Total pages in book: 110
Estimated words: 107803 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 539(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107803 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 539(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Ensley laughed. “He’s not on a date.”
“What do you mean?” I asked. “Do you know who he’s with?”
“Of course. That’s our aunt!”
“Your aunt?” Moreen and I said at the same time.
She chuckled as she stood. “Our uncle David’s wife, Kendall.”
We watched as she made her way across the restaurant, toward Caden and the woman.
Looking at Moreen, I asked, “Have you met her before?”
She nodded. “I have once. I didn’t recognize her right away. She and David don’t make it back to River Falls often. I think you know he was an NFL player, and now he coaches?”
“Oh, right. I remember Emeline telling me. Why is Caden having dinner with her in Granby, I wonder?”
She shrugged. “Not sure.”
When I looked across the room, Caden was now staring at our table. I smiled, and he lifted his hand in a small wave.
I hadn’t seen him since Christmas night.
After a few more minutes, Ensley made her way back and sat down. “Kendall’s meeting with Caden to talk about a surprise birthday party for our uncle. They didn’t want anyone in River Falls to see her and think David’s home. They also want to surprise my parents. My uncle hasn’t been home since last Easter.”
“Oh, that’ll be a wonderful surprise for everyone then,” I replied.
Ensley nodded.
“Is David involved with the ranch?” Moreen asked.
With a shake of her head, Ensley replied, “Not at all. Football was always his passion, and from what I’ve always heard, Mike and Jason were the two who always planned on running the ranch. Then, of course, my father had kids, and early on, it was clear Caden was obsessed with the ranch. My father had always kept the books and helped with the business side, but as you know, his sporting goods store was always his main focus.”
I nodded and snuck a peek at Caden once again. He was listening intently to his aunt.
“Will your aunt go visit your parents since she’s in town?” I asked.
“No, she’s only here for tonight, then headed back to Denver in the morning. She wants it to be a total surprise. No one else knows. Well, except us now, so no one let it slip.”
“My lips are sealed,” Moreen declared, as she mimed locking her lips and tossing the pretend key over her shoulder.
Our appetizers were delivered, and we all dug in. As I ate, my stomach calmed, and I began to look forward to dinner. But the moment Moreen’s lamb gyro was placed on the table, and I got one whiff, my stomach revolted.
I put a hand to my mouth and quickly stood.
“Lilibeth?” Ensley asked, standing as well.
I looked around, not sure where the bathroom was. When I couldn’t find any sign of it fast enough, I ran toward the front door so that I wouldn’t throw up in the dining room of the restaurant. I made it out the door and around the corner before I emptied my stomach in some bushes.
“Lili? What’s wrong?”
I tried to answer Caden, embarrassed he’d followed and was seeing me throw up again, but another wave hit me, and I threw up some more.
“Oh my God,” Ensley stood next to me, a hand on my back. “You really don’t like lamb, do you?”
I couldn’t help but laugh as I took the napkins she handed me and wiped my mouth. “I’m so sorry. I’m suddenly not feeling well at all.”
“Do you think you’re coming down with something?” she asked as she rubbed my back.
Standing up, I looked sheepishly at Caden and Ensley. “I’m so sorry about that.”
“Let me have them pack up our stuff to go and we’ll head back to River Falls.”
“No! Ensley…no. Just give me a few minutes and I’m sure I’ll be okay. Please, just go back in and eat.”
Caden looked between the two of us. “I’m about to head back. I just need to drop Kendall off at her hotel. I can give you a ride home.”
“No,” I said, waving off his concern. “I’m fine. My stomach’s been off all day. My father had the stomach flu last week, so maybe that’s what this is. I’m okay now.”
“Are you positive?” Ensley asked, looking worried.
Caden frowned as he studied me. “You’re sure you don’t want me to take you home?”
Nodding, I replied, “I’m sure. Thank you, though.”
The second I stepped into the restaurant and the smells hit me, I turned and walked right back out.
“That’s it,” Caden stated. “I’m taking you home.”
Ensley nodded at Caden. “Aunt Kendall can join us. I’ll take her back to her hotel. Just get Lilibeth home.”
“Honestly,” I started to say—before I turned and ran back to the same bush. I soon had nothing left to throw up and was just dry heaving. By the time Caden had gotten me into his truck, I was exhausted. Thankfully, he didn’t seem to be in much of a talkative mood. The drive was silent, and before long, I’d closed my eyes and drifted off to sleep.