Chapter 4 Playing House #2
"But I've never seen my brother smile this much."
Jamie followed her gaze.
Alex was laughing at something Marcus had said.
The sight warmed Jamie's heart more than the hot chocolate in his hands ever could.
Before he could answer, Alex looked over and caught Jamie watching him.
He smiled.
Without thinking, Jamie smiled back.
Emma noticed everything.
She simply sipped her drink and hid another knowing smile as the evening settled gently around the cabin.
The Wife I Never Had
Sunday morning began with sunshine pouring through the cabin windows and the unmistakable smell of coffee drifting from the kitchen.
Jamie had been awake for nearly an hour.
He moved quietly through the small cabin while everyone else slept, enjoying the peaceful silence that only existed before the day truly began.
A kettle whistled softly on the stove while pancakes browned in a cast-iron skillet.
Fresh berries, scrambled eggs, and slices of toasted bread slowly filled the dining table.
Cooking for people had always made Jamie happy.
Watching them enjoy the meal made him even happier.
A sleepy voice interrupted his thoughts.
"I knew I'd find you in here."
Jamie turned to see Alex standing in the doorway, his hair slightly messy from sleep and wearing a faded gray hoodie over comfortable sweatpants.
"You were supposed to be sleeping."
Alex smiled.
"I woke up because something smelled too good."
Jamie laughed.
"I'll take that as a compliment."
"It definitely is."
Alex walked over to the coffee pot and poured himself a mug.
"You know..."
He took a grateful sip.
"...I don't think I've eaten this well in years."
Jamie leaned against the counter.
"That's because you used to survive on frozen pizza."
"I still survive on frozen pizza."
"You shouldn't."
"I know."
Jamie pointed a wooden spoon at him.
"You're impossible."
Alex smiled.
"And yet you still feed me."
"I have a soft spot for hopeless people."
Alex laughed.
"I'm choosing to believe you mean that affectionately."
"I do."
One by one, the others wandered into the kitchen, following the smell of breakfast.
Emma stopped dramatically in the doorway.
"I've decided."
Jamie looked up from the stove.
"About what?"
"I'm never letting you leave this family vacation."
Marcus nodded in agreement while stealing a strawberry from the bowl.
"I support this decision."
Daniel reached for a pancake.
"I also support eating before discussing anything important."
Jamie laughed and gently smacked Daniel's hand away with a spatula.
"Sit down."
"I was taste-testing."
"You were stealing."
"I prefer the word sampling."
Everyone laughed.
Breakfast stretched into nearly an hour of conversation, teasing, and second helpings.
After cleaning up together, Marcus suggested hiking one of the nearby mountain trails that overlooked the lake.
"It's only about six miles," he promised.
Emma looked suspicious.
"You always say 'only.'"
"It is only six."
"You also said that trail last year was 'mostly flat.'"
Marcus avoided eye contact.
"It was..."
Emma folded her arms.
"...a mountain."
Daniel grinned.
"We survived."
"Barely."
Despite the playful complaints, everyone agreed.
The trail wound through tall pine trees, across small wooden bridges, and alongside streams that sparkled beneath the afternoon sun.
Jamie loved hiking.
Not because he moved particularly fast, but because it forced everyone to slow down.
Alex naturally walked beside him.
Sometimes they talked.
Sometimes they simply enjoyed the peaceful sounds of birds singing overhead and leaves rustling in the gentle breeze.
Halfway through the hike, they reached a rocky overlook where the entire lake stretched below them.
Jamie stepped closer to admire the view.
"It's beautiful."
Alex looked at him instead of the lake.
"It is."
Jamie turned.
"Were you looking at the view?"
Alex smiled.
"I am now."
Jamie's cheeks warmed slightly.
He pretended to focus on the scenery.
Emma noticed.
She noticed everything.
The hike continued for another two hours before everyone finally returned to the cabin pleasantly exhausted.
Marcus immediately collapsed onto the sofa.
"I've officially exercised enough for this month."
Daniel laughed.
"You've been saying that since lunch."
"I mean it this time."
Emma disappeared upstairs for a shower while Marcus volunteered to start the fire.
Alex dropped into the armchair nearest the fireplace and rolled one shoulder with a quiet wince.
Jamie noticed immediately.
"You okay?"
Alex nodded.
"Just sore."
"The dock yesterday."
"And carrying Marcus's backpack for half the hike."
Marcus looked offended.
"It was heavy."
"It contained four bags of chips."
"They were important."
Everyone laughed.
Jamie disappeared into the downstairs bathroom before returning with a small bottle of massage oil from his overnight bag.
Alex looked confused.
"You packed massage oil?"
Jamie smiled sheepishly.
"My shoulders usually get tight after long photography shoots."
Alex raised an eyebrow.
"So you're prepared for everything?"
"I try."
Jamie stood behind the armchair.
"Turn around."
Alex obeyed without questioning him.
"You don't have to do this."
"I know."
Jamie smiled.
"But you're obviously uncomfortable."
Alex relaxed against the chair as Jamie poured a small amount of oil into his hands.
His fingertips settled gently against Alex's tense shoulders.
The muscles beneath them felt unbelievably tight.
"When was the last time you relaxed?" Jamie asked quietly.
Alex thought about it.
"I honestly don't remember."
"I believe you."
Jamie began working slow, careful circles into the knots across Alex's shoulders.
Years of helping his grandmother through arthritis had taught him how to ease aching muscles without causing pain.
Alex let out a long breath.
"Wow."
Jamie smiled.
"That bad?"
"I think you just found muscles I forgot I had."
"That's because they're carrying your entire company."