Everly gave my dad a quick hug and then moved to give one to my sister, but Shiloh stiffened. Ev didn’t miss a beat, simply gave her a light shoulder bump instead. I could’ve kissed her in that moment. She seemed to be so in tune with Shy and didn’t make her feel out of place. Shy wasn’t one for casual affection. It was as if she needed space in all things. And Everly gave her that.
“How about Friday?” Ev glanced at me. “Will I be free by then, warden?”
“Depends if you’re on your best behavior.”
She looked at Shy. “I’m going to short-sheet his bed, I swear.”
“You could always put pink dye in his shampoo,” my sister offered.
“Traitor. My own flesh and blood, stabbing me in the back.”
Shiloh shrugged. “You’re bossy. It gets annoying. I’m team Everly on this one.”
Ev crossed her arms over her chest, the action causing my focus to zero in on the swells peeking out from her tank top. “Face it, you’re done for, Easton.”
I forced my gaze up to her face. “I guess I’ll just have to watch my back.”
“Sleep with one eye open,” Shy warned as she headed towards her truck with Dad.
“Come on, Mr. Bossypants. I’ll show you to the guest room.”
“I’m not sure I’m a fan of that nickname.”
Koda lumbered to his feet, and I picked up the blanket he’d been resting on. Everly gave him a scratch behind his ears. “And what nickname would you like?”
“Oh, I don’t know…ruggedly handsome. Ruthlessly charming.”
“Those aren’t nicknames.”
“But they work.”
Everly shook her head. “I think I’ll stick with Hayes.”
“That works, too.”
We headed up the steps to the small front porch, and Everly pulled open the screen door. “Welcome to Chez Kemper.”
I’d been inside once or twice before, but this time, I took a few moments to really study the space. It was small but homey. The cabin’s rustic history somehow worked with the slightly feminine décor—an overstuffed, light gray sofa scattered with pink and cream pillows, two chairs, and a coffee table. A small TV on a console against the wall—though I doubted she got cable up here since I hadn’t seen a dish on her roof.
“Worrying about how you’re going to watch the ballgame?” she asked.
“It might have crossed my mind.”
“You might be able to pick it up on the radio.”
I scrubbed a hand over my jaw. “You know how to wound me.”
The corners of her mouth tipped up. “You’re the one who wanted to stay here.”
A flash of fur flew across the room, making me stumble back again. “Shit. Let me get a shovel. I think I can get it.” Apparently, with the rustic history of this place came rodents.
“Don’t you dare.” Everly moved to the kitchen and pulled out a bag of nuts. Crouching down, she made a clicking noise behind her teeth. A small chipmunk appeared from around the corner.
I took hold of Koda’s collar, so he didn’t get any ideas about chasing down a snack. Everly held out an almond, and I watched in fascination as the little guy took it right from her fingers. Then he darted back across the room into a small hole in a cabinet. “What was that?”
“That’s Chip. He lives here, too, so you have to be friendly.”
I blinked a few times, looking from the cabinet to Everly and back again. “Whatever floats your boat. Chip just better not try to snuggle with me.”