Page 49 of The Awakening
August arrived faster than I could have imagined. Jessica had been over almost every day finalizing plans for our wedding, which would take place in five days. I had asked that nothing crazy be planned for the bachelorette party because I wasn’t really a bachelorette, but Kate and Jessica both said it was a rite of passage.
Outwardly I groaned but inside my heart soared. Their small kindnesses made me feel accepted.
“Knock, knock.” Sandra’s voice rang out as she popped her head in the door. “Can I come in?”
“Absolutely. I’m in the living room,” I called out from where I was nursing Ben on the couch.
“Oh, there’s my perfect little man.” Sandra took Ben when I held him out to her. “I think you’re ready for a burp. Grandma has perfect timing.” She sat down in the chair across from me and rocked him as she patted his back.
“Now, what do I need to know?” she asked quietly.
“I left you a list in the diaper bag. You have more than enough milk for the time we’re gone.” I trailed off, nervous about being away from him.
“Ellie, it’s only overnight. You’re just going to San Antonio and can be back here in no time. Between Kate’s mom and Brian and me, everything will be in order.” Sandra rested her cheek on the top of Ben’s head.
Kate’s mom, Julie, lived so close that she was a bonus grandma to all the Morton kids. She loved each of them like they were her own, and we were lucky to be able to call on her when we needed an extra set of hands.
Sandra and I were lost in conversation when Kate, Jessica, and Delaney waltzed through the door. “Are you ready to kiss your married days goodbye?” Kate asked. “That sounded so much better in my head. We will go out and come back in so I can try again.”
Laughing, I shook my head. “It was cute.” Even I couldn’t make that sound convincing, and the other women laughed.
“All right, girls, get going. This little man and I are going home. Have a fun time.” Sandra stood, buckled Ben in the stroller, and headed for the main house.
The day flew by. We shopped, we ate, and we laughed until our stomachs hurt. Then we Ubered back to the hotel to get ready for our night on the town.
We ended up at a bar where the music was loud and the room hazy from the smoke machine. Finding a table was difficult, but Kate’s eagle eyes spotted one. Drinks in hand, we made our way to it.
“Care to dance, little lady?” A voice came from over my shoulder. The girls’ eyes were as big as dinner plates, and they looked like they were about to burst with laughter. Turning, I stared into the face of a cowboy I knew.
“Yes, I’ll dance with you,” I said as I set down my drink.
The man helped me off the chair and guided me to the middle of the crowded dance floor.
“What are you doing here?” I asked.
Leaning down, he kissed me as we whirled around the floor. “Have you heard from Mom? Is Ben doing all right?”
Of course he would be more worried about Ben than he was about answering my questions.
“He’s perfect. I called her just before we got here. She says it’s like he has no idea we’re even gone.” Smiling, I moved closer to him when I slow song started. “Do you think they all planned this? Making sure we ended up here tonight?”
Gavin turned to look at the table. “Judging from the looks on their faces, absolutely. Are you okay with your party ending this way?”
“I wouldn’t want it any other way,” I said as he held me tighter.
When we were tired of dancing, we went to the table. We talked and laughed with our family, and I couldn’t help but send up a little thank-you to the man upstairs.
After a little while, Gavin leaned down and whispered in my ear. “I have my own room at the hotel. Let’s leave.”
Downing the last of my drink, I looked at the group. “Thanks for the party, ladies, but I just got a better offer.” I grabbed my purse and stood.
The girls hooted and hollered as we turned to go.
Gavin flopped down on the bed, arms outstretched, and sighed. “I don’t think I’ve ever been happier to be somewhere this quiet.”
I knelt and straddled the man splayed out before me. “It’s nice but I wouldn’t mind filling this room with a little noise,” I murmured, leaning in, and kissing him passionately
Gavin moved his arms and let his hands rest on my ass. Kissing me until we both needed to stop for air, he rolled over and pinned me under him. “My wife isn’t going to be happy Ipicked a woman up at the bar,” he teased as he undid the top button of my blouse.
