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Adelaide looked down at her cell phone as they neared the ranch. She needed to message Jaira and give her a heads-up, but was reluctant to let her sister know there had been a change of plans and she would be returning in a week instead. What if things worked out and she didn't make it back in a week? What if, instead, they went with the original plan and dropped her and the kids off on the way? For one who needed everything to be orderly and scheduled, this was proving to be very difficult.
As though he were able to read Adelaide's troubled thoughts, Gavin reached over, tenderly squeezing her fingers.
"Everything is going to be just fine - I promise."
Adelaide didn't respond, turning to look out the window with unseeing eyes just before Gavin turned onto the long, winding driveway.
Mollie sat on the veranda with Arlana at her side, both standing as the vehicle approached.
"I'd go with you if I could, My Dear," Mollie's voice was low as she passed Arlana a velvet pouch, glass vials tinkling within.
The men Adelaide had met before were still at the ranch, stepping down from the veranda the moment Gavin parked the car.
"It's wonderful to see you again, Adelaide," Patrick smiled as she stepped out of the vehicle before turning to Gavin, "I've arranged for an escort once you reach the New Brunswick border. You shouldn't have any trouble, but contact me if anything happens. You know we would go with you if we could, but, unfortunately, the circumstances make it impossible."
"Good morning," Arlana's voice was soft as she descended the stairs, Hunter reaching up to hold her hand as she gathered her long skirt with her free hand. "Thank you, Hunter."
Adelaide avoided eye contact with her sister, but Arlana just sighed, searching Gavin's eyes, her own filled with unanswered questions before turning to embrace her niece and nephew, Sarah still avoiding her as well.
"Are you looking forward to the adventure?" Arlana asked as Isabella slipped her hand within Arlana's after hugging Zek.
"I can't wait!" Zek's eyes shone with excitement as he ran toward Gavin's vehicle.
Hunter stepped closer, pressing cool steel against the palm of Arlana's hand.
"Be careful out there, Love. I wish I could join you and ensure your protection, but this will have to do. Keep it on your person at all times, do you hear me? If anything should happen..."
Arlana nodded, swallowing hard as she slipped the dagger within the folds of her skirt.
"No, not like that," Hunter's eyes darkened as he made the adjustments, strapping it discreetly to her upper thigh before lowering her skirt. "See? It is secured and no one would be the wiser."
"Thank you - for everything," Arlana kissed his cheek before turning to the car, the cold metal resting against her sensitive skin.
She had gotten the correct year the last time she'd gone to the fort, but didn't know what month the raid on the fort and surrounding territory would begin. Hunter had every reason to be concerned.
Adelaide watched the exchange between Hunter and Arlana, hesitating as she stood near the vehicle, uncertain. Arlana made the decision for her, sliding into the back seat between Joshua and Sarah, Isabella and Zek directly behind them. Adelaide took her place in the passenger seat once more as they waited for Gavin to join them, Patrick and James giving him last-minute instructions.
"Did you have breakfast?" Arlana attempted to make light conversation.
"They're fine," Adelaide finally spoke, her voice harsher than she had intended. "I found the pictures and Gavin told us everything. I won't say anything more because the children don't need to hear this, but the pictures were rather graphic. I've agreed to go on this...adventure, for the children's sake. It's a field trip, nothing more."
"I understand. Well, I'm glad you've decided to come."
Arlana fell silent, as Joshua placed his hand on her hip, pulling her closer to him and away from Sarah who was frigid in her disdain.
****
ADELAIDE STILL HADN'T fully made up her mind as they approached Montreal, but the ride had been quiet save for the happy chatter between Zek and Isabella. The adults were lost in their own thoughts, the older two mirroring their parents.
"We are going to stop for lunch before we reach the New Brunswick border," Gavin announced as he changed lanes.
This was Adelaide's opportunity to bail, but still she hesitated, taking a deep breath as Gavin wove through a maze of traffic before turning into a plaza with a Chinese food buffet.
"It'll be some time before we have Chinese food if all goes well," Gavin grinned as he held the door open for Adelaide, Joshua holding open the door for Arlana who had more difficulty getting out of the back seat and still remaining graceful.
Arlana watched as Gavin held Adelaide's hand as he led them into the restaurant. She was his legal and first wife, after all, and besides, it was important that Adelaide felt comfortable in their relationship so she would decide to stay - or at the very least, join them at the ranch. It was important to Gavin, and therefore, important to Arlana.
The children's enthusiasm lightened the mood as they filled their plates with one of each item offered, saving room for dessert.
Arlana lingered at the counter, filling her plate with salad and vegetables - food that would be harder to come by once they reached the fort, but were important for the health of the baby.
"I'm missing you, but trying to behave," Gavin whispered against her ear before reaching for a piece of fish, turning to Arlana with a wink in the brief moment they were alone, the rest of the family at the next section of hot food.
"Someone at the ranch is blackmailing us," Arlana whispered, glancing over at Adelaide who was helping Isabella. "I don't know who but Addy said she received pictures - explicit pictures of you and I last night."
Gavin's gray eyes turned stormy as he frowned.
"I'll get to the bottom of this, Baby. Thanks for letting me know. I've promised Addy to be good in public, but we need to discuss things once the three of us have time alone. I really want my family to stay, so we'll have to take it slow until she warms up to the idea of us being together. I told her everything - and I mean everything last night. She needs time to wrap her head around it, I think, but this is a big step." Gavin looked over his shoulder. "I'll see you in a bit, Sweetheart, but don't worry about a thing."
Arlana nodded, feeling a weight of relief now that she knew there were no secrets between them anymore.
Adelaide looked away after glimpsing Gavin and Arlana deep in conversation near the salad counter. Arlana looked troubled and Gavin looked upset, but they were being discreet and had not made any physical contact with each other. They appeared more like professional business associates than lovers, giving Adelaide a sense of relief. She wasn't quite sure what she had expected, but it was definitely along the lines of what she had walked in on in the kitchen the previous night. Such open acts would be humiliating. Sighing with relief, she led the children back to their table, Gavin falling into step beside her.
"Is everything alright?" Adelaide's voice was low.
"Yes, of course. Something just came up, but I'm taking care of it. There's nothing to worry about. Now, let's enjoy our meal. I'm eager to arrive at our destination."
Gavin didn't say another word as he pulled out a chair for Adelaide on his left side, then a chair for Arlana on his right before taking a seat between the two women. Adelaide looked over at Arlana, their eyes meeting and in that moment, Adelaide made her decision. She would keep her word and give this arrangement a chance. Gavin was at peace and being a perfect gentleman, neither he nor Arlana drawing attention to their unconventional relationship. The children gathered around the table were enjoying spending time with Zek and he looked over the moon with joy at spending time with his cousins. For their sakes, it was worth keeping her word. A week would go by fast enough.