Chapter Fourteen
Lilly
Cass has been gone for over twenty-four hours, but he's checked in continuously.
He said he will be out of town for a few days, and I don't want to stay at the house by myself this whole time, so when Mindy and Linc are good and settled at home, I head over to spend some time with my best friend and my godchild.
I've missed her so much. I think it's because of all of the chaos that has ensued over the last few months, but I feel so distant from her. Even though we've spent a decent amount of time together, it's been overwhelmingly lonely somehow in this brain of mine.
Mindy was so excited when I asked to come visit. I'm bringing a copy of the book I just finished reading to leave with her because she has to read it so we can discuss the mind-fuckery that I am enduring at being the only one who has read this book that I know.
I wish I was still only a few minutes down the road from her, but the hour drive does my soul some good.
I drive with my radio blaring and air conditioning on high to combat the Louisiana summer temps outside.
Linc isn't home and I park behind Mindy's car, leaving his parking space open so I don't have to go move my car later.
I grab the book off my passenger seat, my new vape from the center console, and my cup filled with ice water. I barge in through the front door, knocking as I enter.
"Knock, knock!" I whisper, in case Maverick is sleeping.
Mindy is sitting on the couch holding Maverick, who is indeed sleeping. She smiles warmly at me as I close the door gently. I hand her the book and sit down on the couch a few feet away from her.
She rises, disappearing down the hall. When she returns, she's empty-handed and looks so happy.
"Hopefully he will get some sleep. We've been up off and on since three this morning and I really need him to figure this whole sleep thing out," she says, yawning on cue.
"Sweet boy, he doesn't know how our world works yet, Mom," I tell her.
She gives me a deadpan stare. "He's about to learn."
I giggle and she plops back onto the couch, propping her feet up on the arm of the couch. She immediately grabs the book I handed her and reads the back.
"Oh my God, this is the one you were telling me about! I can't wait to read it when Mav is feeding or sleeping."
"It's so good. I can't wait until you read it and we can chat about it," I squeal.
"This is the Indiana Jones meets Jungle Cruise book, right?" she asks, staring at the pretty pink cover.
"Yes! It's my new favorite book ever. Torri Heat wrote it! She wrote the other book I had you read last year at Halloween, too. The one about the cursed house. Jinxed."
"Oh, I'm so excited. I loved that one!" Mindy flips open to the first page and begins reading it immediately. We spend the next two hours, in mostly silence, reading books and eating snacks until Linc comes barging in, interrupting our peace and tranquility.
He stops abruptly when he walks in the front door, staring back and forth between me and Mindy.
"Do I even want to ask?" he says, closing the door behind him.
Mindy grins. "Lilly brought me a new book and let me start reading it in peace." She holds up Delirium, showing him the pretty pink cover. He simply shakes his head and heads down the hallway to check on Maverick. He returns carrying the baby, talking softly to him and smiling down at him.
"Hand him here," Mindy says, closing her book and setting it on the coffee table in front of her. Linc sets Mav in her arms, and she pops her titty out to feed him. Mav latches immediately and Mindy stares down at him with so much love and adoration.
"Doesn't that hurt?" I ask.
"It's not the most comfortable feeling ever, but it isn't morbidly painful either," Mindy answers.
I open my phone and check for any messages from Cass.
No new updates. I don't bother inquiring with Linc because I know he either doesn't have any information, or the information he does have, he won't be able to share it with me anyway.
I don't know who all went with Cass, I just know he left with Scott.
I have a pretty good idea that he's searching for Gater.
Or he found him. Either way, I'm certain that loose end will be tied up by the time he's done.
My mind feels a bit more at ease knowing that Gater won't be a problem around here much longer. It feels like I can breathe again. Feel safe alone inside of my home again. Even without confirmation, somehow it feels as though the threat has been mostly neutralized.
Mindy finishes feeding Maverick and Linc steals him away immediately, disappearing down the hall. Mindy shakes her head with the biggest smile on her face. "He's such a good daddy," she says, still smiling.
"I'm so happy for you, love," I say with admiration. She's happier than I've ever seen her.
"I never knew that life could be this good. Staring at the perfect tiny human that we created...it's awe-inducing. It makes my heart feel like it cannot possibly hold anymore love, like it will overflow and burst at any given moment."
"How does it feel to get everything you never knew you wanted?"
"It feels like a dream. But, enough about reality. About this book! I can't wait to see what happens next!" she chirps.
"I have a feeling I'll be getting a text from you in the middle of the night when you finish it, won't I?" I ask.
She nods with a grin. "Oh, yeah. For sure."
"I think I'm going to set the wedding date for October. I know it'll start to be getting cold in Oklahoma then, but I just feel like with everything that has happened, I'm ready to just be Cass's wife," I admit.
"It's your day, love. Do it. We've got most of the details ironed out and the guest list is small. Did you decide if you're doing a reception when you get back?" Mindy asks.
I nod. "Yeah. I think I want to do that. We can host it at the bar or the clubhouse, whichever Cass wants. I'll let him choose that."
"Perfect. I'll get my sister to keep Mav for me so that I'm not having a baby in a bar," Mindy giggles.
Cass doesn't text much. Just a "hi" or "miss you" every now and then.
It's after dark when I leave Linc and Mindy's and by the time I arrive home, Buddy is so excited to see me.
He acts as though I've been gone for a week and he runs straight to the treat cabinet, waiting patiently to be rewarded for me returning home.
I open it and toss him two treats, for good measure.
"Ready to resume our position on the couch?" I ask, rhetorically. I sit down and pull the blanket over me just in time before Buddy plops on my feet...and the blanket. There will be no moving that thing once he's comfortable either.
I open my kindle and continue reading the book I started yesterday.
My mind drifts to the upcoming wedding. The fact that I'll be saying "I do" and committing to Cass for the rest of my life.
It's a no-brainer. We've already been through so much.
I don't think forever is too much of a feat after that.
I set my kindle down and begin scrolling through my phone, searching for all of the things I want to include or not include at our ceremony.
I look up the park and see how many cabins they have available.
I know that there are camper and RV spots available too, so I know that Cass is going to want to take the RV and I'm so down with that.
Buddy will be able to attend, but someone is going to have to walk him on a leash.
His little rambling soul would get entirely too lost in the park.
There are too many sniffs to distract him, and he'd be a wilderness dog in an instant if he could.
I get on the website for Turner Falls Park and look at the amenities.
The first thing I see is that there are no pets allowed in the park, but I'm sure that can be rectified for just a few hours if we asked very nicely.
I'm sure Junk would have no problem making arrangements with the park before we arrive.
I open the calendar on my phone and look at the dates in October.
That's two months away, and I think it'll be doable.
Cass has always said that anything good was built on a Wednesday and I know without a doubt that we have to get married on a Wednesday.
October second is on a Wednesday this year.
How convenient that two is my favorite number and on a Wednesday.
I go through and write a list of attendees in the notes app on my phone.
We end up with over twenty guests, which isn't a whole lot, but it's more than I was intending.
But how do we say "I do" without everyone there?
We can't pick and choose who to invite. There is a certain level of politics involved, that is frowned upon if not followed.
I do a mental tally of who I know has a camper and who would need a cabin.
Upon further searching, I see that you can rent both Teepees and Wagons and I just know Conner is going to want to stay in a wagon.
I send a group chat to the ol' ladies whose numbers I do have with the wedding information.
Cass has already said he doesn't care what date we get married and this is plenty enough notice, so I'm putting it out.
Carrie hearts my message immediately and she sends a whole slew of excited emojis. Lucy says she can't wait. Mindy calls me immediately.
"I see you set the date already," she says as soon as I pick up the phone.
"Yep. I'll let Cass know whenever he gets home," I say with a laugh.
Mindy cackles on the other end. "He doesn't even know yet and you've already put it out?"
I laugh harder. "Yep. He'll be fine with it. Besides, go look at the cabins available at the park."
Mindy is quiet as she puts me on speaker and searches the website.
"No fucking way. You can rent a Teepee?!" she shrieks.
"Right! Isn't that so freaking cool?" I ask.
"Babe!! We're renting a Teepee for Cass and Lilly's wedding!" she yells. Maverick must be awake.