Danielle knew how lucky she was. For the second year in a row, she spent her summer at her mom and stepfather's lake house in Minnesota while working at the marina and serving at a popular restaurant. For most of the summer, she lived by herself. Her family would come up for the weekend a couple of times a month, and they didn't mind if she had friends visit sometimes too. Danielle knew she had it good, so she understood when her mom called her that day with a change of plans.
"No, of course, I don't mind, mom. Austin is my stepbrother, and this is yours and dad's house." Danielle said as her mother explained the situation.
"He and Rachel have been having problems, so he's asked to stay there for a few weeks. He'll be working a lot, so I'm sure he won't bother you."
"Seriously, mom. Stop. It's fine; I'm looking forward to seeing him."
"I love you, sweetie."
"Love you, too, mom."
Danielle wasn't concerned at all about Austin staying there. She liked him, even if she didn't know him that well. She was eight, and he was fifteen when their parents married, and he was off to college by the time she was a sixth-grader. He met Rachel, his wife, their first year at the University of Wisconsin, and he never lived with their family again. He and Rachel would visit Christmas and occasionally come to the lake house. Danielle liked Rachel and, arguably, knew her better than Austin. She was sad that they were having problems. She was looking forward to seeing him.
Later that afternoon, Danielle walked home from her job at the marina with her friend Emma and was almost at her house when a silver Toyota pulled up and rolled down its window.
"Hi Danielle," the driver called across the passenger seat through the open window.
Danielle grinned. "Hey you!" she said, recognizing her brother behind the wheel. "Pull into the driveway and give me a hug!"
Austin's car pulled into the driveway as Danielle and Emma walked behind and waited for him to get out. He stood up and walked toward them with a big smile. He looked exactly as he always did, tall in height, with wavy sandy-brown hair, and was physically fit. He was wearing shorts and a tee-shirt from a bank-sponsored 5K.
"Your brother is gorgeous!" Emma whispered in Danielle's ear.
"Yeah, he is," Danielle replied. "I guess he and his wife are having problems."
"Sad," Emma said, still whispering. "Maybe I can help." She had a mischievous grin.
"Down, girl!" Danielle chuckled, giving her friend a playful shove. She walked toward her brother with her arms wide open, awaiting his hug.
Austin felt some tension leave his body as he walked up to his sister, giving her a tight hug. "I'm so happy I'm here!" He held the hug for a few minutes and then backed off to introduce himself to Dani's friend.
"I'm Austin," He said, holding out his hand to a tiny girl, who he guessed was a bit younger than his sister's twenty years old. She was beautiful, standing about 5'4", hair the color of coffee with a hint of cream, and a nice body. Both girls were wearing bikini tops and cutoffs.
"Emma," the girl said, offering her hand with a wide smile.
"Nice to meet you, Emma," Austin said, returning the smile.
"Emma was just walking with me," Danielle said, "We finished up at our day job at the marina, and both of us have to get ready for the dinner crowd at the restaurant." She said. Let's go inside and catch up, though. I have a little time." She looked at her friend. "See you later, Emma."
Emma gave a smile and a wave. "I'll pick you up, so we don't have to walk," She said, looking at Danielle and then smiling at Austin, "I hope to see you soon, Austin!"
"Me too." He returned the smile and then followed his sister into the house.
"She's flirty," Austin said as they walked in the door.
"You have no idea," Danielle laughed, "watch out for that one!" She laughed.
It had been a couple of years since Austin and been at the lake house, but it didn't look to have changed much. It had some lake house charms, but it was really more of a functional home. His stepmother had incredible fashion sense, so there were no stuffed fish on the wall or any usual tropes. Danielle led him to a couch with a perfect view. They both sat down.
"I'm so glad you're here, Austin!" Danielle smiled at him.