“Way too far,” Everly agreed.
“I booked the house for us,” Jace said, “but if you want to cancel and look for something less shark infested, I will.”
All eyes were on Tennyson. He’d seen Jaws at his first and last sleepover party when he was thirteen years old. He’d told his mother what they’d watched and was never again allowed to go to sleepovers, birthday parties, or play dates unless she was there, which in itself was enough reason to stay home.
Ten wasn’t going to take this adventure away from the kids, never mind the adults, who all looked like they could use two weeks on the beach with their only worry being sunburn. “I say we go.”
“We’re in too,” Jude said.
“What about us, Daddy?” Aurora asked, are we in too?”
“Well, I need to think about it,” Fitz said, scratching his chin. “Sharks, plus sand, carry the one…”
“Daddy, please!” Aurora batted her eyelashes. “I want to go to see sharks.”
“Okay, we’re in too, but if a shark bites you in the booty, don’t come crying to me. Got it?” Fitz asked with a giggle.
“Got it!” Aurora agreed, clapping her hands. “The only thing left to do is go shopping for pretty sun dresses!”
“And bathing suits!” Everly chimed in. “Hats, sunglasses, a beach bag, books, and shark tee-shirts.”
“Shark tee-shirts?” Ronan asked.
“Yeah, so the sharks will know we’re their friends.” Everly grabbed Ronan’s phone and tapped several times. “See!”
She revealed a pink shirt with a cute shark and a saying. “Just a girl who loves sharks,” Ten read over Ronan’s shoulder.
“I like the purple one,” Everly said.
“Me too!” Aurora gushed.
“Me wike pink!” Lizzie shouted from the kitchen door.
Ten sighed. He was outnumbered and he knew it. “See if they have ones for boys who like sharks too.”
“I don’t see one like that, but they do have one that says ‘Shark Bait.’” Ronan nibbled his bottom lip.
“Get me one in pink,” Ten said and the girls cheered.
Everyone agreed they wanted to spend a few weeks on the Cape. There was no way Ten would stand in the way of his family having a great vacation, but he also wasn’t going to stand where a hungry shark could bitehisbooty.
3
Ronan
Ronan couldn’t believe how quickly plans for their Cape vacation had come together. In addition to booking the house, Jace and Fitz rented a van. Ten and Cope took the kids shopping for clothes, towels, sunscreen, and other beach gear, while he researched Wellfleet, Massachusetts and purchased a large suitcase for Everly to match the one Fitz had gotten for Aurora. She’d always managed with her little carry-on rolling bag, but if their Memorial Day trip taught Ronan anything, it was that Everly needed more packing space.
It was the night before they were leaving for the trip. As far as Ronan knew, everything was packed, with the exception of last minute items, like Everly’s unicorn stuffies and Ezra’s Mr. Moo.
“Are you finally done packing?” Ronan asked, leaning against the side of Everly’s doorframe.
Everly turned around with an armload of unicorns. Her empty carry-on bag lay unzipped on the floor in front of her. “Almost. My clothes are all packed.”
“I can tell.” Ronan pointed to Everly’s open closet doors, revealing the rack was bare of everything except her winter clothes. “What’s the deal with the rainbow herd?”
“I can’t decide which unicorns to bring.” Everly looked down and gave them a group hug.
“Why not bring them all? There’s plenty of room in that smaller suitcase.”
