Page 104 of Finding Home

“You love ‘Sleepy Elle.” Elle covered an extra-large yawn with the back of her hand.

“Yeah.” He stared at her for several minutes, his fingers caressing her cheeks, eyes singing a yet unwritten song.

“She’s your favorite Elle.”

“They’re all my favorite.”

“Even Eleanor?”

“Yes.” He pressed his lips to her forehead. “They’re all you.”

“You liked me before I liked me.” She sighed, her sleepy brain taking full control of her mouth.

“You like you now, right?”

“Yeah.” She exhaled. “I do.”

“Good.” His fingers skimmed across her lips. “I’m a big fan, so I’m glad you’re joining the Elle fan club.”

“Clayton…I have a secret.Wanna know?” she whispered.

“Sure.” He bent closer.

“I’m inyourfan club.”

“Oh, my, Sleepy Elle.” He kissed her softly.

“Oh, my, Awake Clayton.”

“Have fun with your friends today, baby.” He rose, turning to leave.

“I’m your baby…You too…Good day.” She yawned around the words.

When Elle rolled downstairs around ten, she was surprised to find Noah in the kitchen with a box of pastries. She wasn’t as surprised to find Willa at his side batting her eyes or Viet brewing a pot of tea. Over pastries, they made plans for sight-seeing at all of Perry’s hot spots. There weren’t many, but it was fun nonetheless. Good company made anywhere perfect.

A bit before five, Noah left them at the farmhouse to get ready for Pete’s party. A bouquet of purple roses wrapped in the Village Rose’s trademark rose-patterned paper sat on the porch. Elle slipped the card into her purse to read later knowing the flowers were from Clayton, but the card was, no doubt, a sassy note from Aunt Janet. She’d made a habit of writing a saucy note with the weekly flower delivery.

When they entered the house, Fitz immediately ran to Viet, who gathered the chubby pug in his arms, planting kisses all over his squishy face.

Clayton drove up to the farmhouse just as Elle was grabbing some things for girl time with Willa. The two would be getting ready together at the Little Red Barn.

Both Willa and Elle opted for softer looks. Willa’s long caramel locks were arranged in loose curls around her face, the pair of lilac earrings Elle bought her poking out through the silky strands. The lilac contrasted perfectly with the sky-blue sheath dress she wore.

Elle wore the tea-length, jewel-tone purple dress she’d bought while shopping with Aunt Janet. Her hair hung in its natural waves. As she gazed into the mirror, putting in her matching lilac earrings, she smiled.Purple.It had always been her favorite color and the one Clayton thought she looked beautiful in.

Just before seven, the four drove over to the VFW. Clayton volunteered to drive Elle’s rental as it had a backseat and four doors. As he held the front passenger door open for Elle, he leaned in and told her she was beautiful, stirring the butterflies in her belly. She traced the paw print tattoo exposed by his rolled-up sleeves cooing he was beautiful.

The banquet room in the VFW was a simple open space with burnt-orange walls and chocolate-brown trim. The room felt like fall every day of the year.

Aunt Janet’s decoration goddess magic had transformed the space into, as the gold banner hung over the bar proclaimed,Studio Fifty. Shiny blue and gold fabric covered the burnt orange walls. A shimmer flooded the room from the reflection of multicolored fairy lights in a mirror ball suspended above the dance floor. Thin gold vines twined around circular tables draped in bright blue tablecloths.

A large DJ booth with a rainbow of strobe lights was pressed up against the far wall. The DJ adorned in a black top hat andVan Halen T-shirt stood behind a large sound panel like a king surveying his court.

Elle wove through the throngs of familiar and not-so-familiar faces to find the birthday boy.

“Lady Elle! Big Buddy! New Friends!” Jerome swaggered over, holding a bottle of Doc Owens beer.

“Where’s the rest of the Coates clan?” Elle inquired as Jerome gave her one of his signature bear hugs.

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