“I’m ready!” Kayla bounced down the stairs in a pale blue dress. She whirled in a circle, making the skirt spin.
At her heels, Luke toyed with his collar.
“You look very handsome.” Bree straightened his black tie. “Nice tux. I thought you were wearing your suit.” She did not make the kind of money that allowed for investing in a tuxedo for a young man who was still growing. It wouldn’t even fit him next year.
“I wanted to surprise you. Uncle Adam bought this for me in New York. We went to a black-tie thing at the gallery.” Adam and Luke had returned from the city a week ago, but Luke had been busy catching up with school. They hadn’t had time to talk.
“I’m glad you had fun with Uncle Adam.”
“I did. We went to museums and got pastrami sandwiches.” Luke flushed and looked at the floor. “I’m sorry I’ve been a jerk about the camping trip. You’re not the only parent who said no. Half the kids can’t go.”
Bree’s heart stumbled. This was the first time he’d referred to her as his parent. Her eyes went misty. “Thanks for the apology. You’re growing up into a fine man.”
Luke nodded. “Uncle Adam said real men apologize when they screw up.”
“That goes for women too.” Bree blinked back a tear. She swiped under her eye before her mascara ran all over her face. “Look, I’ve given it a lot of thought, and if you still want to go camping, I could go with you and your friends.” She didn’t know why it hadn’t occurred to her before. Camping wasn’t on her list of favorite activities, but for Luke, she would do anything, even sleep in a tent with bugs.
“Aunt Bree.” Luke looked pained. “I appreciate that you’d offer, but”—he lowered his voice—“it’s a guys’ trip.”
“I understand. You don’t have to explain.” She held up a hand. “I can be a lot of things, but I can’t be a guy.” Bree couldn’t be both parents, no matter how hard she tried.
“Definitely not.” Matt wrapped one arm around her waist and pulled her closer. Then he turned to Luke. “How about I take you and your friends camping?” He looked down at Bree. “Would I be enough supervision for you?”
“Um. Yeah,” Bree stammered, surprised. She hadn’t expected him to offer, but the solution was so simple. “Definitely yes.”
Matt slapped Luke on the back. “Seriously, Luke. You should have just asked. I love camping.”
Adam walked in the front door. He was almost unrecognizable in a custom-fitted tuxedo. His hair was combed. He was clean shaven and not covered in paint. Ladybug rubbed on his legs. “Who’s going camping?”
Matt gestured to Luke. “Me and Luke and some of his friends. Want to come?”
“Count me in.” Adam brushed white dog hair off his black pants. “I’ll dust off my fishing rod.”
“Awesome.” Luke pulled his phone from his trouser pocket. “I’m going to call the guys. I’ll be outside when you’re ready to go.”
Bree turned to Adam. “I haven’t seen you since you got back from the city. How did it go?”
“You know how I was worried that the gallery didn’t like my new painting because it goes in a different direction than my other work?” Adam’s latest painting had been less dark, less broody, more hopeful than his previous work.
“Yes.” Bree rested a hand on his forearm. “As much as we all appreciate your support, we can manage. I don’t ever want you to think you need to change your art for money. It’s your passion, and you have to follow it.”
“I love that you said that, but the gallery already sold the piece. The collector who bought it snapped up a few of my earlier works. He’s going to loan them to the museum for an exhibition next summer.” Adam’s face beamed like the light in his new painting. “Seriously, Bree. I spent this week setting up trust funds. The kids’ college tuition—or whatever they want to do with their lives—is covered. I put aside money to pay the farm expenses.”
“I’m speechless,” Bree said.
“Good.” Adam looked sad. “I didn’t do enough for the kids and you before this year, but that’s all in the past. We’re a real family now.”
Of all the things Bree had expected in her life, having her sometimes aloof and out-of-touch baby brother provide for the whole family wasn’t one of them.