“I know.” Levi stared after his brother and Miranda as they walked hand in hand toward Jasper’s car in the parking lot. “They’re helping me out when I’m in a bind. I should probably be more grateful.” He snatched up the stack of cardboard Jasper had left behind and carted it to the back of the store, frustrated with himself for being so hard on his brother lately.
He needed to go fishing or something to blow off steam because he had some harsh words ready for Mrs. Horvath. How could she do something like that, knowing Wren had already been through so much?
Chapter Six
She’d stay for an hour. Two at the most. Just long enough to say hello to everyone, and if things went well, eat dinner. Quickly. Savannah grabbed her purse and the bouquet of wildflowers she’d tucked into a mason jar, then eased out of Wyatt’s truck. Levi and Wren were supposed to meet her here, although he’d sent a text before she’d left the house that they were running late. Looping her purse strap over her shoulder, she eyed Mr. Jackson’s front door. Her high school English teacher had owned this gorgeous home overlooking the Poplar River for as long as she could remember. He and his wife had hosted dozens of events here. An especially sweet memory came rushing back. Suddenly, she was fifteen again, celebrating her team’s victory at the academic decathlon.
They’d been so excited when they’d come from behind and upset that incredible team from Kenai, even though Candace and her crowd had teased them relentlessly for being total nerds. The familiar anxiety crawled across her skin. She reached for the truck’s door handle.
No. Don’t be a coward.
Ten years had passed. Surely they could all catch up with one another and behave like adults.
A water balloon sailed over her head and crashed onto the gravel behind her with an obnoxious splat. She squealed as cold water sprayed the back of her legs.
“Oops. Sorry,” a deep male voice called out. “That one got out of hand.”
Robert, who’d grown up living down the road from her, jogged across the Jacksons’ front lawn.
She shook her head, unable to hold back a smile. “You guys didn’t waste any time pulling a prank, did you?”
“It was Mr. Jackson’s idea.” Robert slung an arm around her shoulders and pulled her in for a side hug. “He wanted us to make sure his new water balloon slingshot worked. He needs it for the parade.”
Savannah grimaced. “I don’t even want to know why he needs a water balloon slingshot at the parade.”
“If you go, steer clear of his float. He volunteered to help with the student council this year.” Robert pulled back and gave her a friendly once-over. “How’ve you been, Savannah? Good to see you again.”
“It’s good to see you too, Robert.” She fell in step beside him. “I hear you and your wife are expecting. Congratulations.”
He grinned again. “Thanks. I can hardly wait to meet the little guy. Come on, the party’s just getting started. We’re hanging out back here.”
Their shoes crunched under the gravel as they rounded the side of the house. The aroma of citronella from the tiki torches staked throughout the yard permeated the air. Laughter wafted toward her. She stopped at the edge of the lush green lawn. Robert kept walking, already encouraging a group of three to join him for badminton. Two couples sat at the table under the umbrella on the patio, and a dozen other people stood in clusters around the gorgeous backyard.
Through the trees, the river flowed gently, burbling along behind the property.
“Savannah! I heard you were here, but I had to see you with my own eyes to believe it.” Mr. Jackson strode toward her, his long legs making short work of the distance between them. In gray cargo shorts and a rumpled purple T-shirt, he didn’t look much different than the young guys milling about. More gray in his brown hair, maybe, and the laugh lines around his eyes had deepened. His same easy smile instantly made her feel welcome.
“Hi, Mr. Jackson.” She offered the small glass jar with the flowers inside. “These are for you and Mrs. Jackson.”
He carefully accepted the jar. “You didn’t have to do that.”
“You didn’t have to host,” she said. “Thank you for inviting us all over. Do you have a party for every class reunion?”
“Not every class. We’re thrilled to see you guys again. This is quite a yardful of wonderful humans.” Mr. Jackson glanced around, then faced her again. “Welcome home, by the way. How’ve you been?”
An unexpected tightness made her throat ache. “Yeah, um, thanks. I’m good. Really good.”
Mostly.
“Glad to hear it.” He clapped her on the shoulder. “Let me run these inside. Go ahead and grab a seat, or get a soda or whatever. We’ll visit the taco bar shortly, then get on with the evening’s festivities.”
Oh no. “And what would those be?”
He laughed, walking backward across the lawn. “The three-legged race is back by popular demand.”
She didn’t bother to hide her disappointed expression.
“Don’t worry. There’ll be a rousing game of Pictionary and trivia later on.”
“Great.” She gave him a thumbs-up. “That I can handle.”
After setting her purse on a canvas chair nearby, she crossed over to the coolers lined up near the garage and chose a can of soda. From her vantage point, she looked around, assessing the rest of the guests. Jasper and Miranda stood near the badminton game, speaking with Candace and the guy Savannah assumed was Candace’s husband.
They didn’t make eye contact, and frankly she didn’t have the courage to initiate conversation. Everyone else had paired off or were standing in tight circles. Maybe she should go inside and offer to help Mrs. Jackson with the food. Or text one of her sisters and beg them to stage a faux emergency so she could leave.
As she claimed her seat, then reached inside her purse to find her phone, Levi strode across the lawn, holding Wren’s hand.
Wren’s eyes lit up when she spotted her. “Sabby.”
Savannah tucked her drink into the chair’s cupholder and spread her arms wide. Wren tugged her hand free from Levi’s and ran toward Savannah.
“Hi, sweet girl.” She pulled Wren onto her lap, then exchanged glances with Levi. “I’m so glad you’re both here.”
Understanding dawned in his eyes. “Tough crowd?”
Savannah shifted Wren on her lap and chose her words carefully. “I thought I’d know more people here, that’s all.”
“I’m sorry we’re a little bit late.” He tipped his head toward Wren. “Slight wardrobe malfunction.”
