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She is not enthusiastic, so I give her the out she wants. “It’s probably better if we wait until we’re all together.”
Her smile is grateful as she crosses the kitchen to the refrigerator.
When we were kids, my father had this dream of us five sisters playing together and touring the country as a bluegrass band. I don’t think my sisters were ever into the idea of fame or being band mates for the next twenty years, but I was all in. It sounded like an absolute dream to me, to be with my sisters all the time, playing music and seeing the world.
My sisters were so happy when it didn’t work out and Dad let up on making us practice three hours a day. We still played together and had fun, but it wasn’t the same.
My little eight-year-old heart was absolutely shattered, and it was the first time I realized my sisters didn’t want to be together all the time. They didn’t share my dream.
It was the first time I wondered if maybe I was the problem.
“We’re still on for practice on Friday night,” Goldy says.
“Friday night?” Daisy asks. “Noah and I were—” She glances at Goldy and stops. “I’m in. I’ll be here.”
I don’t have to look at Goldy to know she’s giving Daisy a look, probably a glare. I appreciate my sisters want to do this for me. I just wish they wanted to do it for themselves.
I wish we could all be closer. Maybe that’s something that can’t be forced, but I’m still going to try.
“Great.” I get up and carry my dishes over to the sink to rinse them before putting them in the dishwasher. “I think I’ve got us a gig in Vance Vale next month.”
“Are you sure we’re ready?” Daisy asks.
“We’ll practice and get ready. I’ve got a new song for us to try.”
“One you wrote?” Goldy asks.
I nod.
“Your lyrics are so beautiful. You should consider putting them together in a book of poetry.”
“Lovemore Books would be all over that.” Daisy’s eyes light with interest.
They’re just being extra nice to make up for not playing with me tonight. I’m no poet, I just like writing songs. “Lovemore only publishes romance.”
Daisy shrugs. “We’re thinking about branching out and poetry would be a great place to start. We would love to publish more local authors.” She gives Goldy a pointed look.
Goldy holds up her hands. “I’m sure Lovemore is great, Daisy, but I’ve told you, I prefer having complete control of my work.” Daisy is an editor at Lovemore Publishing and Goldy is an indie author of erotic romance books.
Daisy smiles smugly. “Just give me time. I’ll change your mind.”
They leave the kitchen, arguing good-naturedly. A month ago, I’d’ve said Goldy and Daisy working together would be a disaster, but they’ve gotten closer since Daisy discovered a love of reading and editing romance books after a career editing literary fiction.
They spend more time together than they did as teenagers. They’re living my dream.
I just need to get them to spend more time with me and Dani and Clover. I need to get this treasure hunt together before our year of living together is over. Before Dell spills all my darkest secrets.
In my room, I dial my cousin Levi.
“I was just about to call you,” he says. “What do you have for me?”
“That’s my line.”
“You first. If you can’t give me what I want—”
“Ugh, fine. You’re acting like an eleven-year-old, you know.”
“She won’t even speak to me, Honey. She’s got some twisted, warped idea of who I am and—”
