Page 6 of Coming Innocent
Nikki’s sisters-in-law, Sydney and Everleigh, were placing mason jars at each of the table settings while Joseph, her father-in-law, and Sydney’s fiancé, Dylan, carried the large coolers holding beer and wine under the tent’s covering.
“Joseph,” Nikki calls out as he stands up after placing the cooler on the ground.
He turns around and smiles lovingly towards her, and Nikki’s heart melts at his gesture. She can imagine exactly how Austin will look at his father’s age, and she is not disappointed.
“What can I do for you?”
Nikki glances down at her watch as she says, “Brooks just texted that Avery arrived at the clinic for her walk-through. We can expect them in an hour or so. Do you think we should start the ribs?”
“Sure, darling. I’ll get everything going.”
“Thanks. Sydney?” she hollers across the tent.
The bubbly blonde skips over after she places the last mason jar on the table.
“What’s up?”
“Is the cake ready to go? Do you need anything? We have about an hour.”
“The cake is in Mom’s fridge. Dylan can help me carry it out when you’re ready.”
“Ok, good. Brooks is going to text me when they leave the clinic.”
An angry and surprised voice speaks up from behind her, “Brooks?”
Nikki turns around nervously to face her sister-in-law Everleigh. She isn’t sure of their history, just that Everleigh does whatever she can to stay away from the new resident of Carson while he does all he can to get her attention.
“Yes, he is helping me keep this shower a surprise. He offered to do the clinic inspection this morning to give us the heads up when she’ll be arriving for lunch.”
“That’s nice,” she says dead-panned. “Is he staying for the shower?”
“Yes, I suppose so. He’s good friends with Logan and Avery.”
“I just don’t understand…” Everleigh begins before a slew of people begin to trickle out of the house.
The town descends upon the tent, everyone eager to celebrate the upcoming arrivals, each offering to help finish setting up. The Stantons and Fitzgerald sisters take over filling up the pitchers of iced tea from Amy while Sandra, Logan’s nurse, and Ethel, a waitress at the diner, fill up the other pitchers with the special Sangria Amy concocted the night before.
Nikki glances around the tent nervously, hoping Avery is both surprised and excited just as a strong pair of arms wrap around her stomach.
“You look tired,” Austin says as he nuzzles at her exposed neck.
“I’m alright. Did you finish setting up the games?”
“Everything is done. It looks great Nikki. She’s going to love it.”
Turning in his arms she places her hands on his hips.
“You think so?” she asks nervously as she bites her lower lip, something she knows that drives Austin crazy.
“I know so. Now go inside and get ready, your dad will be here soon. This shower it for you too.”
“Alright.”
“I hung your dress up in my old bedroom, I’m sure you remember where that is,” he winks as he saunters over to the grill to talk with Joseph and Dylan.
As Nikki ascends the stairs to enter the Connelly home Amy comes through the back door and beams sincerely at her.
“Are you heading upstairs to get ready?”
