The Forgotten Daughter

“Looks like your other sisters are still going strong,” Scooter said.

Josie scanned the crowd and found Twyla and Norma Rose, dancing with their partners, completely oblivious to what had happened on the other side of the dance floor.

“Need a drink after that, Scooter?” Brock asked.

Scooter shook his head. “No, thanks, I have to go get the fireworks set up.”

“Need any help?” Brock asked.

“Dac’s helping,” Scooter said while wrapping a hand around Josie’s arm. “So is Josie. You and Ginger are welcome to row out in another boat if you want. Could be fun.”

“Yes, let’s,” Ginger said, looking up at Brock, who nodded.

“I’m not helping you,” Josie whispered, as Scooter forced her to start walking beside him.

“Yes, you are.” His lips had barely moved. “I said you’d be glued to my side for the rest of the night, and I meant it.”

“I have things to do,” Josie hissed.

“Not anymore,” he insisted.

Ginger grabbed her other arm. “This is going to be so much fun,” Ginger said. “I’ve never lit fireworks before. Have you?”

“No,” Josie admitted. “And I’d prefer not to.”

“Why?” Ginger asked.

“They scare me.”

“Liar,” Scooter whispered in her ear. Then, loud enough for everyone to hear, he said, “Don’t worry, you’ll be safe with me. As safe as a baby in her mommy’s arms.”

“My mother is dead,” Josie said sarcastically.

Ginger flashed her a frown, but Scooter laughed.

“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me,” he said.

“Ducky, Scooter, how old are you, ten?” she asked.

“If the shoe fits,” he said, lifting an eyebrow.

“I’m not the one acting childishly,” she snarled.

“Aren’t you?”

“Fine,” she said stubbornly. “I’ll help light your fireworks.”

“But?”

“But what?” she asked.

“You normally add a but to everything you agree to do.”

“I do not, but I will remember you think I do.”

He lifted a brow again.

“I said that on purpose,” she retorted.

Ginger laughed. “Stop teasing her, Scooter. The two of you are sounding like Twyla and Norma Rose.”

They’d stopped on the far side of the crowd.

“Norma Rose and Twyla argued?” Brock asked teasingly.

“Like a Siamese cat and a bulldog,” Ginger said. “You can guess which is which.”

They all laughed. Even Josie. Ginger had never minded letting people know what she thought.

“Where are the fireworks?” Brock asked.

“Dac and I anchored a raft out in the middle of the lake,” Scooter answered. “We have two boats full of fireworks down by the south cabins.” Gesturing toward the boathouses at the bottom of the slope, he added, “You two may want to take a boat out of one of those houses. I have to get my motorcycle. There are things I need in the saddlebags.”

Josie recognized the chance for an escape. “I’ll go with—”

“Me,” Scooter interrupted. “I need your help.”

“Perfect,” Ginger said, tugging on Brock’s arm. “See you on the water.”

As the other couple started walking away, Josie said, “You don’t need my help.”

“No, I don’t,” Scooter said, spinning her to face him with a firm hold on her elbow. “But I’m not letting you out of my sight. Remember?”

“How could I forget?”

Dac Lester, a tall, thin man with a permanent grin on his face, caught up with them a few steps later. “We heading out to the raft?”

“Yes,” Scooter answered. “It’ll be easier to get everything set up while there’s still some daylight.”

“Sounds good to me,” Dac said. “You joining us, Josie?”

“Yes, she is,” Scooter answered.

“Good enough,” Dac said, nodding toward the resort. “My cycle’s on the other side of the parking lot. I’ll meet you at the boathouses.”

As Dac jogged away, Josie told Scooter, “I have a mouth and could have answered him myself.”

“I know,” Scooter said. “Trust me, I know.”