Page 58 of Shattered Dreams

“No.” I turned in my seat, looking back at him.

“Did we check the wedder?” Grady asked rocking in his seat.

I threw my head back in full laughter. The kind that made your belly ache and tears rolled down your cheeks.

“What’s funny?” Grady wiped some steam from his window to look out.

“I bet they forgetted.” Harrison offered, and I looked over to see Richard with his head on the steering wheel, his shoulders shaking.

Once I calmed down, I pulled up the weather on my phone and saw a break in the clouds. “This should pass, and we’ll have a slight break to finish.”

“Good deal.” He tipped his head, still smiling.

We watched as the rain slowed down, then we jumped out and ran around trying to get the poles set. Once we’ve fed them through the tabs, we pulled from opposite corners. And before we can get the second set up, the sky let loose again, this time with hail.

I screamed as I got pelted with the small pellets and together we ran back to the van. Richard looked at me and I saw the apology all over his face.

“What now?” I asked as I used my jacket to wipe my wet face.

“Hmmm, how about a motel and dinner?”

“Can we jump on the bed?” Grady clapped excitedly.

Richard turned and looked back at the boys. “Are you allowed to at home?”

Tyler pouted. “No.”

“Well then, heck yeah, you can jump on their beds!”

The boys cheered and Briar joined in, not wanting to be left out.

“What about the tent, Richdad?” Tyler pointed out the window.

“Trust me, if someone takes it, they need it more than us.”

The boys nodded with his logic and he drove us to the first motel we came upon. Parking under the pavilion area, he went inside. When he came back out, he opened the side door and motioned for the boys to get out.

“Harrison, can you get me one of the luggage racks?” He pointed to the trolley.

“Yes, sir.” Harrison went to get one.

“Grady and Tyler?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Let’s grab some bags.”

They helped him grab bags and together, the four of them got the trolley loaded. Then he reached inside and got Briar out of her car-seat and let her stand by her brothers.

He looked over at me. “I’ll park and bring the baby, if you’re good with that.”

“I’m good with that.”

He handed me a keycard. “I’ll be there soon.”

Harrison and I pulled the luggage rack in and the five of us went up to the second floor to find our room.

The moment I opened the door, the boys and Briar ran inside like crazy people. I have no clue how they managed to kick off their shoes and jump on the beds before I’ve even fully entered the room.

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