Page 86 of Came the Closest
“I wish,” Colton teases.
“Colton James,” Gran scolds.
Dutifully, Sam’s middle son gives his grandmother an apologetic smile. She only shakes her head and laughs softly.
“No,” Jolene says, laughing. She straightens, all business, and plucks the gift bag from her uncle’s hands. “Actually, Aunt Ember should open it.”
“Hey!” Graham protests indignantly. “What if I wanted to open it?”
Jolene and Ember blink innocently. Graham bear hugs his niece to his chest while Ember takes the bag. She removes pink tissue paper from the top, then looks up when she pulls a tiny onesie from the bag.
“She saw it a few weeks ago downtown,” Sydney explains. “I told her you didn’t need it yet, but…”
I’m not sure who is flushed deeper—Ember or Graham. Ember leans over to hug Jolene, going along with it. “I love it, Jo. Thank you.”
“Whenever a baby does come along,” Graham tells his niece, completely serious, “we’ll tell you first so you can stock up on diapers for us.”
Jolene tries to escape, but Graham doesn’t let her go. He stands and glances at Jordan. His oldest brother nods. Graham takes off for the dock, carrying a squealing Jolene potato sack style. I wouldn’t be surprised if they both end up in the water this time because it’s become so hot.
Milo tugs Colton’s hand. “Can you come help me? All the sand just crumbles!”
Colton eases to his feet and lets Milo lead him to the sandbox. Jordan seizes the pause in gift-opening to snag a towel from the deck railing for Jolene, and Sam grabs one for Graham, the two of them laughing on their way to the dock.
“So,” Sydney says, wiggling her brows. “Do tell, new wifey, why were you two late this morning?”
Ember balls up a piece of tissue paper and tosses it at Sydney. “You’re terrible.”
“But you love me,” Sydney says, tucking a humidity-frizzed curl behind her ear.
Indi points her bare toes at a red gift bag. “That one can be opened without the guys. Chey and I came up with it.”
“It’s not a baby onesie,” Cheyenne says. She grins and adds, “Not yet, that is.”
“At least you know your babies will be good looking,” Sydney says. “And they’ll have the coolest aunts.”
“And grandmother and great-grandmother,” Gran adds.
“Definitely,” Ember agrees. She pulls a small square sign from the red bag, and she laughs as she turns it.
A married grumpy man and a married lovely lady live here it reads. It’s identical to the one Colton had gifted them only a couple months ago, except for the addition of married.
“That is absolutely going on your front door,” Sydney tells her.
“At least the grumpy disclosure prevents anyone from stealing your man,” Indi says.
“I could paint some mushrooms on it,” Cheyenne offers with a grin.
Laughter weaves through our little circle. The boys come back drenched, and we squeal when our respective men wrap us in soaked bear hugs. I feel a little bit like that little girl with her dad again because that same magical feeling hovers in my chest.
I hope it never goes away.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
How Do You Know My Sister?
Colton
I’ve been learning the ropes at Del Ray for almost a month now—reading contracts, becoming familiar with client communications, working with Graham on potential mockups for the Yacht Club. I haven’t, however, met with a client.