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Although we lost all our files, phone numbers, and contacts, at least until we got home and could restore anything we had backed up, it was still nice to be able to log onto email and check messages or text Gracie Layne.
"Are you happy to be connected again?" Chance asked.
"Yeah. It just feels abnormal not to have access to email or a cell phone. Gracie Layne sent a message saying she was going to dinner with Chris."
"I think those two are good together. You know, Spokane isn't that far from Wilkins' Gap."
"It'll be interesting to see how things develop."
"Ben and John both sent messages asking about upcoming hunts. We really need to refocus on our businesses and the museum."
We spent the time before dinner catching up on phone calls, emails, and messages.
Dinner with Jared and Cassie was pleasant. It was nice to have another couple we could do things with who understood the whole cryptid thing. "Cassie, you mentioned having some experience with a terrorist," Chance said. "Is there anything you can share?"
"It was a different situation and unfolded differently," Cassie said. "I can tell you that even taking out the person at the top of a terrorist organization won't necessarily put an end to the issues. I know that makes it sound hopeless, and I don't mean to do that. You've been to the ranch, Everly. We live a pretty normal life now."
"Cassie's right," Jared said. "There's no guarantee when you're dealing with terrorists. We've decided to take reasonable precautions and get on with our lives. Having said that, I still can't believe this thing might involve Nazis. I keep telling myself that just can't be true. Of course, I have the same reaction when I think about what happened with the bigfoot in South America."
We had a pleasant evening and a peaceful night.
When the alarm sounded, I rolled onto my side to face Chance and ran my hand over his chest.
"Good morning," he said as he opened his eyes.
"You seem just fine to me, but how do you really feel?"
"I'm fine, Babe. I thought I proved that pretty emphatically," he said.
"Oh, you did. I'm just nervous about your appointment today."
"It's just something we have to do. I'm sure they won't find anything wrong. Maybe I need to reassure you of my physical condition," he said, pulling me to him.
I ordered room service breakfast while Chance was in the shower. We just finished eating, when there was a knock on the door.
"Good morning, Gracie Layne," I said as I opened the door. "Have you had breakfast?"
"Not yet. Chis is picking me up in a few minutes. We're going to eat on our way out of town. I wanted to say good bye before we leave."
"How was dinner last night?"
"Good. Really nice. You like Chris, right?"
"He seems like a great guy," I said.
"I don't trust my man rating skills these days," she said. "I know he feels like he needs to protect me and that will probably piss me off eventually, but right now I'm really enjoying it."
"Then enjoy it," I said. "It doesn't have to be anything serious."
"You're right. After all, you're the oldest sister, you should get married first."
"I did that already. Remember? It didn't work out so well."
"I suspect it'll be a whole new experience next time when you're ready to take a chance," she said, nodding in Chance's direction.
"I'll call you when we get back to Wilkins' Gap. We've got to deal with the medical stuff, and then we're going to make a stop in Arkansas before heading home. Keep in touch. If you need to talk, just call me OK. Anytime."