Page 136 of The Vet's Unconditional Love
"He leaves the girls at home sometimes when he has to go out on calls in the evening.It's not like he never goes anywhere.And Alana's fifteen.They're not small anymore."
"I know.But it's not something we need to worry about tonight, is it?Tonight, Cash is going to pick me up on his way by and give me a ride up there.And then later, I'll go with him while he drops Libby off in town, and then he’ll drop me at the cottage on his way home.It's all good."
"Okay, good.As long as you're still coming."
"I am.And sorry I gave you the long-winded explanation of all of it."
"You didn't.It's all good.I'll see you there then."
"You will.I'm looking forward to it."
She ended the call and finally managed to get her earring in and fastened.Then she looked herself over in the mirror and nodded."Not too shabby," she said with a smile.She'd gone to some effort to look good.Although, it was a little disappointing that the effort would be wasted, since Emmett wouldn't get to see it.
~ ~ ~
Emmett stared at himself in the mirror.He needed to get a move on if he wanted to arrive at Deacon's house early enough that the others wouldn't give him a hard time.
It hit him that he and Harper would have to figure out how they handled the tradition of girls' night out.All the other guys went to hang out at Deacon's place while the women enjoyed their evening.He frowned.If he wanted to be realistic about it, there was no reason he couldn't do the same.The girls were fine to spend an evening home alone.And he knew Alana liked it, appreciated that he trusted her to be the responsible one when he wasn't there.
She'd been encouraging about his plans for tonight.He smiled.Tanya had been over-the-top enthusiastic.And of course, she'd fallen in love with the bear.He glanced over to where it was sitting on the ottoman.Alongside it was a miniature bear that Tanya had left with him.She'd wanted him to give it to Harper along with his own bear, but he'd decided that Tanya's could wait until later.
He'd had a good talk with the girls last night after Harper had left.It struck him that Alana felt the same way that Harper did.She wanted to believe in them as a family, but it would take her a while before she could relax into it.
He checked his reflection in the mirror again and shook his head.He was wearing the blue shirt.Alana had encouraged him to wear it, and if that wasn't her blessing, he didn't know what was.He turned to look around the bedroom, hoping that soon it would be the room he and Harper shared.
He glanced through the door and down the hallway to his old bedroom—the one he and Emily had shared.He'd turned it into an office after she died.
He reached for the bear, leaving Tanya's where it was.It was time for him to go.
Before he went downstairs, he stood in the doorway to the office and looked around.Emily was gone.She'd given him her blessing.He was finally ready to take it and move on.With Harper.
He reached for the handle and closed the door behind him before trotting downstairs, grabbing his keys, and heading out.
~ ~ ~
Harper sat back in her chair, grinning to herself as she looked around at the other women.They were a wonderful bunch, and she was starting to feel like they were really her friends.
Libby elbowed her."Are you doing okay there, missy?"
"I'm doing great, thanks.Well…" She looked down into her almost empty glass."I may have had a little too much wine, but other than that I'm great."The others had all turned toward them, and she raised her glass."You ladies are awesome.Thanks for including me."
The others lifted their glasses."I've told you before," said Ari, "you don't get to thank us as a group and leave yourself on the outside.You're part of this group, and the thing is, we all know how you feel.We're not some clique of women that you've managed to join.We're just a bunch of misfits who banded together."
"Hey, speak for yourself on the misfit part," said Libby.The others laughed.
"I don't mind owning the label," said Candy."It's true for me."
"And me," said Retta.
Harper waved a hand at them."None of you are misfits."
"And neither are you," said Shelley.
"Okay, okay.All I wanted to say was, I love you, ladies."
"Aw, I love you too," said Retta.
"Me three," said Candy.
