Strength and growth come only through continuous effort and struggle .- Napoleon Hill
CHAPTER #7
Scott was still sulking from his father's visit. He didn't mean to take it out on his friends, but his bitterness leaked out everywhere. He was distant with Shelby and that resulted in them having a fight. They bickered back and forth.
"Give it a rest already!" Daisy said with annoyance.
"Mine your own business," Scott snarled.
"You make it my business when you fight in front of me."
Scott stomped off to go chop wood.
"What's his problem?" Daisy asked.
Ezra rolled his eyes, "you mean what isn't? Since Scott's visit with his dad, he's been a jerk."
Shelby nodded, "tell me about it. I'm not in the mood to make out and now suddenly I don't love him any more."
Chris grinned, "boyfriend troubles... wow that sounds so normal."
The others all looked at her and then grinned. Shelby said, "and we are so NOT normal. Puts things into perspective. I guess I should make up with him."
"Rule #1- you make the guy grovel a little before you forgive him for stupidity," Chris said.
"Please just put the rest of us out of our misery," Auggie complained.
"Alright, keep your pants on." Shelby got her jacket and headed to the wood pile.
As soon as Scott saw her he began to apologize. "I'm sorry Shelby. It's not you, it's me and Dad. He still blames me for what Elaine did."
"I'm sorry too Scott, we just shouldn't take it out on each other." She pulled him behind the wall of wood and they embraced.
He leaned his head against hers and sighed. "You're the only thing that makes me smile and have hope."
"That's the weight of the world on my shoulders," she teased.
Scott smiled sadly. She felt bad for him and caressed his face, using his hair to pull him to her. She kissed him gently, until he responded. His tongue danced inside her mouth, in such a way that she groaned. Their hands reached for each other, needing to be closer, needing that intimacy.
"Hey Scott? Where are you?" Auggie called. Then he came over to the wood wall, "Dude, Peter is about to come outside. You two don't want him to catch you like that."
Suddenly both Scott and Shelby appeared, fixed their clothing and grinned. "Thanks for the warning. I better go," she said.
"You two really need to find a chance to be alone. Your sexual tension is just oozing over all of us." Auggie said to Scott after Shelby left.
They picked up the wood chunks and continued stacking the wall. "I know, but we want some time, not have it rushed. She means more to me than just a quicky."
"It'll definitely take some planning and effort, but we'll figure something out to get you two alone."
"Thanks Auggie."
Peter came over to the wood pile, bringing with him two guys from the Trackers, one from the Ridge Runners and a girl from the Sun Dogs. "I have a secret project for you all. As you know Sophie and I are engaged. With everything that's been going on, we haven't had time to even think about getting married. But I want to do it by the end of this spring. So this is what we're going to build."
"It's a gazebo right?" Auggie asked. "So why not use the one already made?"
Janet rolled her eyes, "because actions speak louder than words. He has to put the labour of love into this union. Guys...." she rolled her eyes.
"This one is smaller I think," Scott said looking at the basic sketch.
"Exactly. It's where the minister will marry us. The girls are working on their own secret project, to help make this wedding come together. Janet from the Sun Dogs and Kyle from the Trackers are working on the architectural design. We are their labourers."
Everyone shook each other's hands and began discussing the construction. They made a list of tools and equipment they would need to get started. Then they went into the forest to find the best wood for the construction.
"Peter how are you going to explain what we're doing to Sophie?" Kyle asked.
"I haven't thought of that yet," Peter admitted.
"Just tell her it's a place for one on one sessions to be held outside," Scott suggested.
"Meat, now you're thinking." Auggie slapped Scott on the back.
"That might work, I'll worry about it when she asks. Just think guys and girl, that you'll all get a party out of this."
"Now you're talking!" Janet said, a big smile filling her face.
Back in the lodge, Juliette, Shelby, Chris and some of the other girls, were planning Sophie's wedding.
Chris asked, "how are we going to figure out the wedding dress?"
Susan said shyly, "I can design one. That's my thing, making clothes. I just need fabric and her sizes. One of her dresses will do all that and show me her taste."
"Wow, that's amazing. I guess Peter will get whatever fabric you need."
Juliette sighed, "the one thing about my mom constantly getting married, is that I'm a pro at weddings."
"Peter said we'll get a dance out of it for everyone, you know the after party." Shelby added with a wink.
"What about food? There has to be a menu of sorts. Maybe both their favourite foods?" Chris asked.
"Do we know how long we have to do all this?" Daisy inquired, always the practical one.
"Well Peter said the end of Spring at the latest. The guys are building something for the wedding, once that's done we have to be ready."
They brain stormed, made lists of things they would need and then got to work doing research. Each of them wanted this to work out, but all of them had different reasons. Whenever Sophie was near, they made sure to hide their research or talk about a completely different topic. She had a strange feeling they were up to something, but she could never prove anything.
Between classes and chores, they worked on their special project. The girls even helped haul the wood, which got them out of having to go for runs or other physical tasks. Peter showed the guys how much he trusted them, by teaching proper use of a chainsaw and allowing each of the labourers to use it to cut down a tree. That made the work faster than just using an ax. What couldn't be dragged by hand, they used the quad. There was a sense of accomplishment as the structure began to form. Same with the details of the wedding falling into place. When the girls saw Susan's design for Sophie's wedding dress, they giggled and gushed, giving her lots of praise. Even Daisy wore a smile that reached her eyes. Working together, even though it was a struggle, was very rewarding for all of them.
