Page 37 of Carson

“Six tops.”

“Wait, so like you aren’t joking?”

“It was a heck of a way to meet everyone.” Lily takes my hands in hers. “Let me spare you the humiliation, because they will find a way to meet you, one way or another. Best not to have it come with a surprise.”

Dan tips his head back and chuckles loudly. “Way to just tell her you gave it up to me on our first date.”

Lily gasps. “Dan, I did no such thing.”

The smirk on his face tells me she absolutely did, and I can’t help but giggle.

“Don’t believe a word this man tells you,” she says, turning her attention back to me. “Anyway, Dan will go down and help you get set up again. I have an appointment I need to get to.”

Dan sits forward. “I thought I was going with you?”

“Don’t be silly. I can go by myself.” She waves her hand, dismissing him. “I’m going to warn you—the men around here are very protective.”

“I’m fine setting up camp by myself. I’m a solo traveler, so I’ve pretty much perfected the process.”

Her eyes meet mine, and I don’t know how or why, but I hear myself continuing. “But it would be nice to have a hand with my tire.”

Relief softens her expression.

“Perfect. Dan will stay and help. I’ll feel so much better knowing you’re not out there all by yourself.”

Her gaze thanks me.

I’ll always be a girl’s girl. If this is what she wants, she has her reasons.

She turns toward her husband. “He’ll meet you down there. Won’t you, honey?”

He stands up, pulling her to her feet. “I will, but you’ll call Kelsie to go with you and Khloe.”

“That’s a great idea. We can go shopping afterward.”

I rise with them.

“Wait, did I say Kelsie? I meant to say …”

She nudges him in the gut with her elbow. “Too late.” She reaches around his waist, plucking his wallet out of his back pocket.

Lily pulls a credit card out of it, holding it in the air triumphantly. “Khloe and little RayRay are already outgrowing the clothes we just bought them …”

Her words trail off as he pretends to snatch it from her.

“Dan. The kids need more clothes.”

“That’s a lie. Every closet in this house is filled to the brim with toddler clothes.”

All three of us know Dan would gladly let her spend his last dollar on his daughter and grandson. I shift to the door, feeling a little awkward as their playfulness turns a little handsy. “Um, yeah, I’ll just …” I clear my throat. “I’ll see you down there.”

As soon as I step out the door, closing it behind me, my cheeks pull into a giant smile.

I’m so happy Carson grew up here.

Sunflowers are everywhere.

It’s happening.