Karen Trailor Thomas

When the Sutherland family reunion descends on Malvern Gardens Inn, it catches eighteen-year-old Jennalee Preece in rebellion. Daughter of the inn’s owners, Jennalee hasn’t forgiven her father for uprooting the family from a comfortable life in San Francisco and dropping them in the middle of California’s gold country, far from anything hip, or fun, or exciting.<br><br>Acting out with local boys and refusing to play the piano she loves, Jennalee finds the Sutherland hordes a welcome diversion. Amid the countless well-off families come the Laidlaws -- on motorcycles. This black sheep branch of the family seems as rebellious as Jennalee does, and she’s drawn to their punk violinist son, Harley.<br><br>Over the four-day Fourth of July weekend, the Sutherlands drink, party, squabble, and even manage to burn down part of the inn. Can Harley pull Jennalee from her rebellion and help her find emotional stability with the music they share?

Sutherland

Troy and Carl loaded up their Corvette and drove off. “I really like them,” Jennalee told Harley.


Garth and his father now had tools and bits of motorcycle spread on the ground, drawing frowns from departing Sutherlands. Lizann had deserted them to move among the throngs, saying goodbye, offering hugs. “Your mom is like the go-between, isn’t she?” Jennalee said to Harley.


“I think of her as the ambassador to reality. She can schmooze when she wants to, tell them to kiss off if they annoy her too much.”


Jennalee thought on this as they watched Kyle Sutherland talk to Lizann. Harley was the same way, able to cross lines if he chose, retreat if he preferred. He was an ambassador, too, she decided. Was that what he’d brought her? Reality?


Chapter 76