Serendipity by Casie Williams (red queen ebook .txt) 📕

let you know so you can work something out with Dale. I hate to do this, babe, but we have a walk in a bit and I need to make sure I'm ready. I love you.”

“Okay. I love you Colin. Be safe.”

“Always. See ya, Joleene.”

“See ya.”

Click.

Chapter 16

“When are you heading up to LBTL?” Layla asked as we walked around Target.

“A few days after he gets in. He wanted to make sure if there was a delay in his flight, we wouldn't miss our reservation.” Aimlessly, I put down an item and briefly looked up.

“Aren't you excited?”

“Yeah. Why?”

“Cuz, honestly you seem like you're dreading it. I mean, it's been like six months. I'd be dying to see my man. If I had one.” She was giggling at her own statement.

“No, I'm…I'm excited, but nervous I guess. I mean it's been six months and we weren't married long before he left. What if he's changed his mind? I mean, seriously, we barely knew each other.” I almost slammed another item down on the shelf, catching the attention of another customer.

“True. You weren't married long and yes, he could have changed his mind—”

“Gee, thanks. You're supposed to be my best friend and comfort me and tell me he'd be crazy to leave me, not agree with me!”

“Well, as I was saying, yes, he could have changed his mind, but I highly doubt it.”

“How so?” I was a bit sheepish for cutting her off.

“Here's how.” She pulled out her phone and searched for a picture. She flipped her phone so I could see her find. It was a picture of Colin watching me talking with someone at a Christmas party. He wasn't jealous, just an awe.

“Oh…” I had no words.

She flipped her phone back around and tapped a few buttons. Next thing I heard was my phone notifying me I had a message. “There, now you have it too. Sorry I didn't send it sooner. Honestly, I forgot. Isaac and I got to talking, but I'm glad I had it.”

“Wait back up. You and Isaac were talking. When did this happen?”

“We started talking at the reception and just a few other times. He's called a couple of times since he left, but nothing serious. So nothing to talk about.”

I sighed. “I'm being neurotic, aren't I?”

“Yep.”

“But you let me.”

“Yep.”

“Why?”

“It's what you needed. Now are you finished so we can go shopping for your belated honeymoon?” She gave me a playful shove with her shoulder.

I nodded and grinned. “Yes.”

“Good. But why are we at Target instead of Victoria’s Secret? Come on, let's get out of here.”

We left Target after we purchased a few items in the cart and spent the rest of the afternoon at the mall, shopping for my belated honeymoon.

*********

The drive was perfect. We settled into our easy conversations while listening to various eighties songs on Sirius radio. The hour or so in the Jeep didn't seem all that long. I realized the picture Layla had taken all those months ago showed exactly how perfect we were for each other. At first, when we got to the campground, my facial expression betrayed my thoughts.

“Don't worry. We aren't camping in a tent or even a trailer. I booked a cabin.” Colin chuckled as he parked the Jeep in front of the registration place and got out. “I'll be right back. Don't worry. I promise we booked a cabin.”

I must have looked none too impressed, but seriously I was not the camping type. “We better have a cabin, or you'll be sleeping alone with the bears buddy,” I mumbled to myself.

Colin got back in his Jeep after only a few minutes and handed me some paperwork. But the look on his face had me concerned.

“Don't tell me no cabin,” I said, shaking my head. “I knew you were going to make me camp in a tent.”

He looked at me intently, then the corners of his mouth turned upwards. “Ha fooled you!” he announced, holding up a key.

“Brat! That was not funny.”

“Sure it was!” He was laughing as he dangled the key in front of me.

I snatched at the key and he pulled it away. I snatched at it again. Finally, I just turned in my seat, crossing my arms and huffing.

“Oh, come on. I had you going. And it was funny—at least from my point of view.” He reached over to try and kiss me, but got my cheek instead.

He dangled the key again and let me grab it this time but held onto it.

I turned with a smile.

He kissed me and let go of the key.

Minutes later we were pulling up to the cabin. Absolute beauty didn't begin to describe the scene before me.

“Wow! This is gorgeous. Perfect getaway. Great idea, babe.” I slowly got out of the Jeep. Looking around, the nearest cabin was far enough away to be of no concern. Several people were playing various water activities on the lake from tubing to kayaking. People were walking about while others were hanging out by the shoreline. It was the middle of the afternoon on a Wednesday, so not as many people as a weekend, but it didn't matter. The area was so huge. There was enough room for everyone.

“I've lived within 90 minutes of this place and I've never been here. This is amazing! A little slice of heaven. How long are we here for?” The awe in my voice was very evident.

“Well, I booked for a few nights, but the guy told me we could stay ‘til next Wednesday if we wanted. So we're here ‘til then, if that's okay.”

“Is that okay? Seriously, a whole week. We'll have to get more groceries, but I'm down. Can we unload later? Let's go walk