Watch this family attempt to build a sled from a seventy-foot pine tree in their backyard.
Literally any of those could be possible when Auggie has something planned, but we blindly follow him outside anyway.
“Just a few more yards,” he calls, leading us onto the property next door.
“You said that thirty yards ago,” I grumble, picking my boots up higher in the fluffy snow. Luckily, Jack is on Gavin’s shoulders, and Luci stayed home with Noah, so most of us are tall enough to get through it.
But I’d still give Jack a year’s worth of candy to trade spots with him and let me be the one carried by Gavin.
“Okay,” Auggie announces. “We’re here.”
I stop beside him and cross my arms. “If you’re about to make us dig for some hidden treasure under the snow, I’m leaving.” My gaze flicks to Zara, who has been suspiciously quiet on this five-minute trek. “Do you already know what we’re doing?”
She nods, her lips folded between her teeth, and I narrow my eyes at her.
“Gavin, you want to take over?” Auggie asks, his voice laced with tension that makes this whole situation feel like it’s a bubbling pot about to boil over.
And I have no idea how to prevent it.
“I think you’re doing a great job,” Gavin replies as Jack wiggles on his shoulders.
“Well, Mom and Lena, the rest of us have an announcement. A final Christmas gift,” Auggie says, spreading his arms wide. He meets Gavin’s gaze across our small circle. “Gavin and I are starting our own architecture firm, right here in Juniper. And you’re all standing on the property that will hold our future homes.”
Penelope erupts into cheers as confusion wrinkles my brows. I turn to Gavin, but he’s staring at his boots.
“Really?” Mama croaks. “You’re moving here?”
Auggie slings an arm over her shoulder, beaming down at her. “Yeah. We’re building houses next to you.”
“Like, right here?” I ask. My gaze bounces all over the place as I attempt to catch up. I’m trying to align this information with things I already know, and I’m having trouble figuring out where to file these changes.
Gavin finally looks my way with a shy grin. “I don’t know if it’ll be exactly where you’re standing, but near this spot.” He adjusts Jack on his shoulders and turns to look around the bright field.
Mama steps closer to Zara and kisses her cheek. “You’re bringing my grandbabies closer?”
When Zara nods, Mama’s chin quivers, and she turns to Auggie, burying her face in the front of his coat to sob with joy.
Words are impossible to find as my gaze locks with Gavin’s. He merely offers me a small smile as my mind swirls with these updates. My lips part, about to say …something. I’m not even sure what, but Auggie tugs me toward him.
“What do you think, sis?”
“It’s amazing,” I tell him, but my eyes stay pinned to Gavin, to the way the sun casts shadows over his face.
“Our first job is fixing up downtown Juniper.” Auggie keeps talking, but I tune him out as the world tilts around me.
My thoughts churn. Gavin is going to live here. In Juniper. Right next door to my mom and Luci. Right here. So close.
Jack squirms to get down, and Gavin helps him to the ground. When Jack runs to Auggie’s legs, I take the distraction to sneak out from under his arm.
“What are you thinking?” Gavin asks as he steps toward me, straightening his black trench coat over his broad shoulders.
I don’t know how to answer that question. I can’t identify what’s happening in my heart right now, but it feels similar to a pulled muscle. A sharp stretching pain that’s tugging the life out of me.
“You didn’t tell me.” The words leave my lips as I scan his face. “You didn’t say a word.”
Beside us, laughter and chatter surround a group hug between everyone else. They sound like they’ve won the lottery, but all I can see is the betrayal turning my vision dark.
Maybe if he had told me, I could’ve … I might’ve … I don’t know. Planned what my reaction would be?
