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“Now, Elise,” Lydia came forward and gave her a quick hug. “We’ll take care of everything. You just enjoy yourself.”
Elise forced a smile. “I’ll try. Thank you so much for doing this.”
Lydia swiped her hand in the air. “Oh, it’s nothing. We’re family now, and that includes Noah and Ethan.”
Elise nodded before the tears could surface. “Boys, be good,” she called one last time before she turned to find Garrett waiting on her side with the truck door open. “Thank you,” she said quietly as she climbed in and buckled up.
Garrett walked in front of the truck and lifted his hand in a final wave to everyone on the porch. He got in on his side and turned the key. He glanced at Elise but didn’t say anything as they started down the driveway.
She turned and looked out the window. How were they going to pass the next several hours?
Just before they left the Macklin property, Garrett stopped and put the truck in park.
Elise turned and looked at him, surprised.
“I thought we would pray before we leave.”
“Oh,” she said. “Alright.” She folded her hands and closed her eyes as she bowed her head.
After a moment of silence, Garrett reached over and tugged one of her hands loose and gripped it in his. “Dear God, thank You for today. Thank You for my work that You have laid out before me, and for how it provides for us. Thank You for my family and them being willing to take care of the boys for a few days. Keep them safe and watch over them while we’re gone. Be with us now as we travel. Keep us safe and help us to have a good time, and good conversation. Amen.”
“Amen,” Elise said, opening her eyes to look at their linked hands. Garrett held on just a moment longer before pulling away to put the truck in gear. She couldn’t help but notice that when he said “my family,” he meant his parents and brothers.
“Want to listen to music?” Garrett asked.
She lifted one shoulder. “If you want to. I’ve gotten used to letting the boys pick. But they think I’m a human jukebox. So I’m fine if you pick something and just let it play.”
Garrett grinned. “I’m pretty simple in that department. I’m an old school George Strait fan, and I don’t even know how to use the music player on my phone. It’s strictly CD’s in this truck.”
Elise chuckled. “That sounds just fine.”
He reached up and pushed the power button and guitar strumming sounded through the speakers.
“Did you eat breakfast?” he asked.
“Yes. I ate with the boys before we left.”
Garrett cut his eyes at her. “You mean cereal?”
“Yeah.”
“That’s not breakfast. Didn’t you know Mom had biscuits and gravy at the house?”
Elise bit her lip. “I didn’t want to intrude. We’re used to cereal and fruit.”
“But she makes breakfast every morning. She’s dwindled the amount some since half the brothers are married. She would love to have you and the boys there to eat.”
“Okay, maybe sometimes. But if the other wives make breakfast, shouldn’t I?”
Garrett rubbed his chin as if he hadn’t thought of that.
“Have you been eating breakfast at their house every morning?” Elise asked.
Garrett didn’t answer, but a guilty look hung on his features.
“What will your mom think of me? Sending you off without breakfast in the morning.”
“She’ll think that you’ve been handling things on your own for a while now, and you could use some help.”
