Her eyes pop open. “Yeah. I was just taking a minute to enjoy this. It’s been a while since Amelia and I have had so much fun.”
I sit down next to her, uncaring that my jeans are soaking in wet snow.
We watch the three kids having a ball, now back to making their assigned parts of what is shaping up to be a hilariously disproportioned snowman.
“Thanks, Carter.”
I smile and nod. Then I get up and offer her my hand. But as I’m hoisting her up, I slip myself and send us both tumbling back to the ground, me slightly on top of her. Both of us are laughing when someone walks over and clears a throat.
I roll off Kenna and look up at Bug’s stepmom, Allie. She looks between us, amusement lighting up her face.
I stand, and this time I manage to help Kenna to her feet without falling.
“Kenna Bennett, this is Allie Montana.”
Allie holds out her hand. “It’s Anderson, actually.”
“Right, I keep forgetting. Old habits.”
They shake each other’s gloved hands.
“Montana?” Kenna asks. “As in one of your arch enemies?”
I crack a grin knowing she remembers every word I said earlier at lunch.
Allie scoffs. “Stupid family rivalries. I wasn’t ever a part of it. Mia and I have been best friends forever. And Dax is friends with my brother, Blake. Lincoln still hates all of us I think.” She pokes a finger into my chest. “I believe I’ve been growing on this one, however, since we’ve been neighbors for a few years now and our kids are… friends.”
Kenna laughs at the way she says friends.
“Bug tells me you’re going to be staying in Carter’s basement while your car gets fixed,” Allie adds, and I think I detect a hint of amused curiosity in her voice.
“Looks like it,” Kenna and I say at the same time, then laugh.
Allie looks between us, still amused. “And how long will that be?”
“Ten days,” I say. “Less if we’re lucky and the parts ship sooner.”
She snickers. “Why do I get the feeling they won’t?”
My jaw drops. “Allie, don’t you have two rugrats to put to bed or something?”
“Carter told me you have twins?” Kenna asks curiously.
“Christina and Alex. Sixteen months.”
“Must be a handful.”
She shakes her head. “Not with Bug and Asher—that’s my husband—doing the lion’s share.” She gazes over at Darla as if they’re related by blood and not marriage. “She’s amazing with them. She could watch your daughter if you need her to. She’s great with kids.”
“I’m sure she is,” Kenna says. “I’m just not sure we’ll be here long enough for me to need a sitter.”
“Oh, okay. Well, it’s been nice meeting you.” She turns to leave, then stops. “You guys should come for dinner sometime,” Allie offers, as if Kenna and I are a couple.
Kenna shifts uncomfortably. “I… uh…”
I step forward, glaring at Allie. “I think I hear kids crying. You’d better go check and make sure they’re both still alive.”
Kenna chuckles behind me. I’m glad she wasn’t put off by the inappropriate invitation.
