Page 54 of Westward

“He was here last week for something. I only saw him speaking to Thatcher, and then he left. I don’t know what about, though,” Teagan said mysteriously, and I frowned.

“Thatcher. What about Thatcher?” I asked, and Keely blushed.

Interesting.

Keely finally shook her head. “Thatcher’s a friend. That’s it. I really like his kids, and honestly, I think he might have a crush on Tess.”

“The nanny?” I asked. “I don’t know Tess that well because I don’t think she has much time to hang out, but really? Wouldn’t that be interesting?”

“It sounds like one of my favorite books,” Felicity sighed.

“I tried to get Tess to come out tonight, but she wanted to stay in with her little girl.”

“Understandable.” Gwen smiled. “After spending so many hours with Thatcher and Kellan’s kids, I would want to maybe spend a couple of hours with my baby girl, underneath a warm blanket, watching movies. Tess is a sweet girl, and I don’t know, maybe she and Thatcher could be cute. Or maybe a lovely stranger will come into town and change the game. Just like Kiera did with Bodhi.”

My mind whirled trying to remember everybody’s name in the small town, and I sank back as the topics moved to small town gossip, new recipes, the upcoming school year, and of course, the latest TV show about two soccer players who were in love.

“Seeing a sapphic book become a TV show has been the highlight of my life,” Keely said as she clapped her hands. “You really need to catch up, Elizabeth.”

“I know. I know.” The premiere happened right around when I was living in a fog, which, honestly, I still feel like I was some days, and then Will and Atlas have taken up so much of my time. Not to mention the fact that I’m already prepping for the school year. Summer has just flown by.

And so had the time with Atlas, but I didn’t want to think about that yet.

As the evening dwindled down, and we all were a little buzzed on sparkling wine, but not drunk, I set my painting to the side to dry overnight and cleaned up my space. When the hair on the back of my neck stood on end, I turned and knew exactly who was there.

“Hi,” I whispered. Both Keely and Teagan gave each other looks, but it was Gwen who moved forward.

“I see you’re finally coming out to town.”

“Hey, Mom. I just saw you this morning when you brought over breakfast for Will. Not me, for that matter, Will.”

“He’s still a teenager and a growing boy.”

“I’m a professional athlete. I could use carbs.”

“Whatever you say.”

“Now, what did the boy do?” Jackson Carter asked as he came forward and wrapped his arms around his wife. He dipped her, pressing his lips to hers, and every single woman in the room let out a happy sigh.

Atlas groaned and pulled me to his side. “Look at my parents, one-upping us.”

“I think I had one more glass of champagne than your mother, and if you try to dip me or spin me, I will fall asleep or fall.”

Atlas met my gaze and then pushed my hair back from my face. “Well, we couldn’t have that, could we?”

Someone cleared their throat from behind me, and Felicity moved forward.

“Hello, Dad. Hello, brother of mine. I’m in the room too.”

“Yeah, yeah. Whatever you want, pipsqueak.” He pulled Felicity to him, with me still at his side, and I laughed, feeling at home for the first time in far too long.

“Okay, I have my girls here. I guess I should take you home.”

“Is Callum not coming?” Felicity asked, her lip out in a pout.

“I’m dropping you off at the brewery because there was a bit of an emergency. Everyone’s fine. But Callum couldn’t come. Don’t worry, I’ll take care of my baby sister.”

“But he’s okay?” Felicity asked.