“Thank you.” I don’t remind her again that the drive is only a few hours. She’s entitled to a little obsessive-compulsive tendency. She is getting married in six days.
“And my dress is hanging up in the back seat.”
“I’ll take good care of it.”
“I know you will. Aspen, I can’t thank you enough for this. Knowing that you’re going to be there to handle everything is a huge stress relief for me.”
“A few days in the mountains on my own isn’t a hardship. I have my e-reader full of new books, and to be honest, I’m looking forward to sleeping in for a few days in a row.”
“Me too,” she agrees. “Okay. Drive safe. I love you and can’t thank you enough.”
“I will. I love you too, and when the day comes that I get married and become full of nervous energy, you can repay me the favor.”
“I’m not full of nervous energy,” she denies as she rubs her hands together.
Reaching out, I place my hands over hers. “Breathe, Aurora.” It’s then that I wonder if it’s really just nervous energy. “Are you having second thoughts?”
“What? No. Never. I love him, and I can’t wait to be his wife. I just— I want it all to be perfect.”
“Perfect is overrated,” I tell her. “Just roll with it. I promise you it’s all going to turn out the way that it’s supposed to. Now, I’m going to get on the road. I’ll call you when I get there.” We both move to step outside, and I pull my coat tight around me. I’ll be taking it off as soon as I get in the car. I don’t want to drive all that way feeling like a snowman.
“Love you.” She wraps her arms around me in a hug.
“I love you too. I’ll see you in four days.”
“See you then.” She steps back and allows me room to remove my coat.
I toss it into the passenger seat, climb behind the wheel, and offer her a wave before putting the SUV in Drive. I’m looking forward to a road trip where I can crank up the radio, maybe listen to an audiobook, and just enjoy some me-time. And tomorrow, this girl is sleeping in.
Chapter 2
Conrad
It’s Saturday night, and I’m sitting home alone on my couch. It’s balls cold outside, and I’m just not in the mood to go out. Next week is going to be a crazy one as we leave for our family’s cabin in the Smoky Mountains on Wednesday for Grant and Aurora’s wedding. I need to pack and do laundry, which is another reason I’m sitting home alone on a Saturday night.
I’m scrolling through the channels trying to find something to watch, with a cold beer in my hand. My phone rings, giving me a break from the mindless options. “Hey, can you tell me why I pay for a billion channels and can’t find one damn thing to watch?” I ask my oldest brother, Royce.
His laughter greets me. “You need to spend more time at home, then maybe you would have a couple of shows to watch.”
I grumble in reply. “What’s up?” I ask, before taking a drink of my beer.
“What’s your week look like?” he asks.
“It’s light. I have nothing scheduled, just in case. My department is running like a well-oiled machine.” Not that I need to. Royce stays on top of everything that involves Riggins Enterprises. As the CEO, that’s his job, and out of the five of us, I’m glad it was him. What I’m really glad about is him meeting his wife, Sawyer. He’s no longer growly Royce. Well, sometimes, but that smile on his face since he finally gave in to his feelings for Sawyer seems as though it’s going to be a permanent fixture. Add in the fact that they’re expecting their first baby, and his level of happiness and contentment with his life is off the charts. “Why?”
“Not sure yet. Mom called me about twenty minutes ago and said she needed some help with something. She wanted to know if you or Marsh were free to help her this week.”
“Why didn’t she just call us?” I ask him.
“My guess is she wanted the facts before she called either of you, so you jokers couldn’t try to weasel your way out of helping.”
“I’d say you’re right. What’s she need help with?” I might pretend that I didn't want to do whatever task she asks, but let’s be honest, if my mother needs a favor from me, I’m going to make it happen. I know Marshall and the rest of my brothers feel the same way. “And why just me and Marshall?”
“She said I had to be with Sawyer, and Owen needed to be with Layla and Carter. Grant’s getting married, so his head won’t be on whatever task she has planned, so that leaves you and Marsh.”