The sun had long since set.The fire was smoldering in the fire pit.We were all happily tipsy with full bellies and light hearts.“I am having too much fun to think about being tired.”
“I agree.But I know I’m going to crash at some point,” Sage said.
“Why don’t we go inside and curl up on the couch and watch a movie?”Ashlyn suggested.
The three of us made sure the fire was out, then folded our blankets and headed inside.We took turns using the bathroom and changing into pajamas, then curled up on the couch.
I woke up to a darkened room and a blanket on top of me.I sat up and looked around, spotting the air mattress on the floor with Sage sleeping peacefully on it.I felt guilty that she took the air mattress while I had an empty bed and hogged the couch.I hurried to the bathroom, then went to my room and was back asleep again before I could do anything about Sage on the air mattress.
Sounds of movement in the kitchen woke me up.I stretched and grinned, thinking about Ashlyn and Sage and finding I was happier there than I’d been in MacKellar Cove in years.
Maybe moving was the right option.
I stopped at the bathroom, then went out to the kitchen, finding Sage rummaging around for breakfast.“Morning.”
“Hey.Did I wake you?How did you sleep?”
I shook my head.“I’m an early riser.And I slept better than you.You should have taken the bed.”
Sage waved her hand.“I was totally fine on the air mattress.I didn’t want to risk you waking up in the middle of the night and scaring you if I was in your bed.Since you ended up there, it’s a good thing.”She grinned at me.
“I feel bad, though.”
“Oh, please.No need to feel bad.I was so tired, I could have slept on those chairs outside.”
I chuckled with her.“Obviously, I was the same.”
“Part of the job, right?”
“Yeah.I’ve always liked mornings.But you’re up even earlier than me.You already made coffee?”
“And drank a cup.I was going to make something for breakfast.Any suggestions?”
Sage and I worked side-by-side to cook buttermilk pancakes.I found some frozen sausages and heated them up in the microwave.We were laughing and not being very quiet, and when Ashlyn dragged herself to the kitchen, she told us as much.
“I should have known better than to put two early birds in my house at the same time,” Ashlyn said, dropping her head to rest on her folded arms on the island.
Sage and I laughed.I poured a cup of coffee for Ashlyn, then presented her with a plate of breakfast.“At least we cooked for you.”
“And made coffee,” Sage added.
Ashlyn grunted, but she accepted her breakfast and slowly became more herself.“When do you work this week?”she asked Sage when she was sitting upright and looked more awake.
“Every morning.”
“Are you off for the holiday weekend?”
“I am,” Sage said, smiling brightly.
“Nice.We should do something.Are you coming to Evie’s graduation party the following weekend?”
“Yeah, I’ll be here.”
“Good.You can park here.”She looked at me.“Did I tell you someone is going to be here a week from Thursday to set up a tent for Josh’s daughter’s graduation party?”
I shrugged and shook my head.“Why does that matter?”
“They’re setting it up in my yard,” Ashlyn said.
