Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 84868 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 424(@200wpm)___ 339(@250wpm)___ 283(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84868 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 424(@200wpm)___ 339(@250wpm)___ 283(@300wpm)
She stared at me for a few moments, not saying a word. Then she shook her head and laughed. “Wait…Colt, are you being serious?”
I took her hand in mine. “Yes. You’ll need to pack some warm clothes, since I have a few outdoor activities planned. We have dinner booked at a nice restaurant in town Saturday night, so you’ll want to pack something nice for that. It’s a steak restaurant, but it’s one of those Michigan-star ones. They have three stars.”
“Michelin.”
“Michigan.”
Laughing, Ensley cupped my face with her mittened hands. “It’s called Michelin, not Michigan.”
I chuckled. “Potato, potahto!”
“You’re really serious, though? We’re flying to Canada tomorrow?”
I nodded. “We are, indeed.”
“What if I didn’t have a passport?”
“I asked your mother, and she said you did.”
Ensley gaped at me. “I can’t believe you did this.”
“I have a lot to make up for, and Caden’s first date was pretty awesome—but it can be outdone, and I’m just the man to do it.”
Her eyes glittered with excitement. “I can’t wait to see what you have planned!”
“Then let’s go get you packed up!”
She let out a small whoop of excitement, jumped into my arms, and laughed.
Hopefully, this happy moment was the first of many more to come.
Ensley
“I am so jealous!” Emeline said, looking through my closet. “I want to go to Banff.”
Smiling, I slipped a piece of lingerie I’d bought and never worn into my suitcase. I was borrowing a piece from my mother’s luggage set, since I needed more space than my own little carry-on provided.
“You’d leave the baby?”
She made a face over her shoulder. “Heck no. But it is rather exciting! What do you think he has planned?”
I couldn’t help it, I giggled. “I have no clue. But I told him it had to be better than what Caden planned for Lilibeth.”
“Uh, I think he already made it better by taking you to Banff.”
Sitting on my bed, I sighed. “I know, right? Anything else will just be a bonus.”
Walking out of the closet, she held up a blue dress I’d bought three years ago for my family’s charity dinner. I never wore that, either. It was an off-the-shoulder, tea-length satin-and-tulle dress. “I’ve never seen this before. It’s beautiful.”
“I bought it a few years ago. After getting it home, I didn’t think it was formal enough for mom’s charity dinner, so I’ve never actually worn it.
“This would be perfect for that fancy dinner you mentioned. And this blue will make your eyes pop.”
“It’s going to get wrinkled during the flight.”
Emeline carefully folded it and set it in the suitcase. “Ask the hotel for a steamer if there isn’t one in the room. It’ll be easy to get any wrinkles out.”
She walked back into the closet and came out with a pair of silver pumps. She carefully slipped those into the suitcase, as well.
“Did you pack hiking boots? Your good winter ones?”
“Yes, Mom. I did.”
Emeline smiled. “I’m so happy for you, Ensley. It took Colt long enough to get his head out of his ass, but seeing the two of you together tonight was nice.”
“It feels great to have him home, and for us to have put the past behind us.”
“I’m sure getting the answers surrounding Grady’s death has helped, as well. My heart just breaks for him. What a terrible thing to weather on your own.”
I sighed. “Yeah. I wish he’d spoken to at least one of us. Before I forget…when we get back, Colt and I would like to talk to you about doing something in Grady’s name.”
“Like what?”
Shrugging, I said, “I’m not sure yet. Colt thought maybe a benefit rodeo. We haven’t done one of those in forever.”
“That would be fun. Maybe if we start planning now, we can do something this summer.”
“Mom’s going to help us start a nonprofit organization, as well, in his name.”
Emeline took my hands in hers. “I’m sorry, Ensley.”
Frowning, I asked, “For what?”
It was her turn to shrug. “That it took so long to find out the reason for Grady’s death. I’m just…sorry…that’s all.”
Pulling her into a hug, I whispered, “I’m sorry, too, Emeline. I’m sorry, too.”
We broke apart, both of us wiping tears away. Emeline clapped and said, “Okay, enough of that. Let’s get you packed and ready to go! What are we missing?”
I stood and looked down at the suitcase. “I think I’ve got everything. He told me to plan for being outside, a couple of nice dinners, and lots of relaxing.”
“Do you know where you’re staying?”
Shrugging, I answered, “No clue. But I think that makes it all the more romantic.”
My younger sister smiled. “The light’s back in your eyes, and you have a beautiful glow to your cheeks.”
I placed my hands on my cheeks. “I feel alive again. I don’t know how else to explain it.”
“You deserve happiness, Ensley. You deserve everything good in your life.”