“Kate, wake up, baby.” Cole nudges me. Isit up, pushing my hair off my face. He’s dressed in the same jeans and shirtfrom last night.
“Hey, are you leaving?”
He sits down next to me, looking solemn.Something’s wrong, so much for having a better day. “What’s going on?” My voiceis hoarse and cracks with worry.
“Your mom and everyone are leaving thismorning.”
“Oh, um, okay.” The last wordcomes out abroken whisper. “Did they say why?”
Cole takes a deep breath. “They said alot of things.”
“That’s not good, is it?” I watch Cole’sjaw tense and I know it’s not.
“Your mom wants to cancel the weddingnext weekend in Idaho.”
“Oh,” I’m having a tough time processingeverything; I feel groggy and out of sorts. Maybe if I lie down and go back tosleep, this will all go away. But Cole stops me.
“I’m sorry. I asked them to wait untilyou woke up, but they want to get an early start since the drive back toCrystal Falls is so long.”
“Okay, I’ll come say goodbye.” I move toget out of bed, but Cole stops me.
“Annie, Jill, Kathy and your Grandma arealready downstairs.”
“They weren’t going to say goodbye?” I’mnot sure how this makes me feel. The last few days have been rough, but Ididn’t think it was enough to completely snub me, especially Annie.
“Laura wants to.”
“Okay.” I try to stand up again.
“Why don’t you stay in here? That way,you can have some privacy.”
I nod, and Cole leaves to get Laura. Imove to the bench at the end of the bed, sitting with my feet under me.
“Hey, how are you feeling this morning?”Laura asks, sitting down next to me.
“About the same? What’s going on Laura?”
She shakes her head. “I don’t know. Noone will talk to me. Jill hasn’t said a word to anyone since the big blow uplast night. How did she get that pregnancy test?”
“I shoved it in my purse when Luke walkedinto the restroom. She must’ve rummaged through it. I’d honestly forgottenabout it.” I know what Jill’s problem is, but I know how I can fix it. I justneed Cole’s help.
“I’m not sure what’s up with Annie oryour mom.”
I sigh. “I do. They had the grand schemeto come down here and make my dreams come true. They had all these ideas of howit would play out and what would happen. I’d nod and say thank you, and ohthat’s wonderful, anything you want. But obviously, that’s not what happened.”
“Why did they do it then? I mean, theyknow how much you don’t like surprises.”
“I’m not sure. They know I live my ownlife. I wish they would just talk to me and tell me how they feel and whatthey’re thinking. Whatever, I guess the big wedding next week is off.”
“That’s what I heard.”
“Okay, give me another hug, even if itmeans I cough on you and make you sick. I’m worth it.”
“You forget I work around sick people whocough, puke, and pee on me.” Laura yanks my arm, giving me a bear hug.
“Ewe, maybe it’s me who shouldn’t hugyou.”
“Oh shut-up, hooker.”
