A sign beckons at the bend in the road—green, faded, and held up by wooden posts staked into the ground. A beacon for kids for decades.
Camp Knick Knack Paddywhack.
“There it is!” Ruby squeals, clapping. She leans across the console, drops a quick kiss to my cheek. “Thank you, partner in crime. This is so cool. Completely a dream come true.”
My instinct is to make light of our road trip, like this is nothing. But this isn’t nothing for her. “Honored to help you achieve it.”
Her phone pings. She grabs it from her purse and swipes her thumb across the screen. “It’s my mom. Group text to Gigi and me. She wants to know when the printer will be finished with the menus.” She taps her chin, muttering, “They sent her the proof. I wonder why they didn’t send her the pickup information?” Her phone pings again.
She jumps in the seat, then smiles. “Oh, good! It’s Gigi being a goddess.”
“What did Goddess Gigi do?”
“Jumped in all hold my beer, I’ve got this. She’s already picked up the menus and is on her way to Sweetie Pies to laminate them while she reconciles the bookk
eeping issue from first quarter that’s been giving me fits.”
“Definitely goddess behavior.”
“From henceforth, she shall be called Gigi the Goddess Superhero. In fact, let me text them back about that . . .”
She types as she reads out loud. “Once again, Gigi proves she is a goddess superhero, and that there is nothing she can’t handle.”
“Telling it like it is,” I say as we wind around another curve.
She hums beneath her breath. “Mom says, She is indeed. Together, you two are unstoppable. Sweetie Pies is in good hands with the next generation!”
Ruby winces like something from her mom’s text bothers her, but then she tucks her phone away.
“You okay?”
“Amazing.” She beams my way, but she’s not fooling anyone, let alone me.
I arch a brow and she sighs. “I don’t know . . .. Sometimes I feel bad that I don’t love the pie shop as much as my mom and dad. Or Gigi, for that matter. But that’s okay.” She shrugs. “I’m useful there, and I love helping my family. And I always find time to do my cards and other arty stuff on the side.”
I frown, skeptical. “Is that what you want?”
Ruby twirls a strand of hair around her finger, huffs softly. “I guess. Probably. Who’s to say?”
“Ruby, you’re to say.”
She deals me an apologetic smile. “Sorry, I’m trying to figure it—” She breaks off, holding up a hand with her fingers spread. “Wait. Fuck ‘sorry.’ From now on, every time I want to say sorry when I don’t have to, I’m going to say ‘unicorn sex’ instead.”
I laugh. “That’s a good way to kick the habit. And let me know when you’re ready for another rainbow glitter orgasm while you’re at it.”
She smirks. “Um, hello? Always ready for one of those. But definitely book me in for a triple order tonight. All over the bunk bed.”
“Consider it done.”
When we pull up a few minutes later at the main office cabin, Rachel’s waiting outside for us, her hair in salt-and-pepper braids and a Viola Davis warmth to her face. Her smile is as welcoming as it’s always been. She greets us at the car as I cut the engine. “Waiting to receive your three barrels of peanut-butter-stuffed pretzels?” I ask dryly.
“You know it,” she says with a throaty laugh. “So good to see you, Jess. And you too, peanut-butter-stuffed pretzels,” she murmurs to the plastic tubs in the backseat. “And you, Ruby! We finally meet. Claire used to talk about you all summer long.”
Ruby and I get out of the car, and Rachel stretches out her arms to fold Ruby in a hug.
“Thank you so much for having me,” Ruby says, her eyes sliding closed as she smiles. “I always wanted to come here growing up. Thanks so much for making this happen.”
“Anything for a friend.” Rachel pulls back, beaming at Ruby before turning to look me up and down, her knowing brown eyes not missing a beat.