Page 126 of Riding the High

I want everything that comes with a big family. It’s not something I’d ever thought about much. But, with her, it seems like my own personal kind of heaven.

Mabes is the happiest she’s ever been and grins whenever she sees me kiss Ginger on the forehead or hug her, and I’m so fucking happy and grateful that I can give her this life. The life my parents gave me. One where all our roots just grow together, as a family, each at our own pace but always counting on one another to be the best version of ourselves. Those roots are ours—mine and Ginger’s together—and I’m starting to realize that the life I wasn’t even looking for is the best damn one I could ever ask for.

CHAPTER FIFTY-NINE

Ginger

The carnival atmosphere of Nash and CeCe’s Harvest Fest is everything I love about living in Laurel Creek. There are people everywhere; all you can hear is the sound of kids’ laughter, and all you can smell are food trucks, funnel cakes and popcorn.

It’s still technically summer but you can tell fall is imminent, and I’m beyond excited to start my school year soon. This summer has been life-changing, yet I’ve never felt so refreshed and ready to shape young minds. Being with Mabel has brought back my love of teaching. So much so, I’ve already been in to start setting up my classroom. And everything else has started falling into place too; I was able to sublet my apartment in less than a week and, tomorrow, Cole and I are heading there to pick up the rest of my belongings. But today we’re all just ready for some small-town fun.

“I love them,” I tell Cole as Mabel squeals beside me when he holds up two matching jerseys for today’s game.

“Gotta have my name on your back while you watch me play. There’s no other way.” He grins at me.

Mabel and I hug Glenda and thank her for letting us helpout on her stall. She cleaned up today, sold a dozen blankets and a bunch of fall hats. Her story is one I hope ends happily—she’s doing so well and is just so in love with Billi Grace.

Ivy approaches us to visit her mama, and Mabel and I start packing up our things so we can wander the booths before they close. CeCe has been in and out of the festival all day—checking on vendors, making sure they all have water and good shade in the late summer heat. She was born for this, and everyone is saying this festival has been an even bigger hit than last year’s. Even my parents and grandmas have ventured out for the festivities. When my dad and I had our lunch a couple of weeks ago, he apologized for his behavior again, promising to remember I’m his daughter first and foremost from now on. It’s the first step to mending everything between us. He also told me that, after serving this term, he is officially retiring; and when Cole and I went for dinner last week on our own, leaving Mabel with Jo for the night, it was a pleasant experience. I’ve almost worked up enough courage to tell my mother about mine and Cole’s accidental marriage. Nah, maybe I’ll tell my grandmothers first.

My father also apologized to Cole that night about using him and Mabel in his primary speechandtold him how he thought Cole was a stand-up man, and that he could tell how much he cared about me.

Two-week-old Billi makes the cutest little grunts from her stroller, snapping me from my thoughts. Mabel is right there to tend to her and Ivy watches them with the sweetest, most relaxed smile on her face.

“How are you feeling, mama?” I ask, bringing her close for a little hug.

“Tired but … complete,” she replies, smiling. Her long black hair is pulled back in a ponytail and her pretty face is free from any makeup. “And trying to rest up as best I can.”

“We all gotta rest up.” Glenda smiles from behind her crafttable as she packs up. “The whirlwind is coming for a visit next week.”

I look back at Ivy.

“My sister, Cassie,” she explains. “She’s finishing up the tour with Red Dirt Roots. It’s been a busy summer for her. Success kind of came out of nowhere and she’s about to head into the studio to record her next album.”

“I bet it’s been a bit of an adventure,” I say. “She’s skyrocketing right now.”

Cassie’s single, “Friday Night Lights,” has been climbing the charts all summer. Since release, it became the sort of slow creeper hit played in every bar at slow-dance time, and now she’s finishing up a tour with one of country’s hottest bands. It doesn’t hurt her that she’s drop-dead gorgeous and even through a screen you can tell she’s just full of charisma. She’s been playing the outdoor festival circuit since May, and Ivy and Glenda are intensely proud of her.

“She’s a bit of a tornado,” Ivy warns with a smile. “But she loves so hard. I can’t wait to see her. Can’t wait for her to meet Billi and all of you.”

I smile back at her, before turning my gaze to Mabel, who is gently pushing Billi’s stroller back and forth, soothing her to sleep.

“Well, just remember, Sangria Sundays make house calls if you want a girls’ night,” I say.

“Sure, as long as my sangria can be virgin since I’m a food source right now.” She laughs.

“You got it. While Cassie’s here, we’ll find some ways to keep her entertained. How long is she staying?”

“I’m not sure, a few days maybe,” Ivy replies.

“It’s good to have family around,” I tell her with a squeeze of the hand. I’m so grateful for this crew. “You need anything, you just ask,” I continue, tilting my head toward Mabes. “Lookslike you’ll have a built-in babysitter right here for the next few years anyway.”

Ivy nods as we watch Mabel, who is utterly enamored with Billi. She’s so attentive and helpful, a natural-born little mother hen, and I can’t wait to give her a little brother or sister to love in the same way. But that will be down the road; I know that Mabel needs time to adjust to me as a permanent fixture in her life, and we all need time to grow as a family before we add to it. As much as it pains Cole to admit it, he knows I’m right.

We all pile into the arena, and it seems as though the entire town has come out to watch the boys play. Cole and Wade are suited up and standing beside Nash, waiting for his reaction to the team they’ve put together.

I’m not prepared for how my body reacts to seeing Cole in his hockey gear. He looked good playing when we were young. But now? He’s like a walking wet dream. So big and ominous when he approaches me. I stand on my tiptoes to greet him. I’m not a short woman at 5”7’ but he’s got at least ten or eleven inches on me right now in skates.

The look on Nash’s face as he greets the players who make their way out of the dressing room is priceless. “You motherfuckers,” I hear him whisper to Cole and Wade as he realizes they’ve stacked their town team with former NHL players.

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