Happily This Christmas (Happily Inc #6) - Susan Mallery Page 0,88
ones. They’ll bake cupcakes in them. So an edible party favor.”
“You know about party favors from your research?”
“I do now.” He scanned the list. “I have blue and yellow balloons on order, the Winnie the Pooh wall decoration for the big wall next to the sliding glass door.” He looked at her. “Drinks, food, decorations, games. Oh, prizes.”
He crossed to the bags against the wall and pulled out a heavy box. Inside were enamel giraffe key chains.
“I got these from Carol. She sells them at the little shop they have. They’re really popular.”
Wynn smiled. “You’ve thought of everything.”
“I hope so. You’re going to be here, right? To make sure I don’t mess up?”
He wanted the day to be perfect for his daughter, and he knew that Wynn would help him make sure that happened.
She wrapped her arms around him. “I’ll be here, and Carol’s going to stop by to help with the setup.”
“Why would she do that?”
Wynn smiled. “Because she’s my friend and she’s met Joylyn and I asked her. I thought one more body would be helpful. Natalie has a gallery showing in New Mexico, and all my other friends are busy with the snowman wedding.”
“She’s going to give up part of her Saturday for Joylyn?”
“Don’t sound so surprised. It’s what friends do.”
He knew that. “It’s not that Carol’s helping, it’s that you asked one of your friends to do that for my daughter. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
He kissed her again, liking how her body felt against his. There was something about her, he thought. Something that made him happy. She was caring and smart and funny and sexy and a whole bunch of other things that made him never want to let go.
“Did you buy linens?” she asked, distracting him from his thoughts.
Was she asking about his sheets?
“For the bassinet,” she explained.
“I did. They’re very Pooh.”
He showed her the flat sheets he’d bought, along with a Winnie the Pooh blanket.
“No pillow,” he added. “Babies don’t use pillows, and we’re not supposed to put the blanket in the crib, either.”
The corners of her mouth turned up. “I’d heard that. Garrick, I’m just going to say it. You’re ready for Joylyn’s shower.”
“You sure?”
“Yes. You’ve prepped as much as you can. Saturday morning Carol and I will be here at nine to help you pull it all together. Then there will be nothing to do but get out of the way and watch your daughter have a wonderful time.”
“I want that for her.”
“I know you do. It’s one of your best qualities.”
“Yeah? What other qualities do you like?”
She pressed her mouth to his. “Want me to start at the top and work my way down?”
“I do. Very much.”
“Even with Joylyn five feet away in her bedroom and my son next door?”
He sighed heavily. “Soon,” he said.
“The sooner the better.”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
WYNN OPENED GARRICK’S front door to find three young women standing on the doorstep. She’d already let in the three party girls from a few weeks ago, so didn’t recognize these friends.
“We’re here for Joylyn’s shower,” the tall, dark-haired one said with a big smile. “We’re the surprise.” Her smile faded a little. “We told her dad we were coming yesterday, and he said it was fine.”
The Marine wives! Garrick had mentioned they were going to try to make it, and here they were.
“It is,” Wynn said, stepping back to let them in. “I can’t believe you drove all this way for a baby shower.”
“We miss Joylyn,” a petite, obviously pregnant brunette said. “We’re sorry she moved out to live with her mom.”
“She misses you, too.” Wynn waved them into the house. “We’re all out by the pool.” She pointed to the hall bathroom, then led the way out to the back patio.
Joylyn looked up and saw her friends, then shrieked as she got to her feet.
“Are you really here? I can’t believe it. You came from so far away.”
They all hugged, then Joylyn started on introductions. There were her college friends, two of the women from her birthing class and now the Marine wives. Garrick circulated among all of them, getting everyone drinks and putting the presents on a table by the small lawn.
Wynn slipped back into the house just in time to see Carol pull up. She hurried outside to help her friend, who had stopped to pick up the last of the food.
“I drove about five miles an hour,” Carol said with a laugh. “I didn’t want to ruin anything.”
They carried in big pink bakery boxes. Once in the kitchen,