Page 130 of The Vet's Unconditional Love
Harper nodded.
Jim chuckled."I think that was an instruction, not a question."
She and Shelley both laughed at that.
"It was," said Shelley."Unless you're desperately needed somewhere else, you need a night out with the girls, so you're coming, okay?"
"Okay," Harper agreed.She and Emmett hadn't talked about the weekend yet, but no matter what was going on, she knew she still needed to make time for herself and her friends.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Emmett gave Blane a rueful smile when he climbed into the passenger seat of his truck on Thursday."I'm finally cleared to drive myself, and here I am riding with you again."
Blane chuckled."You're welcome."
"Shit, I'm not ungrateful, you know that."
"I do, and I get it, but come on—this is a special occasion."
Emmett narrowed his eyes."What?"
"I mean it, it is.It is a special occasion; this is a big deal."Blane chuckled."I'll have you know I've already put a lot of effort into the logistics of Operation Teddy Bear."
Emmett had to laugh."Don't give me that shit."
"No, I'm serious," Blane said as he pulled away from the house."Everyone was busy, and this is short notice, so I had to rearrange them all."
Emmett covered his face with his hand.He could just imagine the other guys' reactions to being ordered around by Blane, especially when they were being ordered to be in town on a Thursday morning in order to assist in the purchase of one teddy bear.
He let his hand fall and asked, "Have you told them what we're doing?"
"Damn straight I told them.I'm taking my best man duties seriously here."
Emmett froze.
"Come on, Mitty, I was your best man when you and Emily got married.As far as I'm concerned, it's not just a title for a day, it's a position for life."He frowned."And I wouldn't have expected to be okay with this, but I am—it’s a role that applies to your second marriage too."
Emmett sputtered, starting to protest, but Blane held his hand up.
"I know, I know, you're not planning on marrying her just yet, that's what the bear's all about.But it's the same thing, Mitty."
Emmett leaned back against the headrest."Thanks, bud, I appreciate it.And I'll say the same as I always have.If the day ever comes when you…"
"They'll have to dig me out of a frozen hell before I need a best man.That's never changed, and it never will."
"Never say never," Emmett told him."You know that from our days on the teams.Never say never, and always have contingencies for your contingencies."
"Fair enough," said Blane, "but we both know it's not going to happen."Emmett continued to watch him as he drove.Blane eventually shot him a quick glance."Okay, so if it ever does, there's no question—you're my best man, okay?"
Emmett chuckled."Okay."
When they arrived in town, Emmett couldn't figure out what was going on.He'd expected Blane to drive to the top of Main Street, to the toy store.Instead, he turned into the parking lot at the Sheriff's Department.
"What's going on?"he asked Blane.
"Relax, would you?I'm not having you arrested for wanting to buy a bear.Deacon said it would be better if we all met up here."
"But the toy store’s just up the street."
