Chapter 1

• Cora looked out the window at the falling rain. The bright colors of the trees blurring through the heavy drops. Sighing, she leaned forward to the front seats to touch Rachel’s arm. “Please tell me we packed the rain capes.”
• Rachel turned around and grinned at her. “Yes, and pants and umbrellas.”
• Dade turned the speed of the wipers up. “This camp Justin found, it’s flat right, no hills and bridges?”
• Steven sighed and looked at the back of Dade’s head. “From the website, it looked pretty flat.” Rachel turned to smile at him. Frowning he looked back to the man driving. “Can someone tell me again why my fiancé had to sit up there?” He scowled, they’d only been engaged for a few days for crying out loud.
• Dade glared at him in the mirror. “Because, I don’t need to be looking in the mirror to see you two climbing all over each other in the back seat. Its hormones gone wild near any of you couples lately.”
• Cora reached up and rubbed her hand over his shoulder. “Poor Dade is feeling, um, lonely.” She smirked.
• Dade winked at her in the mirror. “Guess that just leaves you and me, honey, we’ll be alone a lot.”
• Cora sat back and smiled sweetly at him. “I guess we will.”
• He looked at the road then back in the mirror to study her. He hit a pothole in the road and turned his full attention to the windshield. “We need to start renting a small bus for these trips and take turns driving,” he muttered.
• Rachel was sitting with her feet up on the dash flashing her new ring around in front of her face. “We could have cots.” Turning she grinned at Steven, he never missed a movement she made.
• Cora leaned up and pulled Rachel’s hand around. She studied the ring. “This is so gorgeous. It’s white but blue, not flashy but still sparkles. What stone is it again?”
• Steven leaned down and kissed the hand Cora was holding. “Angelite.” He whispered against stone.
• Dade cleared his throat. “Driving here people.” He groaned.
• Cora smiled and sat back. She sighed. “It’s so lovely, the handfast is going to make me cry you know.” She smiled at Rachel. “I’m going to be the old maiden aunt when all of you have children.”
• Rachel grinned. “I wouldn’t say old.”
• Cora frowned. “I’m going to be twenty-eight in December, Rach, by the time I, if I ever find a man I’ll be too old to have any children of my own.”
• Steven leaned over toward her and smiled. “You won’t be too old. I’ve delivered for women that are close to forty, people are waiting until later in life now.” Then he grinned at Rachel. “Unlike the sexy witch in the front seat, she’s just turned twenty-five and plans on having four long before she’s thirty.”
• Rachel turned and grinned at him. “You have your work cut out for you, Doc.”
• He winked at her. “Oh, don’t worry, I’m up to it.”
• Dade swore. “A little more help here. Why does Justin always find places that have cow paths instead of roads? Rain is coming down so hard I can barely see Owen’s Jeep.” He squinted. “So, is Lee ok? My heart stopped when they pulled over so quickly like that.”
• Steven nodded. “Yes, a little queasy, she had crackers to settle her stomach.” He shrugged. “Other than a few moments here and there she’s been quite lucky. I have some patients that throw up from conception to delivery.” He wondered which group Rachel was going to fit into.
• “Will you hold my hand and look after me if I’m like that?” Rachel asked quietly.
• “Every second.” He said quickly.
• “Looks like this is it.” Dade said happily. “Let’s scout out which building is registration then we’ll make a run for it.”
• Fifteen minutes later all eight stood dripping and grinning at Gwen inside the warm little building. Dade liked Gwen, she was a flower child from the sixties and always made him feel peaceful, just being in her presence was something he could use more of. He stayed back out of the way, knowing there was going to be hugs, squeals and women stuff taking place.
• “You are earlier than normal.” Gwen smiled.
• Owen nodded. “With the rain forecasted today we wanted to give ourselves a lot of time.”
• Chris pulled his jacket off with a shake. “Is Patrick here yet?”
• Gwen shook her head. “No, but he should be along soon. I know he wanted to get here early to discuss things.” She looked down at her hands. “I hope what you’re planning works, I don’t know how much longer I’m going to hold together if it doesn’t”
• Leena smiled and walked over beside her. “Everything is going to be fine.” She grinned at Steven. “We have more news you might like to hear.”
• Gwen looked at her a moment then smiled. “You’re pregnant, aren’t you?” Leena nodded. “Oh, that’s so wonderful! You’ll hardly be showing at the handfast.” She hugged her. “I’m so happy.”
• Leena laughed. “There’s more.”
• Gwen pulled away and looked around at the others. When her eyes settled on Rachel she held up her hand as Steven was hugging her to him. “Oh!” She jumped up and ran over to them. “You too! This is wonderful! So, wonderful!” Hugging Rachel, she patted Steven’s cheek after examining the ring and then turned smiling eyes to Dade. “You better work fast to catch up here, Mr. Jones.”
• Dade held up his hands. “Don’t go looking at me. I have my hands full helping this bunch work things out.”
• She laughed and patted his cheek next, smiling at him in her quiet way. Turning back to the table, she opened the registration book. “The list of people planning to attend is pretty much the same as always.” She frowned, “but I’m sure you’ll be happy to know the councilor’s house at this camp isn’t pink.” She grinned at Dade. “It’s yellow.”
• He shook his head. “As long as it’s dry I don’t care.” He looked at Kasey. “Tell me it’s not going to be pouring the whole weekend.” She always knew what the weather planned, he didn’t ask how as some things were better left alone.
• Kasey hugged Chris and smiled. “No, it should stop before this evening and then be beautiful autumn weather for the rest of the weekend.”