Short Story-A Writing Surprise-Day 5

Thanks so much for joining us this week. This is the final part of my birthday gift to you, a fun short story. I hope you loved it, or that it at least made your week a bit brighter.

If you need to catch up, the first day is here, Tuesday is here, Wednesday is here, and Thursday is here. Enjoy the end!

​Rachel mulled over what she thought she heard in the background on Chris’s end. Had his GPS actually told him to take the exit she was about to turn on? Maybe she assumed that’s what she heard because it was on her brain.
“We’re getting close now.” Kathy pointed to the right. “It says turn here and go about five miles.”
“Sounds good.”
“Are you rooming with someone or did you reserve a room to yourself?” Kathy leaned back. “I hate sharing a room. I always fear my snoring will keep them awake.”
“Oh. No. I’m rooming with someone I met at a local group a year ago. She’s coming up from a different direction. But we both needed the discount.”
“I understand. Anyone who thinks writers do this for the money are crazy. I always want to apologize to my accountant when I turn in my expense report at the end of the year.” Kathy rambled on for the rest of the ride and even halfway through the state park as they meandered their way through cathedral-like trees and past the golf course.
Rachel gratefully parked and grabbed her two bags before heading into the hotel and conference center. She’d check in to her room first and then figure out where everyone was meeting. The man at the counter held up a finger while finishing up a phone call.
“Yes.” He hung up and lifted a brow.
“I have a reservation. Rachel Hall.”

“Yes.” He typed something in the computer. “Your roommate has already checked in.”
“Great.” Rachel accepted the key card from him and then followed the signs to the third floor.
No one was in sight when she opened the door, and the view through the glass windows on the other side of her room drew her across without noticing much else. The lake shimmered down below, and peace washed over her as she took in the idyllic scene. If she couldn’t write here, she wouldn’t be able to write anywhere.
A shuffling sounded behind her and the bathroom door opened. She turned and dropped her bags. Chris stood before her, a sheepish expression on his face, flowers in his hands.
“What are you doing here?”
“I might have looked on your phone and gotten your roommate’s number a few weeks ago to work it out that I could pay for her to have her own room if she’d let me come up and surprise you.” He took a step closer. “I know it’s not the cruise you always wanted to take for this anniversary, but I didn’t want to spend it apart, either.”
She swallowed a lump in her throat. She wanted to say something, but it was like writer’s block had taken over her tongue. He was here. For her.
“Rachel? Are you okay with this?” His face went from expectant to worried. “I knew it was a long shot, but I hoped it would go over better than the coffee did this morning.”
Guilt kicked her in the gut. “Oh, no. Chris, are you kidding me? This is amazing. I didn’t do anything for you. Not even saying ‘thanks’ for all the little things you did this morning or making sure the kids were okay so I could attend this retreat—Wait. Who’s taking care of the kids?”
“My mom. She was about fifteen minutes late this afternoon and Maddie panicked. But she’s there now. I promise.” He set the flowers down and stepped even closer.
“You’re amazing.” She moved into his arms. “But this isn’t going to be fair to you at all. I’ll be attending sessions and there’s a dinner tonight ...”
“I’ve already been invited to join you for the dinner. As well as lunch and dinner tomorrow and any sessions I might find interesting. Though I’ll probably work while you do those.”
“I felt so guilty leaving you for this.”
“Don’t. Even if I hadn’t been able to work this out, you needed to come. You’ve spent so much time taking care of us, this is your time. Now that the kids are older and my company is more established, you can finally go chase this dream. And I’m behind you one hundred percent.”
“I woke up thinking this was going to be the worst anniversary ever. Even trumping that one where we both got food poisoning.”
He grimaced.
“But you’ve made it the best.”
“It’s my job, right?”
“You’re my favorite poet, you know.” She pressed a kiss to his lips. “Thank you for the coffee and the card and taking care of the kids and arranging this surprise and giving me your support. I’m so glad we’re doing life together.”
“Me, too. How about twenty more years?”
“Oh, at least!”

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Well, what do you think? Was it everything you hoped? I came up with idea a few years ago when I was at writers' retreat, believe it or not. I just didn't do anything with it and decided this would be a fun time to pull it out.

Wishing you could give me something for my birthday? You can, and it only takes a few minutes. Reviews are the best gift you can give an author, so if you haven't already left a review for one of my books, go drop a few lines on amazon, goodreads, bookbub or anywhere else you find them to let others know what you thought.

And thanks to all who have already blessed me that way. I'm glad I could share this birthday week with you!