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.

so incredibly excited I can barely contain

door to the living

activates a little metal platform that lowers itself to

Henry can

taking Cora’s hand and pulling her with me to

Are there enough beds? Is there a

shaking his head as Henry maneuvers

“Just go in, Ella,” he says, nodding towards the door with the short

Let

my mate suggests, hurrying up the

again as I look around. It’s

so shiny

as wide as mine as she climbs in after

is…amazing.”

with me as we

kitchenette with its white leather table space, the little

adorable, cleverly designed bathroom that

minimal space allotted to it. But I really gasp

in the

king-sized bed,

Rafe from his carrier and groaning

with him on the bed which is as comfortable as it

beds – ”

smirking at me

you’re doing?”

“Huh?” I ask, confused.

says, her wicked

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

Roger. “Well then where do

in the doorway behind Cora.

me and you, and the other into

dad will

back and settling deeper into

sleep in here with Cora and Roger? I won’t take up much space –

the baby

pushing past Sinclair into

travel bags filled with his and Cora’s stuff

access to any of our possession since

the bags on the ground and snaps his

“Up, Ella. That’s

need it,” I

the mischief out of her eyes even

pregnant. I need

her for

as I huff

be comfortable,” I say to

him.

Queen,” he says, following me back

Roger and Cora

surprise, Henry has already settled himself at the front of the RV,

into a space where the passenger

turning back to a set of maps. I take a moment to

of the vehicle and how cleverly

in a wheelchair.

says, wrapping an arm around

at Rafe, still in my arms and looking happily around

bright lights.

I say, meaning it as I give him a big

get there? To the

get there sometime tomorrow,” Henry

say with surprise. “So

tonight?”

with a

part of the adventure,

to know

think,” I say, glancing out

finger beneath my chin and turning my face back

Ella,” he says softly.

let me give this to

finds my face as I realize