Chapter 94
Gage Carver stood on Suzy’s doorstep dressed in his usual black, wearing dark sunglasses, and holding a huge bouquet of yellow roses.
He lowered his voice. “These are for Hope. I’m under strict instructions to deliver them. I hope she’s here.”
“She is but how did you know we were here?” Suzy asked.
Cheri saw the announcement about the press conference on the Ozarks5 website yesterday and asked me to fly here this morning. She had business in New York. After I went to Coconuts and you weren’t there, I found your house with a little help from Gus who knew your last name.”
Alex hopped off the couch. “I recognize that voice.” She ran to the door and grinned. “You’re here.”
“In the flesh.” Gage motioned toward the flowers as he held a finger to his lips. “For Hope.”
Suzy and Alex blocked the doorway as Hope stepped across the living room. “Who’s at the door?”
Alex and Suzy separated, giving Hope full view of Gage, the bouquet, and his shiny, stretch limo.
Hope glanced from her friends to Gage. “What’s going on?”
Gage made a grand sweeping motion with his hand. “This is for you. I understand you’re a hero and helped several tornado survivors. I’ll take you anywhere you want for a well-deserved, celebratory ride.”
“I’m not a hero.” Hope put her hand to her chest. “But wow. Just wow.”
Gage gave her the bouquet and extended his arm. “Ready?”
Hope stood in place in the foyer. “Only if they can join me.”
He grinned. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Suzy and Alex followed them down the sidewalk and began climbing inside as Ken and Izzy drove up.
Suzy’s face fell. “You guys go ahead.”
Ken hopped out and crossed the lawn toward Suzy. Izzy stood on the grass angling her phone to take photos of the limo.
Ken grasped his wife’s shoulders and pointed her back toward the limo. “Go with your girlfriends. I know Izzy and I have tested you. Thanks for putting up with us.” He patted her backside.
Suzy whispered, “I love you,” kissed her husband, and ran toward her friends.
Hope studied the pristine limo while Alex studied Gage. After several seconds, Suzy nudged her friends. “Are we going for a ride, or is this a staring contest?”
“By all means, we’re going for a ride.” Gage opened the back door. The smell of leather filled the air. A gold decanter held a chilled champagne bottle beside three gold-rimmed flutes atop a gleaming silver tray. Soft jazz played in the background.
Hope sat agog. “Luxury and Hope Truman don’t belong in the same sentence.”
“They do now,” Suzy said.
Hope grinned from ear to ear. “I’ve never ridden in a limo before.”
Alex gave her a playful prod. “Hurry and get in while the champagne is cold.”
Hope slid in first, then Alex. Suzy waved good-bye to Ken and Izzy through the window. After Gage poured their champagne, he climbed behind the wheel and started the engine. He lowered the privacy window between himself and his three giggly passengers.
“Ladies, before we head out, I’m supposed to deliver this.” He handed them an ivory envelope with an embossed CVB monogram.
After the privacy window rose and he could no longer hear them, Alex said, “God, he smells good.”
Suzy laughed. “That’s exactly what you said about the cop once upon a time.”
Alex winked. “What cop?”
Hope and Suzy exchanged glances. “Progress,” Suzy said.
Alex tapped the envelope. “Open it.”
Hope carefully opened the edges and plucked a creamy, ivory card from the cover. The handwritten note had a gold-leaf border and was written in gold ink, naturally. She cleared her throat before reading the inscription:
To three women who have taught me the true meaning of friendship- I can’t thank you enough for the warm welcome to Crystal City and for letting me join your fun group. I can’t wait to be back at Coconuts drinking Angry Balls soon. Enjoy the ride and congratulations on your big day, Hope. Well done. Gage will take you wherever you want to go.
XO,
Cheri
Hope reread the card and pressed it to her chest. “Can I keep it?”
“Of course, Alex said. “She’s pretty damn awesome.”
“Very sweet of Cheri,” Suzy said.
Gage lowered the privacy window again. He placed his arm over the seat and locked eyes with Alex. “Where would you ladies like to go?”
Alex grinned. “This is Hope’s day. She gets to decide.”
Hope radiated from all of the attention. “Let’s make a grand entrance at Coconuts. I’d love to arrive there in a limo. We’ll have Angry Balls in Cheri’s honor. But drive the long way around.”
More content than she had been in weeks, Hope leaned against the cool leather and soaked up the experience. Her phone vibrated. She glanced at the screen and read a text from Britney: Miss Truman, I got five hundred likes on my Etsy shop after the newscast! I’m gonna be makin’ a lot of jewelry.
Hope reached for her friends’ hands. “Can this day get any better?”