AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“That’s a big bag,” she joked. “Looks like you may have brought all ofItaly.”
Kate snickered. “Let me leave you twoalone.”
I paused. “Are you sure? I brought enough for you and Ty to join us, obviously. It felt rude to show up with only enough for the twoofus.”
Slowly, Kate stood and walked over to the door. “I’ll tell you what. Go ahead and get it all set out. I’ll check on Ty. He had a call with hisfather.”
I rolled my eyes. “I know. Those can be painful, but rarely long. We’ll see you inafew.”
Laney began emptying the bag. She worked silently and efficiently, much as I imagined she handled the rest of her life, except for when she was singing. At the moment, I rather missed thesinging.
“You seem sad today,” I commented as I set out plates, napkins, and plastic silverware. “Areyouokay?”
She shrugged. “Mid-lifecrisis.”
My brows rose. “You’re planning on dying atsixty?”
Laney chuckled. “It’s an expression. I’m re-evaluating my life.That’sall.”
“Okay.” I sensed she didn’t really want to talk about it, but she wasn’t about to tell me so outright. Before I could even consider what I might say next, Ty and Katereturned.
“So, you’re all ready to move in?” Ty grinned as he looked back and forth between meandKate.
I shrugged. “I’m in. I’m just waiting on this one.” I jerked my thumb towards Laney. “Let’s eat.” I passed her the huge family-stylesalad.
“Well, I think that’s crazy. Why don’t you leave after lunch, Laney?” Kate sat across from us and smiled. “Ty and I talked about it. The hospital won’t release Drew until tomorrow. You two should get out of here, have some quiet time before all hell breaksloose.”
“You know how Drew is,” Ty reminded me. “He’s high maintenance when he’s on an even keel. I expect this will triple over the next few days.” He reached out and laid a hand on Kate’s thigh. “In fact, I spoke to my father. I know he hired your firm. I explained what was going on. And he suggested you take the rest of the week off and not return until Monday morning while we try to get Drewsettledin.”
Laney inhaled sharply and I could tell she was mulling the idea over in her mind. Slowly, she began to nod. “I think that’s a great idea. I guess I was just surprised your father was so sensitive to Drew’s needs.” She slowly raised her eyes tomeetTy’s.
He chuckled. “He’s not. I may have helped him to that conclusion. Youcaughtme.”
With a grin, Laney nodded. “Makes more sense. And because it was your idea, I’d love to take you up on it.” She gnawed on her cheek. “Somehow I managed to agree to move into a house in the desert with not one strange man,buttwo.”
“I’m not strange,” I teased. “I’m merely unfamiliar. Oh, and I promise if you give me some time, you won’t feel like you don’t know me, either.” I reached out and tucked her hair behind her ear so I could see more ofherface.
Her cheeks colored immediately. “I have no doubt. In some ways, I feel like I’ve known youforever.”
“Well, you two are on your own tonight. I plan to take my beautiful wife on a date.” Ty wrapped an arm around Kate’s shoulders and rolled her and the seat closertohis.
“What?” She laid a hand on her chest and gasped. “We’re dating now? That seems totally backwards.” Katesnickered.
“Nah, if we do it right, we’ll be dating forever. This matters.” Ty kissed herforehead.
I mulled over his words. Dating forever sounded really nice. Doing it right soundedimperative.
Instead of the easy conversation of the night before, we were mostly silent now, all of us lost in thought. Finally, we packed up the leftovers and though I tried to leave them with Ty and Kate, they pointed out we’d have no food at the newhouse.
“In that case, I guess we’ll take it with us.” Ismiled.
We took the leftovers, then rode the elevator down to the lobby. “I’ll drive my car. I have the address programmed into the GPS.” Laney smiledshyly.
“Okay, I guess we need to go to the nearest grocery store.” I pulled out my phone and started to search, but Laneystoppedme.
“Actually, I ordered us groceries. Mostly staples and some stuff we could marinate and throw on the grill. Chicken breasts, steaks, vegetables, potatoes, an assortment of fruit.” She seemed ready to tick off the rest of the list, but already my jaw haddropped.
“Ordered?”
