“He’ll be fine,” Maddie says.
“Hmm?”
“You don’t have to say anything. The worry is etched on your face.”
“That obvious?”
“Yes. But it’s understandable. You just got him home, and he’s right back to his cave-diving bravado before you’ve even been able to reconnect as spouses.”
“Um, well, we’ve been doing quite a bit of reconnecting…” I try not to laugh when Maddie scrunches her face. She can’t help it. It is her brother we’re talking about. “Is Hannah still joining us today?”
“No, she bailed. She’s been dodging everything lately. I think the picnic the other day was the first time we’ve hung out in weeks.”
“She’s probably really busy at the gift shop.”
Maddie shakes her head. “Oh no. That girl is up to something. It’s got to be a man.”
“Doesn’t she tell you everything?”
“She does. And since she’s not, he must be a potential keeper. Of course, she’s not fooling anyone—we all know who he is.”
We do. Aside from Wes being alive and well, it’s the worst-kept secret on the island.
“You’d think they’d realize that Scott and I are going to talk.”
Her eyes widen. “And neither one of them is any good at sneaking around.”
“Especially when they’re in the same room,” I add.
“Did you see them at the picnic?”
I nod and give her a naughty smile. “I saw them behind the lighthouse.”
We howl with laughter. A young couple walking by quickly glances over at us, then picks up speed like we’re contagious.
Good for Hannah, she’s the sweetest… and so is Jamie.
“Aunt Maddie, can I play catch with Ding and Denver?”
“Did you bring their ball?”
“It’s right here.” She proudly lifts the pink jingle ball toy.
“You guys ready to play?” Maddie asks the dogs. They bark and wag their tails playfully.
Maddie hands me Christopher and takes Natalie a few yards away, where the grass is unobstructed. She shows her how totoss the ball and play fetch with the dogs. After a quick lesson, Natalie starts to treat it seriously.
Run and toss. Run and toss. The dogs are going to get a good workout.
Denver and Ding circle around her each time she raises her arms, eagerly jumping up and down. They love it. It’s good for all of them to get the exercise and the fresh air.
At two weeks old, Christopher is already a curious and alert baby. Gently lowering him onto the blanket I’d spread over the grass earlier, I tuck his stuffie worm next to him and watch. He needs his exercise too. Right away, he tries to roll onto his side and reach the stuffie. With a tiny grunt of effort, he manages a partial turn, lifting his head for a second or two before wobbling back down. His eyes dart everywhere, not wanting to miss a thing.
After his third attempt, he grows frustrated and cries. I pick him up.
Natalie always did the same thing. I miss it. The weight of Natalie as a baby in my arms. Should I let myself even think of that right now? To imagine what it may be like to have another. It’s what I want. Brothers and sisters for Natalie. Lots of them. But it seems selfish to dream about that right now.
“Ah, there you go.” I slowly bounce him up and down, careful to secure his neck. He crunches his face and cries harder. “Auntie Crystal’s not doing a good job, is she? Is she?” I coo as I gently cradle him in my arms and rock. “She’s out of practice, you see.”
