“Forecast says it’s going to be like this all day long,” Ted continued. “The four of us are going to get the bikes loaded and meet you at the hotel in Seneca Falls.”
“Perfect,” Abby said. “I just need to make sure everyone has a plan for the day.”
“We’re going to do the museums,” said Lou, who’d appeared at Abby’s elbow. “You and Sebastian are welcome to join us.”
Me and Sebastian? Abby stared at her. Lou stared right back, smiling brightly. Abby thought about saying, We’re not together, or I have a boyfriend. She considered asking, Why would you think we’re interested in each other, especially because most of what we’ve done in front of the group is argue?
Instead, Abby just gave Lou a noncommittal smile and went back to the dining room table to wait for the rest of the riders. When they’d all gotten breakfast and found a seat, Abby stood, tapping her spoon against the side of her coffee cup.
“So, as you might have noticed, we’ve got a little weather going on. According to my app, it’s going to rain pretty much all day, and we’d be riding toward the storm, not away from it. Therefore, I am recommending that everyone take the sag wagon to Seneca Falls. I know,” she said, before anyone could start complaining, “that we’d planned for tomorrow to be a day off, but if the sun comes out and anyone wants to ride, there’s a beautiful loop around Cayuga Lake. Does that sound okay to everyone?”
Nods around the table, with an especially enthusiastic nod from Lily, who looked like a death row inmate who’d just gotten good news from the governor. She’d probably been dreading the prospect of riding in the rain. Abby swallowed hard and tried not to imagine how Lily’s relief would be replaced by fury and betrayal if she found out what her daughter had planned. Morgan was sitting beside her mother, staring blankly at the wall, both hands wrapped around a mug. Abby clinked her coffee cup again.
“The sag wagon can take five people at a time. I called the hotel in Seneca Falls, and they’re going to do their best to have our rooms ready for an early check-in. However, we will need to go in shifts.”
“We’re going to leave right after breakfast and spend the day at the museums in Seneca Falls,” said Sue of the Spoke’n Four. She smiled proudly. “？‘Men, their rights, and nothing more; women, their rights, and nothing less.’ That was the motto of the newspaper she edited, you know.”
“Sue used to teach history,” Ted announced.
“And those who do not learn history are doomed to repeat it,” Lou said.
Abby wondered if Lily was listening to any of this. She gave Kayla a desperate look, feeling weak with relief when the other woman said, “I’m going to take Andy to look at Syracuse University this morning.” She looked at Lily. “We’d love to take Morgan along, if it’s all right with you.”
“Lily, you and I can head to Seneca Falls right after breakfast. There’s a wonderful spa there,” Eileen said, jumping in before Lily could even open her mouth to object. “I called, and they can fit us in for massages at eleven. We’ll let the kids have a day.”
“Are you sure?” Lily was looking a little bewildered as she turned from Kayla to Eileen to her daughter. “Morgan, I could come look at the campus with you.”
“No,” Morgan said. Her voice was quiet, but very firm. “I’ll be fine. You should go do the spa thing. I can go with Andy and his mom.”
“Okay, so that’s Lily and my mom on Jasper’s first trip,” said Abby, before Lily could argue or object. “Anyone else?”
“I’ll join you,” said Lincoln, nodding at Eileen and Lily. “Sebastian’s decided to ride.”
Worried murmurs rose from around the table. Abby felt relieved at how deftly Lincoln had managed to change the subject. “Seriously?” asked Ed. “In this?”
“I’ll be fine.” Sebastian was standing in the corner, holding a mug of coffee. His voice was wooden, his face expressionless. His toe tapped at the floor, like he could barely hold still.
“Okay. So Sebastian is going to ride, and I’ll ride with him,” Abby said. “The Spoke’n Four are in their RV, and Jasper will drive Lincoln, Eileen, and Lily, then come back and pick up Kayla, Andy, Morgan, Dale, and Ezra.” She turned to the Landons. “What about you two?”
“We’ve got friends in town. We’re going to spend the morning with them, and they’ll drive us to Seneca Falls after lunch,” Richard Landon said.