"Different, yes. Better? Also, yes. There's still love there, I think." Meredith pushed that button and watched for any clue that Imogen wasn't going to be disappointed.
"There will always be love there. She's the mother of my child…the love of my life. I don't deny that. But we're divorced and we've both moved on in life, so…"
Meredith nodded. "Alright, I get it. I'm just saying…never say never." Then she winked.
Billy shook her head and smiled. "I'm going to grab a shower."
"Okay, I'll get breakfast going. That should get them all up."
"Bacon?"
"And toast…and coffee."
The other bedroom door opened, and sleepy-looking Robbie shuffled out, still inside the sleeping bag.
"Morning," Meredith whispered again. "Tea?"
"Yes, please." Robbie pulled a chair out from the table and sat down. "They're still asleep."
"So are Schultz and Rosa," Meredith said, keeping her voice low. "Last day today—are you looking forward to going home?"
"Yeah, I suppose so. I do miss them."
"That's the thing, isn't it? When we're away from those we love, it doesn't matter how much fun we're having, we still miss them."
"I talked to Cassie last night, then of course Georgie had to photobomb and say hi." Robbie grinned. "I kind of like that she does that, but don't tell her I said so."
"She loves you a lot—I can tell."
Robbie nodded. "Yep. It's weird having her around, still. When we were little, I only really saw her at birthdays and Christmas—she was always so busy in London with work. And then…obviously, when Mum and Dad died, we all thought we'd live with Grandma. But Georgie's been there every day since. Gave everything up for us." She smiled sadly. "The least I can do is love her for it, right?"
Rosa stirred.
"Ooh, another sleepy head has risen?" Meredith said, craning her neck from the kitchen at Rosa.
"What time is it?" Rosa asked without moving.
Billy chuckled. "It's almost time you were up."
"Hm, funny." She pushed the cover back and then shivered, pulling it up again. "It's cold."
"I'll get a fire started. The heating should kick in again soon," Billy offered.
"A cup of coffee or tea will help get you going," Meredith said.
Rosa twisted to look back at her. "Coffee would be great, thank you." She turned back to watch Billy get to work on the fire. Sleeves rolled up, muscles tensing with every log she lifted and pushed into the opening. Her shirt had ridden up a little and her jeans went the opposite direction.Not the worst view,she thought.
Then she remembered they weren't alone, so she stretched, yawned, and forced herself to sit up.
"Are the roads clear now?"
"Carl texted and said the roads are clear enough that he can make it here and pick us all up," Meredith said as she returned to the couch with the mug of coffee Rosa had requested.
"Thank you."
"He's going to drop us home and wait while we all get changed, and then he'll take the girls for their last run."
"I can't believe how quickly the time went," Rosa said. "Are you all packed, Robbie?"
