Page 7 of Too Delicious

“We’ll see about that.”

Finally, Summer says something to Harmony loud enough for me to hear.

“No talking until you’ve had something to eat,” she tells her sister.

We’ve got this part handled.

“This way, ladies,” I say, leading everyone through the main kitchen and out to the back patio. “Welcome to my happy place.”

The spacious, newly installed outdoor kitchen gazebo is the perfect conversation starter as the four of us nibble on appetizers and make small talk. This kind of vibe is where I shine. But Harmony is still tight-lipped and on edge.

Trying to break the ice, Summer says, “Ever since we were kids, she’s always wanted a swimming pool in the backyard.”

“It’s nice,” Harmony says, looking away as I beam at her, for the umpteenth time today.

Summer prods her. “This looks a lot like the one you pinned on your vision board.”

Now we’re getting somewhere. “Vision board, huh?” I say. “Interesting.”

Harmony finally adds, “I went to college on a swim team scholarship,” she says.”

“Cool! You’ll have to come over and show me how to do the breaststroke,” I say earnestly.

Harmony blushes a deep red.

I don’t know why my brother looks as horrified as one would if I’d requested a sexual favor. “It’s the hardest stroke to master,” I get out before Carter cuts me off.

“Let’s eat!”

Everything I say is embarrassing. Sometimes, having a twin is worse than raising a teenager.

“You said this was your happy place?”

Our bellies full of dinner, Carter and Summer have wandered down to the koi pond to enjoy the sunset.

Harmony seems to warm up to me now that she’s had something to eat—and changed from her revealing outfit into dressy trousers and flowing tunic. She looks a lot more comfortable now, and that makes me happy.

I make a mental note to keep her comfortable and well fed. And to build her a pool one day.

I let her pick a comfortable seat on one of the couches by the pool, and I sit two cushions away to give her space.

“The whole house is my happy place, actually. After our parents died, Aunt Gabby took us under her wing. We spent a lot of time here as kids, and she always looked out for us,” I say. Harmony leans toward me, listening.

“When Carter and I inherited this house, I wanted to gut the place and modernize it, but Carter said we shouldn’t spend so lavishly. So we agreed we could each pick one major splurge. Carter went hiking on the Appalachian Trail.”

“Ew, no thanks,” Harmony mutters.

I laugh, and I’m in full agreement. “My splurge was the pool, the patio, and everything you see back here.”

“It’s perfect. It’s my dream backyard.”

“Cool.”

She looks around and sighs. “We didn’t have much after our dad left. Our mom raised four kids on her own in a small apartment. I decided a long time ago that I wanted lots of kids and a huge backyard for them to play in. A pool, swing sets, a tree house, a trampoline. Everything we couldn’t have.”

“And a mother-in-law suite?” I add, winking.

“Well, that might not be necessary. She just started dating someone and I don’t know much but I do know she’s taken care of very well. Very well.”