Fifty-Two | Dom
Fifty-Two
Dom
By the third day of having Opal with us, I had grown to love the dog as much as Jo. I could see why she was so obsessed with her, because I had a hard time not wanting to spoil her, too. Thankfully, we hadn’t run out of food, so I didn’t have to fight the temptation to buy her toys at the store.
It was getting late in the day, and I had to leave soon to get things set up.
I took Opal out for a potty break, then filled her food and water bowls before grabbing my keys and locking up.
Jo had been called into the clinic today and was helping Dr. Foster with a handful of random things, while I met Axel and Charlie at the bar to get it decorated for Jo’s surprise party.
Thankfully, all of our friends were in on the surprise, so I had plenty of people to keep Jo occupied and distracted until it was time.
Jo hadn’t told anyone about her birthday, but I wasn’t about to let her skip her thirtieth birthday. I also felt I knew her well enough to know that while she might be pissed off about me throwing her a surprise party, she wouldn’t stay upset once she saw who I had invited.
A few nights ago, while she was in the shower, I had gone into her phone and grabbed Kaitlyn’s phone number.
I sent her a text message about Jo’s birthday party and asked if she could make it.
I had even offered to send Keith and Ashley to pick her up, but she quickly replied, confirming that she and Dr. Easton would be there.
I knew that Jo had been talking to Kaitlyn almost daily, so I couldn’t wait to see the look on her face when she saw her tonight. It had been hard on Jo leaving her again, but thankfully, this time, there was a promise that they would see each other more often and keep in touch.
“It looks great,” Charlie said, taking me by surprise as I plugged in the strand of lights I had finished hanging.
“Thank you.” I stepped back and grinned, loving how everything was just how I envisioned it. “And thanks again for all of your help. I really appreciate you and Axel coming in early to help decorate.”
“Of course. We don’t mind one bit.”
“Everything is set up,” Axel said as he walked over and joined us with the baby strapped to his chest. “Ashley and Keith are almost done with the food. Dr. Foster said she can bring Jo over whenever we’re ready.”
I glanced at my watch, checking the time.
“I’m hoping that Kaitlyn and Dr. Easton will be here soon. But then again, I guess it could be a bigger surprise if Jo is already here before they get here?”
Jo had updated them on Kaitlyn as soon as we got back to town, and as always, they were supportive and excited to meet Jo’s daughter. It was amazing how much love surrounded Jo in this small town with the found family she had created for herself.
“I think that could be fun,” Charlie said with a smile. “That way, Jo will think the surprise is just the party itself. Then she can be surprised again when Kaitlyn and Dr. Easton show up.”
“I like that idea,” Axel agreed. “If I know Jo, she’s already suspicious that you’re up to something since you didn’t stay at the clinic with her. If you bring her here or let Dr. Foster bring her, then she’ll think she was right and won’t obsess with trying to figure out what you’re up to.”
“I agree. I’ll go pick her up if you guys are ready?”
“We’re ready,” Ashley said as she came out of the kitchen holding a tray of food in each hand, as Keith followed behind her doing the same.
I nodded and looked around, impressed with how much we had gotten done in such a short time. I grabbed my jacket and headed out to get my girl so we could celebrate her the way she deserved.