At her heels, Luke toyed with his collar.
“You look very handsome.” Bree straightened his black tie. “Nice tux. I thought you were wearing your suit.” She did not make the kind of money that allowed for investing in a tuxedo for a young man who was still growing. It wouldn’t even fit him next year.
“I wanted to surprise you. Uncle Adam bought this for me in New York. We went to a black-tie thing at the gallery.” Adam and Luke had returned from the city a week ago, but Luke had been busy catching up with school. They hadn’t had time to talk.
“I’m glad you had fun with Uncle Adam.”
“I did. We went to museums and got pastrami sandwiches.” Luke flushed and looked at the floor. “I’m sorry I’ve been a jerk about the camping trip. You’re not the only parent who said no. Half the kids can’t go.”
Bree’s heart stumbled. This was the first time he’d referred to her as his parent. Her eyes went misty. “Thanks for the apology. You’re growing up into a fine man.”
Luke nodded. “Uncle Adam said real men apologize when they screw up.”
“That goes for women too.” Bree blinked back a tear. She swiped under her eye before her mascara ran all over her face. “Look, I’ve given it a lot of thought, and if you still want to go camping, I could go with you and your friends.” She didn’t know why it hadn’t occurred to her before. Camping wasn’t on her list of favorite activities, but for Luke, she would do anything, even sleep in a tent with bugs.
“Aunt Bree.” Luke looked pained. “I appreciate that you’d offer, but”—he lowered his voice—“it’s a guys’ trip.”
“I understand. You don’t have to explain.” She held up a hand. “I can be a lot of things, but I can’t be a guy.” Bree couldn’t be both parents, no matter how hard she tried.
“Definitely not.” Matt wrapped one arm around her waist and pulled her closer. Then he turned to Luke. “How about I take you and your friends camping?” He looked down at Bree. “Would I be enough supervision for you?”
“Um. Yeah,” Bree stammered, surprised. She hadn’t expected him to offer, but the solution was so simple. “Definitely yes.”
Matt slapped Luke on the back. “Seriously, Luke. You should have just asked. I love camping.”
Adam walked in the front door. He was almost unrecognizable in a custom-fitted tuxedo. His hair was combed. He was clean shaven and not covered in paint. Ladybug rubbed on his legs. “Who’s going camping?”
Matt gestured to Luke. “Me and Luke and some of his friends. Want to come?”
“Count me in.” Adam brushed white dog hair off his black pants. “I’ll dust off my fishing rod.”
“Awesome.” Luke pulled his phone from his trouser pocket. “I’m going to call the guys. I’ll be outside when you’re ready to go.”
Bree turned to Adam. “I haven’t seen you since you got back from the city. How did it go?”
“You know how I was worried that the gallery didn’t like my new painting because it goes in a different direction than my other work?” Adam’s latest painting had been less dark, less broody, more hopeful than his previous work.
“Yes.” Bree rested a hand on his forearm. “As much as we all appreciate your support, we can manage. I don’t ever want you to think you need to change your art for money. It’s your passion, and you have to follow it.”
“I love that you said that, but the gallery already sold the piece. The collector who bought it snapped up a few of my earlier works. He’s going to loan them to the museum for an exhibition next summer.” Adam’s face beamed like the light in his new painting. “Seriously, Bree. I spent this week setting up trust funds. The kids’ college tuition—or whatever they want to do with their lives—is covered. I put aside money to pay the farm expenses.”
“I’m speechless,” Bree said.
“Good.” Adam looked sad. “I didn’t do enough for the kids and you before this year, but that’s all in the past. We’re a real family now.”
Of all the things Bree had expected in her life, having her sometimes aloof and out-of-touch baby brother provide for the whole family wasn’t one of them.
“I don’t know what to say.”
“Well, don’t thank me.” Adam smiled. “This is what family does. Those kids are just as much my responsibility as they are yours.”
“Indeed.” She kissed his cheek.
Adam moved off to talk to Dana.
Emotion overwhelmed Bree for a few seconds. She leaned her head on Matt’s shoulder. “Thank you.”
The hand at her waist squeezed. “You don’t have to do everything yourself.”
“I know. But sometimes I forget.” Bree rarely remembered to ask for help. She needed to work on that.
“Are we ready?” Matt herded everyone to his Suburban. He opened the back and lifted Brody into the vehicle. The dog sat on the back seat between Luke and Kayla. Dana and Adam took the third row.
“Who’s bringing Greta?” Bree asked as Matt opened the passenger door and helped her inside.
“Collins.” Matt closed the door, rounded the vehicle to the driver’s side, and slid behind the wheel. “I thought they should appear together.”
“Good idea.” Bree smoothed her dress. “If all goes well, they’ll be partners.”
Matt drove to the catering hall. They met Todd outside. Most of his bruises had faded, though he still favored his left side. They walked in together.
Inside, board games were set up on dozens of tables. One end of the space was devoted to the buffet. A dance floor dominated the other side. Next to it, a live band was setting up. Bree saw Cady near the entrance. She wore a stunning cobalt-blue gown. Her long hair was down and waved halfway down her back. Bree glanced at Todd, who was slack-jawed.
Cady approached them, clipboard in hand. “So far, everything is going smoothly.”
Todd closed his gaping mouth but didn’t say anything. His face reddened.
Cady looked down at her shoes, as if just realizing her heels made her two inches taller than Todd. “I should have worn flats.”
“Why?” Todd recovered. He leaned forward to give her a quick kiss. “You look amazing.”
Cady beamed.
“Can I help with anything?” he asked.
“Sure.” She took his elbow and led him away.
Though Matt, Bree, and her family were early, the press already clustered at the entrance. Bree sent the kids to their table with Adam and Dana. She didn’t want them near the media. Then she crossed the floor, with Matt at her side, and faced the reporters. Cameras flashed.
She pressed close to Matt, making it clear they were a couple.
In the front of the group, Paris Vickers took in Bree’s dress. Her gaze stopped on the tattoo, and she seemed disappointed. The ink was intricate, extensive, and fully healed. It was the type of tattoo that took many months to complete. It clearly hadn’t been done recently. “Well, I guess that’s that.” She shoved a mic in Bree’s face. “Do you have any comments?”
“The gala has sold out.” Bree pointed to Deputy Collins, entering the venue in full dress uniform. A freshly bathed and shiny Greta trotted at her side. Guests were arriving and admiring the gorgeous dog. “I expect the sheriff’s department will have a K-9 team in the near future.”
Paris moved on, clearly bored.
Reporter Nick West stepped forward and nodded toward Bree’s tattoo. “Well played, Sheriff. Well played.”
Bree gave him a nod, then crossed to a bar, where she ordered a club soda. She turned and scanned the room.
The night was a huge success. People ate, played games, and danced. As Morgan had said, everyone was there. Bree spotted her and Lance on the dance floor. Cady and Todd worked the room, selling raffle tickets and taking even more donations.
Toward the end of the evening, Bree gave a short speech, thanking everyone who’d helped and donated. Collins trotted Greta out to a huge round of applause. After laying down the mic, Bree took Matt by the hand and led him onto the dance floor.