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

to the living compartment of

a button that activates a little metal platform that lowers

that Henry

taking Cora’s hand and pulling her with me

enough beds? Is there a kitchen?

just laughs at me, shaking his head as Henry

he says,

“Explore. Let yourself

as my mate suggests, hurrying up the steps and

look around. It’s absolutely gorgeous

so shiny

wide as mine as she climbs

is…amazing.”

with me as we wander

table space,

adorable, cleverly

allotted to it. But I really gasp

in

king-sized bed,

unbuckling Rafe from his carrier

which is as comfortable as it looks.

beds – ”

says, smirking at me from the doorway. “What

you’re doing?”

“Huh?” I ask, confused.

says, her wicked smirk

I gasp, and then I groan as I

bed for her and Roger. “Well then

in the doorway behind Cora. “The

for me and you, and the other into

dad will

I moan, tossing my head back and settling deeper into

Roger? I won’t take up

the baby and

Roger declares, pushing past Sinclair into the

and Cora’s

access to any of our

the ground and snaps his fingers

“Up, Ella.

I whine,

keep the mischief out of her eyes even though

pregnant. I

at her for

laugh as I

this queen-sized bed better be comfortable,” I say to my

him.

a Queen,” he says, following me back

Roger and Cora a moment

Henry has already settled himself at the front of

a space where the passenger seat should be. He gives me a

a set of maps. I take a

vehicle and how cleverly

in a wheelchair.

Sinclair says, wrapping an arm around my shoulder

arms and looking happily around

bright lights.

a big smile. “How long do you think it

get there? To the

probably get there sometime tomorrow,”

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

tonight?”

with a

the adventure, and part of staying

for people to know where we’ll

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

finger beneath my chin

softly. “You can relax.

let me… let me give this to you,

a soft smile finds my face as I realize that Sinclair’s