He also held out an oversize bag of gummy bears that was still decently full and two boxes of s’mores-flavored toaster tarts. “These were with the pretzel.”
Dane loosened his grip on Kellan, his expression one of pure compassion. “Sorry, Rach. I think the gummy bears came from our last trip to town. I didn’t realize that’s what he bought, or I’d have given you a heads-up.”
“Okay, well.” She blew out a breath. “Crisis averted, I guess.”
She handed the pretzel to Kellan.
“I’m keeping these.” This she said to Brady.
“That’s not fair.” Brady seethed.
“We’ll discuss their return after we’ve all had time to cool off.”
“Rach.” Gavin stepped toward her. “Why don’t I take the boys for a bit? You really look like you need a break.”
“Really, Gavin?” She did. But she did not need Gavin pointing out that she needed a break. “Do I?”
He took a step back.
She turned her full attention to him. “You didn’t mention you were coming.”
They’d spoken, oh, only twelve hours ago, and he’d said nothing, nada.
“Gavin has news,” Dakota said, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “We both do.”
“What kind of news?” Travis asked.
“News I need to discuss with Rachel.” Gavin didn’t even look at his brother.
“What kind of news?” Rachel asked, since Gavin wasn’t talking to Travis, apparently.
“Things…there are some things I need to talk to you about.” Gavin had the look that he’d had when he told her that he was proposing to Dakota. The same one that Kellan had had when he’d gotten the idea to throw up gummy bears. The one that made the little hairs on the back of her neck tingle.
Rachel’s cell buzzed in her pocket. She pulled it out and checked the caller ID, then she immediately slid her thumb across the screen to turn it on. “Cassie, hi, what’s up?”
She hurried through the call as best she could, leaving the boys with Gavin and their uncles while she returned to her bedroom to grab her laptop and send out an emergency newsletter for Cassie.
When she pulled open the door to her bedroom, it wasn’t Travis pacing the hallway; it was Gavin.
“Hi.” She shoved her hands into her back pockets, then realized that it might make her breasts stick out, so she dropped her arms. “Have you been waiting for me this whole time?”
He shook his head. “Got here a minute ago. Was just rehearsing a little before I knocked.”
Rehearsing was not reassuring. She forced herself not to assume anything about what he wanted to say. They’d always been sensible when it came to the boys. There was no reason to think that would change now.
“What’s up?”
“Can I come in?” He nodded to her bedroom.
Now it was her turn to shake her head. “Let’s go to the study. That’s where I usually work anyway.”
He gave a subtle nod. “Works for me.”
She followed him to the study, tracking the lope of his stride. Something was bothering him. Her mind started cataloging the things he could be upset about. From Dakota being pregnant to him asking her to head back to Denver, since they were here now, none of them was that big of a deal. It’d stink if she had to go back to Denver without Travis, but it wasn’t the end of the world. She’d see him when he got back.
“You might as well just spill whatever it is you need to say.” She scrubbed at her cheeks with her palms once they were inside.
He took a deep breath. She raised her eyebrows.
