to Paris.”
“You’re sure you don’t mind?”
“Of course not. I’d love it.”
“Holy crap,” Landon said, grinning. “I’m going to Paris.”
“Listen up, everyone,” Linc said from the front of the bus. “We’re in for a treat on our ride to Boston. Izzy has put together a slide show from the catalog shoot this week. I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait to see all our models at work.”
Lots of groans and “no, thanks” comments followed his announcement.
“Izzy assures me the shoot went great, and you’re all going to be stars.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of,” Amanda said.
“Awesome,” Will said.
“If everyone would close the shades on the windows, we’ll be able to see the slide show better.”
“What if we don’t want to see it?” Hunter asked.
“You’ll love it,” Izzy said.
“Without further ado, let’s get this bus rolling,” Linc said.
Ella and Charley had brought snacks, Hannah had drinks, Colton provided maple candy, and Izzy had supplied the entertainment. The minute the bus was out of the store parking lot and on the road to Boston, the screen at the front was lowered, and the slide show began with baby Callie.
“Ohhhhh,” Hannah said. “Look at my sweet girl!”
Next came Caden, and then the two babies together.
“She’s easing us in,” Colton said. “Her strategy is to soften us with the babies.”
“You found me out, cousin,” Izzy said.
Elmer’s smiling face came on the screen as he sported a red flannel shirt and matching down vest.
“Sexy!” Lucas said.
“You know it, boy,” Elmer said.
“You’re going to have every widow lady in New England flocking to Butler looking for the guy in red flannel, Dad,” Hannah Coleman said.
“Aw, shucks. I don’t know about that.”
Molly was next, wearing an oatmeal-colored sweater. Izzy had captured her so perfectly as she looked over her shoulder, an impish expression on her face and her hair down around her shoulders.
“Look at that hot mama,” Linc said to groans from his children. “Sexiest model I’ve ever seen.”
He was next, sporting a tweed sport coat.
“Speaking of sexy,” Molly said with a growl. “Meow.”
“Ew,” Hunter said. “Gross.”
“Nothing gross about it,” Molly said to her oldest son.
“I think I’d rather walk to Boston,” Hunter said.
“Take me with you, brother,” Will said.
“How did we raise such prudes, Linc?” Molly asked.
“Been asking myself that a lot since Amanda and the toys came to town.”
Cameron leaned across the aisle. “I may be the girl who hit Fred, but you’re always gonna be the girl who brought the sex toys.”
“Oh joy,” Amanda said, laughing.
Photos of Hunter, Megan, Will, Cameron, Colton, Lucy, Max, Wade, Mia, Grayson and Emma followed in rapid succession, all of them wearing clothes that would be for sale in the catalog. Izzy had gotten beautiful pictures of each couple in addition to their individual shots.
“I want a copy of that,” Hannah said of the photo of her, Nolan and Callie.
“I can hook you up,” Izzy said.
Even Simone had been included, to her delight. “Check me out!”
“Cutest model of them all,” Grayson said.
“We couldn’t have paid for better-looking models,” Elmer said.
The group went crazy with laughter, hoots and whistles when Colton appeared wearing long underwear.
“Now that’s sexy,” Lucy said to more laughter.
Izzy had included some hilarious outtakes, including Colton flashing his rear end through the trap door in a union suit, Max vamping for the camera and Wade looking exquisitely uncomfortable as a model.
Dani and Savannah came next, wearing matching flannel nightgowns.
“Aw, look at my girls,” Lucas said. “Aren’t they beautiful?”
“They sure are, son,” Elmer said. “And don’t think you escaped the modeling. Izzy’s got you on the schedule after we get back from Boston.”
“Fabulous,” Lucas said with a decided lack of enthusiasm.
“No one gets out of this one, bro,” Landon said in the second before his picture appeared on the screen, making him groan.
“Now that right there is the sexiest thing I’ve seen yet,” Lucas said.
“Me, too,” Amanda said, drawing more groans and laughter.
Landon flashed her a dopey grin. “Thanks, babe.”
She was next, and Landon whistled. “The winner for sexiest model goes to my girl!”
She buried her face in his chest. “Stop.”
He put his arm around her. “I’ll never stop.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
“Love is patient, love is kind.”
—1 Corinthians 13:4
Mia’s dad, Cabot Lodge, had put them up at the Four Seasons, just down the street from Fenway Park, where the Abbotts hosted a rehearsal dinner in Cabot’s skybox.
Amanda had never laughed so much that her sides ached until she spent a full day with the Abbott family as well as their Coleman cousins, their wonderful grandfather, extended family and friends. At