revving hard as Blake threw her into four-wheel drive and drove cautiously over the rutted road leading to their destination.
“Hell of a good idea,” Travis said from where he was sprawled in the back seat of the crew cab.
Cassidy slapped a hand on Blake’s shoulder and squeezed in approval. “Agreed. And man, did you pick the day right, or what?”
“I’ll take credit for that,” Mike said from where he was riding shotgun. “Blake here doesn’t seem to believe in checking the weather forecast too often.”
“Don’t see the need with the way you and all the uncles spend your day constantly checking for updates.” Blake grinned at his brother and brother-in-law in the rearview mirror. “The instant a cloud appears on the horizon, a text arrives from Uncle Randy, and I know exactly what he’s going to tell me.”
Travis chuckled. “Well, give thanks to the weather gods, because a day off fishing deserves this kind of blue sky.”
“I don’t even care how hot the fishing is, the day off is a win. Plus, it’ll be good to see everyone,” Cassidy added.
“Only a couple of days until Canada Day. The entire clan will be together then,” Mike pointed out.
“Yeah, but this is special because it’s just Six Pack.” Travis bumped a shoulder against Cassidy. “And this import.”
“Cassidy is one hundred percent Six Pack.” Blake met Cassidy’s eyes in the mirror and winked. “Maybe a hundred and ten, considering you put up with Travis’s bullshit all the time. That makes you extra Coleman, or something like that.”
Travis snorted but didn’t dispute the bullshit comment.
The chatter in the truck remained light and entertaining until Blake pulled to a stop beside three familiar vehicles.
Daniel was there, Lance as well, the kid pleased as punch at having been invited to the grown-up gathering. Matt stepped forward, poking Joel over his shoulder about something.
Jesse had lawn chairs set around a fire pit, three coolers lined up at the side of the open space.
“You plan on even getting a line wet?” Travis teased. “Or are you going to sit with your feet up and drink all day?”
“Joel and I can’t decide. Fishing is fun, but catching a nap might be a better use of our morning, considering our days are numbered before the next kids drop.” Jesse settled in a lawn chair, fiddled with something underneath it then leaned back, turning the contraption into a lounger. “God, this is nice.”
Joel snickered. “That was just mean. Now I have to decide if I should tell Dare that you referred to the baby’s due date like a cow birth.”
“She doesn’t care. At this point, all Dare wants is to be done.”
“Don’t blame her. This summer is going to be a hot one,” Mike said, grinning as he turned to Blake. “At least, according to the Weather Channel.”
Blake caught himself chuckling as he headed to the back of the truck and pulled out his fishing gear.
For the next two hours, he simply enjoyed time with his brothers, his father, and his nephew. An old dock extended into the lake, and a well-defined trail meandered around the perimeter, giving plenty of places for them to shuffle off, usually two at a time so they could cast lines into the water and then chat. Or cast lines into the water then reel in silently, the sheer connection of being together enough.
The morning gave Blake time to appreciate once again how far they’d come. The brothers comfortable with each other, teasing Lance and Mike, although that last one was always done respectfully.
Some things never changed.
Blake was grateful to be able to see how tight the bonds were between them all. It gave him an assurance that if what his father feared most came to be, it wouldn’t only be Blake who would step in and help.
And watching Lance good-naturedly steal his grandfather’s line so he could tie a minuscule fly at the end of the tippet said something about how the next generation would also be there for Mike, no matter what.
One lingering fear came crashing to a head when, just before he broke for lunch, Jesse gave him a shout. “I volunteered you to help me get things ready.”
Blake might have told Jesse to not worry and that the right decision regarding his job opportunity would eventually become clear. He hadn’t realized he’d have his own share of sleepless nights after hearing about the possibility of his brother leaving again.
Whatever Jesse and Dare had decided, Blake swore he would make it work. He’d