“I think Wyatt might have a concussion.”
“What? How?”
“He stepped on a rake and the handle hit him in the head so hard, he dropped.”
Hurrying over to my son, I ask, “What in the heck was he doing with a rake?” My boys aren’t known for their love of yard work. The only reason I can get them to mow is because that job pays five bucks.
Kneeling next to Wyatt, he beams up at me and asks, “Do you like it?”
“Do I like what, honey?”
“That’s the good news,” Edna says. And then, with a flourish, she gestures toward the front of the house. “The boys and I put in a proper flower garden for you!”
I turn and look, and sure enough, in the very place I’ve always wanted a garden, there is one. It’s full of bright blooms and plants. There’s even a garden gnome statue lying in his own little hammock. “But why? I mean, it’s lovely, but what’s the occasion?”
“My cousin from Anchorage came down and brought me all kinds of flowers. But I’m full up with them, so the boys and I decided to plant you a garden.”
“Edna, I don’t know what to say. Thank you.” People don’t normally do things for me for no reason. Outside of my family, that is.
“That’s why we’ve been digging up the front yard,” Wyatt says, still lying on his back. He suddenly rolls over and throws up all over the place.
As I rub his back, Edna says, “Yup, it’s a concussion. You’d better take him to the hospital. I’ll take the twins home with me.”
Colton had a concussion when he got hit in the head with a baseball. I can only hope we’re not in for a night of vomiting, but one thing’s sure, we’re going to be stuck at the hospital for several hours.
It looks like my plans with Ethan will have to be postponed.
Chapter22
Ethan
My parents arrive today. I’ve decided that I’m sort of happy they’re coming, even though it’s going to make it considerably more difficult to sneak in some time with Moira. We missed out on our “movie date” because of Wyatt’s concussion. Moira took some time off work to stay with him, and suddenly it’s Thursday.
I’m currently sitting on the porch at the lodge, waiting for my parents to pull up. I told them to come here first, since it’s a lot easier to find than my cabin, not to mention it means they get to see Harper, Lily, and Liam. My mom adores the three of them so much, she went into serious mourning when Harper and Digger ended up together. As soon as Mom heard Harper’s marriage had ended, she started texting and calling me non-stop to “get in there before someone else does.”
The front door opens, and Harper walks outside and sits down on the Adirondack chair next to mine. “You going to tell me what’s going on?”
“Umm … sure. But I thought you knew that my parents were arriving in a few minutes.”
Looking annoyed, she says, “Don’t play dumb with me, mister. I know you far too well. What’s going on with you and Moira?”
“Nothing.” My cheeks suddenly heat up like I’m standing too close to a bonfire. “Other than a very nice friendship, that is.”
“Uh-huh.” She doesn’t sound convinced. “Those were her exact words when I asked her this morning.”
“Could it be that she has the same answer because it’s the truth?”
“Not when the two of you look as guilty as sin,” Harper teases, lightly punching my arm. “Plus, Abigail told me she saw you two coming out of the storage closet together.”
“It was …research for my book. I’m writing a scene where the villain hides in a closet, so Moira was kind enough to show me hers.”
“I’ll just bet she did,” Harper laughs. Clearing her throat, she adds, “And what’s your excuse for the fact that Mrs. Martin saw the two of you kissing on the side of the road?”
I freeze for a second, feeling like one of my clients caught in the headlights of a police car.
“You’re so busted,” she says. “Relax. I’m not about to lecture you on playing with fire. You’re both adults. I’m sure you know what you’re doing.”
“I appreciate the vote of confidence.”