Starting Over

Chapter 23- Mystery Illness

It got off the stage twenty minutes ago, but this is the first chance I have got to check my phone. I need to know how Bridget is doing after the reporters kept calling this afternoon. I dug through my duffle and finally find it. There’s a missed call from Bridget. She left a voicemail too. She never leaves me voicemail. That really worries me. I immediately checked it.

“Luke! I found it! It’s perfect! Call me when you can! Love you!” Bridget screamed. I could tell she was excited about something, but the message was very cryptic. I had no clue what she was talking about. 

“What the hell was Bridget screaming about?” Carter asked me from the other side of the room letting me know that Bridget’s voicemail was that loud.

“I really have no clue. I’m going to give her a call when I get back to the bus and find out,” I told him, “Whatever it was, she was awful damn excited.”

“I don’t think I’ve ever heard Bridget that excited,” Carter stated.

“It don’t happen very often,” I told him as I grabbed my duffle and headed towards the bus.

As I got closer to the bus, I ran into Kerri.

“Can you do me a favor?” I asked her. 

“What is it, Luke?” She returned.

“Set up an exclusive interview about our engagement. Reporters are calling the house and it’s driving Bridget insane,” I explained.

“Any particular reporter you want me to contact?” She asked acknowledging she was going to do as I ask.

“I really don’t care. Just someone who is reputable and will be willing to come to us,” I told her, “Whoever it is will have the only exclusive interview.”

 “Okay,” She replied, “I’ll get to work on it right away.”

“I’ve got to go. I missed a call from Bridget,” I told her holding up my phone letting her know I needed to call her back.

I decided to shower before I called Bridget. I climbed into bed and dialed Bridget’s number.

“Oh my God! I didn’t think you were ever going to call me back,” Bridget said excitedly.

“I’m sorry, baby,” I apologized, “This is the first chance I’ve had.”

“I found the perfect place for us to get married,” Bridget told me.

“Where?” I asked with a smile. This was the first time she had said anything about our wedding. We hadn’t even set a date with everything that had happened since we got engaged.

“Blackberry Farm in Galland. It’s about an hour from Gatlinburg,” She said still as excited as she was when she left my voicemail earlier.

“How did you end up all the way down there?” I asked knowing it was hours away from home.

“I just started driving. That’s where I ended up. I’m on my way home now. I sat on this hill and watched the sunset over the mountains. Luke, it was just breathtaking. I want you to see it. Do you think we could manage a day trip while your home for the CMT Awards?” Bridget asked while talking 90 miles an hour. 

“I’ll be home for over a week. Maybe we can go for the night,” I told her knowing that would just make it all the better.

“That would be great! Ugh! Stupid idiot!” Bridget yelled.

“I better let you go so you can drive. Be careful. Love you,” I told her.

“I love you. Bye,” Bridget said before disconnecting the call.