Just before lunch, we wander into a small antiques store. Jennings and Kevin get absorbed by the totems and swords on display. While they’re entertained, I wander over to a basket full of smooth jade stones. Quickly reading the dark green stones are the Alaskan state gem and intrigued by the alternative healing powers it claims to supply, I pluck out a few, deciding to bring them back to the girls. “If nothing else, they’ll think I’ve lost my sanity believing holistic medicine over science,” I murmur, clenching my fist. But as I turn, my eye catches on something in the case. My heart pounds in my chest as I approach the shiny trinket.
“No,” I whisper. “It can’t be.”
But when I approach, I’m swamped by disappointment realizing it’s not my grandmother’s bracelet with the pear-shaped sapphire stones in the display case but one where the stones are round. I know in my heart, it’s lost to me—like Dean is. If I’d been alone, I’d be emotionally devastated coming to that conclusion. Instead, I squeeze the jades with all my might as Jennings pulls a bear hat on over his head just as Kevin slips a fox cap over his, and I feel a sense of calm wash over me.
To have these two men in my life was worth any price.
Swiping up my stones, I make my way over to the register. When the cashier smiles at me, I ask, “So, tell me the best place you recommend for lunch that can accommodate a teenager and two adults?”
“You have to go to the Skagway Brewing Company. Do you like salmon?”
I nod. “Love it.”
“Then make sure you get their Sesame Salmon salad. I’ve been all over the world and I still can’t get it to taste quite like that.” Ringing up my purchase, the older woman says, “That will be $22.50.”
Handing over my card, I quickly sign the bill before gathering my guys for the next part of our adventure.
“God, Mom, tell me Uncle Dean saw this.” Kevin’s roaring with laughter over Jed directing his friends about the small stage area in Ketchikan in a half-done-up pair of overalls. Kevin pauses the video on a close-up showing Jed’s normally wild hair even more outrageous and his smile as wide as the Alaskan sky.
“He did,” Maris confirms. “It was my duty as his sister-in-law to show it to him.”
“I mean, it was one thing to see the show live, but to see Dad and Uncle Jed in it? That takes it to a whole new level.” Kevin’s voice is wondrous.
Jennings has a smug smile on his face that quickly evaporates when Kevin asks, “So, I know you said you wore protective gear, but we’re all family, Dad. Tell the truth: how many times did you actually incapacitate yourself on the log?”
I fall out of my chair howling. Maris isn’t much better, shrieking, “Channel your pain, Kara!” which just sets me off more.
“It wasn’t that funny,” Jennings grunts, shifting in his chair.
Maris and I can’t stop laughing to explain. Kevin’s grin gets wider as enlightenment occurs. “Now the story makes sense.” He laughs along with us, leaving Jennings bewildered.
Finally getting a handle on my hysterics, I clue him in. “Let’s just say, I was very…inventive…on how I cursed you out during Kevin’s delivery.” I wet my lips and wait for Jennings to piece it together.
It doesn’t take him long. Horrified, he yells, “You wished for me to fall on the log?”
Shoving up to my knees, I crawl over to where he’s sitting. Resting my hands on his clenched legs, I remind him, “I was pushing an eight-pound human out between mine, the last stage of which lasted for two hours. Let’s talk levels of pain, Ace.”
Jennings blanches before he reaches down and pulls me onto his lap. “Why don’t you rewind that section, son?” he offers.
Even as Maris and Kevin cackle with glee, I lean down and kiss Jennings. Today was about as perfect a day as we could have, but even if we spent it doing just this, I hope he knows I don’t take for granted any moment we get to spend together. Every second is precious because our idyllic summer won’t last forever.
Jennings
About a week after we went to Skagway, I walk up behind Kara, who’s frowning at her laptop. “What are you doing?” I massage her neck gently. If she’s writing to her brother—something she hasn’t done in a while—I don’t want to interrupt