did. I’ve got more where that camefrom.”
“Fine! I won’t say you’re…you know…anymore.”
“Thankyou.”
“You know what your problemis?”
Denise rolled her eyes and dropped her head to her forearm where it rested on the railing. “If I say yes, can I avoid this nextpart?”
“No. You’re a closetromantic.”
“Do whatnow?”
“Face it. Yousayyou hate all the girly stuff, but secretly you want Chris to come riding in on a white horse and sweep you off yourfeet.”
“I’m gonna have to go withno.”
“I’m bringing all my Disney movies up with me and we’re going to watch all of them until you admitit.”
She smiled in spite of the Disney threat. “I’ve missedyou.”
“Aw. I’ve missed you, too. We’re still planning on being there for Labor Day weekend. That was actually the reason I called—to make sure it was still okay for us to comeup.”
“Of course it is. Kaden and Kimber are excited to see you. Gran won’tcome?”
“And I quote, ‘If God wanted me to be in the wilderness he wouldn’t have madecities.’”
“She does know this house has four bedrooms, right?” It even had satellite since her mom refused to rough it any more than Bree’sgrandmother.
“She thinks it’s a log cabin with a moss roof. Hey. I’ve got to go. I sent you a present, so don’t shoot anyone coming up thedrive.”
“Whatpresent?”
“It’s a surprise, silly. I’ll see you in a few days. Loveyou.”
“Love you,too.”
She disconnected the line and stared down at the phone, then dialed Chris’s number. Expecting it to go straight to voicemail, she stood upright when it rang more than once. Shit! She didn’t know what she was going to say. She’d dialed out of habit—she hadn’t believed it would actuallyring.
Her heart pounded in her chest and sweat formed under herarms.
“Hey.”
“Hi.I—”
“I can’t answer the phone. Leave amessage.”
Her shoulders sagged and she tried to look on the positive side. At least it was ringingnow.
