“I can help. What about distracting Bishop?”
“Yeah, that’s going to be an issue.”
Greer snapped her fingers and pointed at me. “Hudson! He’s been picking Bishop’s brain about Christmas tree farms because he wants to write that book. I can have him ask Bishop if he’s free to talk that morning. I can say I’m coming to help set up the tables.”
My stomach dipped in excitement. It really was going to help, having an extra set of hands. Even though I was keeping this small and not going over the top, it was still a struggle with just Arabella and me doing most of the work. She was handling the cooking and baking, while I was doing the flowers and finishing the decorating.
“That’s perfect,” I agreed.
“Good! And this means we can have girls’ night tonight, right?”
Letting out a chuckle, I replied, “Yes. We can have girls’ night tonight.”
Greer threw her arms around me and squeezed. “It’s going to be so much fun! I need to send out a group text to the girls and tell them you’re in!”
I sighed as I watched Greer bounce out of the room, talking to herself about all the things that needed to be done. When I turned to finish packing, she poked her head into the room again.
“It’s going to be at my old place above the bookshop. Say, around seven? I’ll order pizzas.”
With a nod, I said, “I’ll be there.”
“Great! See you then!”
And like the wind that blew through the trees in a winter storm, Greer rushed through the barn and out the door before I could even say goodbye.
Bishop
Standing in the middle of Hunter’s living room, I stared out the front window as a light snowfall drifted down from the sky, turning everything into a winter wonderland. I swore it was the perfect picture and reminded me of a snow globe.
“Beer?”
I glanced over my shoulder and gave Hunter a nod. He handed me the beer, and I popped it open.
“She really thinks you don’t know?” Hunter asked as he sat down in his oversized recliner. Jack lay dutifully by his feet.
I smirked and took a seat on the sofa. “She thinks she’s being clever, pretending it’s a Christmas Eve luncheon, but I’ve known the entire time. I, on the other hand, have been busy planning a surprise or two of my own.”
“Did she even have time to get a dress?”
“Arabella told Kyle, who told me that she’s wearing a dress she bought from Annie James. It’s not a traditional wedding dress, which I’m happy about. This honestly feels like we’re simply renewing our vows.”
“At least this time you won’t have me and Kyle fighting over who’ll be the best man.”
“Christ, I had forgotten all about that. I thought the two of you were going to kill each other.”
Hunter laughed. “We almost did. Good thing Aiden wasn’t around then; I’m sure he would have been in on it.”
“Maybe I should tell Kyle I asked you and Aiden to stand up there with me, since he got to do it last time.”
“Dude, please make sure to do it when I’m there to see his face.”
A knock on the door had us both turning. Jack stood and waited for Hunter’s command.
“Down, Jack,” Hunter stated before he called out, “Come on in!”
The dog lay back down as Kyle and Aiden walked in. When Jack saw Cat, he jumped up and headed toward her. Both dogs began to play with the rope Kyle gave to Jack. I was surprised by how big Cat was getting. Her paws were freaking huge. She was a Belgian Malinois, just like Jack.
“Who’s watching Ben?” I asked Aiden as he caught a beer Hunter threw to him from the cooler next to his chair.
“Lacy’s watching him. He was excited to go and play with his cousins.”
“How’s Willa feeling?” Hunter asked.
“Like she’s ready to have the baby yesterday. I can’t believe we’ve still got another month to go. She’s miserable. Can’t sleep worth shit. Gets up at least two times every hour to pee. I don’t know how she does it. She’s got to be bruised from the inside out. I’m guessing it’s a boy, with how hard he kicks.”
I laughed. “Could be a girl and she just has Willa’s temperament or your stubbornness.”
Aiden brought his beer up to his lips and paused before he smiled. “You think it’s a girl?”
With a half shrug, I said, “Could be. Women are that way; I think we can all attest to that.”
“I think it’s a girl,” Kyle said, taking a seat on the beanbag chair on the other side of the living room. Cat and Jack both made a beeline for him. He grabbed onto the handle of the tug toy while each dog grabbed one of the two balls that were on the opposite end. It was cute watching Jack take it easy on Cat. It was like he knew she was a puppy. When Kyle let go, they both took off running and chasing each other.