Skyler raises her coffee cup. “Babysitter Club alumni unite.”
Zach squeezes my fingers before letting go, then turns and heads toward his brothers, tucking his hands into his pockets like he doesn’t have a care in the world.
And I follow him with my eyes for longer than I should, before I walk inside with Skyler and Ayda.
The kitchen is exactly the kind of warm chaos I’ve come to expect from the Fitzgeralds. The lighthouse is small so even a few of us inside makes it feel crowded. A big wooden table is covered in platters with croissants, scrambled eggs, fruit, and what looks suspiciously like someone’s half-eaten pancake. Autumn is moving between the counter andthe table with the energy of a woman on a mission, while Francie is topping off mugs like she’s running her own café.
Eden’s perched on a stool with a sleepy Elijah balanced on her hip, and Parker’s taping a handmade paper sign above the fireplace that reads “Gala Day To-Do List.”
I hover in the doorway for a second, unsure where I fit, until Autumn spots me and beams.
“Don’t just hang out there!” she says. “Come in. I need somebody who isn’t calling me a little dictator.”
A minute later, I have a croissant in one hand, a coffee in the other, and I’m nodding rapidly at Autumn’s instructions for making sure everything’s ready on Main Street.
“I’ll come and check, of course, but I can’t be in three places at once, and I trust you more than I trust Hudson and Zach.”
“It’s fine,” I tell her. “I’ve got it.” All she wants me to do is make sure the paintings are in their right places, then text her to confirm. Which is exactly what I agreed to do yesterday. But I get it, this is her baby, she’s panicking, even if she’s coating it with a veneer of a tyrant. “I’ll message you as soon as I get there,” I promise.
“Thank you.” She lets out a sigh. “Now tell me what’s going on with you and Zach.”
I practically spit out my mouthful of coffee. What is it with this family and drastically changing the subject?
Skyler snorts from behind the counter. “To be fair, she lasted longer than I thought. Let’s give her that.”
“I gave it two minutes, tops,” Eden says, bouncing Elijah in her arms. “Honestly, I’m disappointed.”
Autumn rolls her eyes. “Well come on, somebody had to ask. Zach is like a brick wall every time I mention your name. And it’s killing me. You know I live on oxygen and gossip.”
I swallow my coffee and try to find a graceful way to deflect, but Parker walks over and kisses Autumn on the cheek. “Don’t scare away your helpers on Art Trail day. Grill her tomorrow when it’s all over.” He sends me a wink that tells me he’s got this, like he’s a practiced Autumn wrangler.
Autumn narrows her eyes like she’s weighing whether to push harder, but Elijah lets out a loud yawn and flops against Eden’s shoulder.
“That’s our cue,” Eden says, hopping down carefully. “Shall I put him down for a nap before he turns into a tiny tyrant like his mom?”
“That would be great,” Autumn says, ignoring her jibe. “When you’re back we’ll go through everybody’s responsibilities for today.”
“I thought Elijah was my responsibility,” Eden says, frowning. “I’m the official babysitter. You didn’t say I’d have to do anything else.”
“She’s a hard taskmaster,” Skyler says. “You know this.” She glances at Autumn. “Am I excused to drop Ayda at dance class?” she asks.
“Okay. But straight back here after.” Autumn lifts a brow. “I’m serious.”
“I’m gonna check on the guys,” Parker says, ruffling his wife’s hair.
“Good. Make sure they know their orders.”
His lips twitch as he touches his fingers to his temple. “Yes, Ma’am.”
Autumn wrinkles her nose at him, but there’s love in her expression. She already looks frazzled, and I shoot her a smile. “You’re doing amazing,” I tell her, because I know what it’s like to be in charge of something this big. When Ifirst decided to buy the bookshop, I barely breathed for months.
“Thank you.” Autumn tells me. “And for the record, you’re way too good for my brother.”
Eden disappears up the stairs with Elijah, and Skyler calls for Ayda, who’s trying to sneak one more bite of pancake before leaving.
As I reach for another sip of coffee, Francie suddenly pushes past me, her hand over her mouth.
“Bathroom,” she manages to say before darting out of the kitchen.
