“I’m going to head to Creeks and do some work there,” I tell him, leaning up to kiss his freshly shaved cheek.
“I think that’s a great idea, baby. It’ll give you something to keep you busy. I’ll come find you when we’re done at church. I love you,” he says, kissing me gently on the lips. His lips are so soft, meshing perfectly with mine. I lose myself in him, his kiss dizzying.
“I love you, too,” I say softly.
“Drive safe, baby.”
I nod. “You too, love.”
I grab my purse from the kitchen and head to the bar. I have the radio in Betty cranked up and I jam out the entire ride there. I didn’t check the schedule, so I don’t know who’s working today. When I park in front of the bar, I smile. Mindy’s car is parked front and center. I should’ve known she’d be here.
There are only two other cars in the parking lot, but it’s still early in the day. It’s only noon. Mindy is behind the bar when I walk in, and her surprised smile makes my heart swell.
“What are you doing here?” she squeals, walking out from behind the bar to hug me.
“I figured I’d get some work done and work on reclaiming my role as manager before you bail on us.”
“It won’t be for too long, you know I can never stay away from this ol’ place,” she elbows me, walking back behind the bar.
There’s one old guy in here playing pool on the other side of the bar near the stage. He doesn’t get around too well, and the white hair gives away that he’s been around the sun a few times. His glasses sit high on his nose, and he’s squinted with his mouth half-open as he takes his time to sink one ball at a time. I stare from across the bar and watch him in awe. It takes him a bit longer than most, but he’s deadly accurate.
“That’s Mr. Mike. He just moved here after he lost his wife a few months ago. You haven’t met him yet, have you?” Mindy asks, putting away the clean shot glasses from the dish drainer beside the sink.
“No, I haven’t. He’s good at pool, though,” I note, still watching him shoot.
Mindy laughs and sets her hands on the bar in front of me. “Yeah, he’s great. He’s one of my favorites. He doesn’t fuss or complain, he’s simple and easy to please, and he just comes out to socialize a little during the day before going home to his two labs that wait for him by the door.”
“He sounds like a gem,” I say genuinely.
Mindy nods. “Absolutely.”
“How are you feeling?” I ask, looking down at her stomach. She isn’t showing much yet. She kind of looks like she had a carb-heavy meal but that’s about it. Just a little swelling in her lower stomach.
“Honestly? Amazing. I’m so full of joy and happiness and I’m so excited about this baby. I feel like it’s almost too good to be true. Like I’m finally getting what I’ve waited my whole life for, even if I didn’t know this was exactly what I needed.”
“You’re going to rock this mom thing.”
A wide grin spreads across her face as she nods enthusiastically. “I totally am. I’ve been mothering you for long enough I think I’ve got all the practice I need.”
“Hey!”
“Okay, okay. You weren’t that bad, but close enough.”
I roll my eyes and walk behind the bar to fix myself a Dr. Pepper. The soda is so refreshing I have to take a breath after gulping down nearly half the glass.
My phone rings loudly from my back pocket, making me and Mindy both almost jump out of our skin. Cass’s name lights up on the screen. I slide the bar to answer the phone.
“Hi, handsome,” I greet, smiling.
“Hi there.”
“How’s your day?” I ask.
“Well, how do you feel about going on another adventure?” he asks, as if he even needs to. I’m always down for an adventure.
“You already know I live for the adventure, baby.”
“I know. It was rhetorical because you don’t really get an option, anyway. We’re leaving this evening for Oklahoma. Go rent a car and bring Mindy with you. You’ll both need to pack for a week at a minimum. Meet me at home by six.”
