AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Having just picked up her coffee cup, she peers at me over the rim with her big brown eyes. I have no idea what she’s thinking, but I can see the thoughts running through her mind.
“You do realize the scale wouldn’t be balanced. A trip to New York is a lot different from a car ride to Charlotte.”
I shrug. “Whatever. It is if I say it is. Besides, if this works out well, you can be my date to the wedding, too.” I grin.
She ponders this, sets her cup down, and leans back in her chair as her lips twist up in a mischievous smile. Then, for an unknown reason, my heart leaps when she says, “Deal.”
16
CORA
September in the mountains is vastly different from the end of July. It’s almost as if overnight, the humidity dissipated, and the days and nights cooled. I mean, I know fall is coming, but this morning was the first time I felt it. Excitement coursed through me as I thought about mums, hay bales, and dried cornstalks. Driving through the cute little town of Horizons Valley as I was off to meet my friends, I fully felt the shift as shop owners and homeowners have begun making the changes.
Since Bryce returned to school, Juliet, Avery, and I have set a regular coffee date every Friday. Only this week, we’ve decided to go hiking after coffee since Juliet has no appointments scheduled. The weather is just so beautiful, so we’re spending the day outside exploring the national forest that bumps up against Horizons Valley.
“Are you sure this is a good idea?” I ask Avery as she straps on her water pack and tightens it across her chest. I glance down at her stomach. This morning, she announced that the baby was the size of a head of cauliflower.
“Of course! Just because I’m pregnant doesn’t mean I’m not allowed outside. I still run just about every day on the trail around the lake.”
I know nothing about pregnant people or babies, but hearing that she’s still doing this makes me want to cringe. And I’m surprised that Ash allows this. Not that he tells her what to do, but he is the father and her husband, and I feel like he should have some say in the health and well-being of both of them.
“Yes, I know you do, which I still don’t understand, but what if you trip?”
“Then I trip,” she says matter-of-factly, looking at Juliet and me. “I’ll be fine. I promise.”
The last time she tripped, she broke her wrist, and we had to cancel shows because she couldn’t play.
“But you’re not just a little bit pregnant. You’re a lot pregnant. Third trimester pregnant. You’re putting my future godchild at risk.” It’s so strange to see her looking like this. I mean, I know this is what happens—the belly grows—but it looks so out of place.
She laughs. “You’re not Catholic.”
“And you’re missing the point. You’re carrying precious cargo in there,” I say as I pick up the backpack carrying some essentials we may need, like food, bug spray, chafing cream, and a whistle. Not that we’ll get lost or need help, but you never know.
“Precious cargo that loves fresh air and sunshine.” She holds out her arms and squeezes her eyes shut as she tips her head back to soak up some sun. Meanwhile, I slip on a pair of sunglasses. It’s bright out here today.
“When I was pregnant, all I wanted to do was lie on the couch and eat SpaghettiOs,” Juliet says as she closes the trunk of her car, locks it, and slips the key into her own small backpack.
“Really?” I look at her, surprised. “I’ve never had those. I’ve heard people talk about them before, but I’ve never eaten them.”
Juliet laughs. “I don’t know what to say right now. You missed out on one of childhood’s greatest meals.”
Together, the three of us move to the trailhead. Only two other cars are here, which means it’s not crowded and will be a nice hike. All three of us are wearing hats, so should we encounter people, they will not likely recognize us.
“Are you kidding? My mother would never have let me eat that pasta out of a can. Don’t you know it’s beneath us? Then again, we had a chef who prepared our food. If she actually had to do it herself, things might have been different.”
Speaking of my mother, internally, I laugh at her reaction to knowing Juliet, Avery, and I are going hiking. Hiking for my mother is the walk from her chauffeured car to meet her personal shopper at Bergdorf’s.
“Well, if you ever decide to try them, I want to be with you when you do.” She laughs.
We set off on a trail that’s a four-mile loop. It’s supposed to be easy, meaning no roots for Avery to trip over and no drastic changes in elevation.
“Speaking of pasta, have either of you eaten at Bella’s Italian restaurant yet? The new one on Main Street?” Avery asks.
“No, is it any good?” Juliet asks.
“It’s to die for, and I’m not just saying that because I’m pregnant, and most things taste good. Even Ash was impressed. The pasta, the sauces, and the bread are made fresh daily, and the place will make a killing with all of the tourists who come into town year-round.”
“Sounds delicious. Maybe we should go there for a late lunch?” I chime in. We figured, at the most, we’d be out for about an hour and a half, and even though I have Cheez-Its and protein bars, it’s never too early to start talking about lunch.
