July ended, The phone calls between Tulsa and Rio Rancho were frequent, but no one could seem to get away. Isaac finally called in mid-August and asked Taryn if she would bring the girls to Oklahoma for Labor Day. “We could celebrate Iris’ birthday, too,” he suggested. “I know it’s early, but I know my mom would get a kick out of throwing her a little family party.” Taryn was at work, editing a story a correspondent had just e-mailed her. She was just harried enough that a long weekend away sounded extra appealing.
“You know what, Isaac? I think that’s a great idea,” she said. Isaac was startled. He had expected the usual reasons for not leaving New Mexico to come up … work, Iris had this thing or that thing to go to, someone was coming into town to visit. “Really?” he asked hesitantly. “Really,” Taryn said. “In fact, I have some vacation time coming. I could probably take the Thursday and Friday before and the Tuesday after too. What do you think of that?” Isaac was reeling. He was going to have Clara and Iris in Tulsa for almost a full week. “God, Taryn, that would be great,” he said. “So it’s settled,” Taryn said. “I’ll fill out the vacation request right now and get our reservations made.” “I want to pay for the plane tickets,” Isaac said. “Isaac, no,” Taryn said. “That’s way too much.” “I want to,” Isaac insisted. “This is really, really nice of you to do this for me. And besides, the court order says that I’m supposed to be responsible for all of Clara’s travel expenses anyway.” So Taryn relented, and days later the plane tickets arrived in her mailbox. Taryn and her daughters arrived at Tulsa International Airport the Thursday morning before Labor Day, and were greeted by an enthusiastic Taylor and Zac. “Isaac is at the hotel making the arrangements,” Taylor explained. “We’re supposed to take you there.” After they collected their bags, they started out to Taylor’s black Jeep. “Oh, no, Tay,” Taryn said. “What are we going to do about a car seat?” Taylor grinned. “Ike thought of everything,” Taylor said. “He bought one this morning. He put it in my car himself … he didn’t trust that I could do it right.” Taryn smiled in spite of herself. Good old Isaac. He was always thinking. After Clara was securely in her new car seat and Iris and Zac were strapped in on either side of her, Taryn and Taylor climbed into the front seats.
“I hope you don’t mind that I took the top off,” Taylor said. “There aren’t going to be many more really warm days, and I just wanted to squeeze out all the summer I can.” Taryn shook her head. “It’s great,” she said. “I knew I got all my hair cut off for a reason.” Taylor started the jeep and pulled out of the parking garage.
“Ike is so jazzed about Mom and Dad and all the little ones meeting Clara,” he said. “I feel more nervous now than I did the first time I met your parents,” Taryn confessed. “I guess I feel guilty. I made your mom some promises I didn’t keep.” Taylor smiled. “My parents are incredibly gracious people, Taryn,” he said. “They’re not even going to bring it up.” Taryn raised her eyebrows. “Are you sure about that?” Taylor nodded. “Positive,” he said. “They just want to get their hands on this baby.” Minutes later, Taylor pulled into the parking lot of the Marriott Courtyard in Tulsa. “Here we are,” he said. “Wow,” Iris said, craning her neck to look upward at the tall building. “This is a nice place.” “That’s my brother,” Taylor said with a grin. “He’s a real classy guy.” Taylor and Zac carried all the bags into the lobby, and Taylor went to the desk and asked for the room number. Their room was on the third floor, so they took the elevator up. Once on the right floor, Iris skipped ahead while Zac carried the baby and Taylor and Taryn lagged behind a little. “I wish I could get over being so nervous every time I know I’m going to see him,” Taryn said. Taylor smiled. “I hope that I’m still getting butterflies after I’ve been in love with the same person for almost two years,” he said. Iris, Zac and Clara were already in the room by the time Taryn and Taylor caught up to them. Taryn caught her breath as she saw Isaac, who was hugging both girls at the same time. Isaac looked up and smiled at Taryn. “Hi,” he said. “I’m glad you’re here.” Taryn smiled in relief. “Good,” she said. “In that case, I’m glad we’re here, too.”
and faded peacefully into August. The Hansons were busy with their work, and Taryn got a promotion to features editor, which put even more demands on her already thinly spread time.
