“If you feel up to it. I don’t want you hurt any more than you already are.” Leaning down I kiss the top of her head, the scent of strawberry from her shampoo filling my nose.
“But I’ve been in her shoes. She may need to talk to someone who knows what she’s going through.” She rubs her hand on my chest soothing the beast trying to come out and protect what’s his.
“I’ll call Derek in the morning if he hasn’t let me know anything.”
“He will take care of her right?” she mutters, voice tinged with sleep.
“He loves her more than life itself,” I tell her, hoping that my reassurance will help her rest.
“Okay.” Her eyes shutter closed.
“Come back to bed. It’s been a long night.” We lie down, and she curls up against me, her hair tickling my chest.”
“Skylar, I want to make sure you understand one thing.”
“What’s that?” she yawns.
“I love you and I will always be there when you need me.”
“I love you, too.”
Light streaming in through the window slowly awakens me. My hand drags over the other side of the bed, the coolness of the sheets telling me that Skylar has been up for a while. A quick look at the baby video monitor reveals that Colby isn’t in his crib. Knowing he’s safe with Sky, I hop in the shower and get ready for the day.
Making my way down the stairs, I hear Colby’s laughter as Skylar makes sneezing noises and I can’t help but smile.
“Dada, Dada, Dada,” he calls out when he sees me leaning over the back of the couch.
“Hey, bud. Did you sleep well?”
“Dada, Dada!” His yell becomes impatient as he pulls himself up by the edge of the couch before climbing up, taking years off my life as I wait for him to fall.
“And we wanted him to be mobile,” I mutter picking him up in my arms. He grins before giving me a wet kiss. Skylar comes to stand beside us and I lean down to kiss her. “What time did you get up?” I ask, noting her eyes are slightly puffy, not that I would say a damn thing about that. I like my balls where they are.
“About an hour ago. Someone was playing in his crib and woke me up,” she states goosing Colby on his side making him fall back into my arms as laughter pours out of him.
“He’s in a good mood this morning.”
“He sure is. I gave him a little cereal earlier. Now I'll fix breakfast.”
“I can if you want me to.”
“No, I got it. You watch the munchkin there.”
“I checked my phone, but I hadn’t missed anything from Derek.”
“Actually, I talked to Kristen a little while ago,” she imparts.
“How is she?”
“She sounded fine. They didn’t even know she was pregnant and now she’s not.” Her breath hitches on the last words but she remains composed as she bustles around the kitchen.
“Damn it to hell. I don’t know if that’s better or worse.” The pain Derek and Kristen are going through right now must be excruciating. Losing their child before they even rejoiced the new life they created.
“I think she’s more in shock than anything right now. They’re sending her home this afternoon.”
“Do you want to go before they leave?”
“She said she'd see me tomorrow. I think they need time to deal with all of it.”
“That’s understandable.”
“I’m going to make them a few meals to tide them over. That way they won’t have to worry about cooking or anything.”
“That’s thoughtful of you.”
“I need to do something,” she states, pulling open drawers, rummaging around.
“Food works.”
“Is this going to affect that festival you’re to play in next month?”
“Hell, I don’t know. I guess it’ll depend on how Derek and Kristen are doing.”
“But y’all have nearly finished the new album, right?” she asks as she pulls out a whisk, jerking her arm to disentangle it from an offset spatula. “Why do they make it where everything sticks in this thing?” she bites out annoyed.
“It’s about eighty percent done. The hardest part is complete. We need to fine tune areas.”
“Have y’all talked about when you will start touring for it?” She walks to the refrigerator gathering eggs, bacon and milk.
“Brian has been working on some dates. Probably sometime next spring.”
“At least it will give time for Isaac and Camryn to plan their wedding. She was thinking late Spring or Fall.” She cracks an egg on the side of the bowl hard enough to break the whole thing, and raw egg drips down onto the counter.
“We’ll take that into consideration. If they want Spring, we can break for a week or two, so they can have a honeymoon.”
“It’ll be the first time you've left since Delaney was born?”
“Yeah, I’m sure that’ll worry Isaac. He doesn’t like being away from them for an extended period. We’ve done four festivals since she was born but only for a long weekend.” I place Colby in his highchair with his cup of milk.
“Have you thought about what’s going to happen with Colby? Who will watch him during the day?” she asks, pouring the scrambled egg mixture into the hot skillet.
“I’m working on it.” She cuts me with her glare. “Okay,” I concede. “I haven’t worked on it yet, but I will.”
"You’ll just need someone for during the weekdays,” she advises. “Unless you don’t want me staying with him?” I walk up behind her.
“Why the hell wouldn’t I want you with him?” I spin her around, egg dripping from the edge of her spatula. "I can’t think of anyone I would trust Colby with more than you. You love him.” Leaning down I kiss, pouring out all the emotion in me, hoping she understands. “You’re ours.”
19
Skylar
“Road trip!” Mallory calls out as she climbs out of her car. “While the cat’s away the mice will play!” she says gleefully.
“They’re only gone until Monday,” Kristen says as she smiles at her exuberance.
“I don’t care. It’s a girl’s weekend. A cabin on the river. Soaking in the hot tub. A day at the spa being pampered. I think we deserve it.”
“I’m guessing someone’s a little excited,” I comment, exiting out of Vi’s home carrying my overnight bag. The guys left for their rock festival in Arizona yesterday morning and won’t fly home until Monday. Vi offered to watch Colby and Delaney to allow us a child-free weekend. “Camryn make it yet?”
“She has a lot more to pack than the rest of us.”
Camryn’s red Equinox turns up the drive before coming to a stop behind Mallory’s car.
“Sorry, I wanted to pump before we left so I wouldn’t have to on the drive up there,” she apologizes as we walk over to help her unload all of Delaney’s stuff. She pops the back and as the gate lifts, three stuffed toys fall to the ground as someone packed it to the roof of the car.
“I don’t think you brought enough, Cam,” Mallory laughs.
“No?” Camryn frowns, her red brows furrowed in concentration. “I don’t know what else I could have brought.”
“She was being sarcastic, Cam,” Kristen shakes her blonde head at her friend’s naivety. “We will be gone for two nights. Delaney probably won’t need a quarter of this stuff.”
Camryn unbuckles Delaney’s car seat and lifts it up with a grunt. “I don’t know how I will do this when she gets bigger,” She huffs out. “Is Vi okay with watching her for this long?” She worries her lips as she shifts her weight from foot to foot.
“She has talked about having the two of them non-stop since we mentioned leaving,” Kristen reassures us. “Her sister, Ellen, is coming over too. Between the two of them they have raised six boys. They can handle yours. No problem.”
“Let’s get all of this unloaded and into the house. The sooner we get on the road, the sooner we get there,” Mallory calls out hauling bag after bag out of the back of the
vehicle and carrying them inside.
Three trips later, everything is inside and after a few tearful goodbyes, mine and Camryn’s, we’re on the interstate headed to Oklahoma. Brett’s Tahoe rides smooth as it eats up the miles.
“Where are we headed again?” Kristen asks as she thumbs through a bridal magazine, dog-earring the pages for later.
“Whiskey Bend.”
“Sounds like something out of Deliverance,” Mallory quips.
“No, it’s a tourist town. Summer is their busiest time. The lake is a big draw. But they have two rivers you can tube down or fish in.”
“Really sounds like a place for a wedding,” she grumbles.
“The pictures are beautiful. It’s not pretentious. It’s rustic but not too much,” Camryn argues.
“You’re the one getting married there, not me.”
“What’s the name of the place again?” Kristen asks.
“The venue or the bakery?” I ask, looking in the rearview at her. “We have an appointment with the bakery today for the cake tasting and the venue tomorrow for a tour.”
“Cake, yum,” Mallory moans out. “I’m hungry.”
“We will be there in about half an hour. We’ll see what they have to eat before we go get on the sugar high.”
“I’ll starve,” she whines. Camryn reaches into her bag on the floor and chucks a bag of animal crackers at Mallory.
“I forgot how cranky you get on long car rides. Eat those.”
Mallory opens the bag and pops a cookie in her mouth all the while glaring at Camryn.
“What’s the name of the bakery?”
“The Sweet Spot, I think. It’s right on the main road through town, next to the coffee shop.”
At last, the GPS tells us to turn onto a side road; the sign reading Whiskey Bend heralding our arrival. For late in the season, there are a few people on the sidewalks milling around. The red brick buildings flanking each side of the street are welcoming, drawing your eye to the large window, encouraging you to window shop. Outside the coffee shop and bakery are small metal tables and chairs just begging you to sit down and visit instead of rushing off. I pull into an open spot in front of the bakery.
"There’s a sandwich shop right over there,” Mallory exclaims before opening her door and hurrying across the road.
“She’s like a little kid when it comes to food, I swear,” Kristen mutters and we follow, much more sedately than our friend. After dining on sandwiches and homemade potato chips, Mallory is in a better mood.
“How long do we have before the cake tasting?” Kristen asks, cleaning up the table to throw our trash away.
“About twenty minutes. Maybe we can walk around and check out the stores.”
“Are y’all going to the bakery?” an older lady asks.
“Yes, ma’am.”
“You won’t be disappointed. Dani is an excellent baker. Makes some of the cutest cakes I’ve ever seen. She made the bread y’all had on your sandwiches too,” she remarks before moving back behind the counter to help the customers coming in.
“Damn if she can do that with bread I can’t wait to taste the cakes,” Camryn states.
“Then let’s go. By the time we walk down this sidewalk and up the other, we won’t be too early.” I wipe my mouth with my napkin and finish picking up what Kristen couldn’t grab.
After strolling up and down the buildings, Mallory’s excitement is catching and we’re all a little giddy by the time we open the glass door with a cute cupcake decorating the middle with Sweet Spot curved around it. As we open the door we’re bombarded with the smell of chocolate and vanilla.
“Welcome to the Sweet Spot. How can I help you?” comes the high-pitched voice of a teenager from behind the display case.
“I’m Camryn. I have an appointment with Danielle at two for a cake tasting.”
“Yes, ma’am. I’ll let her know you’re here. If you’ll follow me, I’ll take you to the tasting room.” The cheerful brunette leads us to a rectangular room off to the side and has us sit after offering us refreshments.
“Hello. I’m so glad you could make it.” A beautiful blonde enters the room, her hair piled high on her head, her green eyes sparkling against her tan skin. Her black apron covers a dark pink t-shirt. “I’m Danielle Taggert. Welcome to the Sweet Spot.”
Camryn stands and shakes her hand introducing us. “I’m Camryn and these are my friends Mallory, Skylar, and Kristen.
“Nice to meet you. Are y’all ready for cake?” Her smile is infectious as we all nod
“God yes,” Mallory moans out making Danielle laugh.
“Give me a second and I’ll be right back.” She returns shortly with a tray laden with small plates with thin slices of cake. “Which should we start w…”
“Chocolate!” Mallory chimes in before Danielle can finish.
“Good choice. This is a dark chocolate cake with a maraschino cherry cream cheese filling and covered in chocolate ganache.” She places a plate and fork in front of each of us. “There is a card next to each of you to make notes on which ones you like and which ones you don’t. I also have the dark chocolate with salted caramel filling that’s on the next tray.”
“OMG,” Camryn breathes out as her eyes close in bliss. “It’s like a chocolate-covered cherry.”
“It’s what inspired it. It’s one of our best sellers. This next one is our apple cobbler. It’s a vanilla cake with a cinnamon apple compote filling.”
“No this is it,” Kristen comments. ‘Damn that’s good.”
“Thank you. It’s one of my favorites. Chocolate gets old after a while.”
“That’s blasphemy!” Mallory gasps out.
Seven flavors later we’ve narrowed it down to the chocolate and salted caramel, apple cobbler, and the Italian Cream.
‘It’s hard to choose. They’re all so good,” Camryn moans.
“If we do a three-tier cake, I can do all of them if that’s what you want,” Danielle advises.
“That’ll solve the problem,” Camryn agrees.
“And leave you with a ton of cake left over,” Kristen warns.
“I don’t care. I like all three and all the guests can have a selection.”
“Any idea on what design you want?”
“I told Isaac that I wouldn’t do anything too girly. I want elegant but not the traditional round.”
“What about squares or octagons?”
“I think octagons would be too busy, but I like the squares.”
“Colors?” Danielle inquires, one brow arched.
“We haven’t decided yet. I want to pick the venue first.”
“No problem. I need a week or two before the date. Which is?”
“Not sure on that either,” Camryn laughs but it’s tinged with hysteria. “Next Spring or Fall. I think.”
“Both times of the year are gorgeous here. I’m more partial to Fall but that’s just me.”
“It’s beautiful right now.”
“October is a great month. It hasn’t gotten too cold and all the hot weather is gone by then. Are you touring the Lodge tomorrow?”
“How did you know?” Kristen narrows her eyes.
“Small town,” she shrugs. “Reagan and I work closely together, and she mentioned it the last time she was in here. There are two great spots outside for a ceremony. One by the river with a small waterfall and the other is out by the lake. The Lodge itself is beautiful if you have it inside.”
“Yes, we’re going at ten in the morning. Then we’re hitting the day spa.”
“Ah, you’re lucky. That place is amazing. Book the couples massage if you have your wedding here. You’ll thank me later,” she says with a wink.
“Thank you, Danielle. It’s been a pleasure,” Camryn comments as we rise from the table.
“I appreciate you coming by. I love making cakes.”
“You do an excellent job,” Mallory remarks. “And now I will find out how good the cupcakes are,” she hurries out of
the room.
“Where the heck does she put it all?” I mutter.
“I think she burns it all off if you know what I mean.” Kristen wags her brows and as her meaning sinks in and I feel my face heat. “Let’s round her up and head to the cabin. I want to soak in the hot tub.”
We load into the SUV, Mallory clutching her dozen cupcakes like a long-lost treasure. The roads wind as the flatter land becomes more mountainous. We arrive to find a gorgeous log cabin nestled in tall pine trees.
“We’re staying here?” Mallory breathes out, her gray eyes wide.
“Yeah, it's got two bedrooms, two baths, and a kitchen,” I respond.
“Just point me toward the hot tub. I need a good soaking.” Kristen grabs her lower back as she stands beside the SUV.
“Sounds good,” I reply.
Ten minutes later, we’re enjoying the hot water on the expansive back porch of the cabin overlooking the river.
“It’s so peaceful out here,” Camryn remarks.
Later that night, we cook dinner from the fully stocked kitchen and sit in front of the fireplace drinking wine and browsing through Pinterest for wedding ideas.
The next morning, we find our way to The Lodge. We’re greeted by a stern-looking woman with her hair pulled back in a chic bun, dressed in a flattering blue pantsuit standing on a wooden walkway. Great, I was really hoping we wouldn’t have to deal with any bitchy people this weekend. No one knows exactly who Camryn is or who she’s marrying, otherwise they’d be jumping up and down at the publicity they would get being associated with the Silver Tongued Devils. Tires crunch on the gravel as we slow to a stop.
“Somebody’s got resting bitch face,” Mallory sing-songs from the back seat.
“Give her a chance, guys,” Camryn rebuffs. “If this is Reagan, she was very nice on the phone when we spoke.”
“It is,” I mutter.
“I forgot that you said you went to school with her. Were you friends?” Camryn asks.
“No, we were on different ends of the spectrum in school. She was the popular cheerleader, prom queen, student council president. I was more on the periphery.”
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