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

little metal platform that

so that Henry can

her with me to Sinclair’s side. ” Is

beds? Is there a kitchen? How do you

laughs at me, shaking his head as Henry maneuvers

“Just go in, Ella,” he says, nodding

Let yourself be

eagerly do as my mate suggests,

as I look around. It’s

so shiny

Cora says, her eyes as wide as mine as she climbs in after

is…amazing.”

with me as we wander around the space, admiring

table space, the little living area

that, the adorable, cleverly

to it. But I

in

its king-sized bed, and plush

unbuckling Rafe from his carrier and groaning

which is as comfortable as it looks. “Oh, I

beds – ”

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

and Roger.

in the doorway behind Cora.

queen for me and you, and the

will take

back and settling

and Roger? I won’t take

take the baby and

chance in hell,” Roger declares, pushing past Sinclair into

filled with his and Cora’s stuff

our possession since

ground and snaps his fingers

Ella.

I need it,” I whine, pouting

says, unable to keep the mischief out of her eyes

“I’m pregnant. I need

at her

I huff my

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

him.

me back into the main living area of

Roger and

himself at the front of the

into a space where the passenger seat should be. He

to a set of maps. I

vehicle and how cleverly it’s been made accessible for

in a wheelchair.

ready?” Sinclair says, wrapping an

Rafe, still in my arms and looking happily around at all

bright lights.

say, meaning it as I give him a big smile. “How long do

there? To

tomorrow,” Henry

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

tonight?”

a shrug. “We

get. It’s part of the adventure, and part of

for people to know

think,” I say, glancing out the windows.

a finger beneath my chin and turning

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

let me give this to you,

soft smile finds my face as I realize that Sinclair’s willingness to take