I took Ellie’s hand in mine. “Duly noted. Looks like Jeff and Ari are over there; let’s head on over.”
“You don’t want to set up the RV?”
“Nah, we’ll do it in a minute.”
As we made our way over to Jeff and Ari’s RV, Ari came walking out with her arms filled with bags of chips.
“Need help?” Ellie asked as she walked up.
“Yes! Thanks! It’s about time y’all got here. Everyone is here and in the spot.”
“The spot?” I asked.
Ellie looked up at me. “Yes, it’s the place Ari, Heather, and I spent those last few hours while you guys were packing up.”
“Ah,” I said nodding my head. Taking a few bags from Ari and Ellie, we started walking down to the river.
“Everyone is here you said?” Ellie asked Ari.
“Yes, and I’m pretty sure each of our kids loaded our grandchildren up with sugar. They are all over the damn place.”
Ellie and I chuckled. As we got closer, my eyes scanned the area and took it all in.
“Good lord, look at them all,” Ellie said with a giggle.
Ari came to a stop. “Look who finally showed up.”
Each of our friends turned and greeted us warmly. Brad and Amanda held a sleeping Mason in their arms. “Hey, y’all. About time you got here!” Amanda said with a smile.
Jeff stood and took the bags of chips from Ellie and Ari and tossed them onto the portable table that was set up with snacks and drinks.
He reached out and shook my hand. “Gunner, you guys need help with the RV?”
“Nah, damn thing practically sets itself up.”
Josh stood up next to Jeff and reached for my hand. “Hey, Josh. Heather. Y’all get everything set up?”
Josh and Heather had bought their RV only a few weeks back and this was the first time they had used it. “The hardest part about it was driving with that bitch on my bumper. Give me a trailer with ten horses in it and I’m fine, but that damn thing nearly wrecked us four times.”
Heather rolled her eyes. “It did not. He did great with it and you’re right, it practically sets itself up.”
Scott stood next and shook my hand. “Gunner, long time no see.”
I chuckled and hit him on the back. “I saw you yesterday. And no, I still don’t want to sell you that stud so don’t ask.”
Holding up his hands in surrender, Scott laughed. “I wasn’t going to ask. But if you change your mind, I’m willing to offer a good price.”
Jessie stood and kissed Ellie on the cheek then gave me a hug. “Did y’all see Anissa lost another tooth?”
Ellie gasped. “She did! Oh, that sweet baby girl.”
Ari pulled out two more chairs. “Here, have a seat. This is the prime location to watch the action.”
Ellie and I sat next to Josh and Heather. The grandkids were running everywhere. I couldn’t help but notice how all of our kids were gathered around a few blankets closer to the river, talking, laughing, and tossing back a few beers. Every now and then you would hear one of them shout out to the kids.
“Trey, get off Mireya.”
“Charlotte, don’t put mud down Anissa’s swimsuit.”