The Last One(23)

“Uh-huh. And just how was this any of your business? What did she say to you at Boomer’s that day?”

I swallowed. “She said ... thank you. For helping them.”

Ali blinked several times in rapid succession. Shit, she was pissed. I knew the signs. I braced myself, ready for her to explode on me. Instead, she swung her head around to Meghan.

“Meghan, I’m so sorry. My brother is an ass. I have no clue what got into him to say those things to you. Sometimes I think he was raised by wolves. But please, don’t let his idiocy ruin this for all of us. I promise you, I’ll make sure he behaves while you’re staying with us.” Ali gripped my forearm, her nails digging into the skin. “Right, Sam? You’re going to try to remember how to be a decent person. You’ll be courteous, and you’ll tell Meghan how happy you are that she’s here to teach in Burton.”

Before I could get out an answer, she added one final shot. “And you’ll apologize, right now.”

“He doesn’t have to do that.” Meghan fiddled with the strap of her handbag. “He was right. I shouldn’t have gotten so carried away that night. I was upset, and I used that as an excuse. I put Laura in a bad position.”

If she ‘d acted like a spoiled brat or let Ali force me into an apology, I could’ve hung onto my resentment. But agreeing with everything I’d said that day made me feel like scum. It didn’t help when Ali put an arm around her shoulders and rubbed her back.

“Oh, aren’t you sweet to let him off the hook ... but you shouldn’t. Trust me, my dear brother has had his share of getting carried away, as you put it.” Ali shot me a dark look. “Why’re you just standing there, with no shirt on? Go get showered. I’m going to show Meghan to her room and then get started on dinner.”

“Where’s Bridget?” I stopped at the bottom of the steps.

“One of the girls from the stand is dropping her off after they close up. I wanted Meghan to be able to get settled before we let Bridge at her.” Ali picked up the small suitcase that sat by the front door. “Your room’s this way, Meghan.”

I watched her follow my sister around the staircase and down the short hall that led back to the only downstairs bedroom. She didn’t look my way, but I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the swing in her hips.

And if I groaned as I stomped up the steps, who could blame me?



“ ... SO WHEN I HEARD about ArtCorps, I was really excited. The kids in Burton can’t wait to meet you. We’ve got a room set up for you at the elementary school, and don’t worry, it’s air conditioned.” My sister hadn’t stopped talking for a solid ten minutes, and when she paused to take a breath, Bridget took over. Meghan hadn’t said much beyond “Yes” and “Thanks.” I hadn’t said anything at all.

“I’m looking forward to meeting everyone.” Meghan smiled at my niece. “What’s your favorite medium?”

Bridget’s eyebrows drew together, and Meghan hurried to clarify. “I mean, what kind of art do you like best? Drawing, oil color, watercolor, sculpture ... ?”

“I like to paint.” Bridget took a bite of lasagna.

“That’s my favorite, too. I like watercolors.” Meghan wiped her lips. “Maybe we can do some painting around the farm while I’m here. What’s your favorite subject? Uh, what do you like to paint? The sky, or plants, or animals?”

“She likes horses.” I hadn’t meant to speak until I heard the words spurting out of my mouth. All three females at the table turned to look at me.

“Yup, I like to paint Mr. Fred’s horses. Uncle Sam won’t let them come live here, even though this is a farm and the only animals we have are Loopy and Butler, and even though they’re in Old MacDonald—” She shot her mother a reproving look. “They aren’t real farm animals.”

Meghan laughed. “What are they, then?”

“Loopy’s a dog, and Butler’s my cat. They live in the barn.”

“Ah.” She nodded. “But at least you have them. I never had any pets growing up. Oh, except my brother had a hermit crab one summer.”

Ali stood up to clear the table. “So where are you from originally, Meghan?”

“Florida.” She glanced away, her mouth tightening, and I remembered her friend Laura’s words.

Her dad died almost two years ago, and last fall, her mom got re-married, to one of their best friends. Meghan likes him, but you know ... it’s still difficult.

“And do you have just the one brother?” Ali was in full discovery mode. I watched Meghan to see if it was bothering her, but her face was pleasantly blank.