“Eh, I-I’m sorry. I knocked but maybe you didn’t hear me? I’ll be in my office. Just stop by when you have a second, please.”
“You ain’t gotta run off darlin’. This frickin’ bastard was on his way out the damn door.” Colton seethes through gritted teeth. Bill stands up slowly and walks away from Colton without another word. His face is tired and haggard. The hurt and anger written in his eyes confuses me. He tips his head at me as he walks past me but never mouths a word. When he’s out of the room, I close the door behind him then sit down in front of him.
“You alright?”
“Nothin’ for you to worry with, baby.” He doesn’t even raise his hands from his face to answer me. The same tension that enveloped the air when I entered the room still hangs heavily and anxiety grips my chest tightly not knowing what has caused Colton to be so torn.
“Colton, you know you can talk to me, right? I know things have been strained with you and your dad lately, but you can talk about it if you need to.”
His head raises slowly and when I catch sight of his narrow, red rimmed eyes, I nearly fall apart at the seams. I walk around the desk and climb into his lap the best my rounded belly will allow, and hold him close to me. “Please, just talk to me.” I beg, but my plea goes unheard.
“I thought you’re supposed to meet Savannah for lunch today, Carly Jo?”
“I’m meeting her at noon. I wanted to check to see how you were today. I know you have been stressed out with MSHA, so I’ve been worried about you.”
“Don’t worry with me, Carly Jo. I’m tryin’ to take damn stress off you, woman. Go have fun with your sister. I’m holdin’ the fort down just fine.” He presses a kiss to my lips, then lifts me from his lap. “I gotta get underground and light a fire under these bastards’ asses. I’ll see you at home.”
I want to comfort him and erase whatever is causing him to hurt, but Colton deals with things in his own way. I don’t know how his and Bill’s relationship has been over the last eight years, but lately it seems to strain more and more with each passing day.
When I get to Tessa’s Café I find Savannah waiting at a table in the far left corner of the restaurant. She has a compact in her hand blotting her face lightly with powder. She flinches as she powders the side of her jaw and a wild fury of anger rushes through me. I approach the table slowly, willing my anger to subside because I need to get answers from Savannah instead of basing everything on assumptions. Savannah smiles lightly when she sees me, but she doesn’t even stand to hug me. I sit down, scooting my chair as close to the table as the little monkey will let me.
“Aww, you look so adorable with a little baby bump.” She sings.
“Thanks, Sis. Little monkey is getting bigger by the day and she obviously thinks my organs are her drum set. I swear I pee all damn day long.” I gripe like every other hormonal pregnant woman.
“Wait! You said she and her? It’s a girl?”
“YES! It’s a girl!” I shriek louder than I intend. Clasping my hand over my laugh, I stifle back my laughter as I look around the room at all of the surprised faces. “I’m a bit excited, or can ya tell?”
“I’m happy for you, Carly.”
“Are you, Savannah? You seemed so hurt when I called to tell you we were engaged. It took me by surprise.” She drops her head hiding the shame that is clearly written in her eyes.
“I’m very happy for you, Sis. I’m sorry I got smart with you on the phone. I’ve been really tired lately, running after these kids and then basically wipin’ Josh’s ass. I need a break.” She says massaging her temples. “Like a blissful beach vacation and the sound of the ocean waves crashing against the shore line.”
“Well, what if I could organize that for you? It wouldn’t be kid free, but you can leave the dick at home; in fact leavin’ his ass is a stipulation.”
Savannah eyes me curiously, tipping the glass to her lips. Setting it on the table, her eyes narrow and a suspicious grin tips up her lips. “Stipulation, huh? For what, exactly?”
“For you to be my maid of honor.” I state flatly, making it appear as if the wedding is boring and mundane. Savannah’s mouth drops and she covers it with her hands as tears slip over her eye lids.
“Y-y’all are gettin’ married this soon?” She whispers.
“Our little monkey is due in September. We want our family complete when she arrives.”
The waitress interrupts our conversation to take our orders, leaving the table as quickly as she appeared. The conversation flows freely and the excited expression lit up on her face never wavers as I explain the wedding plans in detail.
“Wedding planning started out dreadful from the get-go. One hour of looking at wedding magazines was maddening enough for me. Colton jokingly mentioned getting married on the beach after he proposed. But once I realized how much time and attention I’d have to put into a traditional wedding, I reconsidered a beach ceremony.”
“So when’s the big day?”
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“June twenty-eighth. I was thinking I could get married at the beach house in Myrtle Beach. I just want everything to be simple and elegant.” I grip her hand in mine, hoping to convey the importance of what I’m about to say. “Sis, I really want you and the kids there. This is such a special moment in my life. Please promise you’ll be there by my side when I take Colton’s hand.”
“I wouldn’t miss it, Carly.” She winks.
The waitress brings our food to the table and we eat in silence momentarily. “Who’s Colton’s best man? He doesn’t seem to have many friends.”