Manfax (Winter Brothers #2) - Jacob Chance Page 0,17

asks.

“I guess I should ask you first.” Dani looks sheepish. “Will you guys both be my maids of honor?”

I roll my eyes and playfully shove her arm. “Like you could stop us.”

“Right?” Vi replies. “I can’t wait to go dress shopping.”

“Don’t make plans yet. Rex and I haven’t even discussed details. For all I know, we could be going to a justice of the peace.”

“That would be cruel.” Vi pouts. “I’ve never been a maid of honor before. The least you can do is make it fancy dress worthy.”

“Yeah, because her wedding should be all about you,” I retort.

“It’s just that I don’t have any sisters, so you two are my only hope,” Vi justifies.

“Don’t pin your hopes on me, because I’m not really sure I want a ‘fancy dress’ wedding. I already had one of those and it didn’t help my first marriage last.”

“You do whatever you want to, and Violet and I are on board for whatever you need. Whether it’s ordering the right beer for a wedding reception barbecue-style or helping you choose flowers for the church.” I aim my gaze to Vi, and she nods her agreement.

“Hey, a wedding barbecue doesn’t sound like a bad idea,” Dani states. “I’ll add it to the list of possibilities as soon as Rex and I start one. Now, let’s get moving for real before my new fiancé thinks we’re lost in the woods somewhere.”

“Talking and walking might be beyond my level of athleticism,” Vi jokes. “This is uneven terrain. I pretty much trip daily on the sidewalk outside of my work.”

We all laugh because it’s true. We’ve witnessed Violet’s lack of coordination firsthand.

“We know running and catching a softball is,” I poke.

“You’re mean for bringing that up. It was a long time ago,” Violet whines. “I don’t know how I let you guys talk me into joining an adult softball team.”

“I’m pretty sure it had something to do with it being a co-ed team,” I offer.

“Oh, those were good times,” Danika reminisces. “And how could we ever forget that jewel of a night?” Danika jogs ahead of us looking up at the sky. “I’ve got it,” she yells, pretending she’s waiting to catch a fly ball. “Unh,” she grunts before dramatically falling to the ground, covering her right eye. “I’m hit. I’m hit,” she cries.

I fall on top of her, peals of laughter erupting from my lips. Vi pounces on us seconds later as she gives in to her own fit of giggles.

Our stomachs hurt and tears blur our vision by the time we’ve settled down. Lying on our backs on the ground, staring up at the blue sky, none of us have a care in the world. Not even about whatever creepy crawly things could be making their way onto our skin. Spent from all the laughter, I feel a little weak and in no rush to move.

We hear rustling in the woods nearby, as if someone’s coming.

“Rex, is that you?” Danika calls out. The three of us sit up and quickly get to our feet when there’s no answer. Twigs and leaves snap, and whatever’s on the other side of the brush sounds large and it’s coming toward us.

“What the fuck is it?” Vi sounds panicked.

“Shh.” Dani puts her finger in front of her mouth. She tips her head, signaling to follow her. Carefully, we move away from the sound, doing our best to be quiet, but rocks and leaves still kick up under our feet.

We hear a loud huff of breath behind us and collectively freeze in place. Dani slowly turns her head to see what’s coming, and her eyes bulge with fear. “It’s a bear,” she whispers.

Oh, fuck.

He huffs again. I imagine him tossing his head and sniffing out our scents.

“Run. Now,” Dani quietly orders. Violet is frozen with fear, her eyes open wider than I’ve ever seen them. Grabbing hold of her forearm, I yank her along with me as I run behind Dani.

From the racket behind us, I’d say the bear is hot on our tails. As scared as I am, I hang on to Violet and my composure and focus on running.

Dani stops at a grouping of large boulders. The flat front makes for a smooth surface and the way up is to hoist yourself up. We watch Dani go first. Violet sobs, saying, “I can’t get up there. It’s too high.”

“You can and you will,” I state matter-of-factly. She has no choice—unless getting mauled by a bear is an option.

“I’m going