Vance: Hi Lily. Hope you had a good Saturday. I was out at my buddies ranch all day branding cows.
Me: Hi. Branding cows doesn’t sound easy or fun. I was in the store all day. Was just locking up.
Vance: It’s not too bad as long as you don’t get your foot stepped on lol.
Me: Yeah, that would hurt.
Vance: So, do you like bowling? I was thinking we could go Friday after work?
Me: I love bowling.
Vance: Great! I can pick you up around seven?
Me: Ok, sounds good.
I feel giddy as I go around and double check the store before leaving. As soon as I get into my car, I call my sister.
“Hello sis,” she says as she answers.
“He texted me!”
“I knew he would. What did he say?”
“We are going bowling after work on Friday.”
“That sounds fun.”
“I agree. It’s better than sitting down at dinner, trying to make small talk all night.”
“I’m happy for you. I hope you have a blast!”
“Thanks. Are you coming in tomorrow?”
“I might for a few hours depending how I feel. I’ve had a lot of Braxton Hicks this afternoon.”
“Are those the fake contractions?”
“Yes. But hopefully it means my body is preparing for labor.”
“Fingers crossed.”
“Okay, well keep me updated if he texts you again. I need all the details.”
“Will do, Sis.”
“Love ya,” she says.
“Love you, too,” I say back to her before ending the call and tossing my phone into my purse.
The next few days go by at a sloth’s pace. Monday, I dropped supplies off at the vet’s office and noticed Dr. Madris wasn’t there and her name had been removed from the signs outside. She really is selling her practice.
Layla came in a couple times for a few hours before she needed to go home and lie down. She’s going to have that baby any minute now, I know it.
Chapter Five
Ethan
MovingtoMontanawaskind of a last-minute decision. I had a group of states I wanted to move to, but when a vet practice was put on the market, I took it as a sign. I always wanted land, somewhere to have a hobby farm, and that was never going to happen in Phoenix. And my son, Arthur, I really wanted to get him out of the city. Not that all city schools are bad, but he’s just a number there.