“I like you.” She cupped his face and brought him down for another kiss. “Make love to me, Landon.”
“I can’t think of anything I’d rather do.”
They were the last ones to arrive at the store to meet the bus that would take them to Boston. Amanda was greeted by hugs from every member of the Abbott family, or so it seemed, each of them expressing concern and gratitude that she was all right after the accident.
“Now we have something else in common, besides dating identical twins,” Dani said when she took her turn to hug Amanda.
“I’d rather not have that in common,” Amanda said as she held out a finger to Savannah.
The baby grabbed hold and squeezed. It amazed and delighted her to realize that she’d get to see Savannah and Caden and Callie grow up.
“I know, right? Scary business. We’re so glad you’re okay.”
“Thank you. I guess we both have a lot to learn about driving in Vermont.”
“For sure.”
Elmer stepped up to hug her.
“I’m fine,” she told him. “I promise. I was just a little shaken up.”
“Mud can be as slippery as ice sometimes,” Elmer said.
“I found that out.”
He kissed her cheek. “We’re just glad you’re all right, sweetheart.”
“Thanks for all the concern.”
“All right, everyone,” Lincoln said, clapping his hands to get their attention. “All aboard for Boston!”
Suitcases were stashed in the luggage compartment as the family lined up to get on the bus, amid laughter, joking, jostling, line cutting and other shenanigans as they made their way onto the bus.
“Welcome to the ultimate Abbott family shitshow,” Landon said, speaking so only Amanda could hear him.
She glanced over her shoulder at him. “It’s the most fun I’ve ever had in my entire life.”
He hugged her from behind. “I’m seeing it in a new light through your eyes.”
“You can’t possibly know how lucky you are, because you’ve never been without the shitshow.”
“Whatever you’re about to witness at the hands of the rolling shitshow, promise you won’t hold it against me or change your mind about me.”
“I promise,” she said, smiling back at him. “Nothing could change my mind about you.”
“Don’t be so sure. Three hours on a bus with my entire family is apt to have you running for your life.”
“No way.”
They ended up sitting across from Will and Cameron, who’d blossomed into nearly full-term pregnancy in the last few days, or so it seemed.
“How’re you feeling?” Landon asked her.
“Like a whale.”
“Most beautiful whale I’ve ever seen,” Will said.
“He has to say that. He did this to me.”
Izzy sat in front of them with a blond man Amanda hadn’t met.
“Amanda, this is my cousin Noah,” Landon said. “He’s the one rebuilding the inn.”
“Oh, nice to meet you,” she said.
“You, too.”
He didn’t seem too thrilled to be on the bus.
Landon leaned in and whispered in her ear. “Long story. Will tell you later.” He pointed to the older couple getting on the bus. “That’s my aunt Hannah and her…”
“Boyfriend,” Izzy said of the man with her mother.
“Yep. So it went like this… Cameron came from New York City to Butler to build the website.”
“And crashed into Fred,” Cameron said. “I like to get that out there, because if I don’t say it, someone else will.”
“She’s known in Butler as the girl who hit Fred,” Will added.
“Got it,” Amanda said, amused.
“Then Lucy came to Butler to help me,” Cameron said, “and met Colton. Emma and Simone came for Christmas and Hunter and Megan’s wedding and met Grayson. With Lucy, Emma and Simone moving to Vermont, Ray, who was widowed, decided to come, too, and now he’s dating Aunt Hannah.”
“Who’d been alone for twenty years,” Landon added. “See what happens when people come to Butler?”
“I’m seeing it,” Amanda said.
“And then there’s my dad,” Cameron added, “who met Mary when he came for my wedding.”
“Are they coming this weekend?” Landon asked.
“Absolutely. They said they wouldn’t miss it for anything. They’re flying to Boston from Paris.”
“I’m going to Paris.”
Landon stared at her. “You are?”
“Yes, in July.”
“When did that happen?”
“During the meltdown after the fire when it occurred to me that I’ve never been to Europe.”