She raised a brow and stared at me.
“I might have given him a few extra oats and told him I’d put an AC in his stall if he went easy on you.”
Ari slid off of Roy and let him graze. “You know we can’t keep him here, Jeff. He’s Gunner’s horse.”
With a shrug, I pulled her to me. “I already talked to Gunner about it. If you insist on riding, Big Roy is staying here. He had no problem with it. Besides, they live ten minutes from us.”
Shaking her head, Ari lifted her hand and traced my jaw with her finger. “I love that you worry about me, but I promise I’ll be careful.”
My chest ached with the memory of Ari losing our first baby. “I can’t help but worry.”
Sadness filled her eyes. “I know, babe. But we can’t stress out the entire time. We’ll get through this by the grace of God.”
My hand covered hers. “Do you have any idea how much I love you?”
Her eyes lit up. “I may have some idea, but you could show me.”
Wiggling my eyebrows, I picked her up while she let out a scream.
“What about Big Roy?” she called out.
“Damn it.”
Turning, I headed back and grabbed his reins. A car came down the driveway, causing me to let out a moan.
“Son-of-a-bitch. Why are they back so soon?”
Ari slapped my chest. “Put me down, Jeff. My father’s gonna know what we were doing.”
I slowly set her on the ground. “Like I care what your dad thinks.”
With a smirk, Ari gave me a really look. “Uh-huh. Sure you don’t care. The moment he gets out of the car I know what you’re going to do.”
“Tell him he interrupted my special attention time.”
Her head jerked back. “Your what?”
Mark pulled up and honked the horn, prompting me to turn and quickly take Big Roy into the barn.
“I knew it!” Ari shouted.
Turning to Big Roy, I gave him a pat. “We’re not stupid, are we boy?”
The moment I stepped into the house, I knew I had made a mistake.
“Arianna, are you sure going on a camping trip is such a great idea?”
Ari’s father was at it again. I swore he only did this because Ari told him it was my idea to go camping.
“Why would it be a bad idea, Dad?”
Mark glared at me. “You’re pregnant for one.”
I smiled weakly. “I’ll be sure she is spoiled and well taken care of, sir.”
“Damn right you will.”
Ari walked up to her father. “Dad, stop it. If I didn’t want to go, I wouldn’t. Besides, y’all are going to have Luke for the entire weekend.”
Mark sighed. “You don’t have to go out of town for us to keep our grandson.”
Sue sat quietly while she fed Luke oatmeal.
“You’re still planning on staying here, right? I mean, Luke will be more comfortable in his own bed,” Ari stated as she glanced between her parents.
Facing Ari, Sue answered, “Of course we are. It will be nice to spend some time in the fresh country air as well as see Jack and Grace.”
“Where are you going to sleep?” Mark blurted out.
“In a tent,” I replied.
He glared at me. “No shit. Where is my daughter sleeping? On the hard ground?”
“Dad!” Ari cried out. “Stop being so mean.”
“I’m not being mean. The boy promised to take care of you, and I want to know how he plans on making you comfortable during this little camping trip.”
It was then Mark glanced down at my T-shirt and rolled his eyes. Taking a quick peek, I read my shirt.
“That’s probably the most accurate shirt I’ve ever seen you wear.”
“Daddy, please!” Ari pleaded.
“We’ll have a blow-up mattress, Mark. I’ve made sure that Ari will not want for anything on this trip.”
Mark huffed as Matt came walking into the kitchen eating an apple. He smiled when he saw me.
“Hey, assmole.”
“Matt!” Sue and Ari said at once.
With a huge grin, I replied to Matt, “Hey, buddy. You want to see the horses?”
He nodded and handed his apple to Mark. “Here, Dad. I’m going to go learn to be a mudder-fucking cowboy.”
Mark groaned and it was everything I could do to not laugh. Ari flashed me a dirty look that was quickly replaced by a smile when I winked at her.
“For Christ’s sake. Don’t teach him any more of your special words, Jeff!” Mark called out.
I lifted my hand and replied, “I’ll try not to!”
Before the screen door shut, I heard Mark ask, “Why did you marry that boy? Why?”
With a wide grin, I glanced down to Matt. “Buddy, this is your time. What do you want to do?”
Matt’s smile spread from ear to ear. “I want to be just like you!”
I nodded. “Sounds good to me. That ought to make your dad really happy.”
The smell of bacon filled the air as I made my way into Luke’s room. Slowly opening the door, I grinned when I saw him sitting in his crib. “Good morning, handsome boy.”
He smiled and called out, “Mama!”
I never knew I could love someone like I loved Luke. He was my entire world. Reaching into the crib, I picked him up. “Let’s get you all cleaned up and join Daddy downstairs for breakfast.”
“Dada!” Luke yelled out. Kissing him on the cheek, I grinned. “But who is the boss?” I whispered.
Luke let out a sweet laugh. “Mama!”
Tickling his stomach, I nodded. “That’s right. Mommy is always in charge.”
My little happy man laughed the entire time I changed him and got him dressed. Holding him close to me, I headed downstairs. He was growing up so fast and now that he was full-on walking, he was everywhere. I took full advantage of the moments he let me hold him.
The smell of bacon and pancakes filled the air. Rounding the corner and heading into the kitchen, I came to a stop.
“Hey, Ari.”
“Dad, what are you doing here?”
Jeff turned and looked at me with a frown on his face. “He decided to show up early and hang with me some today.”
Pressing my lips tightly together, I attempted not to chuckle. “Oh. Um. Why?”
Luke cried out for my father and he quickly made his way over to me. He took Luke from my arms and proceeded to fly him around like he was an airplane.
“Do I need a reason to spend time with my family?”
“Yes,” Jeff mumbled. I pointed to him with my brows furrowed and mouthed stop. Jeff and my father had been at odds with each other since day one. Daddy didn’t think Jeff was good enough for me and Jeff swore up and down the only goal in life my father had was to take him out. Deep down, I knew they both loved each other but were too damn stubborn to admit it.
“No, of course you don’t need a reason, Daddy.”
Taking off into the living room, Jeff started shaking the spatula at me. “Why is he here and why does he want to hang with me today?”
I shrugged and whispered, “I don’t know. Maybe he wants to get to know you better?”
“Ha! He’s trying to get my schedule down so he can hire someone to take me out! He’s been waiting patiently all this time and now he’s ready to make the hit.”
My hands went to my hips. “Really, Jeff? Take you out? Make. The. Hit?”
Jeff pinned me with his eyes. He looked so serious I couldn’t help but laugh. “You’re ridiculous, Jeff,” I said as I got Luke’s breakfast ready.
Dad walked back into the kitchen with Luke and proceeded to put him in his highchair.
“I think the little guy is ready to eat.”
With a grin, I handed the bowl of oatmeal and bananas to my father.
“So, are you kids packed up and ready to go?”
Jeff placed a plate full of bacon, and another with pancakes on it, in the middle of the table. For some reason with this pregnancy
, I craved both all the time. “We are. I got everything packed up yesterday. The truck is ready to go.”
“Did you get both of my cases?” I asked with a sweet smile.
Rolling his eyes, Jeff replied, “I did. But you do know we’re only gone for three nights, right?”
“You never know. They have dance parties at Garner!”
My father chuckled. “Camping with you was always … fun.”
I sat and made a plate while Jeff did the same. “Where’s Mom and Matt?”
“They stayed at the hotel in Fredericksburg so Matt could swim in the indoor pool this morning.”
Jeff cleared his throat. “And look at you, up all bright and early.”
With a smirk, my father replied, “Well, if I’m going to be playing you for a few days, I need to know your routine in and out. What is it you do every day, Jeff?”
When Jeff’s head snapped up, I had to fight hard to keep my composure. His eyes widened as he glared at me and mouthed, I told you so. He motioned his throat being cut and all I could do was shake my head and look away.
A small part of me wondered if what my father was doing was exactly what Jeff was saying.
Glancing back at my dad, he was smiling and talking to Luke. He was a giant teddy bear. No way.
He stopped and shot a dirty look over to Jeff for no reason at all. My stomach dropped.
He wouldn’t. Would he? No.
Looking back at my father, I gave him a long hard look.
No. He wouldn’t.
“Ari, we have to go.”
I hugged Luke one more time. “Mommy loves you, buddy! I’m going to miss you so much!”
Jeff moved in and kissed Luke on the cheek and gave him another hug. “We’re going to be late, Ari. If we want to get set up before dark, we have to leave now.”
“Mom, we’re just under two hours away so if you need anything, you’ll text me, right?”
“Yes, Ari, I’ve raised two kids and I’ve watched this handsome boy plenty of times. Go and have fun.”
I nodded. “We are going to have fun!”
“Good, because once this baby comes, the fun is over.”
My smile dropped. “What?”
Pushing me toward the truck, my mother replied, “I’m kidding. Sort of.”
“Well that makes me feel all warm and fuzzy, Mom.”
Jeff opened my door for me as I climbed in. Reaching in, my father gave me a kiss. “Don’t worry about Luke, sweetheart. He’ll have so much fun he won’t even notice you’re gone.”
A sinking feeling in my heart hit me. I was going to miss him so much. “O-okay.”
“And don’t worry about the horses. I followed Jeff around and I’ve got it. Seems easy enough to do.”
Jeff huffed as he climbed into the driver’s seat. “Easy enough my ass,” Jeff spoke under his breath.
“Plus, Scott’s going to be stopping by each morning and evening. Turns out your husband doesn’t trust me to do the job.”
With a fake grin, Jeff stated, “He said it not me.”
Jerking my head over to Jeff, I said, “Stop already.” I looked back at my father. “Thanks, Daddy. I love y’all. Hey, where’s Matt?”
“He’s napping. All the swimming this morning wore him out,” my mother replied.
With a slight frown, I nodded. “Okay. Well we’re leaving I guess. Tell him bye and I love him. Hope he has fun here!”
Jeff started the truck.
“Be safe driving,” my father said as he pointed to Jeff. “If anything happens to my baby, I’m coming after you.”
I shook my head and turned to Jeff. He had a look of total fear on his face. “Right. We’re off.”
Daddy stepped away from the truck. I waved and shouted, “Bye, Luke! Be a good boy! I love you!”
Luke waved and blew kisses to us as we drove off.
I watched them until Jeff turned and headed down the driveway. My heart felt heavy.
“Jeff,” I whispered.
Taking my hand in his, he gently kissed the back of it. “He’s going to be fine, baby. We’ll be back Monday morning. Just think, it’s just us. No getting up early, no middle of the night diaper changes. Just you and me naked in a tent all weekend.”
There was no denying the ache between my legs. “No Gramps walking in on us.”
“Hell yes!” Jeff shouted. He squeezed my hand. “The things I’m going to do to you tonight.”
I ran my tongue along my lips. I ached to feel Jeff against my body. A part of me longed for the days when we could strip down and have sex any time and anywhere we wanted. Now it seemed like we both collapsed into bed with exhaustion, a good night kiss was the only action we saw on those days.
“You’re right. This weekend is going to be magical.”
“Yes it is, baby. A weekend to remember.”
I inhaled a deep breath and slowly let it out. The cool spring air felt good in my chest. Heather popped out of the tent with a huge smile on her face. Her hand rested on her swollen stomach. My heart felt as if it would burst I was so damn happy.
“You’ve got a big smile on your face.”
Reaching for her hands, I drew her in closer to me. “That’s because I’m happy. I don’t think I’ve ever been this happy before, Heather.”
With a light chuckle, she shook her head. “I didn’t realize you liked camping so much.”
I placed my hand on the side of her face as she gently leaned into it. Her eyes sparkled while she searched my face. “It’s being with you. You make me happy, princess.” My other hand rested on her stomach. “Baby one and baby two make me happy too.”
She rolled her eyes and let out a light-hearted sigh. “You can’t keep calling them that, Josh.”
Slipping my hand behind her neck, I kissed her gently. It would be easy to get lost in the kiss had it not been for someone honking their damn horn.
“Jeff and Ari are here,” Heather softly spoke against my lips.
“I hear.”
“Let the party begin!” Jeff shouted as I glanced over my shoulder at him hanging out of his truck.
Heather chuckled. “I’m going to finish getting things set up. You should go help Jeff so Ari doesn’t try to.
“Do I get a kiss before I leave?”
“Of course, even though you’re only going to be a few feet away.”
Reaching on her toes, Heather gave me a quick peck on the lips. “I love you.”
“I love you too, princess. Don’t lift anything, okay?”
Her smile made her blue eyes sparkle. “I promise I won’t.”
Jeff was already pulling everything out of the back of his truck when I walked over to their site. Gunner and Ellie’s site was in the middle of the other two sites. We were situated at the end of the road, so it was perfect.
He stopped and reached for my hand to shake it. “Dude. These campsites are perfect.”
“You do realize you picked them out right, Jeff?”
With a wide grin, he nodded. “Hell yeah I do. They’re wide enough apart for privacy and close to the river.”
“Hey, Josh!”
I glanced over my shoulder to see Ari walking up with a huge smile on her face.
“Hey, pretty momma. You look great, Ari.”
Her face blushed, which was rare for Ari. “Thanks! I feel amazing. Starving though. Jeff wouldn’t stop because he wanted to beat Gunner here.”
I chuckled while I spread the tent out. “Well, y’all did. Last I heard Gunner and Ellie were running late. Alex was fussy then a couple cows got out in the road and they had to get them.”
“Damn, that sucks. Which fence was down?” Jeff asked while we both assembled the tent.
With a shrug, I responded, “Not sure. He didn’t say. The only thing he said was he was rushing to get out the door and on the road.”
“Did y’all know they had miniature golf?” Heather asked while walking up.
“Oh, my gosh! I swear in just a day you’ve gotten bigger,
Heather!” Ari gasped.
It wasn’t lost on me, and I’m sure not on Ari either, that Heather flashed her a go-to-hell look. Ari was a little bit further along than Heather, but Heather was showing a lot more than Ari was.
“Two babies, Ari. I’ve got two baking in there.”
Ari’s smile faded some before returning. “You look beautiful, Heather. Your skin is glowing.”
With a wink, Heather replied, “Nice save.”
It didn’t take us long to get Ari and Jeff’s campsite up and ready. Jeff bitched the entire time he carried both of Ari’s suitcases over to the tent.
“You never know what I’m going to need. They have nightly dances here at the park. I need to look good.”
Jeff popped out of the tent. “For who?”
With a come hither look, Ari responded, “Why you of course.”
Rolling his eyes, Jeff pulled out his phone. “Where in the hell are Gunner and Ellie?”
Not two seconds later, Gunner pulled into their campsite.
“Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. It’s about damn time! I need steak!” Ari cried out.
The four of us made our way over to Gunner’s truck. The second he stepped out, Ari asked about food while Gus rushed out of the truck and started smelling everything in sight.
“Did you bring fruit?”
With a nod of his head, Gunner grinned. “I certainly did.”
“Kiwi?” Ari asked with a lifted brow.
“Yes, I got your damn kiwi, Ari.”
She did a little jump and joined Heather and Ellie as Gus circled them looking for a treat. With a quick pat on the head, Gus sank to the ground at Ellie’s feet.
“Had a loose cow, huh?” Jeff asked.
With a frustrated groan, Gunner wiped his forehead then put his baseball cap on and shook his head. “Loose cow, fussy baby that Ellie didn’t want to leave, a wreck that blocked the road for forty minutes, and a flat tire two miles from the park’s fucking entrance. And to think I didn’t even want to come camping.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. “Don’t be that way. You know you want to spend some time with Ellie and let loose.”