Chapter 1
Laura
“We all have issues.”
“Put those Reese’s Pieces down right now.”
Big, sad blue eyes meet mine from across the room when I use my mom voice as I walk back inside the Dip and Twist after taking a few trash bags outside to the dumpster.
“I thought you were better than this, Laura.” Bodhi Armbruster-Powell shakes his head at me. His shaggy, surfer-blonde hair falls down into his eyes as he slides the plastic container of peanut butter candies back inside the cubby in the counter next to the rest of the ice cream toppings.
I’ve had a soft spot for my bonus daughter Tess Powell’s husband ever since the first day I met him. This thirty-four-year-old man-child who looks like Spicoli from Fast Times at Ridgemont High has the quiet wisdom of Buddha, the weed addiction of Cheech and Chong, and the biggest heart I have ever seen. And the biggest sugar addiction known to man.
“Don’t give me that look,” I scold him, walking over to a lower cupboard right by Bodhi’s legs. Grabbing the super-sized bag of Reese’s Pieces that hasn’t been opened yet off the bottom shelf, I drop it down on the counter in front of him. “You know you can’t eat out of the toppings containers. It’s unsanitary, and I taught you better than that. Your snacks are always in the cupboard under the counter.”
Bodhi swipes away an imaginary tear from his cheek with a sniffle, making me laugh in spite of his toddler-like behavior. Ripping open the orange bag, he shoves a large handful of candy into his mouth.
“You’re the best mom ever.” He talks around his mouthful of candy with a blissful smile.
My heart fills with so much joy it feels like it might burst. I always wanted a big family, and I dreamt of having at least four children when I was younger. As an only child to older parents who never thought they could have kids of their own—until I came along as a surprise when they were almost fifty—I grew up with a lot of quiet, hanging out with a lot of boring adults. I had to entertain myself and played alone. I didn’t get to experience the craziness of a big family until I went to school, made friends, and had sleepovers at other people’s houses. I wanted what they had. I wanted noise and laughter, messes and chaos. A house filled with people, but most of all, a house filled with love.
I was only blessed with two biological daughters, but through my girls, Wren and Birdie, I gained two bonus daughters in their best friends, Emily and Tess. And now that they have all found love, I have the big family I’ve always wanted. I have eight kids, one grandson, and another bonus grandchild on the way, thanks to Tess and Bodhi. I have a life filled with people, noise, laughter, messes, and chaos. They aren’t all mine by blood, but I love them like they are. I couldn’t be happier with the way my life has turned out.
Yep, sure… keep telling yourself that, Laura.
“Tess is going to murder you, Mom.”
Thankfully, Wren’s voice cuts off the annoying one in my head. I watch my oldest daughter fill an ice cream cone with chocolate and vanilla swirl soft serve and hand it to a customer through the window before she continues.
“You know Bodhi isn’t allowed to have sugar. It makes him crazy.”
“What kind of mother would I be if I listened to all the rules my children give me? A boring one, that’s what,” I tell her. “Your son is sixteen-years-old. He still has his own candy drawer in my kitchen, and he turned out just fine. Bodhi will too when he grows up, won’t he?”
Bodhi nods enthusiastically when I look at him, giving me a thumbs-up as he chews. His cheeks are so packed with candy he looks like a squirrel getting ready for winter.
“Speaking of growing up…” My daughter trails off casually as she looks at Bodhi while we have a break in customers for the first time on this beautiful summer evening. “Why are you here at the Dip and Twist, inhaling sundae toppings, instead of at home with Tess?”
“She’s seven months pregnant,” Bodhi states.
“And?”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t realize that needed more of an explanation. Remember last month when we were all having dinner for Shepherd’s birthday, and Tess threatened to slit someone’s throat if they ate the last piece of chicken? And then you said, ‘Jesus, she’s only going to get worse. Next month will be fun.’,” Bodhi says, mimicking Wren’s voice. “Ding-dong, next month is here! And it’s fucking worse and not fun!”
With a sigh, I walk over to Bodhi and give him a reassuring hug. Pulling back, I pat his cheek twice and smile at him.
“Suck it up and go home to your wife. She has a right to be scary. She’s growing an entire human being from scratch inside her body, and she has to lug around thirty extra pounds of weight every day. Her bones hurt, her brain hurts, and her hormones are out of control. Take whatever shit she gives you with a smile on your face. And do not walk in that door without some sort of delicious, ooey-gooey food in your hand. I would suggest loaded cheese fries from Dockside Eddy’s with three extra sides of ranch dressing.”
When I finish, I point to the back door of the stand. Bodhi immediately tosses the bag of Reese’s Pieces on the counter, gives me a quick kiss on the cheek, and then races out of the Dip and Twist—to hopefully take my advice and save his own life. I adore our tough girl, Tess, but she really is super scary as a pregnant woman. Bodhi won’t be the only one breathing a little easier once she finally gives birth.
“Since you’re on a roll with helping people out,” Wren begins when we’re alone, while I seal the bag of candy and put it back under the counter, “you need to have a talk with your annoying daughter.”
“Aren’t I doing that right now?”
Wren just glares at me. Both of my girls stopped appreciating my sarcasm right around the time they got their first periods and learned how satisfying it was to slam their bedroom doors in my face. Thank God for Tess, Emily, and all of their men. Since we don’t share the same blood, they appreciate my humor more.
“Very funny.” Wren scoffs. “You know I’m talking about Bridezilla Birdie. Your youngest spawn, the one whose wedding is a week away and who is driving everyone insane with her constant freak-outs. She woke me up at three o’clock this morning, because she had a dream all her teeth fell out while she was saying her vows. I turned my phone off after she sent me multiple pictures of people with no teeth, and then I woke up to thirty-seven texts from her. Thirty-seven! Each text was a link to a new wedding Pinterest board she created. I can’t handle another week of this, Mother.”
I know Wren means business when she calls me Mother instead of Mom. And she’s right. Birdie, my sweet, sweet Birdie, has been an absolute nightmare the last few weeks now that the official countdown is on for her wedding and since out-of-town guests will start arriving on Summersweet Island tomorrow. After spending most of her life in love with her childhood crush and one of her best friends, Palmer Campbell, my girl is finally getting her happily ever after with the professional golfer, who has made all her dreams come true since he came back to the island and into her life.