Catering to Love Read Online Free Page A

that was all it took. Bailey said she’s with her favorite ‘unkes.’” That brought a smile to Cassie’s face. “She thought she could help him.” Jamie turned to Cassie. “Your husband is going to make a wonderful dad.”
    “He certainly is,” Gabi chimed in, “but I won’t harp on you, Cass. You’ve got your mother to do that.”
    “Right, ad nauseam, I might add.”
    “Yeah, ain’t that the truth.”
    “But seeing her hang out with the guys is so cute. Is she missing Chase?”
    “Well, she doesn’t really know we didn’t work out. She thinks he moved back to his temporary home. I don’t really talk about him anymore, because I don’t want to add more to what she’s been through.” Jamie stopped and looked around at the empty apartment. “Wow, you’re actually going to do this, huh?”
    “I am… but you guys will all come and visit me, won’t you?”
    “Of course we will,” Cassie said. Her cell phone rang. She placed the phone to her ear and listened. “Okay, Josh, we’re coming right down.” She made a face. “The cops are threatening to tow the U-Haul truck if you don’t move it now,” she announced.
    “Okay,” Gabi huffed, “I guess I’ve prolonged this for as long as I can.” She curled her arms around her two friends, took one last look at the apartment, and locked the door, handing the keys to Jamie. “Would you give these to my landlord in apartment 1A?”
    “Sure.”
    The three friends made their way down the stairs single file until they walked outside and saw the flashing red light. “Hey, lady, get this truck outta of here… now!” the cop demanded.
    “Okay, okay, I’m leaving right now. Sorry, officer.” Gabi gave everyone a last hug, kissed Bailey and positioned herself in the driver’s seat with the aid of two bed pillows, one behind her and one under. Being only five feet two inches had its disadvantages. She adjusted herself until she was comfortable and had her foot firmly on the pedal. Shovingthe gear selector into drive, she pulled away from the curb, waving and throwing kisses as she eased into the traffic. Leaving so abruptly seemed unfair, but it did make her exit easier. She blew out an anxious breath, then shouted out the window when she saw their sad expressions, “Call me!”
    Once she was out of the city and on Interstate 78, she breathed a sigh of relief. The rest of the trip should be fairly smooth and give her plenty of time to go over things she needed to do for the transition. Excited about her future, she turned the radio up full blast and sang along with Adele.
    Two hours of steady driving was exhausting and made her even more anxious to get to the motel. She’d be staying there until the closing on the inn. She chewed on her bottom lip when she pulled into the parking lot, then cut the engine and stepped down onto the ground. She smiled as she looked around. She was about to embark on a major life change.
    Reaching back into the cab of the truck, Gabi grabbed the few things she needed to bring inside and made her way into the lobby, remembering the motel owner’s reaction when she’d told him she was going to buy Carters’. He gave her a great discount on the room. Although she would have preferred finding a short-term apartment, nothing was available. Besides, when the deal went through, she’d be living in the suite the Carters now occupied.
    The excitement of knowing this was her new home gave her a buoyant feeling. She inhaled deeply, taking in the crisp, fresh, clean air, and then exhaled. The long list of items needing attention before Monday filled her mind.First thing in the morning, she’d empty the contents of the truck into the storage unit she planned to use until she was ready to move into her new home. She repeated the words “new home” and released a schoolgirl giggle at the prospect of walking into the kitchen for the first time as the owner. Would she like the kitchen staff? She hadn’t met any of them yet and