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.

incredibly excited I can barely contain

door to

button that activates a little metal platform

that Henry can

pulling her with

enough beds? Is there a kitchen? How do you

shaking his

go in, Ella,” he says, nodding towards the door

“Explore. Let yourself

mate suggests, hurrying up the steps and gasping

around.

so shiny

as mine as she climbs in after me.

is…amazing.”

comes with me as we wander around the space,

its white leather table

that, the adorable, cleverly designed bathroom that

But I really gasp

in the

king-sized bed, and plush downy

quickly unbuckling Rafe from his carrier and groaning as

on the bed which is as

beds – ”

Ella,” Cora says, smirking at me from the doorway. “What

you’re doing?”

“Huh?” I ask, confused.

bed,” she says,

I gasp, and then I groan as I remember Sinclair’s promise to her

her and Roger. “Well then where do I

appearing in the doorway behind

a queen for me and you, and the other into a

will take

I moan, tossing my head back

and Roger? I won’t take up much

the

chance in hell,” Roger declares, pushing past

filled with his and Cora’s stuff

to any of our possession since we left the

the bags on the ground and snaps his

“Up, Ella. That’s my

I

unable to keep the mischief

pregnant.

at her for playing the pregnancy

laugh as I huff my

better be comfortable,” I say to my

him.

a Queen,” he says, following me back into the main

and

Henry has already settled himself at the front of the

where the passenger

of maps. I take a

of the vehicle and how cleverly it’s

in a wheelchair.

Sinclair says, wrapping an arm around my shoulder

Rafe, still in my arms and looking

bright lights.

meaning it as I give him a big smile. “How

get there?

get there sometime tomorrow,”

say with surprise.

tonight?”

says with a shrug. “We have

of the

people to know

say, glancing out the windows. “That we’ll

he says, placing a finger beneath my chin and

right, Ella,” he says softly. “You can relax. Enjoy it. You’ve worked

give this to you,

a soft smile finds my face as I