“SURPRISE!” People shout at me from all different angles of the barn. I gasp, and my eyes go wide with shock. A beautiful, three-tier cake with chocolate frosting decorated with fresh flowers sits on top of a table in the middle of the breezeway. To the left of the table is Bailey who sits on a bale of hay next to John in his wheelchair. On the right side of the table stand Brantley, Jackie, Liam, and Sarah. But dead center behind the cake are three of the most important people in my life besides my aunt who is now gripping my hand. Mrs. Sandy, Mr. Will, and Wes. Warm tears well up in my eyes and gently spill over, slowly gliding down my face. These are not tears of sadness. No. These are tears of joy.
“Happy Birthday, Sweetheart,” my aunt whispers in my ear.
A soft chuckle escapes me as I continue to look around. The rest of the kids and the other volunteers are scattered throughout the breezeway. Some sit while others stand, patiently waiting for me to cross over the threshold and make my way into the barn. “I can’t believe you all did this.” I laugh and sniff back my tears as I walk into the barn.
Bailey stands and makes her way to me. Her small arms wrap around my middle as she hugs me. “Why didn’t you tell me your birthday was coming up?”
“It’s not a day I really like to celebrate,” I answer honestly, as I hug her back.
Slowly, she pulls away from me, and her big blue eyes hold mine. “Remember when you said that I needed to find something to bring me back to life?” I nod as I remember that conversation I had with her not long ago. “Maybe you should do the same,” she says as her arms drop back down to her sides.
Holy crap! This kid is too smart for her own good. I nod before I look around the breezeway as people begin to shuffle about, laughing and talking. They did all of this for me, because they all love me. On occasion, I might have recognized it, but now? Now, I realize it. I turn back to look at Bailey. “I think have,” I say softly. Those words hold as much conviction for me as the words ‘I love you’.
“Happy Birthday,” Liam says, wrapping his arms around me.
“Thanks.” I smile up at him.
Sarah hugs me next, as she wishes me the same.
“Happy Birthday, Kenleigh,” Jackie says, embracing me, as well. We haven’t spoken to each other since the day we had our fallout. So her heartfelt words have me feeling a little awkward. I tell her thanks as I pat her back. “I’m sorry for everything.” She sheepishly looks away from me. By her tone, I know it’s a sincere apology, but it’s still something we need to hash out and leave in the past.
I nod while smiling at her. “We’ll talk later, okay?”
“All right,” Jackie replies, turning away from me as she walks back over to where Sarah and Liam stand talking.
“Hey, Kenleigh,” John says, wheeling himself over in my direction.
“Hey, John—” I don’t even get to finish my greeting when I’m flipped over a shoulder.
“Who wants to give birthday spankings to the birthday girl?” Brantley!
“Put me down,” I half laugh, half stammer from the bouncing motion as Brantley jogs around with me on his shoulder.
His loud chuckle rings through the laughter of everyone around me. “Not gonna happen.” His hand comes down a little harder than necessary, especially for a birthday spanking, as he slaps my ass. “How old are you now? Twenty-five?” he asks jokingly.
“Twenty-five my a—butt!” I holler. My arms wrap around his middle as I search for the one person I know will save me, or for that matter, my ass. But when I find him in the midst of everyone, he’s laughing too. “Wes! Help me please!” I beg. But he doesn’t move. Instead, he shakes his head and laughs harder.
“Okay! Okay! I’ll put you down. No need to call in the bull rider. I don’t feel like having my ass kicked today.” Brantley laughs as he sets me back on my feet. I have to grip onto his shoulder to steady myself as the blood rushes from my head back to my lower extremities.
“Don’t talk like that with the kids around,” I scold, slapping his shoulder playfully.
“Yeah, yeah. Seriously though, Happy Birthday.” Brantley pulls me into a bear hug, squeezing me tight. “Wait until tomorrow night. No kids will be here, and then we’ll really have a party for you,” he whispers before he kisses my cheek and releases me.
Just as he walks away, strong arms wrap around my waist from behind. “I saw that, you know.” The warmth of Wes’ breath fans out in a whisper against the shell of my ear as he kisses it. Is that a hint of jealousy in his tone?