Chapter 9
9
SUMMER
“Did Lionel Lowry really have a go at Asher and Maia for not saving a woman who was already dead?” Bailey asked as she set up her phone on a stand and aimed it at a pair of chairs facing each other.
“He did.” I sat on one of the chairs and Bailey adjusted the phone’s position slightly. “I heard it from Liam, and then again from Toby, who was roped into a last minute skydiving trip with Asher yesterday.”
As the expert in all things Asher Heaton, I’d noticed long ago that in addition to insomnia, he tended to become an adrenaline junkie when he was stressed or upset. I just hoped it wouldn’t get him into trouble one day.
“Even Max couldn’t save someone who was already dead,” Bailey said, gathering her array of makeup and placing it beside my feet.
“And we all know Max is practically a saint,” I teased, just to watch her blush.
Honestly, it was sweet how she seemed to think my most sensible, levelheaded brother was capable of anything. In her mind, he wore a super suit beneath his button down shirt and slacks.
“He’s pretty incredible,” Bailey agreed. “By the way, thanks for doing this with me. It’s nice to have company while I work.”
“No problem.” I grinned. “Happy to do it.”
Bailey had already done her own makeup, and now she turned to face the camera and briefly introduced me and explained what she was going to do. Then she picked up her brushes and got to work.
An hour later, the two of us made our way to the track behind Destiny Fibers that led up to Destiny Falls. We parked near the start of the track and got out of the car. Bailey passed me her camera phone and I turned on the video and aimed it at her, keeping my hands as steady as I could while we started to walk.
As we moved slowly up the track, Bailey spoke to the camera, explaining where the track was, its difficulty level, and then going on to explain the significance of the falls.
Grace had unearthed some of the falls’ history, which had become more myth than fact, and Bailey certainly dramatized it as she retold the star-crossed love story of Rocky and his Jewel.
Jewel—real name Pearl—and Rocky—real name Charles—had tied the knot at the base of the falls the night before she was due to marry someone else and had skipped town afterward. Sure, it was romantic, but I felt a little bad for them. They’d lived out their days away from their families and the place they’d once called home.
When the waterfall came into view, I panned the camera away from Bailey to capture the full beauty of the mossy backdrop and the rush of water cascading over the tiered rock structure.
I stopped and zoomed in as two figures appeared to the right of the falls.
Liam and Kennedy.
I jerked my head toward them so Bailey would see, and then stopped recording. These days, Kennedy lived a quiet life in Destiny Falls, but she used to be a Hollywood A-lister, and I refused to record one of her private moments. She’d been hounded by the press enough.
I passed Bailey the phone and walked up the trail toward them. They met us halfway. Liam had one of his arms around Kennedy and they were both beaming.
“You two look like it’s been a good morning,” I said, hoping we hadn’t caught them in the aftermath of a little outdoors lovemaking. It should be too cold for that craziness, but Liam and Kennedy could never stop touching each other, so I couldn’t rule it out.
“It has,” Kennedy said, gazing up at Liam with adoration painted all over her pretty face.
He smiled down at her and kissed her softly.
“Aww,” Bailey murmured. “They’re so cute.”
They really were.
“Can I tell them?” Liam asked.
“Go on,” Kennedy replied.
“Tell us what?” I asked eagerly. I had a nose for gossip, and I could smell something juicy.
They exchanged another look.
“We’re having a baby,” Liam said.
My jaw dropped. “Congratulations! That’s the greatest news I’ve heard all year.” I bounded across the space between us and wrapped my arms around them both. “You’re going to be incredible parents. I’m so happy for you.”
They really would. But even as I said it, envy gnawed at my insides. I wanted what they had. I wanted someone to get freaky with in the middle of the forest simply because we couldn’t keep our hands off each other. I ached for a man to love and to create a family with. But as long as I was hung up on Asher, I doubted it would happen.
I released them and Bailey took my place, hugging first Kennedy and then Liam.
“That’s so wonderful,” she said. “When are you due?”
“I’m about ten weeks along,” Kennedy said, “so I’m due in mid-December.”
Bailey’s grin grew. “How sweet would it be to have a Christmas baby?”
“Probably not as sweet as you’d think. Their birthday would always get lumped in with Christmas,” I said, already able to imagine how it would go.
She frowned. “Then we’ll just have to make sure that doesn’t happen.”
“Thanks.” Kennedy sounded amused. “Are you up here recording footage for your channel?”
“Yeah, but don’t worry, we’ll cut out anything with you in it,” Bailey assured her.
Kennedy was visibly relieved. “I’d appreciate that. We’re going to walk back now and break the news to the rest of the family. See you later?”
“Definitely.” I kissed her cheek. “Congratulations, again.”
Liam looked nervous, but I knew he’d be a great dad. He’d be the sort to get outside and play with his kids, and then snuggle on the sofa and watch a movie with them when they wanted to be indoors.
We shuffled around each other, steering clear of the creek, and then Bailey and I resumed filming. When we finished, we perched on either side of a rock near to the water and simply watched it fall.
The forest around us was alive with sound. Birds chirped, animals rustled in the undergrowth, and every now and then, I caught snippets of conversations as people passed by on one of the other trails. I breathed in the scent of earth and greenery and rubbed my hands together to warm them. Despite the sunny weather, it was cool.
“Do you want a family one day?” I asked Bailey, made braver by the fact I couldn’t see her face in our current position.
“Yes.” She didn’t hesitate for a second.
I rubbed my lips together. “What will you do if Max never notices you?”
I didn’t want to hurt her, but I needed to know. Our situations were so similar, and I was lost as to what to do myself. I was young enough to still have time, but I didn’t want to throw away some of my best years waiting for something that would never happen.I also didn’t want to do anything impulsive that I might come to regret.
Bailey sighed. “I honestly don’t know.”
“Yeah.” My shoulders slumped. “Me neither. I’ve been wondering if I should move away, but I don’t want to leave my family.”
“Or me.” She swiveled around and dragged me into a hug. “You’re not allowed to leave me behind either.”
“I don’t want to.” I just sometimes wondered if it might be my best option.