Bronco (EEMC #1) - Bijou Hunter Page 0,104

She’s proven to be a loyal friend. Like an older, sneakier version of Shelby, Topanga pushed her way into my heart and planted herself there.

I’m getting along with Bambi. She and Rooster come over for dinner once a week as a chance to escape their kids and grandkid.

After Barbie starts a medication, she’s allowed to visit when other people are over. However, Bronco still won’t let her in the house when he isn’t around. That rule sends a bug up her butt. Yet, I’m relieved he puts his foot down. I might feel stronger in Elko, but I won’t tolerate her going berserk on me again.

Mom is often in Elko. I suspect she’s trying to enjoy as much time with us as possible now. Soon, she’ll nest in Shasta once Max gives birth to her second baby.

My sister’s new house is nearly finished. Shane and Ramona have found a place they like. The Victorian went from overstuffed to almost empty in less than a few months.

Bronco, the girls, and I take a trip to Boston before school starts. Mom joins us to babysit. We leave Carina with her while the five of us explore. Bronco also stays back one day with the baby, so Mom can get a chance to see a city she’s never visited before.

Summer comes alive in Boston. She shows us places she’s read about, and we check out her preferred college. I understand why she wants to live here. There’s a vibrancy in this city that a town like Elko can’t offer. I see people reading books everywhere I turn, and I imagine Summer sitting in a park doing the same thing one day.

Now I want her dream to come true, and I’ll help her however I can. Summer might not refer to me as “mom,” but I’m the closest to one she’s had since she was a baby. I won’t let her down.

Carina grows so much over the summer. I hadn’t been sure how she’d do during our trips, but she’s nearly sleeping through the night by the time we visit Great Wolf Lodge. Desi finally gets to live out a fantasy she’s had since she saw a commercial years ago.

Sidonie lets her little sister/best friend take the lead, keeping a close eye on the younger girl. Summer also plays the big-sis role by holding Carina while I play with the other girls. There’s something magical about taking our family out on the road for those trips. As if we’re official now.

Back in Elko, Summer finally coaxes Carina to smile. Bronco and I are in the pool with Sidonie and Desi when Summer rushes outside with the baby in her arms.

“She smiled for me!” the teenager cries, bouncing on her heels. “I was talking to her about stuff. Then I smiled, and she smiled back. Let me see if I can get her to do it again.”

Proud daddy that he is, Bronco immediately leaves the pool and joins Summer as the girl charms another smile out of Carina.

“When do babies talk?” Sidonie asks, wrapping her arms around me.

“At around a year. They don’t make a lot of sense for a while, though.”

“Did I talk a lot as a baby?” Desi asks and takes my hand.

“You were such a sweet baby. One day, you started smiling, and you never stopped.”

Desi nudges Sidonie over, so she can hug me too. I wrap them both in my arms as they share a smile. I adore how the girls are together. They’ve only fought once. Desi said Sidonie was pushy, and Sidonie said Desi was whiny. They refused to talk through dinner. Then they were back sitting together during our Wednesday night movie.

I don’t know what ended their standoff, but the girls enjoy life more when the other one is nearby. They prefer to share a bed, taking turns between Sidonie’s one night and Desi’s the next. I hope they never stop appreciating each other.

“She did it again!” Summer cries, smiling at her father and then at me. “Carina’s no longer a lump. She’s got a personality.”

Desi and Sidonie laugh at Summer’s excitement while Bronco is busy falling even deeper in love with his oldest and youngest daughters.

I send Sidonie to get her father’s phone from the grill area, so he can take pictures. Loving to be a part of the action, the girl immediately complies.

Desi and I leave the pool, but I try not to crowd Carina. If she’s aware enough to react to our smiles, she’s bound

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