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I grab my phone and hit my mother’s contact almost reflexively, because I do it so often.
“Honey, how are you? It’s been a couple of days.”
“I think it’s time, Mom. I have to accept that my plan has failed.”
“Oh, baby.” She’s slightly breathless. She’s either outside gardening or walking the campus of the community college where she works. “Have you tried talking to your sisters?”
It’s not the first time she’s suggested it, but the echo of Lila’s words feels like an attack. “I don’t want them hanging out with me out of pity, Mom. I want them to want to spend time with me, I want them to…” I can’t even say the words because they sound so stupid in my head. I want my sisters to think I’m cool, to realize I’ve grown up and to want to include me in their lives.
“You and Dani have that farm together. Haven’t you two gotten closer?”
“I guess, but I wanted all of us to be close and hang out like they did when they were teenagers and living in the house together.”
“Sweetie, I think you have a rose-colored memory of those days. They were all busy with their own lives then, too. I can’t remember a time they were all home together, just hanging out for more than family dinner.”
“You’re old and senile.” I want to lighten the mood, because she’s never going to understand. “My young, capable brain remembers a lot of those moments.”
She chuckles. “Deflection has never worked on me. I understand how much this means to you, Honeysuckle, and how hard you worked to get this year to happen at all, but you can’t force people to do anything. You have to meet them where they are now.”
“I should have convinced Dad to make the will require them to stay at the house twenty-four seven so they couldn’t go out and fall in love.”
“I hate to see you hurting like this, but I know you’re happy to see your sisters happy.” She’s using her stern Mom voice.
“I’m a selfish little con-artist, remember? I only care about making myself happy.”
“If I believed that, I’d never have gone along with this scheme of yours in the first place. I know you’ll find your way and do the right thing.”
“Why don’t you move in and help me? Tell me what to do. Demand my sisters stay home and play with me.”
She laughs. “I have an evening class to teach, baby. Call me later?”
“I’ll call tomorrow.”
We hang up, but I don’t feel any better. I’m running out of time, have no idea where the treasure is, and no alternative ideas to bring my family close again.
I snuggle down under my blanket, rubbing its soft fluffiness against my cheek until I’m calm again. Then I shove it off, steel myself, and head downstairs to find my sisters.
Only, there’s no one there. All three of the cars in the driveway are gone, and the house is silent. Judging by the calendar on the wall that tracks our whereabouts, no one has to work or has big plans tonight.
I grab my guitar, get comfy on a couch, and practice while I wait.
And wait. And wait. And wait.
By the time I’ve accepted my sisters aren’t coming home, it’s too late to meet up with Lila.
I don’t want to be alone.
What I want is to be wrapped up in Jaxon’s arms, to smell his comforting scent, to feel wanted.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Jaxon
There’s someone in my bed. I’m not sure how I know or what woke me up, but when I hold my breath, I can hear them breathing slow and deep.
Slowly, I slide my hand over the sheets and touch the warm body. My heart rate kicks into high gear and I slip out of bed like I’ve been training for this moment all my life.
It’s not the first time I’ve woken up with a stranger. I had a fan break into my hotel room and climb into bed with me while I slept when I was on tour a few years ago.
