Love Letters From Ladybug Farm - Donna Ball [110]
Cici and Bridget laughed tiredly.
Then Lindsay added thoughtfully, “But you know, as much as I do like Dominic, at this age dating takes on a whole new meaning, doesn’t it? You’re past the looking-around stage, and you have to ask yourself really quickly where the relationship is going.”
“And?” Cici prompted.
Lindsay shrugged. “Easy decision. I like my life, and I like myself in it. I’ve worked too hard to get to who and where I am now to want to change anything. It’s like Lori said—romantic fantasy has a hard time competing with my real life.”
Bridget nodded. “Relationships are really all about meeting each other’s needs, and when you don’t need anything...” She let the sentence complete itself.
Cici nodded reflectively. “So true. But it’s kind of sad for the guys we leave behind, isn’t it?”
“I don’t know.” Lindsay grinned. “That doesn’t mean we can’t still have fun.”
Cici chuckled, even though it made her face hurt, and so did Bridget.
“Speaking of which,” Bridget said, “is that Dominic walking back from the orchard?”
“You know him.” There was a pleasantly affectionate tone to Lindsay’s voice. “He can’t stay away from the vines.”
“Do me a favor, will you?” Cici said. “Make sure he has lots of fun. I don’t know what we would have done with the vineyard if it hadn’t been for him, and we’ve still got a long way to go.”
Lindsay threw a paper napkin at her. “Very funny.”
“All right, ladies.” Paul and Derrick came through the door, loaded down with Paul’s luggage. “Are you sure you don’t want us to stay and help with the cleanup tomorrow? Because we don’t mind.”
Lindsay and Bridget leapt to their feet, dispensing hugs. “Are you kidding? Like you haven’t done enough!”
“You saved our lives,” Cici told Paul. She was last in line for kisses, which were delivered cautiously, mindful of her bruises. “You know you deserve the money so much more than we do.”
“But you need it more than I do,” Paul assured them. “It was a labor of love.”
“Although,” Derrick reminded him, “now that we’re about to be property owners, you might want to think about being a bit less generous.”
Paul grinned at him.
“We love you guys,” Lindsay said.
Derrick touched his fingers to his lips, and then to each of their foreheads. “My heart,” he said.
Bridget said, “And thanks, by the way, for being my secret admirer.”
Lindsay, Cici, and Paul looked surprised, and Derrick lifted an eyebrow. “How did you know?”
“Oh, please.” Bridget gave a dismissing wave of her hand. “You didn’t fool me for a minute.”
Their eyes locked in a smile for a moment, and then there was a repeated flurry of good-byes and well-wishes and promises to e-mail as soon as they got home.
Last to leave was Richard. With his leather travel bag slung over his shoulder, he stopped on the porch to address Lindsay and Bridget gravely. “Ladies,” he said, “you are ... indescribable.”
As one, they returned broad grins. “Aren’t we, though?” said Lindsay.
Richard bent to kiss Cici’s unbruised cheek. “Sweetheart, it’s been real.”
She smiled at him. “I think I’m going to miss fighting with you.”
He winked at her. “What do you want to bet I can do something to tick you off before I get to the airport?”
They stood on the porch and waved as he got into his rental car and drove off. And then they were alone.
Rebel finally freed himself of the remnants of the veil and trotted off. A breeze caught the loose end of one of the pillar ribbons and flapped it forlornly. The silence echoed.
Bridget looked around at the tattered remnants of gaiety—the spilled drinks, crumpled napkins, wilting flowers. She said, “You know that empty feeling you get after everyone goes home and you’re all alone?”
The other two nodded somberly. “The letdown,” Lindsay said.
“The adrenaline crash,” added Cici.
Bridget smiled. “I don’t feel that.”
Lindsay stretched out her legs and wiggled her toes, looking content. “That’s because we’re not alone.”
“And we don’t need a single thing,” Bridget said.
“Well,