“Are you serious?” I dare to ask.
He grins. “Idolike the idea. But...” He shrugs. “I wouldn’t know how to go about organizing something like that.”
“Bailey would,” I tell him without hesitation. “That’s what she does: she plans events.”
“Yeah, but what about a movie license or whatever else you’d need?”
“She’d have no trouble at all sorting out all of that. She’d welcome the challenge. I know she would.”
Bailey has already told me that there’s not enough variation in her work—she’s bored of organizing weddings and retirement parties at the golf club. She wouldloveto get her teeth into something new and exciting. Maybe this is exactly what she needs.
Jonas turns to look at the barn, taking a swig of his beer. Anders and I exchange optimistic glances.
“Don’t suppose it can hurt to ask her what she thinks,” Jonas says.
“I’m calling her right now.” I pull out my phone.
“Invite her over, if she’s free. I brought home burgers,” he adds. “You’re both welcome. Tell her to bring your swimsuits.”
“Really?”
“Yep. I’m definitely hitting the lake.”
Bailey is keen, so I ask her to pop by Wetherill on her way to grab my bikini.
She’s with us within half an hour, clutching her yellow beach bag and wearing a smile just as bright.
The humidity has been high all week and it’s been very uncomfortable, so once Jonas has lit the coals, we decide to go for a swim.
The air is hazy with dust and pollen and there are bugs skirting over the glassy water. They scatter when Jonas runs and jumps in from the end of the deck, with Anders hot on his heels. Bailey copies them, shouting over her shoulder, “Comeon, Wren!” And then she screams when I dive-bomb into the water beside her, which cracks me up because I knew she didn’t believe I’d do it.
The temperature is perfect—almost not cold enough—and I swim a little way out and float on my back, looking up at the puffy clouds overhead.
Bailey and Jonas start laughing about something and I raise my head to see where they are, finding them over by the deck, mucking about. But Anders is standing up to his waist nearby, staring across the water to the cornfields beyond the lake.
His skin is smooth and golden brown and my eyes skate over the contours of his shoulders and travel down to the taut ridges of his abdomen.
I glance back up to his face and am flooded with relief that he didn’t catch me staring. His forehead is smooth, no tension to be found. This expression of peace on him is rare.
“This place suits you.” The words are out of my mouth before I can think better of it.
I don’t want to bring him back down to earth with a bump.
“Huh?” He glances at me absentmindedly as I sink to my knees, letting the water come up to my neck.
“You seem content.”
He smiles and nods.
“How cool that Jonas is thinking about doing the movie night!” I whisper loudly.
“I know!” he whispers back, looking over at Jonas. “I can’t believe the change in him. He’s so different from when Ma first called me home.”
“Whywasyour mum so concerned?”
“He’d been really withdrawn, and just, sort of,sad, I guess. Plus he was drinking more and being reckless around the farm—like he didn’t care if he got hurt. But she got really worried when he started cleaning out his cabin. She’d heard it could be a sign of someone trying to put their life in order so they’re not a burden after they’ve gone.”
“God,” I murmur, horrified.
