Chapter Twenty-Two Adopted
Mirabelle was woken up out of a sound sleep and dream by the sound of a door slamming. Heart pounding, she sat up and tried to get out of bed, but her legs were tangled up in the sheets, and she went down with a loud “oaf!” She lay still for a minute, trying to get her bearings and wake up completely from her dream that was lingering when the soft sound of Bastian’s deep chuckle reached her. “Morning Bunny.”
“Dammit Bast!” She pulled herself up onto her knees and glared over the top of the mattress at him. “You scared me! I was dreaming about being chased, then the door slammed, waking me up, and there was a big silhouette of a man standing there.”
“Sorry.” He cleared his throat, and she could tell he was holding back his laughter. “I had too many things in my hands, and the door slipped out of my grasp.” He disappeared out of sight, and she heard him set things down on the coffee table in the sitting room.
Mirabelle sighed and got to her feet, grabbing her robe off the chair next to the bed and pulling it on as she walked out to join him. “Where did you go?”
“I went to the gym and then grabbed breakfast for us.” Bastian gestured at the bags he’d set out on the coffee table. “Are you okay?” He looked her over as she approached him.
“I’m fine,” She grumbled, feeling her cheeks heat up as she yawned and stretched. “What time is it?”
“Just after ten.” Bastian started pulling out the food and setting it on the coffee table for them. “Did you have anything you wanted to do today?”
“I thought we were going to the Creature Conservancy and the Matthaei Botanical Gardens?” Mirabelle sat on the couch and accepted the orange juice he passed her as she looked up in confusion. That’s what was on his schedule for today, and she had been looking forward to both.
He looked a little guilty as he nodded. “Yeah, that is what’s on the schedule, but I ran into Victor and Francesca while I was waiting for our breakfast, and I was invited to play golf with Victor, Robert and an associate of Victor’s at the Detroit Golf Club.” Mirabelle sighed, knowing she couldn’t deny him a chance to golf somewhere he wouldn’t usually be able to.
“And you want to go golfing.”
“I do,” He nodded, looking sheepish about it. “I will stay with you if you want me to, but yes, I'm looking forward to golfing. I've heard great things about the Detroit Golf Club, but unfortunately, you have to be brought in as a guest if you aren't a member there, so this is an opportunity I may not get again.”
“And I want you to have that opportunity.” Mirabelle laughed at the expression on his face. “I figured you had at least one golf trip planned when you brought your clubs.” Bastian enjoyed golf the way she enjoyed the ocean, and while she also played, she was much more casual and relaxed about it.
“Ann Arbor has like twenty golf courses, Mira.” Bastian grinned, looking pleased that she was so understanding of his reasons for cancelling their plans for today, but Mirabelle didn’t really care that much; neither activity required tickets or reservations, so they could reschedule them. “Of course I did.”
“And since you didn't tell me to bring mine, it would be a solo outing.” She knew he preferred to play either by himself or with people who had the same level of seriousness about it as he did, and she fully understood that she was far too casual of a player for him to enjoy playing with, more interested in potential wildlife and nature pictures than the game.
“Yes.” He rolled his eyes and kissed her. “Because I knew you would want at least one day where you did nothing but swim and laze by the pool with a book.” That was also true, and the more she thought about it, the more appealing it became for her activity today. “But Francesca invited you to go to a spa in Detroit with her and Eleanor, so it’s up to you what you want to do today. But if you go, it will be an overnight trip, with a stay at the Hotel at The Detroit Club and dinner at the very upscale Bohemia at seven.” He gave her a slightly smug smile. “I think we've been adopted, Bunny.”
“Oh!” Mirabelle instantly perked up, a huge smile crossing her lips. “Wow. Okay. A spa day with Eleanor and Francesca sounds terrific. They always find the absolute best spas to go to. Plus, a night away and dinner at a super fancy restaurant means I’m much more okay with cancelling our plans and doing something else.
I’ll text Victor and let him know we’ll be joining them and book a room at the hotel for the night. You go shower, pack an overnight bag – including something appropriate for the restaurant.” Bastian instructed as he pulled out his phone and tapped on it. “We have to meet them in the lobby at noon; Victor has hired a car to take us. And….” He pulled out his wallet and passed her his credit card. “Your spa day is on me. Get whatever you want.”
“You don't have to do that.” But she took the card, knowing there was no point in arguing; he would call the spa as soon as he found out which one it was, give them his credit card number and tell them to put her treatments on it if she didn’t.
“I know I don’t have to; I want to.” He gave her a quick grin and nodded toward the bedroom. “Go get ready.”
“Hmph. Thank you for brunch, Bast.” She finished her juice and headed into the shower, then dressed in high-waisted, wide-legged navy-blue pants and a cream silk blouse and pulled her hair up into a bun. She had just finished packing her bag when Bastian appeared, freshly showered and wearing jeans and a navy button-down shirt,
“You look incredible, Bunny.”
“So do you.” She paused, looking him over as a tickle of memory about golf club rules struck her. “Are jeans allowed in the golf club?”
“In certain areas,” Bastian nodded. “We're having a drink in the bar to chat with Victor's friend before we start. There are changing rooms with lockers, so I'll change them before we hit the course. I have my golf clothes in my bag.”
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Mirabelle and Bastian entered the lobby and spotted Robert and Eleanor sitting beside the door, their bags and Robert’s golf clubs beside them. They stood up when they saw them coming and smiled as they hugged and shook hands hello.
“I'm so happy you decided to join us!” Eleanor was beaming as she let Mirabelle go and hugged Bastian. “Mother and I get along very well, but having someone my age with me is much better.”
“I have to agree,” Robert nodded as he gave Mirabelle a gentle squeeze. “I'm glad Bastian agreed to come and balance out my afternoon with Victor and his friend.”
“Oh, I wouldn't have worried, Robert. Bastian was going to go with you guys regardless.” Mirabelle grinned as she stepped back. “But I'm very excited about having a spa day.” Eleanor hooked her arm through Mirabelle's and led her over to sit beside her on the loveseat.
“It's needed, believe me. Eddie and Casey practically have Mother pulling her hair out.” A pinched, disgusted expression crossed Eleanor's delicate features. “They joined us for breakfast this morning and asked if Mother and Father or Robert and I would pick up the bill for the rehearsal dinner. We declined immediately, as I’m still irritated with their cheapest item on the registry comment, but Father got out his chequebook and was very passive-aggressive as he wrote the check.”
“Francesca, dear, didn't your parents pay for our wedding? As custom dictates?” Eleanor mimicked her father’s voice. “Mother was just done and said, “Yes, Dear. Your parents paid for the rehearsal, mine for the reception, and we paid for the rest.” Eleanor rolled her eyes. “Casey never said a word, just looked bored, but Eddie had the decency to look embarrassed about it.”
“We decided after some discussion following breakfast to pay for the wedding from his trust fund and give him whatever is left.” Francesca and Victor joined them and hugged Mirabelle hello. “You look lovely, dear.”
“You do as well.” Mirabelle smiled at her; Francesca always looked like she just stepped out of a high fashion catalogue.
“I think us three men are fortunate to have such beautiful wives.” Victor smiled as Mirabelle kissed his cheek and hugged him hello.
Bastian grinned, looking delighted when Francesca hugged him and kissed his cheek. Mirabelle bit her lip to hide her giggle. Older women tended to love Bastian; he was very charming and courteous, which they appreciated, but this was the first time she’d seen him enjoy it so much. They were collecting their bags and heading toward the door when an agitated voice boomed across the lobby.
“YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!”