Chapter 11
GINA
Maverick and Gavin booked a small plane to take the wedding party to Newhope, and the entire flight I sat in the back with my iPad on my knees, pretending to work on wedding plans while avoiding the group at the front of the plane.
Or one person in particular at the front of the plane.
Owen sat near the cage containing both our dogs with his daughter standing between his legs, hugging a stuffed zebra as she happily chatted with Heather and Haddy like one of the girls.
She’s the cutest thing with her big brown eyes and lively personality. She’s smart and quick, and she reminds me of my oldest cousin Kimmie Joy at that age. Growing up, Kim was always with the adults, unlike us “littles.”
He glanced back at me a few times, and my chest squeezed every time I felt his eyes on me. I only slid lower in the seat, adjusting my headphones.
I don’t know why I’m letting him get to me this way. It’s not like I expected him to make a big deal out of us spending the night together. We said just once, right?
But we didn’t just spend the night together. I’m pretty sure we set records. We did things that are illegal in some states.
We didn’t talk much the following morning. We got dressed, collected our things, and left the Delve Inn, and in the light of day, I felt intensely that we were not John and Kendall Grant. What we did that night was very real, even if we said it was only a fantasy. Could he do that? Could I?
His warm hand on my thigh driving back made me think it might be more, but the way he bounded out of the truck, slamming the door without even looking back…
It was like Baxter the love-bomber, the major-league ghoster, all over again. I’d let my guard down, he got what he wanted, then he left without even looking back.
“You’re here!” Mom runs to me as soon as we step out of the rented black SUV, pulling me into her arms and squeezing me so tight. “Oh, I’ve missed you. Let me look at you.”
Straightening her arms, she holds me out, and my nose wrinkles. “We just saw each other in June.”
“That was four months ago, Gina Grace!”
“I need to let the dogs out.”
As if on cue, Mav emerges from the driver’s side of the vehicle, singing, “Who let the dogs out?”
He dances over to lift my mom off her feet and twirl her around.
It only makes her slap his arms playfully. “Maverick Murphy, you’d better get to your mamma’s house before she skins us both.”
“I’m going, Aunt Liv!” Mav kisses her cheek before heading back to the waiting car.
Haddy is in the backseat making out with Gavin before she collects all of Lucy’s things.
I open the back of the car so we can let Spanky and Ladybird out of their shared crate. It was the only way we could get Ladybird on the plane, and Owen insisted we couldn’t leave her, even with the assurance I had friends who would come over and walk them and take care of them.
Both dogs leap out of the vehicle and start to run and jump with each other. Owen, Heather, and Maddie are in their own SUV headed to Miss Gina’s guesthouse a little farther north of downtown.
“Just be sure they don’t get into Mee-Maw’s prized chickens.” Mom takes my arm as we walk slowly toward the house. “You know how she is about those birds.”
After I moved to LA, my parents sold our old house and added about two-thousand square feet to my grandmother’s little cottage near the bay. Dad said they were going to have to move in with her eventually, so it just made sense.
My grandmother was on cloud nine, because she’s always loved my dad. Everybody loves my dad, the six-foot-four former star-NFL-player turned sheriff of Newhope.
“Is that my Gigi?” The screen door slams, and I take off running to jump on his back, hugging him around the neck. “Aw—I think you’ve gotten heavier!” he teases.
Laughing, I squeeze him tighter. “If I’m getting heavy, you’re getting old!”
“Sassy.” He shakes his head, poking my ribs. “Just like your mamma.”
I jump down, wrapping my arms around his waist as we walk to the house. Much like Gavin and Lucy, he was my first big teddy bear, and he has a special place in my heart. He’s also overprotective as hell, which kind of makes me want to tell him about Baxter.
Maybe Dad could stuff him in a dumpster, which is right where he belongs. Owen, on the other hand…
“So we’re marrying off our first baby this weekend.” He shakes his head. “Who knew Haddy would be the one breaking the seal, after all the fuss her dad made about marriage and babies and poop.”
“I think he said the same thing, Uncle Grizz!” Haddy walks up beside us, holding a sleeping Lucy on her shoulder.
“Oh, let me have that little sweet potato.” Mom takes the baby, and Haddy takes my hand.
“Is this the same fella who showed up at Christmas last year?” Dad squints an eye at her, and she nods rapidly, reminding me a bit of Maddie.
“He sure is.” My cousin beams, and it makes me laugh. “Gavin Knight.”
We’re at the house, and Dad straightens, expanding his chest the way Mav likes to do when he’s acting tough. “I remember that guy. Where is he anyway?”
“He just left with Mav to spend the night at Aunt Dylan’s house,” I explain. “They’re trying to be traditional, of all things.”
“They have a baby?” Dad asks, and I nod. “And they went on their honeymoon to Japan last month?” I nod again. “And now they want to be traditional?”
“Just go with it Pop.” I slap his shoulder, and he chuckles.
We continue into the large house, and I go straight to where my grandmother and mom are swooning over Lucy. Haddy carries our luggage to the foot of the stairs before joining us.
“She looks just like you did as a baby, Hads.” Mom reaches out to hold my cousin’s hand. “I’m so happy y’all decided to have the wedding here. Now we can all be together.”
“That’s what I wanted.” Haddy puts her head on my mom’s shoulder. “Growing up in LA, I looked forward to our visits here so much. It just seemed right.”
“You could’ve told me that sooner,” I grumble, not really mad.
Having the wedding in Newhope makes everything so much easier. For starters, I have an additional five people helping me, my four aunts and Clint, who’s an actual, professional wedding planner.
“I don’t know why you all have to rush back on Saturday,” Dad grumbles, and I reach out to hold his hand.
“The guys have to play, and I’ve got dog shows. But we’ll be back at Christmas.”
“Let’s get you ladies some dinner.” Mee-Maw hops off the couch, heading for the kitchen. “It’s ten here, but I know it’s only seven for you. I’ve got shrimp and grits warming on the stove.”
Haddy and I are both on our feet when she says the word grits, heading for the kitchen.
Dinner consumed… inhaled?, Lucy fed, everyone showered, Haddy and I decide to share one of the guest rooms upstairs.
I’m just snuggling under the blankets when my phone buzzes with a text that stops my heart.
Owen
Hey, just checking on Ladybird.
I force my tight lungs to breathe, thankful he can’t see how flustered I am. My hands tremble as I reply.
Gina
She’s in the cage with Spanky, happy as can be.
Owen
Thank you for helping with her. I really appreciate it.
Gina
Glad to do it.
Gray dots appear on the screen, floating, floating…
I wait, watching, wondering what in the world he might say and if it might be anything along the lines of, I miss you.
The dots disappear, and my throat aches. Seconds pass, and nothing happens. My stomach knots. I will not cry… I will not cry…
Then my phone lights up again, and I almost squeal.
Kim
We’ve got to do a better job with this cousins’ chat. I didn’t even know y’all were coming home until today!
I swallow the thickness in my throat, pushing those feelings away. This is a happy time, and I won’t let some guy ruin it. Even if I did agree to play his game.
Gina
I didn’t know we were coming until two days ago.
Kim
Y’all should’ve told me two days ago. Just because I’m teaching all the time doesn’t mean I get left out of the loop.
Haddy
I’m sorry, KJ! I didn’t realize how much I wanted to get married here until I did.
Mav
What does that even mean?
Knox
Girl logic. Don’t question it. Just go with it.
Haddy
That feels rude…
Sage
The stables are free if y’all want to be sure it doesn’t rain.
Gina
It’s not going to rain! I won’t allow it.
Sage
Just putting it out there.
Mav
You said pudding.
Knox
He said putting it out.
Kim
Can we not be middle schoolers? How can I help, Gigi?
Gina
Clint is taking the lead on wedding prep, but we have two dogs and two little girls.
Kim
Two?
Haddy
Gav’s new teammate Owen Stone is here with his sister Heather and his adorable daughter Maddie… Also, Heather does tarot readings.
Kim
What! Where and when can we do one???
Haddy
I know, right? They’re staying in Miss Gina’s guesthouse, so tomorrow.
I peek my head out from under the blankets.
“Hads!” I’m not sure why I’m whispering. “Shouldn’t we check with Heather before we drop the entire clan on her head demanding tarot readings?”
“She’ll love it!” Haddy whispers back. “But you’re right. We should warn her.”
Haddy
Don’t tell the aunts until we make sure it’s okay with Heather.
Kim
My lips are sealed. See you all tomorrow! This is more fun than Marry-Fuck-Kill!
Mav
I’ve always wanted to play that game.
Knox
Me, too…
Sage
I’m afraid I’d get killed.
Kim
Girls only!
Gina
What she said.
Haddy
I don’t make the rules (sad-face emoji)
Sage
Sounds like we’re crashing.
Kim
You really will get killed!
Mav
Mom would let us play. It’s the dads who can’t.
Haddy
We’re starting our own tradition. Tarot bachelorette!
Gina
That sounds dangerous.
Kim
Danger’s my middle name, Baby!
“It’s been so long since I’ve had a tarot reading!” Miss Gina’s blind eyes gaze into the twilight sky.
We’re sitting under her back porch at a wrought-iron table under glowing yellow twinkle lights as the sun sets.