her husband were together again, they could buy what they needed and be happy.
* * *
THE MONDAY BEFORE, Thanksgiving, Wynn got up a half hour early and made pumpkin spice cupcakes. She showered while they were baking, then took them to the office with her. Just after eleven thirty, she drove the short distance from downtown Happily Inc out to the animal preserve where she pulled in next to her friend Silver.
“What did you bring?” the platinum blonde asked as she got out of her truck.
“I went seasonal. Pumpkin spice cupcakes.”
Silver smiled. “I can always count on you to do the right thing.” She held up her own container. “Potato salad. Carol texted yesterday and said she was making pulled pork sandwiches for our main course.”
Their biweekly lunches were something Wynn looked forward to. They met on a Monday or Tuesday, before the craziness of the week’s upcoming weddings kicked in. The location varied. When it was Carol’s turn, they usually ate outside at the animal preserve. Natalie hosted at the Willow Gallery where she displayed her work, and Bethany had them out at the ranch. Pallas and Renee used the space at Weddings Out of the Box, while Wynn chose either her business conference room or her own dining table.
The meals were fun, friendly affairs. Whoever was able to come brought something. The hostess provided the main entrée and drinks. Sometimes there were five salads or five desserts, but more often than not, there was a mix of foods. The not knowing what to expect added to the fun.
They walked along the main path in the preserve, careful to close the gates behind them so no animals would escape. Last year Carol had installed a nice picnic table in a shady spot. There were supports for a canvas overhang, if the temperatures were too high. Happily Inc was a desert community, getting plenty hot in the summer. Having it be a dry heat helped, but there were a few weeks in July and August when retreating to air-conditioning was the only way to survive. But today the temperature was in the midseventies, with a bright blue sky and lots of sunshine.
“I heard there’s a snowstorm expected back east, just in time for Thanksgiving,” Wynn said as she double-checked that that last gate was secure.
“All those idiots traveling are going to suffer.”
Wynn hid a smile. “You mean those poor people trying to get home to their families for possibly the second biggest holiday of the year?”
Silver grimaced. “Yeah, that. My sympathies and all that.”
They rounded a grove of trees and saw Carol putting out stacks of plates and flatware. The table was already decorated with a brightly colored cloth. A side table held a big covered dish and a stack of buns, along with a dispenser filled with lemonade. But what really caught Wynn’s attention was the—relatively—small giraffe following Carol from place to place like a very oversize and leggy dog.
“I see Bodey is still in love with you,” Wynn called.
Carol looked up and laughed. “He is a curious guy.” She motioned to her left where Millie stood keeping a watchful eye on her two-month-old son. “As long as Mom stays close.”
Bodey was the first giraffe born in the animal preserve. He was visibly taller and stronger every time Wynn saw him.
“Hey, little guy,” Silver said, slowing her approach as Bodey turned to stare at them. “We’re just here to eat lunch and tell you how adorable you are. Is that okay?”
His eyes were huge—dark brown with long lashes. His nostrils flared as he studied them.
“He’s cuter than he was,” Wynn said softly. “How is that possible?”
Carol grinned. “I know. I keep taking pictures of him. Mathias keeps reminding me we have our own baby. I think he’s jealous on Devon’s behalf.”
The conversation was too much, or maybe it was the sight of three humans all together. Either way, Bodey retreated on his gangly legs, circling to the far side of his mother where he could watch while protected by Millie.
“Speaking of Devon, where is she?” Silver asked, settling her potato salad next to the buns.
“She has a bit of a cold. I didn’t want her exposing the other kids, so she’s with her dad today.” Carol’s eyes were bright with amusement. “Mathias complained that he wouldn’t get any work done, but the truth is they both love hanging out together. By the time I get home, she’ll either be on the mend, or he’ll be sick, too. I’m hoping