Accidental Surrogate

Accidental Surrogate Chapter 385-Long Miles

I gasp a few hours later when I see the gigantic RV that rolls up out front of the

clinic.

“Seriously?” Hanks says, crossing his arms over his chest and staring at it,

somewhere between impressed and revolted by the extravagance. “The gas

mileage on that thing must be horrible

“Ohhh,” I say, laughing and swatting him on the arm with one hand, the other

holding Rafe’s carrier where he’s already bundled and ready. “Don’t spoil my

fun, Hank – you’re just jealous because you’re not coming.”

“Yes,” Hank murmurs, giving me a good-natured side eye. “Yes, there’s

absolutely nothing I want more in the world than to be cooped up in a tin can

with Roger and Cora for forty-eight hours. You’re right.”

I laugh when I consider this point, stepping closer to Hank and wrapping him in

a one-armed hug that he’d probably rather avoid. But we’ve grown a lot closer in

the past few days, working together, and well? If he’s going to be my friend, then

he’s going to have to get used to a great deal of affection.

“You’ll be all right here when we’re gone?” I ask, pulling away.

“Ah, don’t worry about me,” Hank says with a little smirk and a shrug. You guys

have bigger things on your plate.”

“When I come back,” I say, looking at him seriously now, hoping he understands

how much he means to me – to all of us. “We’re going to do big things, okay?

Help a lot of people. With the gift, and with your skills.”

“That’s all I want, Ella,” Hank says seriously, giving me a nod and a little smile

that’s likely the most emotion I’m going to see from him anytime soon. But then

his eyes drift to Cora and Roger who come through the door of the clinic and I

know…well, I know that what Hank says about this being all he wants is a little

bit of a lie. And my heart aches for him because I know now, for sure, that he’ll

never get it.

I purse my lips a little, trying not to let him see me pity him. But he catches me in

the act.

“Don’t,” Hank sighs, shaking his head at me. “I’m good, Ella. I really am.”

“I know,” I say, putting a hand out to his shoulder. He gives me a sad little smirk

before turning back into the clinic – intent, clearly, on busying his mind so that

he doesn’t have to think about her. Cora and Roger call brief goodbyes to Hank

before coming to my side to admire the RV.

“It’s huge,” Cora says, her eyes wide.

“It’s not so big,” Roger says with a shrug. But Cora and I both roll our eyes at

him as Sinclair parks the vehicle and climbs out of the driver’s seat. Cora and I

didn’t grow up with much as kids, and we’ve certainly never been on a vacation

like this – with a whole fancy vehicle reserved just for us.

excited I can

the door to the living

pushing a button that activates a little metal platform that lowers itself to

so that Henry can

say, taking Cora’s hand and pulling her with me to

Is there a kitchen? How do you

at me, shaking his head as

says, nodding towards the door with the

stairs. “Explore. Let yourself

as my mate suggests, hurrying up the steps

as I look around. It’s

so shiny

wide as mine as she climbs in

is…amazing.”

sister comes with me as we wander

kitchenette with its white leather table space, the little

adorable, cleverly designed bathroom that makes the

to it. But I really gasp

away in the back

bed,

god,” I say, quickly unbuckling Rafe from his carrier

on the bed which is as comfortable

beds – ”

Ella,” Cora says, smirking at me from

you’re doing?”

“Huh?” I ask, confused.

she says, her wicked

groan as

for her and Roger. “Well then where

appearing in the doorway behind Cora. “The

– one into a queen for me and

dad will

back and settling

here with Cora and Roger? I won’t take up

take the baby and

hell,” Roger declares, pushing past Sinclair into

his and Cora’s stuff

our possession since we left

bags on the ground and snaps his fingers

“Up, Ella. That’s

it,” I whine,

mischief out of her eyes even

she’s serious. “I’m pregnant. I need

her for playing

I huff my way back

I say to

him.

he says, following me back into the main living area of the

Roger and Cora a

Henry has already settled himself at the front of the

a space where the passenger seat should be. He

turning back to a set of maps. I take

how cleverly it’s been

in a wheelchair.

two ready?” Sinclair says, wrapping an arm around

still in my arms and looking happily around

bright lights.

it as I give him a big smile. “How long do you think it

there?

get there sometime tomorrow,” Henry calls over

agreement. “Oh,” I say with surprise. “So where will

tonight?”

with a shrug. “We

the

for people to know

out the windows. “That we’ll be

says, placing a finger beneath my chin and turning my face

“It’s all right, Ella,” he says softly. “You can relax.

me give this to you, as

face as I realize