“The first year was rough before he adjusted, and then in the last six months he’s changed leaps and bounds.” Phoebe stuck the tea in the fridge. “He’s going to be all right.”
“I think so too.” She scanned the kitchen. “What can I help with?”
“We’re set. I’m about to pour the cheese sauce over the potatoes and pop them in the oven.” Jessa turned off the stove burner. “That’s the last thing until it’s time to serve.”
“Where’s everyone else?”Specifically Elijah so I can avoid him?
“Outside setting up croquet.” Phoebe finished washing her hands and dried them on a dishtowel.
“Alice?”
“Toddling around with them.” Jessa set a tray in the oven and stood upright with a smile. “I daresay she’s going to be a flirt. She has Landon and now Elijah wrapped around her little fingers.”
“Literally.” Phoebe laughed lightly. “She woke up cranky from her nap, then saw the guys and did a one-eighty. Insisted each hold one of her hands when they went outside.”
“Oh, goodness.” She heaved a dramatic sigh. “That’s the last thing I need on my hands.”
Jessa stepped toward her. “It’s sweet. Even though Landon’s not her dad, he can be a strong male role model in her life.”
“I do appreciate that. She’ll need one, especially as she gets older.”
Phoebe nudged her. “And Elijah?”
“He’s leaving in a few months. Alice is young enough that she probably won’t remember him.” The statement was a double-edged sword inside her.
“How do you feel about that?” Jessa’s gaze leveled with hers, searched for answers Trixie didn’t want to give.
“It is what it is. I’m neutral.”
“Mom said you flipped out when you found out she invited him.” Phoebe crossed her arms, a dare for Trixie to tell the truth.
“I didn’t flip out.” She rolled her eyes and pursed her lips. “But I don’t understand why we have to bring him under the fold of our family.”
Jessa’s mouth curved into a slow smile as she sang a playground taunt. “You really like him.”
“No, I don’t.”
“We’re your sisters, Trix.” Phoebe’s eyes shadowed with hurt. “I thought we’d agreed no more secrets and lies.”
She left the counter and sat on a stool. “Okay. Maybe a little, but nothing can come from it.”
“Why not?” Jessa lowered herself onto the other seat.
“Where do I start?” She extended a hand and ticked off her fingers as she named reasons. “We’re complete opposites. He’s leaving at the end of August so it wouldn’t be fair for either of us to invest ourselves in each other. Most importantly, I went through a huge ordeal that knocked me off my feet. I need time to fully recover from that before I jump into a relationship.”
“I’ll grant you the last reason, but Elijah is one of the good men.” Jessa slid a supportive arm around her shoulder. “As for the other excuses, opposites often attract. It keeps the relationship dynamic and interesting. And it’s not written in stone that he’ll leave. If he had a good enough reason, he might consider staying.”
Phoebe stared at her. “There’s more to this story. What aren’t you telling us?”
“What do you mean?” Her heart beat faster. Phoebe couldn’t possibly know about the kiss, could she?
“You’re skittish about seeing him, and I know you too well. If it was only about your feelings for him, you would simply ignore it.”
She squeezed her eyes closed. Why did her sisters have to be so intuitive? She might as well out herself, but it wasn’t that easy. When she opened her mouth, nothing came out. She cleared her throat and tried again. “He kissed me last week.”
“Whoa.” Jessa’s jaw dropped.
“I knew there was more, but I didn’t see that coming.” Phoebe leaned in close. “What happened after?”
