by Jenni James
Madison’s jaw dropped. “You’re kidding! You made this? Out here?”
Ethan nudged Carson in the ribs and laughed out loud when he blushed. “Yeah, my big brother’s got a whole lot of talents. Haven’t I ever told you about them before?” His wink was directed right at Madison.
Clearly flustered, she looked down at her sandwich. I’m sure it was obvious to everyone at the table that the brothers had spent a lot of time talking about her. Everyone except Madison’s boyfriend, that is. He didn’t seem to notice at all.
Curious, I glanced at Collin, who hadn’t even touched his sandwich. It looked like he had lost his cell signal—he kept raising and lowering his iPhone around Madison’s head. It’s like he’s in his own little world, I thought. Looking back at Carson and Ethan, I could see they hadn’t missed Collin’s odd behavior. They both shook their heads, seeming completely baffled and probably wondering how Madison ever ended up with a guy like that.
With the sun in Collin’s eyes, his expression was kind of strange. I smiled a little and turned my gaze to connect directly with Gregory’s glittering eyes over the table. He must’ve been watching me. My heart sped up a bit as his mouth slowly formed a slight grin in acknowledgment of mine. The humor of the situation wasn’t lost on him, either. My smile grew.
Sitting to Gregory’s left, Kylie made a comment and broke the fragile contact he and I had made. I quickly finished my lunch and left the table before my heart had stopped racing. Everyone else was still eating—or playing with a cell phone—so I used the time alone to explore the place a bit.
After five or ten minutes of following a trail, I entered an area filled with cedar and piñon trees. The limbs of the short piñon trees were covered with small, green cones. I stopped to examine a couple. Look how many pine nuts these will have, I thought excitedly. I had never seen so many cones on the piñon trees near the city. I definitely wanted to come back out in the fall and bring a tarp to harvest some pine nuts. I wondered if Carson would bring us back. Collecting the tiny nuts was so fun, and they were one of my favorite things to eat. Just then, I heard a faint noise and realized I wasn’t alone.
“Over here, Gregory. Look. There’s loads of piñon cones over here.” Kylie’s laughing voice caused me to freeze. It was soon followed by Gregory’s deep voice.
“What are piñon cones, anyway? I’ve only heard of pine cones.”
Oh my gosh. They’re getting closer. I was indebted to the wide branches of the cedar tree that hopefully concealed me.
“That’s because they’re rare. Usually you can only find them in the West. The pine nuts are so good. Seriously, you have to try one.”
I watched the shrubbery beside me shake and knew they were on the other side of the small tree. I stepped back further into the sticky limbs of the overgrown bush on my left.
“Here. Here’s one. See? One day it’s gonna be full of yummy nuts to eat. You should try gathering them—it’s really fun.” Kylie laughed again.
“Do you pick these a lot?”
“Nah, usually just with Amanda.”
“Amanda?” Gregory paused before he casually asked, “Do you two hang out?”
“Sometimes. We’re friends, if that’s what you mean. It’s just usually she doesn’t do much. This is just about her speed, you know? Coming out into nature collecting seeds. I mean, I can’t tell you how many times she drives me crazy when she refuses to get out and do something, or go out with someone.”
“Refuses to go out with someone? What do you mean?”
Oh my gosh. Please let this tree swallow me whole.
“Oh, you know, guys—when they ask her out on a date or something, she’s always telling them no.”
“Wait. Amanda? Are you talking about Amanda Ellis?”
“Uh, yeah.”
“She’s had guys ask her out and she won’t go out with them?”
“Yeah. Crazy, huh?”
“You’re kidding.” Gregory’s voice sounded strained when he asked, “Why? Do you know?”
“Uh, well, I don’t know.” Kylie seemed a bit taken aback. Apparently she’d heard the edge in his voice, too. “I mean, I definitely wouldn’t go out with some of them. But you never know why Amanda does anything, really. Maybe she thinks she’s better than them or something.” I could almost imagine Kylie as she shrugged her shoulders.
“When did they ask her? Recently?”
“No, not that recently. I mean, honestly I think she’s scared off all the guys around here. They know she’ll just tell them no.”
“Oh.”
There was nothing significant in his answer, but I’ve never known such relief as when, in the next breath, I heard Kylie exclaim, “Well, let’s go show everyone what we’ve found. I bet the Franklin brothers are gonna want to know where these trees are. By September, the pine nuts will be ripe.”
“Cool.”
I waited until I thought the coast was clear before I stepped out of my hiding spot. I spun around at the accusing voice behind me.
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
Six: Caught!
Lilly was less than two feet from me. “Why didn’t you tell me it was you?”
I stared at her, speechless.
“Why didn’t you say you were the girl who broke Gregory’s heart?”
Say something. “I–I couldn’t.” I blinked and then looked away from her scornful glare. “How did you know?”
“Like it was hard to put the pieces together, especially after the way he watches you and then with what Kylie just said,” Lilly retorted. Then she asked hesitantly, “You still love him, don’t you?”
My head whipped around to meet her eyes, before I lowered mine and mumbled, “I, uh . . . yes, I do. But please don’t say anything.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it. Talk about awkward.” Her attempt at a joke brought my gaze to hers again. “Besides, by the looks of things it’s not likely you two will ever be together again.”
On the way back to the picnic table I must’ve tripped on a dead branch or something, because I had fallen down before I knew what had happened.
“Amanda, are you all right?”
The look of concern on Lilly’s face made me giggle, even though I was touched that she cared.
“Yeah, I’m fine. I think.”
With her help, I was able to stand up and brush off most of the stubborn grime. I’d forgotten how sticky the clay soil was. I had a slight yellowish terracotta film over most of my jeans and a good part of my light blue T-shirt when we arrived back at the Land Rover. To make matters worse, I’d wrenched my ankle a bit when I fell. It didn’t sting or swell or anything, but it was a little sore. I tried not to limp as I approached the group.
Madison was the first one to notice my appearance. “Amanda, what happened? Are you okay?”
I laughed along with everybody when the rest of the group turned to see me and couldn’t contain their amusement. I’m so glad there’s not a mirror. I would hate to see what I really look like.
Ethan grinned mischievously when he pointed to the left side of my face and asked, “Didn’t get enough to eat, Amanda? You had to try out some dirt too?”
Everyone burst into laughter again.
I wiped some dust off my cheek. “I’m awfully thirsty from tasting all that dirt. Has anyone seen my water bottle?”
“Here, Amanda, you can use mine.” Kylie chucked her unopened bottle right at me. I wasn’t expecting that, and the bottle would have hit me had Gregory’s arm not flown in front of my face at the last second and caught it.
“Here.” His voice above my head sent a shiver down my spine.
“Thanks.” I half smiled and blinked at his shirt before glancing down at my dirty clothes.
“Hey, are you okay?”
“Yeah.” I tried again to look up at him, but it was impossible.
“Did you get hurt when you fell?”
“Hurt?” I was surprised he cared. My eyes finally found his, and my heart began t
o flutter uncontrollably.
He grinned. “I sound like a broken record, don’t I?”
Record? What in the—?
“It seems like the only thing I can ever ask you is if you’re hurt or not.” He chuckled.
I was dying. I never thought I would see his grin or hear his laughter directed at me again. “I’m fine.”
My smile caused Gregory to pause a moment, and I watched as his eyes settled on my mouth briefly before meeting my own again. “You should do that more often.”
More often?
“Smile. You’re really pretty when you smile, Andy.”
My heart melted right then and there. I’d almost forgotten his nickname for me.
“You’re sure, though, that you’re okay?”
I watched him glance down at my sore ankle and realized he must’ve seen me trying not to limp. “Yeah, I’m fine. I just tripped over a fallen branch. It’s no big deal.”
“Hey, guys, we’re going to be heading back soon and we’ll be taking a different route.” Carson announced to the group. “Ethan has offered to give up his front seat to anyone who’d rather have more leg room.” He turned to us first. “Gregory? Amanda? Would either of you like to sit up front? It’ll be more comfortable.”
“Why didn’t you ask me?” Sydney’s shrill voice took us all by surprise. “I might’ve wanted to sit up front. Seriously, you should’ve asked me first.”
Great. Sydney is in one of her moods. I sighed. Kylie stealing Gregory must’ve made her madder than I thought.
It was Kylie who put my stepsister in her place. “Well, Sydney, you’re definitely welcome to the front. And Ethan—” Kylie turned to him “—we would love to have you take Sydney’s spot in the back with us.” The smirk Kylie directed at my sister reminded me a little of a cat.
It was almost comical to watch the emotions flail through Sydney’s head. I would’ve treasured the moment a bit longer, but my attention was caught by Gregory as he stepped up to Carson and spoke quietly to him.
In the next instant, Carson turned to me and asked, “Amanda, would you like to sit up front? I mean, you do look a little tired. Plus after your fall I’m certain everyone here can agree that you deserve it more than the rest of us.” The last part was directed right at Sydney.
“I . . . uh . . . ” I was completely taken aback. “No, really—” I would’ve protested more, knowing how my stepsister would react, but Gregory placed his arm around my shoulders and steered me toward the passenger side of the Land Rover. Before I’d even fully comprehended what was happening, the door was whisked open and I was placed carefully on the seat. Then Gregory gently lifted my legs and brought them around in front of me. He shut the door. I was so astonished I didn’t say a word.
Clearly dumbfounded, I stretched my legs and found my ankle hurt more than it had just a few minutes before. I was grateful to have the seat with the better legroom—my ankle would’ve been doubly cramped the whole way home if I’d sat somewhere else. And Gregory knew it.
The ride back was much more fun, mainly because Carson was such a great host. He had me laughing out loud while he rehearsed antics of past four-wheeling experiences with his brother.
When I asked why the Land Rover had two gearshifts instead of just one, Carson explained about overdrive shifters and their purpose. I was only able to follow about a quarter of the conversation, due to my particular lack of automobile knowledge, but he was still so friendly and cheerful, it didn’t matter that I had no idea what he was talking about. I just enjoyed hearing him talk.
When we got back he insisted that we all pose around his beautiful Beast so he could have a picture to hang on his office wall.
“Can I have a copy too?” When everyone else turned around to stare at me, I clarified, “You know, just sent to my email or whatever.”
“Sure.” Carson smiled. “Remember to leave me your email address and I’ll send it to you.”
“Great.” I couldn’t believe it, but I’d really, really enjoyed myself—and for some reason, I wanted the memory of it to last.
The next morning it was announced over breakfast that instead of moving into the new house later that day with my family, I was going over to Kylie’s. Her mom had called while we were four-wheeling to say she’d be away on a business trip for a couple of weeks and didn’t want Kylie to stay alone. Ms. Russell had arranged with my stepmom for me to go there this afternoon.
I was just about to protest, knowing full well Kylie would enjoy the house to herself, but Sydney spoke up right then.
“Good. We definitely don’t need your whining attitude around at the new house. I hope you stay all summer with Kylie!”
My whining attitude? What is she talking about? I glanced over at my parents to see if I was going to get any help in the defense department, but Veronica was scrolling through text messages on her cell phone, and my dad was engrossed in his laptop. Looking back over at Sydney, I watched her choke down a Slim-Fast. Even with her face all puckered and free of makeup, she still looked beautiful. It never failed to amaze me how attractive my family could look first thing in the morning.
Just looking at them made my toast stale as I realized how much I didn’t fit in. After another attempt to eat, I gave up and swallowed my orange juice before heading over to the sink. I quickly loaded the dishwasher and then ran up to my room.
My full beauty regimen took approximately four and a half minutes, including washing my face, brushing my teeth, pulling my hair into a ponytail, slapping on some mascara, and putting pink-lemonade-flavored Smackers on my lips.
After getting ready, I opened my packed luggage and transferred some clothes into a smaller suitcase to live out of for two weeks. Kylie’s family had a washer and dryer, of course, so I didn’t need to bring much. I spent the rest of the morning doing last-minute packing and cleaning in my room.
When I finished, the weight of the move finally hit me. It was hard to realize I would never see my bedroom again, and I found I didn’t want to go to the new house just yet. I wasn’t ready for my life to change. For the first time since that morning, I felt thankful Ms. Russell had asked me to stay with Kylie. Even if it was for just a couple of weeks—at least I didn’t have to face reality until then.
I got a text message from Kylie, saying she would be there around noon to get me. By 11:00 I was ready to go. I slowly wandered through the rooms of the house and silently said goodbye to each one. By Monday morning, all of this will belong to Gregory’s family, I thought with a sigh.
Because of my family’s financial situation, I was relieved that we were moving into a smaller place. Still, I was surprised at how painful it was to leave my childhood home. It really was a disgustingly large house for any average family’s standards, but it was all I had ever known.
My final tour of the backyard brought me up to my mother’s coveted koi pond. I missed her. No, not her, exactly. I missed the fun we could’ve had together had she chosen to stay with us. But she hadn’t. I shrugged my shoulders in pretended nonchalance and tried not to think of her boyfriend and their beach house in Hawaii. She had met him on one of our annual Hawaiian trips during Christmas break. The next year when she saw him again, she didn’t come back. I was eight.
It’s her loss, right? I took a deep breath and headed back into the house. Kylie was waiting for me.
When we got in her car, she said, “I’m soooo glad you’re coming to stay with me. I’ve thought of the best idea ever. I mean, the best.”
“What?” I chuckled, grateful to have something to snap me out of my mood.
“You can help me get Gregory.”
“Me?” I am supposed to help her get Gregory? My Greg?
“Yeah! It’s perfect. I’ve thought it all out.”
“You have?” My hands started to shake. Okay, okay, okay. Stop freaking. This is what I wanted, right? To help Gregory find someone. There. Okay. Kylie’s great. I couldn’t have planned it better myself, right? Right? Kylie was still talkin
g, and it took every bit of self-control I possessed to listen to her.
“. . . So all you have to do is just casually mention it to him. He’ll pick up on it for sure.” She sighed as she put the car in gear and pulled into the road. “So please, please, please say you’ll do it for me?”
“Huh? You want me to . . .” I trailed off.
“Ugh.” Kylie rolled her eyes. “Just mention that I like him, okay? You know, that I think he’s hot—that sort of thing.”
“How? When? I mean, I don’t even talk to the guy.”
She waved her hand agitatedly. “Just the next time you hear from him, or see him, or get a chance to talk to him—just bring it up for me, okay?”
“Wait. Don’t you think me telling Gregory that you like him is a little immature?”
Kylie’s jaw dropped as she glanced over at me. “No, I don’t.” She focused back on the road. “It’s not like you’re going to bring it up like we’re kids, or something. Just mention it casually, you know? Sheesh, Amanda! Make it natural. Just promise me you’ll do it, okay?”
Grr. “Fine.” The chances of me having an opportunity to tell Gregory would be scarce anyway.
Little did I know he would prove me wrong just a few hours later.
Seven: Matchmaker, Matchmaker . . .
“Hey, Amanda! Can you get that?” Kylie hollered from her bathroom where she was touching up her makeup again. Her cell had been ringing off the hook since her mom had left a couple of hours ago.
“Sure, hang on.” I set the celebrity gossip magazine down and rolled off the guest bed to answer the phone that was chirping merrily with the latest pop song on Kylie’s dresser.
“Hello?”
“Hi, Kylie?” Gregory’s voice shocked me so much I almost dropped the phone.
“Uh, no. It—it’s Amanda,” I managed to choke out.
“Who is it?” Kylie mouthed.
