42. Homemade Family

forty-two

Violet

Kate McNeil is even more beautiful in person than she is on TV. Not more beautiful than Cam of course. But she's thin and blonde and rather tall. At 5‘9", she towers over Cam and I in a totally not-intimidating way. Two men lean against the training building, one holding a clipboard and the other a large video camera.

"It's very nice to meet you," Kate says, her perfectly straight white teeth shining behind her bright red lipstick. I give her a firm handshake, making sure to not break eye contact. The good thing about forcing confidence is once you do it enough, it doesn't feel forced anymore.

"You too," I say, then release the tall woman's hand. My palm slides across the small of Cam's back. "This is my girlfriend, Cam."

Cam's face immediately turns bright red, and Kate waits with her hand out until Cam realizes she's supposed to be shaking it.

"Pleasure," Cam says. Kate smiles sweetly.

"Hayden showed me what you've done with the place. It's absolutely amazing," she says in her thick Australian accent. Kate McNeil is the lead anchor for the GRV News. By the fate of the universe, she also happens to be Hayden's cousin"s wife.

"Thank you," I say. I look at Hayden's proud gleam, then adjust my gaze back onto Kate. "I couldn't have done it without him."

"He's a sweet little bugger, isn't he?" Kate ruffles the hair on Hayden's head, and blood rushes to his cheeks from embarrassment.

"That, he is." I smile.

"Alright, well, it's almost time to shoot. Are you ready?"

I nod, even though internally my brain is screaming absolutely-fucking-not.

"Let's do this."

Kate walks toward the building, saying something that I can't quite hear to the two men standing against it. I start to follow but stop a few feet away from the door. I turn back, looking at Cam. The sun has started to peek through the trees and is casting a warm glow on her face. She smiles and blows me a dramatic kiss. I pretend to catch it and put it in my pocket. My eyes dart over to Hayden, who shoots me an enthusiastic thumbs-up, Major perched perfectly at his side. I face the door again, take a deep breath, and then step inside.

It only takes a few minutes for the camera men to get set up. Kate checks her watch, then motions for me to come stand next to her.

"Teeth check," she says, lifting her lips to expose her perfectly white teeth again. I laugh

"You're good. Me?" I feel silly replicating the look, but the realness of it actually helps calm my nerves. Kate is much more genuine than you would expect, and I feel guilty for thinking she wouldn't be in the first place.

"It's alright to be nervous but remember, there's really no need to be," Kate says, nodding in approval at my teeth. "People are going to be so excited about this, and you don't need to be perfect. You just need to be you. They only care if I mess up, which I never do."

She winks, and the tension in my body seems to release a bit. We position ourselves side-by-side, Kate gripping the large wireless microphone in her palm.

The camera man begins to count down, showing his fingers in accordance with the number leaving his mouth. "5-4-3..."

He starts to mouth the numbers silently, and then, the word "go".

Here we go.

"This is Kate McNeil with GRV News reporting live from The Dog Whisperer Training Facility. I'm here with the company's founder, Violet Wolfe, to discuss this exciting new business located on the outskirts of Greenrock Valley. Violet, how are you doing today?"

Kate says the sentences so seamlessly that for a moment, I forget she asked me a question.

"I am wonderful, Kate. How are you?" I respond into the large microphone pointed in my direction. I look at Kate, who offers me a smile. But it isn't a perfect "on air" gesture. It's a genuine, comforting smile, and it helps me shake whatever nerves I had left.

"I am doing well, Violet, thank you for asking. I was so excited to hear about the upcoming launch of The Dog Whisperer. Can you give some insight as to what it is that you do?"

And before I can think about it, the words start to flow out of my mouth, just as seamlessly as Kate's. She continues, shooting one question after another.

"How long have you been training dogs for?"

"What kind of training do you provide?"

I answer them seamlessly, not needing to pause and think about my answers. That is, until she asks the last question.

"Can I ask what exactly gave you the idea to start your own training business?"

It's a basic question. An expected one, even. So I'm not sure why it catches me so off guard. I shift my weight between my feet and start chewing on the inside of my cheek. Why did I do this? Because of Cam? Because of Angela? Because of Hayden?

"I—"

I look at the men behind the camera, then I look at Kate. Kate nods, and I take a steadying breath, the answer flooding me all at once.

"I started this business because I want to spend my life surrounded by things that I love. I love training, and I love dogs. And I want to do everything I can to help them."

"And I know you will. We're going to take a quick break and come back to give you an exclusive tour of the facility. This is Kate McNeil, reporting live with GRV News."

"And we're done!" shouts the man behind the camera, lowering it to his side. I release a heavy breath, and Kate wraps me into a tight hug.

"I am just so excited for this, you have no idea!"

I laugh at the sudden affection but hug Kate back.

"Thank you, so am I."

"Can I schedule an appointment?"

Kate's grip releases, and I step back to look up at the regal woman.

"What?"

"A training appointment. My two-year-old Cavapoo is a complete arse and always pulls on the leash. It makes me mad as a meat axe."

I chuckle, unsure of exactly what that means.

"Absolutely," I say, "I just need to get my phone!"

"Okay! Be back in three."

"I will!"

Cool air washes over me as I step out of the facility. I wave at Cam, Adrian, Hayden, and Avery and begin to walk over to them. But as I get close, I see that Adrian is talking to someone.

"Al?" I call out. Al's head shoots up, his eyes growing teary the second they land on me.

"Vi!" He waves, a white paper bag gripped in his hand. I jog over and throw my arms around him in a tight hug.

"What are you doing here?"

Al wipes tears off his smiling face, and he hands the paper bag to me.

"Lunch," he says, his voice breaking. "I am so, so proud of you."

Tears prick my own eyes, but I force them to dry. If we both start crying, we'll never stop.

"And this," he says, pressing something cold and hard into my palm. I look at it, the shimmering blue crystal gleaming in my hand.

"The blue topaz?" I ask, my eyes darting to meet his. "But—"

He shakes his head, mouth still stretched wide.

"I don't need it anymore, Vi." He pats my back harder than I think he means to. "Plus, this kiddo over here wants me to be a vendor at their… what was it again?"

His brows furrow, his eyes pooling with confusion. Avery chuckles, and Adrian shoots him a glare.

"It's a—" they start, but they interrupt their own words with a frown, like they too are having trouble describing it.

"It's basically art, food, and alcohol, thrown-up into a giant room," Cam says. Adrian nods approvingly even if it isn't the most glorifying answer.

"Right," Al says. "It's going to be huge."

I smile, tucking the stone into my pocket.

"It is," I say. Al looks up at me, placing his hand on my shoulder.

"And this will be too."

My lip shakes for just a second, and I bite it to keep it under control. I swallow.

"Vi, we're about to go live!" Kate calls out from the training facility. I give her a thumbs up.

"Coming!"

I give Al one last hug, then turn to Cam and lean in to kiss her cheek.

"I knew it!" Al murmurs, and I roll my eyes, waving at everyone as I sprint back to finish the interview.

"Ijust want to say what an honor it is," I bow dramatically, holding up a large Pyrex bowl of coconut chicken curry, "to be attending my first ever Criminal Dinner." 35

Hayden lets out a loud whoop, and Adrian and Cam clap teasingly. Avery tries to hide a chuckle, but he isn't quite making it.

"I hope you're a better cook than your girlfriend," he mutters.

I look at him with a dead serious expression. "God, me too."

"Hey!" she scowls, tossing a couch cushion at me. I duck, and it goes right over my head, a grimacing smile taking over.

"Sorry, babe. But one of these days, I'm scared I'm going to get food poisoning."

Cam rolls her eyes.

"You won't," Avery cuts in. "She chars it so well even bacteria couldn't live in it."

"What is this? Roast Cam Night?" she huffs. Adrian chuckles.

"Why not, you roast everything else."

I bite back a laugh, and Avery gives them a high five.

"You could give me food poisoning, Cam, I wouldn't be mad," Hayden says, ever-so-sweetly. He walks over to me in the kitchen as I dish up the curry.

"Cool it, cowboy, that's my girlfriend," I whisper teasingly.

"I know," he says, tipping his head like he's wearing an invisible cowboy hat. "But, and I mean this with all due respect, I'll always look out for her like she's mine."

A comment like this should make me jealous, which I've learned is an emotion I actually do experience. And if it were coming from anyone else, it might. But knowing how innocently and deeply Hayden cares for Cam isn't something I could ever be upset about. I can't be upset about it because I completely understand. I love Cam too. It was just a matter of luck that she loves me back.

"And I will be forever grateful for that," I say meaningfully, handing him a bowl of curry. He smiles at me, his blue eyes glimmering.

"So will I."

We all nestle on the couch together. Even the dogs squeeze on top of us, all six of them. Dawson won't sit still but insists on lying on top of Cam. Reese is practically suffocating Adrian, while Ellie lays curled up on the ottoman. Major lies on the ground, though, by orders of Hayden that he's getting "too entitled." And Pumpkin, of course, sits curled on Avery's shoulder like a parrot.

I haven't ever been surrounded by so much love before. Everyone in this room, loving and caring for one another in different ways. It's so beautiful, and foreign, and I can't believe it's real.

"I haven't actually seen Criminal Minds before…" I say. Everyone stops to turn at me, their eyes wide and jaws on the floor. I force an awkward smile. "Is it like… really dark?"

Everyone looks around, eyeing each other awkwardly before Cam scoffs and rolls her eyes.

"Oh come on, it isn't that bad you guys," she says, reaching for the remote. My brows furrow, and I look over at the rest of them.

"I would like to hear that from someone who doesn't fall asleep to serial killer documentaries."

They make awkward eye contact again then look at me silently.

I laugh.

"Come on, really? All of you?" I look over at Hayden. "I mean surely you don't—"

He nods his head. "I tried not to give into it, but the will was too strong."

I sigh, hanging my head.

"Alright, press play."

Hayden presses play, and as the intro sounds, Adrian lets out a quiet "hmm." I turn and look at them.

"What?"

They smile and shake their head.

"It's just…I'm going to have to make a new one."

I furrow my brows.

"A new what?"

"A new painting of our family."*