Ticket To Ride by Sarah Hegger

Author:Sarah Hegger [Hegger, Sarah]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-06-18T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter Seventeen

They separated a couple of songs later. Anticipation tingling through Claire like champagne bubbles in her veins.

It still took hours for the night to wind down. Poppy and Ben left around eight to a raucous send off, complete with Just Married signs and cans tied to the car’s bumper.

Having had a very full day, Sean burst into tears at the sight of his mother driving away, wailing for Poppy like his little heart was broken.

Dot tried to hold him, but he wriggled like a dying trout in her arms.

“There now, big guy.” Luke took Sean from Dot and held him against his shoulder, not bothered by toddler snot and tears on his designer suit. His big hand almost covered Sean’s back as he stroked. “Why don’t we guys go and find something else to do?”

Sean whined a bit longer but settled down. His hand came up and gripped Luke’s perfectly pressed lapel.

“Mom.” Luke spoke over Sean’s head. “I think the kids have had it for one day. Let’s get them home.”

Brinn immediately stamped her foot and crossed her arms. “No! I don’t want to go home. I want to dance.”

A little less fierce of face, but Ciara echoed her.

Claire stepped forward, but Rafe stopped her. “We got this.”

“Hey.” Mark looked at the twins. “I thought we were going to make s’mores and watch a movie together.”

“Yeah, me too.” Gabe stuffed his hands in his pockets. His suit and shirt looked a bit rumpled, and his hair stood up as if he’d run his fingers through it. “I was going to make some popcorn, and my special grilled cheese.”

Brinn wavered and squinted at Gabe. “What’s special about it?”

“I can’t tell you that.” Gabe looked flabbergasted that she would ask. “It’s a secret.”

Ciara giggled and looked at Brinn.

Still not going softly, Brinn glared at Mark. “What movie?”

“D’oh!” Mark rolled his eyes. “Frozen, of course.”

“And then Tangled,” Gabe said. “Of course. I love me some Maximus.”

Ryan shoved his way into the circle. “Those are girl’s movies.”

“Oh, yeah!” Mark took a step toward him. “Do I look like a girl?”

Giggling, Ryan nodded. “Yes.”

“Then you’re about to get your butt kicked by a girl.” Mark lunged for him, which sent Ryan shrieking down the garden. Mark looked at her and Finn. “That’s my exit.”

He trotted after a giggling Ryan.

Luke rocked a drowsy Sean as Gabe gathered up the girls and their backpacks.

“Have a good night.” Dot surprised Claire by kissing her cheek. She spoiled the tender moment with a secret wink. “Have a very good night.”

“Right, Prayer Chain!” Peg got on the loud hailer. “Let’s get this cleared away.”

Finn took her hand and tugged her toward the house. “I think they’ve got it from here.”

*

Being swept away by the moment, wrapped around Finn as they swayed together on a dance floor—the candles, the romance, the music—not the same as being led upstairs with the sole intent to do the deed. It flashed neon bright, all caps in her brain. THE. DEED.

Unwelcome thoughts jeered and snapped at her.

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