Chapter 48
Chapter forty-eight
Cooper
My hand slides around Dakota’s waist before I drop a kiss on her exposed shoulder. “Morning.”
“Morning.” She smiles at me through the mirror, right before she pulls out a tube of makeup.
“So, Christine is coming to the party?” I ask, before grabbing my boots.
“Yes.” She drops the tube, then curses.
“There’s nothing to be nervous about,” I tell her.
It’s been a quiet week in terms of reckless drivers and threatening notes.
Ari has had a good week at school, and we even arranged for Heather to meet us at the fall carnival to surprise her.
She has no idea we’re throwing her a party at Ivy and Maddox’s house.
It was too risky to do it here, and when Christine called to see about coming for a final home inspection, we thought it would be a perfect time for her to meet the family. Ari’s family.
“I know.” She braces her hands on the counter. “I just want this birthday party to be the best.”
After slipping on my boots, I push to my feet.
“Hey.” I wrap my arms around her shoulders and lean my chin on her head.
“You’re doing an incredible job with her.
I know you’re trying not to push her. To let her open up when she’s ready.
She loves school. I even find her sneaking out to the barn to see the horses.
She’s thriving.” I press a kiss to her hair. “Thank you.”
She spins to face me. “For what?”
“For letting me keep my word.”
She raises up on her bare toes, pressing a kiss to my lips. “You’ve always been my hero, Coop.”
“And you’ve always been my queen of chaos.” Her head tilts back in laughter. “Let’s go. Maddox and I are on balloon duty.”
Three hours later, balloons, streamer, and a buffet style pizza palooza is taking over Ivy and Maddox’s living room.
The cake is displayed at a small table in the corner with a huge blowup 13 in gold floating up behind it.
Me, Maddox, Ivy, and Laiken are huddled in the kitchen, hiding behind the island.
The rest of the crew is hunkered down in the living room.
It’s been all hands on deck today, and I was even surprised Clyde was willing to help.
He’s taken it upon himself to teach Ari the art of rolling your own tobacco.
Which frankly I’m not sure if it’s a good history lesson, or a disaster waiting to happen.
He means well, but we had to give Ari the big just say no speech to smooth it over.
My phone dings, signaling that Dakota and Ari are in route.
“They’re coming,” I whisper. “Get ready.”
Dakota knocks twice on the back door, acting as if she’s completely clueless to what’s waiting on the other side. When she swings the door open, she slides to the side while we all spring up shouting, “surprise!!!”
Dakota grins, her hands coming up to cover her mouth as Ari gapes at the room. Her eyes bounce around, landing on every face before she stops on the two tiered cake and balloons. Her face morphs from shock, to blank in a matter of seconds, followed by a trembling lip.
Oh no.
One second, she's standing with wide eyes, then the next, she’s bolting out the door.