Page 62 of Tacos & Toboggans
“If we could somehow get word to any Michigan troops deployed overseas that it would be livestreamed, I’m sure they’d tune in, if possible,” I said, leaning on the table. “Might be hard this late in the game, though.”
“I have connections,” Dawson said. “Both with the livestream equipment and the military.”
“Major’s right, though. We don’t have much time,” Shep said. “I can help with setup, but on the day of the event, I can’t leave my post.”
“Leave it to me,” Dawson said, waving his fancy prosthesis that covered his right hand. “When we get home, I’ll email the students who work the livestream for games, and we’ll meet tomorrow morning to plan. Then we can arrange a time to meet at the gazebo. Maybe Tuesday after school? They only have school on Monday and Tuesday this week.”
“That’s cutting it close, but if you think we can do it, then we will. We’ll make this year a test run if nothing else,” Shep said. “At least those at the hospital can see it.”
“And we have dinner here on Thanksgiving,” Gabe pointed out. “We can make some flyers to pass out, so people know it’s happening. Word of mouth like that will have it spread around quickly.”
“If we can get flyers to the diner by tomorrow night or Tuesday morning, everyone will know before Thursday’s dinner anyway,” Mason said, to which everyone laughed.
Cameron pointed at him. “I’ll have Becca make them tonight.” He turned to Dawson. “As soon as you have the channel it will be broadcast on, text me and we’ll get them to the printer immediately.”
“Just use the city’s YouTube livestream channel,” Shep said with a shrug. “Normally, they just stream the board meetings and stuff, but this is the perfect use for it, and it will be available for replays if someone is working and wants to watch it later.”
“Or the troops!” Dawson said. “They can always watch it the next day if they miss it live.”
“We’ll have them at the diner by midday tomorrow,” Cameron said, standing. “Text me if something comes up at the meeting with the kids, and we’ll hold off.”
“I don’t see any problem here,” Dawson said. “The equipment is portable, and the kids can count it as community service hours for their graduation requirement. We’ll meet around 7:30 a.m., so I can text you an all clear to print by 8:00 a.m.”
“Glad to be of service, but I must be off. Lots to do at the tree farm for opening night,” Cameron said with a wave.
Ivy walked in and leaned down by Irving. “You may want to take Hazel home,” she said, and he swung his gaze to her. “She’s exhausted and can’t get comfortable in these chairs.”
Irving slid his plate onto the table, the roll barely touched. “I tried to convince her not to come,” he said with a head shake. “Stubborn woman.”
Ivy laughed the kind of laugh of someone who had obviously been in the same position at one point. “Until you’ve carried around a watermelon on your belly for nine months, you don’t get to tell someone who has what to do. Lucy said her belly was tight when she had her hand on it, so Hazel probably should get off her feet. Also, make sure she has plenty of water.”
“Labor?” The one word came out as terrified as his facial expression was when he turned to me.
I held my hands up. “Don’t ask me. I do bones, not babies.”
Ivy snickered as Irving unlocked his chair and ordered Star forward. “Take her home and see how she feels. That’s all you can do.”
“Right,” he agreed with a head nod and a nervous breath out. “See everyone Thursday.”
“Maybe!” Ellis said with a wave, to which Irving grinned, crossing his fingers.
“Do they know what they’re having?” I asked, and Ellis shook his head.
“Nope, they decided to be surprised, or at least they’ve decided to surprise all of us. Maybe they know. Either way, I’m happy for them. They’ve been through a lot. This little one will be well-loved.”
“As are all the little ones in this town,” I pointed out.
I searched the other room until I found Jaelyn again. She was playing a fancy hand game with Lucy that kept making her frown. The splint seemed to be hindering her ability to complete the task. They were adorable together, and I smiled at how selfless she was all the time. She stayed with Audrey last night through the surgery. Once Audrey went to Alan’s room, Jaelyn curled up on the couch in my office until I finished my paperwork. I’ll admit that I sat there ten minutes longer than necessary to watch her sleep. She was serene, and it settled my racing pulse. When I dropped her off at her cottage for the night, barely able to form a sentence, I helped her to her bed, took off her shoes, kissed her silly, and then covered her up.
I’d wanted to stay and crawl under the covers to hold her, but I couldn’t. Scaring her this soon after earning her trust wasn’t smart. Besides, I needed a shower and food, not to mention my leg needed a solid six hours to charge. Speaking of that, I still needed to talk to Dawson about getting the leg interrogated.
“She’s just like Lucy,” Shep said, and I snapped my attention to him.
“What now?” I asked, tuning back into the conversation.
“Jaelyn,” Shep clarified. “She’s very attuned to others’ needs and emotions. People call them empaths because they can sense emotions and know how to calm others or make them feel better just by being there. I think that’s why she and Lucy always gravitate to each other. Somehow, they fill each other’s reservoirs when they get low.”
“Yeah, that makes sense, actually,” I said with a nod. “Jaelyn is extremely empathetic.”
