“Jack, I don’t want to move into it right off. It’s a project, and I’ll rent it out until I want to move in. It’s for the future, like I told you all. One day you’ll marry and not want me around... or Luke.”

Jack snorted. “Neither of us will marry, but I guess I get it, even though I don’t want you to move out.”

“Which I’m not.”

“What’s the second condition?”

“You cook for the next two nights.”

“What?” Jack stopped slouching on her doorframe. “How come I have to do that?”

“Because I cooked the last three nights, and it’s your turn. So you do that or I don’t save your scrawny hide.”

His smile was slow and knowing. “Now, we both know that I have one of the finest butts in Ryker.”

“Get out of here.” She hurled a pillow at him. Laughing, Jack left, telling her to be ready in five minutes.

She shrugged out of her jeans and replaced them with exercise tights, then pulled on a thick zip-up hoodie. Tugging on a knitted cap, she quickly laced her feet into trainers. Leaving the room, Piper decided to try Joanie again after the game. She could have a flat battery on her cell, or be out somewhere.

The house was big and rambling. They’d repainted, knocked down walls, and made it the perfect fit for them, but it was the kitchen they all loved and spent most of their time in.

Open-plan, with a huge table, wood burner, and large cooking range, this was Piper’s mother’s domain. It had spacious benchtops and plenty of cupboards, and something was usually simmering on the hob. She found Jack there eating a chocolate chip cookie.

“We’ll still be one short,” Jack said, getting to his feet, “but all good, it’s only the Pissants, anyway. We could beat them with three.”

“Peasants!”

“Whatever.” He hustled her out the door and down the stairs. She was in his pickup seconds later. “So, about your pissy mood, what’s the deal?”

“No deal,” Piper said, looking around her. “And I am not pissy.” The sun was out today and the air cool and crisp. Leaves were falling, and the vista turning with the weather into a symphony of fall colors. Ryker really was beautiful, but this transition from summer to winter was one of Piper’s favorite times of year.

“There is definitely a deal.”

“No, there really isn’t.”

“You know what I think?”