A Package Deal

Waterton Getaway (Chapter 19)

With everyone, including Finnegan, strapped in the rental vehicle, Ignazio looked over his shoulder and said, "OK, Addie, are you going to be my navigator?"

"What's that?" she asked.

"It's the person who gives the driver directions."

"Oh, OK. Let's go."

Better on gas than the Beast, Gabby took Ignazio along 'The Cowboy Trail' down to Waterton.

"This would be a great stretch of road to drive a sports car along. Southern Alberta has such beautiful rolling hills, gorgeous mountains, and golden fields."

"If you think this is gorgeous country, next time I'll take you on some fantastic windy roads in Kananaskis country."

"Deal!"

***

Arriving at the Waterton campground, Gabby spotted her in-law's trailer.

"Hey, you made it!" Kate said, leaning on the passenger window.

"Which site is for us?" Gabby asked.

"That one," Kate instructed, pointing to the campsite to the left of theirs.

"Hi, Gramma!" Addie hollered from the back seat.

"Hi, Chicklet."

Parking the car, Ignazio hopped out of the SUV. Walking up to the older woman in a plaid shirt overtop of a white T-shirt, khaki cropped jeans, and grey sneakers, he could tell she still possessed the features of a striking woman despite the top knot on her head and glasses perched on the end of her nose.

"Hello... I'm Ignazio," he said, extending his hand and flashing his best smile.

Opening her arms, Kate beamed and said, "I'm a hugger." Engulfing Ignazio, she made him chuckle. "It's nice to meet you," she said, releasing him to pick up her granddaughter.

"Is your husband here too?" she heard Ignazio ask.

"He is..." she said, "he's just gone to get firewood."

"Oh, OK. Should we unload the SUV now or wait?"

"Go ahead and unload," Kate instructed, sliding her hand around her daughter-in-law's arm. "Addie, Mommy, and I need to go for a walk, so you stay here with Ignazio and Grampa. Maybe Ignazio can help you get Finn some water."

Taking hold of Ignazio's hand, Addilyn called for Finnegan to come.

"So, this is the man you're dating?" Kate questioned, walking towards the lake.

"Yes."

"You know Dad, and I love you and have always encouraged you, especially this past year, to date again. When we heard you had met someone, we were super excited. Then, when your parents said his

name was Ignazio, it wasn't hard to put the pieces together. I mean, come on, you went to New York to see Il Volo, and how many Ignazios' are there? As far as I know, there is only one, and he is at our campsite. Why did you feel that you couldn't tell us yourself?" Stopping to sit on a bench overlooking the water, Kate grasped Gabby's hand and asked her to look at her. "Did you think we wouldn't like him?"

Shaking her head, Gabby's eyes filled with tears.

"What is it then?"

As another tear replaced the one wiped away, followed by a third, Gabby started.

"I had a tough time allowing Ignazio to love me because I feared what it would do to my relationship with you and Dad. I feel Alex is happy I'm moving on, but I didn't want to hurt you." Having a challenging time trying to keep control of her emotions, Gabby's voice faltered and she mumbled, "I'm sorry."