CHAPTER TWO-1
1039 Words
CHAPTER TWO
“HOW DID YOU SLEEP?” Bella asked Jandy as she walked into the kitchen on Sunday morning.
“Not bad, all things considered,” Jandy replied, heading for the coffeepot. “Bel, I just want to say again how much I appreciate you guys putting us up. Hopefully it won’t be for long.”
“Nonsense,” came the reply from Bella as she continued making pancakes. “Stay as long as you need to. Maybe I haven’t made it clear enough, but I am really enjoying having a bigger family! I didn’t realize how lonely being an only child was until I met you all. So, although I’m sad about the reason, I’m happy you’re here so we can hang out more.”
She deftly flipped the last pancake then gasped in surprise as Jandy wrapped her up in a fierce hug.
“Oh, honey,” Jandy murmured. “I sure do love you.”
Bella chuckled and hugged her back. “And I love you! Now, turn me loose, the pancakes are gonna burn.”
Jandy laughed and stepped away. “Mugs still in the cabinet by the sink?”
“Yep, help yourself.”
Nathan strolled in at that moment with Charlie in his arms.
“There’s my sweeties,” Bella announced, and kissed her husband and child. “I didn’t hear him fussing.”
“He wasn’t, that’s the strange thing,” Nathan answered. “I peeked in to check on him and he was standing up in his crib just looking at me.”
“Huh,” Bella said. “Maybe that’s a good sign of things to come.”
“’Andi! ‘Andi!” Charlie squealed, and held out his arms toward his aunt.
“Coffee can wait - there’s no way I can refuse that kind of greeting,” Jandy beamed as she came over and took the wriggling child from his father’s arms. “Hello, handsome boy.”
Charlie put his tiny hands on each of Jandy’s cheeks and began to babble animatedly.
“Is that so? I’m intrigued, tell me all about it,” Jandy prompted, and he shrieked with delight and kept going.
“I knew she’d make an awesome aunt one day,” Nathan observed softly as he stood with Bella at the stove watching Jandy get Charlie situated in his highchair.
“And you were absolutely right. Have I told you lately how much I love your family?” his wife asked him as she smiled. “Because I really, really do.”
***
* * * *
“SO, HOW FAR ARE WE going to try to go today?” Lizzie asked Donny as they climbed back into the moving truck’s cab.
“I was thinking stop somewhere around Green River, Utah,” he replied as he gazed at the map. “That’s about an eight-hour drive. Then tomorrow, we can stop in Santa Rosa, New Mexico, and be at your house in Pantego by Tuesday night.”
He showed her his planned stops on the map, and she nodded.
“Divides it up pretty evenly. I like your style, Atherton.”
“Oh yeah? Prove it,” he teased, and found himself on the receiving end of a passionate kiss.
“You keep doing that, we’ll go right back inside and get our room back,” Donny warned, wearing a megawatt smile.
“Why, whatever do you mean, dear?” Lizzie batted her eyelashes at him, and he chuckled.
“All right, you. Let’s get going.”
She surprised herself by giggling as she strapped on her seat belt.
Oh, for crying out loud - he makes me giggle. I hardly ever used to giggle – until him, Lizzie realized. I could almost get used to this.
“What?” he asked, eyebrow raised at her puzzled expression.
“Well, don’t let it go to your head, but you make me ridiculously happy, that’s all.”
Donny reached for her hand and kissed it. “Same here, you know.”
“Man, are we sappy, or what?”
“Yep, absolutely.”
She scrunched her nose and sheepishly declared, “I kinda like it.”
Now Donny roared with laughter. “I do too, Lizzie. And after everything we went through, I think we deserve some sappy, don’t you?”
“No argument from me,” she agreed. “Let’s get moving, we’re burning daylight.”
***
* * * *
“GOOD MORNING, FIANCÉE of mine,” Joe whispered in Trish’s ear. “How about some breakfast?”
“Sure,” she murmured sleepily. “Meet you in the kitchen.”
“No need, love,” he answered, and as she sat up and rubbed her eyes, she realized he’d brought her breakfast in bed.
“Oh, Joe, how sweet! What a nice surprise,” Trish exclaimed, and kissed him as he placed the tray across her lap.
He sat on the edge of the bed and made small talk as she ate.
“What would you like to do today?”
She mulled it over for a moment, then said, “I believe it’s supposed to be nice out today. How about a stroll through the botanical gardens?”
“I think it’s a perfect day to do just that,” he replied with a soft smile.
But the cell phone on his hip began to ring, and his smile faded as he remembered it was his Sunday to be on call.
“Wallace,” he answered, then listened for a minute before saying, “What’s the address?”
A pause, then Joe said, “I’ll be there in fifteen.”
He hung up and looked at her.
“Rain check on that stroll?”
“Absolutely. See you later?”
“You bet.”
“Be safe, sweetheart.”
He paused at the doorway and looked back at her. “Hey. Be thinking about where and when you wanna get married. I’m good with anything you decide, I just want to marry you.”
“The wheels are already turning,” Trish confessed, and he grinned.
***
* * * *
AS HE ATE HIS CEREAL, Grant checked his emails, and was delighted when he saw Edward Baker had already responded.
Good morning Mr. Forrester. I would be happy to walk you through Fort Concho’s history! When would you like to come down to San Angelo?
Grant set his bowl aside and composed a reply.
That’s great to hear, Mr. Baker. I’ve already booked accommodations for next weekend. My plan is to interview you, but also experience ‘Christmas at Fort Concho’ firsthand so that I can highlight the event in my article. I’m scheduled to arrive mid-morning Sunday. When might we meet?
He added his usual signature block and hit ‘send’, and by the time he’d returned to his home office from putting his bowl in the dishwasher, Baker had replied.
The festival kicks off at ten a.m. Monday, so, let’s meet at the library at noon Sunday. That gives us plenty of time to walk the fort and cover the historical significance beforehand. I look forward to meeting you.
Baker had also included the address to the library in his email, and Grant dutifully noted it in his binder before confirming their appointment.
***
- Writer
