Page 26 of Crewe
“I’d love to, but I promised Hennessy we’d go shopping without kids for some Christmas presents, but I’d love to go with you some other time,” Ellie said.
“I have a meeting about the possible office with the Franks sisters, but I really appreciate getting to talk with all of you this morning,” Rose said.
Ry was a little relieved because she enjoyed taking pictures without anyone talking, but she had thought it would be rude not to ask. She’d spend the morning working on some shots. She’d been toying around with trying to expand her hobby into a full-fledged business. Crewe had said numerous times that she should have a website selling her prints. She made some money in Dodge City taking family portraits or taking pictures for real estate listings, but her heart was in nature. Shehad some absolutely gorgeous pictures of golden wheat fields with the blue sky as a background.
Crewe wanted her to be happy, and part of her happiness was photography. But she didn’t want to give up working at the bar because she enjoyed being around people and chatting about their days. A bartender was more than just the person who fixed your drinks. They were a friendly ear to hear your dreams, your worries, and your everyday life experiences. There were people she looked forward to seeing on her shift. But why couldn’t she do both?
She said goodbye to the ladies and headed out of the resort. Hopefully, the walk down the mountain would help loosen her muscles. She didn’t need everyone teasing her. Though Crewe hadn’t teased her; he’d had a very pleased look on his face until he realized she was in pain. Then he’d had a drink and some pain pills in her hands in seconds.
She walked toward the pond and saw the ducks and geese the hotel worker had spoken about. Mistletoe Canyon was a magical place for her. Maybe she and Crewe should make it an annual vacation because it was where they admitted what they meant to each other.
Chapter Twenty
Crewe laughed so hard he was leaning against the wall. Whiskey was beside him, laughing and slapping his thigh. He had to laugh, or he’d cry because he was going to have to show Ry the state the kids were in, and it was not good.
It had all been going great with the kids at the chocolate-making class. Vivi, Ry, and Ellie, along with the other moms, had decided they’d leave early to go start getting ready for the wedding, which wasn’t a bad decision. All the kids weregood kids, but even though the Nelsons and Bluff Creek had a boatload of kids, the class was large and included about fifteen other kids.
Crewe wasn’t sure what was said, but Elijah and Morgan had turned around toward two boys who looked to be in their teens. He’d seen Elijah shake his head and point for the boys to move away. Then Morgan had Blake and Phoebe, children of some of the Bluff Creek families, move behind them.
Before the kids’ dads could walk over and see what was going on, the bigger of the boys grabbed his pan of chocolate he’d been dipping pretzels in and tossed the chocolate all over Phoebe’s shirt. Morgan had grabbed the kid by his shirt, lifting him up and carrying him over to the instructor. A couple of the boy’s friends decided they didn’t like it and started pelting all the kids with chocolate, as well as the coconut and sprinkles being used for decorations.
From that point on, Crewe just wanted to make sure his kids didn’t cry, and it was close there for a minute. Phoebe, Blake, and Freya had washedtheir hair last night and braided it for the wedding today. They even had ribbons twined through the braids. By the time he’d made it to the girls to make sure Freya wasn’t crying, Phoebe had rallied them with a war cry ofthey will pay, and I will make them cry while running back to their mothers.
Bear had rubbed the bridge of his nose, shrugged, and said the boys deserved what they got. Roam had checked on his kids and then gone to tell the instructor their group would be happy to pay a fee to have the room cleaned.
The laughter had come when the moms of the boys who had started it showed up and began to yell at Phoebe, Blake, and Freya, saying they caused the problem. Crewe had thought he was hearing the Franks girls talk with the way Phoebe turned toward her and told the women that if they’d taught their sons friggin’ manners, maybe she and her friends wouldn’t have to be rewashing their hair for a wedding.
Morgan and Elijah had walked over to back up the girls, but honestly, the girls had it handled.Crewe was a tad scared about what would happen when these girls were older. Look out, world, because they weren’t letting any man treat them badly.
He stopped laughing and walked over to get the kids.
“Guess we’re all walking back since I’m sure the hotel’s van won’t want us in it,” he said, guiding the kids out of the store. A large school bus was waiting, and their resort host was driving it.
“I heard you all needed a ride that could be hosed down afterward. Come on in,” she said.
Crewe wasn’t sure if this was something that was a help or not. Now, he’d have to face Ry even sooner than he planned. He hoped she was still in a good mood.
Ry was waiting with all the women. Her hair and makeup were done because the wedding was inan hour and fifteen minutes. Vivi had the idea to have all of them downstairs so directions could be given. Ry and the ladies were all going to enjoy a relaxing snack while the guys cleaned the kids up from the chocolate fiasco they’d been sent pictures of.
Beth had been running behind when she’d gotten a text from Phoebe about what was happening. Beth had snuck in, taken pictures, and left before any of the guys could try to get her to help clean the kids up.
The school bus pulled up in front of the resort.
“How are we playing this?” Ellie asked.
“Yeah, I mean I’m not mad my kid stood up for herself and others,” Sprite, Roam’s wife, said.
“I say we have the men get the kids clean. Why should any of our kids feel bad for being the heroes and standing up against bullies,” Winnie said. “Plus, these pictures will be gold when they bring that first boyfriend or girlfriend home from college.”
Ry smiled as Crewe walked in with Freya and Wyatt. She held her hand up so they stayed faraway from her clean dress. It wasn’t getting covered in chocolate.
“Are we in trouble?” Wyatt asked.
Ry shook her head. “Of course not. I’m always proud when my kids stand up to bullies. Now you go upstairs and get clean. The Papas are helping with showers too. Then get dressed in your outfits and come down here. We’ll have a snack before the wedding, and I’ll braid your hair again, Freya.”
“Okay, Mommy,” the kids said.
“I’ll just go up and shower,” Crewe said.
