Chapter 97: Chapter 97: Getting To Know Summer (Part 4)

Samantha quickly had Don roll up the sleeve of his shirt so she could apply the ointment to his shoulder area. As she worked, she spoke about the values of being an older brother and expressed her hope for him and Summer to get along after she was gone.

As she finished up, Amanda couldn't help but step in. She placed a hand on Samantha's shoulder and smiled, saying, "You've made your point, Sam. No need to spend the whole night on it, you know they're still going to argue often. I mean, you and I didn't get along until you had Summer, *haha*."

Samantha couldn't argue with Amanda's words because she knew Amanda was right—Don and Summer would likely continue to bicker as they had when they were younger.

She sighed and lowered Don's sleeve before pulling away. "I know, and that's exactly why I'm trying to make sure they don't make the same mistakes. If I had listened to you earlier, then I would've known that bastard Nicholas was up to no good!"

After saying this, Samantha immediately brought a hand to her mouth, as if regretting her language. She then looked at Don and quickly said, "Pardon my language, it's just…"

"Hey, I get it," Amanda responded, holding Samantha more tightly. "Look at it this way, if you listened to me from the start, you'd have never given me a fiery little niece and a loving nephew."

Seeing it from that perspective, Samantha could not bring herself to argue anymore and simply smiled. "I guess you're right. We should get back to the meal."

'I should probably leave now just in case Summer is the type to go to sleep early.' Don felt the opportunity was still there to interact with Summer and didn't want to let it go to waste.

After Samantha pulled away and rolled down the sleeve of his shirt, Don moved his shoulder a bit as if stretching, then remarked, "The tingling is still there, but it's not as irritating now."

Samantha was happy to hear that her remedy worked, which was exactly Don's aim—to make her feel important to him and show that her motherly nature was needed. "That's good, I'll get you some of your own first thing in the morning, okay?"

"Sure," Don aptly replied before deciding it was time to make his exit. "Well, let me just grab my food to go as well. I don't want Summer feeling bad that we're eating without her. It'll just make her more grumpy tomorrow."

Using that reasoning, Don knew neither Samantha nor Amanda would try to change his mind. Because as troublesome as Summer was, they both still cared deeply for her.

Samantha indeed thought it was a very good idea and felt touched that Don was willing to take the first step. 'He's really become more mature. I hope some of it rubs off on Summer.'

Amanda thought something similar but was more vocal about her thoughts. "Great idea, and piece of advice, don't tease her about her plushies."

'Plushies?' Don repeated in his mind, but before he could give a reply, Samantha seemed to have an idea as her face lit up. "Oh, and one more thing."

Without elaborating further, she hurriedly left the dining hall and walked to the kitchen. A few seconds later, she came out holding a strange-looking plastic bottle.

With his keen vision, Don was able to make out that it was a sauce before she even arrived in front of him with it. "Here. In case she tries to ignore you, just mention you have some of Aunt Amanda's special sauce. She absolutely adores it."

Amanda chuckled and gave an agreeing nod. "That she does. Remind me to bring more when I head back to the farm."

Don couldn't help but wonder, 'What makes it special? Maybe I might see how she makes it the day I visit her farm.'

Not wanting to delay by asking questions, Don simply received the bottle, added some food to his own plate, and turned to leave.

As he was walking, Samantha couldn't help but remind him, "Make sure you both bring your plates down. You'll attract bugs leaving unfinished food in your rooms."

"No problem," Don casually replied without looking back and made his way up the stairs.

Once upstairs, he immediately walked over to Summer's room and knocked on the door. *knock~* *knock~*

After knocking, he got an immediate response, and Summer yelled out, "Go away!"

"Don't be like that, Summer, open up." Don tried to reason with her, but her stance didn't change; if anything, it only became more firm. "I especially don't want to see you. Go get your boo-boos rubbed or whatever since you're sooo fragile."

'If she's single then I understand. I can't imagine how petty of a girlfriend she would be.' Don simply shook his head as he saw that there was no convincing Summer with words alone.

He raised the plastic bottle of sauce before thinking, 'I guess it's time to use the item. She's lucky I'm not petty enough to add my own special sauce to it.' Sёarch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

"Fine, I guess I'll just enjoy this whole bottle of Aunt Amanda's sauce on my own. Goodnight!" Don feigned excitement to act like he wasn't the least bit bothered by her refusal.

"H-hey wait!" Hearing her say this, Don began moving his legs in place to make it sound like he was walking away.

He could hear chaotic shuffling come from Summer's room. A few seconds later, the door swung open, and Summer looked like she was ready to sprint out, only to calm down upon seeing Don standing right in front of her door.

'She must really love this sauce. On a serious note, I may have to either get more or learn how to make it,' Don thought with a small smile on his face.

Summer, unaware of what he was plotting, took his smile for mocking and frowned.

"Are you here just to piss me off? Do you even have the sau-" Before Summer could finish her sentence, she spotted the bottle in Don's hands and looked at it with surprise. "They gave you the whole thing?! What the heck?"

'She thinks it's all for me? Hmm.' Don's smile grew a little wider as he explained to Summer, "Well, you've been enjoying the sauce for many years, and I haven't. So, I just got given this bottle to make up for it. Aunt Amanda says she'll bring more next time she heads to the farm."

Don explained it this way because he knew it would sound more believable. And Summer, though a bit suspicious, had no reason to doubt that as it made sense.

Instead, she became skeptical over something else. "Then why share it with me?"

Don shrugged his shoulders. "Who knows, maybe it's because I'm the best big brother there is. Or I'm just a concerned civilian trying to stop a maniac from devouring chicken without sauce."

Summer couldn't help but crack a smile but immediately tried to hide it as she rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. "Ha, ha, you're so very funny. Well, whatever, come in, I guess."

Don smiled and took her up on the offer.

'One small step for man.'