The following morning didn’t have the peaceful start everyone had hoped for. Mrs. Monroe was banging on Evan and Ginger’s door.

“Evan, you need to leave. I’ve already woken up Mitchell and Kayla. Y’all need to get a move on!”

“Yes, ma’am,” Evan called back. He rolled over and put his arm around Ginger. “She’s kidding, right?” he asked as he kissed Ginger’s neck.

“Oh God,” Ginger mumbled.

Evan stopped moving immediately. “Is that a good ‘oh, God’ or a bad one?”

“Both. I don’t want you to stop, but if you don’t, she’ll come in here. Not to mention, I don’t want to get out of bed,” Ginger whined.

Evan rubbed her tummy where their baby was growing. “Is he cooperating?”

Ginger smiled. “Yes, the baby is cooperating. You sound so confident.” She wrinkled her forehead. “Please don’t be disappointed,” she said with a concerned smile as she cupped his face. Please let my dream be true for him.

Evan smiled at her. “Never.” He gave her a quick peck before he threw the covers back. Evan went to the bathroom and prepared for the day while she lingered in bed for a few more minutes.

Ginger passed him in the doorway as he left and she went in. “I’ll be ready in a minute,” she said.

“I’ll go fix your coffee until you get there.”

While Ginger got ready for the morning, her mind wandered to last night. Grayson was here, alive. He’d been close all this time. She knew Evan hated him for what he’d put them through. Could she help them bridge that gap? Did she want to? She didn’t know because she was mad at him too. With her mind all over the place, she walked out to meet everyone in the kitchen.

As soon as she walked into the room, Kayla grabbed her arm and pulled her to the side. “I love you, but your mother’s timing sucks,” Kayla said as she raised her eyebrows. “I couldn’t believe she knocked on our door just as I was…you know.” She tilted her head.

Ginger giggled. “I’m sorry. She woke us up, too.”

“Oh, we were awake. That’s the problem.”

“It’ll keep ‘til tonight. Believe me, the delayed finish is so worth it,” Ginger said with mischief in her eyes.

“What? You haven’t told me about this. You’ve done that?”

“Yeah, the weekend you and Mitchell got engaged.” Ginger’s face turned red and her smile grew wide.

“I know that look. Which secret are you telling?” Evan said as he brought Ginger a cup of coffee and kissed her cheek.

Ginger smelled it and didn’t think this was going to be good. One sip and she handed it back to Evan as she shook her head. “Can’t,” she said with disappointment etched across her face.

The surprise on Evan’s face was evident. “That’s not good,” he softly said.

Ginger rubbed her belly. “Okay, little one. I guess this is our first test of wills. I can’t believe you don’t like coffee. You aren’t going to like Mommy if she doesn’t have any,” she said to her belly.

“Are you talking to yourself,” Grayson asked.

Ginger looked at her brother. “No, I’m talking to the baby. He or she decided we don’t want coffee this morning,” Ginger said with a sad laugh.

“What about some hot tea?” Kayla asked. “Orange juice?”

“Both?” Ginger asked hopefully.

“I’ll get the juice,” Evan said.

“I’ll make the tea,” Kayla chimed in.

“Gingersnap, I hope they have something to wake you up to make decisions, and calm your nerves before tonight. I think I’ll find someplace else to be today.” Grayson laughed.

“You can go with Mitchell and me,” Evan said as he gave Ginger a glass of juice.

“Where are y’all going?”

“Fishing at the Gregory’s pond. Then we’ll dress there for the wedding. I think your dad was planning to go. If you need to borrow some jeans, we’ll find you some.”

“Will the girls be safe here alone?”

“We’ll have mom and Mrs. Gregory. I think Cat is coming over, too,” Ginger said when she finished her juice.

“Are you sure?” Grayson asked both Evan and Ginger.

“Yes,” they said in unison.

“Count me in,” Grayson said.

“Breakfast is over in five minutes. Men will be out of this house in ten.” Mrs. Monroe was laying down orders that no one expected to come out of this sweet woman. “Evan and Mitchell, you aren’t supposed to see your brides until they walk down the aisle. This is not good. Not good at all,” she said as she pointed at them.

“Mom, the US Army drill sergeants have nothing on you,” Grayson said as he kissed her cheek.

“Don’t forget a photographer may come by and take pictures today,” Mrs. Monroe said.

“Yes, ma’am,” Mitchell, Evan, and Grayson all said at once.

The men left wearing fishing gear and carrying their wedding clothes in hanging bags. Ginger wondered if both her fiancé and brother would return or just one of them. She sent up a little prayer, please let them get along today.