“I’m happy to see you too.” What was up with her? They’d always had a great relationship. Not sisterly, since there were so many years between them, but more like favorite aunt and niece. “Can I come in?”
“Suit yourself.” Chickadee turned and made her way to her bed, climbing up on the spread and tucking her pajama-clad legs under her. She wore a soft tank under an unzipped hoodie and had left her dark, thick hair to flow down her back. The girl was growing up into a beautiful young woman. When had that happened?
“What’s the matter?” Raven asked. When was the last time she’d talked with Chickadee? With all that had been happening with Aidan, she’d forgotten about her little sister.
“Nothing.” Chickadee glanced off to the side as though she was bored with Raven.
“School okay?”
“Fine.”
“How’s it going with that boy in Fairbanks?”
“What do you want, Raven?”
“Uh…” She physically took a step back from the insolence coming off Chickadee in waves. “What is with you? Why are you treating me like this?”
“Oh, I don’t know. Maybe it’s because I don’t know who the hell you are anymore?”
“Excuse me?”
“Yeah, you should excuse yourself.” She huffed and folded her arms over her chest, a scowl on her face. “I can’t believe what you’re doing to Fox and Aidan.”
Oh, boy. Raven fell into the plush purple chair next to the desk. “Dee—”
“Don’t ‘Dee’ me. I was three when Dad died. I’d give anything to know him. Fox is just getting to know the father you kept from him all these years and then I overheard Aidan this morning telling him you think it’s best if they don’t see each other for a while. Why did you do it?”
Raven took the verbal arrows one by one. “It’s complicated, Dee.”
“No, it isn’t. You’re just making it that way. I don’t get you at all.”
Silence added a chill to the room that had Raven wishing she hadn’t hung up her coat. She held back the ever-present tears and glanced around the room. Dragonflies she’d helped Chickadee paint years ago still flittering on the walls, alongside posters of Hoodie Allen and Taylor Swift.
“Listen, Dee. I’ve done a lot of things in my life that I’m not proud of, but I’m trying to do the best thing for everyone here.”
Chickadee flipped her long curtain of hair back over her shoulder. “Everyone? Seriously?” She had sarcasm down to an art form. Chickadee glanced at her nails and picked at her cuticles. “What did you come here for anyway?”
Not to feel better about herself that was for sure. “I wanted to borrow Aidan’s graphic novels that Fox lent you.”
“Why?” Chickadee glanced up, her scowl deepening.
“I don’t know.” Raven shrugged. “I thought it might help me understand Aidan better, I guess.”
“Whatever.” Chickadee got up from the bed and went to her desk, grabbing the pile of glossy, colorful novels stacked there. “Knock yourself out.”
Aidan kissed Fiona and Coho on the cheek. “Thanks for making us lunches. That was very sweet of you.”
“Naw,” Coho said. “Just our way of being a part of the treasure hunting since you won’t let us come with. Now go find that gold. Oh, and I’d like a nugget this size, if you don’t mind.” She held up her thumb and finger about two inches apart.
Fiona rolled her eyes at Coho. “Be careful, Aidan. Lynx, I want you to watch out for him. You too, Garrett. He’s been through a lot and I don’t want him to over do or be hurt any worse than he already is.”
“Yes, Mom,” Lynx said. “Can we go now?”
Yes, can we? The day had already been excruciating. Fox had come to the lodge early and interrupted the treasure planning party, wanting to come along. For Fox’s safety, and to adhere to Raven’s wishes, Aidan had tried to put some distance between them. It had backfired.
Pike entered the kitchen door from the cold outdoors. “What’s the hold up? Truck’s running. It’s not like the sun’s going to stay up all day.”
Lynx grabbed the cooler full of food, and followed Pike out the door. Aidan and a very quiet Garrett followed. Aidan never thought he’d be doing anything with the fish cop. Funny how things changed. Maybe he should do what Sonya suggested and fight for Raven and Fox? He had a legal right to fight for Fox, not that he’d take him away from his mother, but he was the kid’s father and he wanted the chance to be there for him.