Chapter 15

15

Sunday evening

T he McCandless-Connelly family waved goodbye to Daniel and Chris as Daniel backed the couple’s Mercedes up the steep gravel driveway that led from the road to the lakefront house. At the top, Daniel gave a short beep goodbye before pulling out and driving away.

“Did they leave the leftover pizza for us?” Fiona wanted to know before the car had even vanished from sight.

“Where does she put it?” Connelly muttered under his breath.

“She must have a hollow leg,” Sasha whispered back.

“What if we save the leftovers for your lunches tomorrow and toast marshmallows instead?” Connelly suggested.

“S’mores?” Finn countered.

“S’mores and one last sunset over the lake,” Sasha agreed. “Go get the graham crackers and chocolate while Dad and I start the fire.”

The twins squealed and hurtled down the driveway to the house, Mocha barking wildly and racing along with them.

“Big day tomorrow,” Connelly observed as he laced his fingers through hers and they strolled behind the kids and dog.

“It is.”

“Are you nervous or excited?” he asked.

She thought for a moment. “Both. It feels like the night before Christmas and the night before the first day of school all wrapped up together. What about you?”

“Pretty much the same. I’m excited to work together.” He grinned at her.

“You should be. I’m pretty awesome.”

“Yes, I am,” he teased back.

Then he hoisted her up over his shoulder and hauled her to the back deck, depositing her, breathless from laughter, in a blue Adirondack chair near the outdoor fireplace.

The kids and dog emerged from the kitchen. Java tagged along behind them.

“Is it okay if Java watches the sunset, too?” Fiona asked.

“So long as you’re responsible for her,” Sasha told her daughter—the only member of the family brave enough to put a collar and a leash on the cat.

Fiona nodded seriously. Finn passed around the S’mores ingredients, and Connelly speared four marshmallows onto steel toasting forks.

They ate their gooey treats as they watched the display in the sky. The sun filtered through the colorful leaves of the trees along the lake’s shore before spreading out over the water, which reflected it back in shimmering bands of fiery red and brilliant orange. At last, it dipped below the horizon, leaving behind only a glow. The family stayed around the flickering flames of the fire until the sky turned a pale purple and the first stars winked into view.

Tomorrow held a new adventure, but tonight, Sasha’s heart was full.