Just then, Spot rewarded him for a pet with a lick that made him giggle.

Smiling at the scene, they sat down in the faithful old swing that had been on the porch as long as Catie could remember. Joseph or one of the boys sanded and painted it when it began to look rough, and Alison reupholstered the seat cushions every year. This time around, they were white with blue flowers.

As they swung lazily, Ísa’s red hair glowing in the sunshine, Catie’s sister said, “So, you and Danny.”

“It’s just a publicity thing, Issie.” Catie rubbed her nails against the fabric of the cushion on which she sat, unable to meet her sister’s eyes. “You know we get along as well as oil and water.”

“Caitlin Moonbell River.” Ísa’s voice was pure big sister. “I’ve known you your entire life, so don’t try to pull the wool over these eyes.” She pointed two fingers at her gray-green irises. “I know and see all.”

Dropping her head back on the seat, Catie groaned. “It’s nothing, honest. Just proximity and his cookies.”

“Danny does make great cookies,” Ísa agreed before reaching out to stroke back Catie’s hair. “There are worse things than falling for your best friend, you know?”

Catie’s mouth fell open. Jerking up into a straight-backed position, she stared at her sister. “He is not my friend,” she said, aghast. “He’s my nemesis.”

“Oh, my mistake.” Ísa’s lips curved in that annoying big-sister way that said she knew something Catie didn’t. “Friend or nemesis, you two have been in each other’s lives over a decade. Relationships are often born of such fertile soil.”

“Not with us.” Folding her arms, Catie looked determinedly ahead as Connor clambered his way up the toddler-friendly outdoor “gym” Joseph had set up for his grandson; it was the same one on which Esme and Emmaline had played at Connor’s age. These days the girls preferred the trampoline or the climbing frame Sailor had recently built.

Connor got put on the trampoline now and then, though he spent most of the time on his butt. He loved being with his big sister and cousin, and they were careful when he was on there with them. Today all three were at different spots in the yard, doing their own thing while talking to each other and the pups as they played.

None of them paid any attention to Catie or Ísa.

“There’s too much between us,” Catie found herself saying when Ísa looked dubious. “Hypothetically speaking, even if I did feel a smidgen of a ‘thing,’ it’s not worth the disruption to the family.”

“Oh, sweetheart.” Ísa pressed a kiss to her cheek. “No one is going to take sides if you two decide to date, even if it doesn’t work out. We all love you both too much.”