The Newcomer (Thunder Point #2)(96)

“You can say it. My feelings won’t be hurt.”

She took a breath. “Our house is quiet. People go to bed early. Eve’s house is lively. Lots of kids get together there because the deputy likes to have eyes and ears on them, but our house is a good spot to bring boyfriends after a game or dance because Gram is out like a light with her ear buds in her ears. When Eve gets enough of lively, she’s here, where we can just walk to the beach, or to the diner, or to McDonalds and Pizza Hut. When I’m looking for a little more action, I’m there. I might move in there—probably into Eve’s room—but Gram will let us come here to spend the night anytime we want to. It’ll probably be a lot like it is right now, except you’ll be paired up with Mac, just like you should be. And I bet Aunt Lou moves out—I bet she moves in with Joe. She’s making those kind of comments, thinking no one is listening. But Eve and I will be the same. We study together, we wear each other’s clothes, we carpool and double date. The only thing we don’t share are boyfriends.”

“Huh,” Gina said. She reached out and touched Ashley’s hair. “I’m not sure how I feel about my house being the best make-out house. But I caught on to your agenda a long time ago.”

“Well, that’s not my agenda anymore, but this house is a really good one for marathon Criminal Minds shows. Eve’s gets a little wild with Ryan and Dee Dee competing on the drums and piano and video games.”

“I like those movie and TV nights,” Gina said.

“If Mac lets you out, you can join us sometime.” Then she grinned at her mother.

“I hate that you had such a hard spring, baby. But you’re better than ever. And you were amazing before.”

“Thanks, Mama,” she said, smiling. “I feel better than ever. I don’t like how I had to learn a few things. But I like what I had to learn. And as a bonus, I got Eric.” She grinned. “I like him.”

“Whew. I’m so glad that worked out.”

“It worked out. At least so far. So about you and Mac... We could fix up a quick wedding. Lou can still take all summer to decide what she wants to do. You two can live in the same house for a couple of months if it takes her that long to decide. Maybe she’ll want to hang around for Ryan and Dee Dee while school’s out. Think about it, Mom—we’ve been like one family the past few years. We do everything together.”

“He keeps suggesting we just elope. And it’s tempting, but I think people expect a ceremony, a reception, a party.”

“Would you? Elope? Just run off and get married?”

She shrugged. “I haven’t given it serious thought. I admit, having four kids between us, a nice dinner out and a night or two away sure sounds nice. But we can wait till August so we don’t take anyone by surprise....”

“You could also tell Gram and Lou and the kids that you’ll be away next weekend, getting married. Everyone wants you to get married. No one except Dee Dee has a big need to be in a wedding,” Ashley said.

“What about you? The maid of honor?” she asked.

“Don’t take this the wrong way...you know I love Mac and the whole family but I’m a lot more interested in this idea of Frank’s—going out on the bay at night when there’s a full moon.”

“Seriously?” Gina asked.

“Frank has seen dolphins out there. I’d give anything to see a dolphin up close. Do you know if you shine lights down into the water at night you can see massive marine life?”

“Frank?” she asked, lifting a brow.

“Another gift—I never really knew him before even though I’ve known him my whole life. We’re good friends now. And that’s where it’s going to stay. Good friends. And it’s very nice.”

“Well, I’ll be darned. Frank. Huh. And you wouldn’t be hurt and deprived if I didn’t have a wedding and party you could be a part of?”

“Mom, the whole town has expected you and Mac to get married for years. The two of you are so lame, thinking no one could see the way you look at each other. Put your lives together and move on so we don’t have to all watch you sneaking kisses. No one cares. Well, except Dee Dee. But we can have a pretend wedding for her and she’d be just as happy—she’s ten. We could let her be the bride!” And then she grinned. “Did you know Frank plans to go to college on the east coast? One of the big ones—MIT or Harvard or Boston University. He knows everything out there to see and do! He says if I ever go visit him he’ll take me everywhere. To New York City, the D.C. Mall to see all the museums and monuments, to all the planetariums and observatories. I am so going to do that! And Eve and I have been talking about Europe. You know, after we finish college. There’s a big world out there. It’s not all Oregon State University and Thunder Point and some baseball player, you know.”

Gina sighed and gave her daughter a loving stroke along her arm. “I know, baby. It’s so good to see you have dreams. Big dreams. And you will do it, too. All of it.”

* * *

Gina called Mac’s cell phone. “Did I wake you?” she asked softly.

“No. Saying good-night again?”

“I have Ashley’s permission to elope,” she said. “Are you still tempted to do that?”

“I’m more than tempted. Want to leave in an hour?”