“She did really well. Wasn’t one bit scared.”
“Fear isn’t part of her vocabulary,” Lisa said. “She’s an adventurous one.”
“Nothing wrong with that.”
When Jeff slipped from the room, Charlotte grabbed her purse. She couldn’t believe it was almost five. Where had the time gone? “Well, I should be going. Lisa, thank you so much for brainstorming with me. I think Trail Days will be a good fit for my ranch.”
Lisa set a hand on her arm. “Oh, don’t go just yet. Stay for a burger. It won’t take long to cook them, and you can meet the rest of the family.”
Charlotte’s pulse raced. The rest of the family was coming for supper? How could she turn down the opportunity to have dinner with the whole Robinson clan?
Sixteen
Charlotte regarded Lisa’s genuine smile. “I think I’ve already met the whole family.”
“That settles it then. You’ll stay. But don’t let them pull you into their cornhole rivalry. Those kids are so competitive.”
“I’ve never even played cornhole.”
“They’ll probably drag you into it anyway. I’ll show you the way. I have a salad to toss.”
“Let me help you. I’m not much of a cook, but I can definitely slice a tomato.”
“Well, that’s an offer I can’t refuse.”
The “kids” arrived almost on top of each other. Cooper and Katie came first and they barely had a chance to introduce their one-year-old son, Quinn, to Charlotte before Gavin and Laurel showed up with Emma and—surprise—Gunner.
Charlotte gave a helpless shrug as their gazes met over the kitchen island.
The party trickled into the backyard just as Avery and Wes arrived. Suddenly the yard was filled with laughter and teasing,and the smell of grilling burgers wafted in the air, making Charlotte’s stomach rumble.
She helped Lisa and Katie set up the meal on the patio. When they finished, Emma was pushing Quinn in the baby swing and a game of cornhole was breaking out. Charlotte was invited to partner with Avery, and they took on Gavin and Gunner.
There was so much banter throughout the game that Charlotte could hardly keep track of the score. But Avery and Gavin had that well in hand. The other three were practically professional—if there was such a thing. Charlotte’s final turn gave Avery and her one last chance to win, but she failed to score the three points necessary.
“Sorry, Avery. I’m nowhere near your guys’ league.”
“It was fun anyway. And I hope the two of them take down Cooper and Wes. They’ve been on a winning streak lately, and frankly they need to come down a notch or two.”
“Come and get it!” Jeff called a few minutes later, and the group gathered around the two picnic tables.
Charlotte found herself seated between Lisa and Avery and across from Gunner and Cooper. Lisa offered up grace, then the family dug in like they hadn’t eaten in a week. Conversation flowed freely like water over a fall. Charlotte must’ve looked like the proverbial dog watching a tennis match. She could hardly keep up with the stories and zingers.
Lisa kindly explained some of the backstory to Charlotte and Gunner when conversation allowed, but mostly it just pinged back and forth. At one point she met Gunner’s gaze across the table and they shared a secret smile.
The food was delicious and Charlotte felt a little guilty for leaving Emerson on her own once again. But her sister was still distant, and Charlotte was tired of the tension. This was a much more enjoyable way to spend the evening.
Guilt jabbed her again. She loved Emerson so much. Another family could never replace what she had with her sister. But the Robinsons were warm and fun, and Charlotte could use a little of that in her life. Especially with Emerson being gone so much.
As the meal wound down, Cooper’s words cut through the conversation. “You look kind of familiar.” He tilted his head as he studied Charlotte. “I mean, I know we ran into you at the Trailhead a few weeks ago, but it seems like we’d actually met before that.”
Charlotte’s cheeks flooded with heat at the memory. “You, um, pulled me over a couple years ago down on Mill Creek Road.”
Cooper rubbed the back of his neck. “Oh. That must be it.”
“Way to go, honey. That’s not uncomfortable at all.” Katie chuckled, then glanced at Charlotte. “Please tell me he didn’t give you a ticket.”
She decided to go all in. “No—it might’ve been the tears that did the trick.”
