“Enjoy.”
“Wait, you two aren’t staying?” I asked when they started for the door.
“We have to help—" Micah quickly slapped a hand over Aiden’s mouth.
A smile cracked my lips. It looked as if my son almost spilled the beans.
“We’ll catch up with you later. Just know you have a long day ahead of you,” Micah said.
“A great day, though,” Aiden added.
I nodded.
“Don’t read that until after breakfast.” Micah inclined his head toward a small envelope next to the plate.
“Oh.” Aiden ran over to me and pulled something out of his pocket. “Dad said you’ll need these.” He handed me an unopened packet of Kleenex.
When I held up the tissues with a question on my face, Aiden shook his head and ran his fingers across his mouth, making the sealed lips gesture.
“Don’t you dare clean the dishes,” Micah said from the front door. A second later, they left.
I shrugged and sat to eat what turned out to be a spectacular meal. After finishing, I opened the letter.
Breakfast is done. Now it is time to let the day begin.
On your next stop, you will be treated like the queen you are.
Beneath those two lines was an address with which I wasn’t familiar. When I plugged it into my GPS app, I discovered that Ace was sending me to a day spa.
There, I met Jodi, Lena, and Reese. The three women refused to tell me what Ace was up to or what he had in store for the rest of the day. However, we all indulged in prepaid massages, facials, and a manicure and pedicure.
It was nearing four o’clock when we all emerged from the spa, but I felt completely rejuvenated.
“This belongs to you,” Jodi said as she handed me another envelope.
I greedily accepted it, peeling it open.
I hope your spa day was as magical as you are.
Your next destination will be at the spot where we first met.
A lump in my throat formed. I didn’t have to think or try to remember back to that first time we met by the river, not far from Tucker Bridge.
The other three women and I parted ways. I drove across town to the spot where I met my husband almost seventeen years ago. The entire time I thought about all the ups and downs I’d endured since then.
There’d been so much pain, but it started to feel like I was on the verge of something so special that I couldn’t put into words.
That feeling only grew when I drove as close as I could to the spot by the river. I had to walk a little way, but I found Joel standing there with a grin on his face.
At his feet lay a checkered blanket with a wicker picnic basket. Surrounding the basket was another spread, including crackers, assorted cheeses, meats, and olives.
As soon as he was in arm’s length, I pulled him in for a hug. He laughed and hugged me back. “Still a hugger.”
He’d become used to my customary greeting anytime I saw him. I was a hugger, yes, but I always felt like Joel needed one. There was a pain in his eyes that no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t hide. I wondered if it was from losing the love of his life so long ago.
“This is where it all started, huh?” Joel asked, glancing around the area. He held out his hand to help me to sit.
“It was a little more crowded in the summer.” I gasped and remembered. “Today is May ninth.”
