Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 82165 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82165 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
“Thank you?” I replied as I looked at Kian, who was still trying not to laugh—very unsuccessfully.
Doug walked up and looked at Millie first. “Hello, little darling.”
“Hi, G-dad!” Millie said in the cutest voice.
Looking from his granddaughter to me, Doug smiled. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Waterford.”
“Please, call me Cadie.”
His smile grew bigger. “Cadie, it is. I see why my son is so taken with you.”
I felt my cheeks heat.
“Why is your face red, Cadie?” Millie asked, placing her little hands on my warm cheeks.
Lacy cleared her throat and made her way over to Kian while Doug said hello to Jack. Lacy kissed Kian on the cheek, then turned to Mark and did the same before spinning on her heels and heading to the house.
She hadn’t uttered a single word to either of them. When I looked at Kian, he shrugged and smiled, but gone was the laughter. Instead, it was a sad smile that graced his handsome face.
Macy reached for her daughter. “Didn’t I tell you? Come on, Millie, let’s give Aunt Cadie’s arms a break.”
When Macy called me Aunt Cadie, my heart felt like it kicked against my chest. Had she meant to do that, or was it a slip? Either way, I liked the sound of it.
Kian wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me closer to him. “So, that was my parents.”
“Your mother barely even gave the kids a hello.”
“That’s more than what she used to do for us when she and Dad would come home. We would be lined up out front. She’d get out of the car and stop in front of each of us, give us a once-over, then walk into the house.”
I slowly shook my head. “That pisses me off.”
He chuckled as we walked slowly to the house. “It used to Macy as well, but she’s moved past it. We’ve just gotten used to it.”
“What about Millie and Jack? You don’t think it bothers them that their grandparents simply pat them on the head and give them a simple hello?”
“Will has amazing parents and they spoil those kids, so they’re not lacking in love.”
I huffed. “Well, I guess one set of grandparents’ love is better than none.”
“And two very loving parents. Will told me earlier he took a desk job, so he will be home a hundred percent of the time. Maybe that will make Mark not be leery of him if he’s home more.”
“Mark doesn’t like Will?” I asked.
He rolled his eyes. “He said he didn’t trust him, but I think that’s just a Mark thing. I’m sure that will be great for all of them now that their dad will be home and not on the road. I know Macy hated him gone all the time.”
Smiling, I said, “Well, that’s nice. Will he be happy with just a desk job?”
“He said he’s been trying for years. He hates traveling and hates missing out on the kids’ activities so I imagine he will be.”
“What are you two whispering about?” Mark asked as he walked up next to us.
Kian looked at his brother and said, “The tales of Mom and Dad and their endless bounty of love they have to give.”
Mark let out a bark of laughter. “Oh, man, I needed that laugh.”
Once everyone was inside, Sally ushered us into the dining room, where the table was set with beautiful china and crystal. Lacy barely even looked at Sally as she walked around the table surveying everything. She picked up a fork, turned it around, and set it back down. Was she honestly inspecting everything? Good Lord, who is this woman?
“Everything looks good, Sally. I hope you remembered my requests for the menu.”
I reached for Kian’s hand, and he squeezed it.
“For this evening’s meal, you will start with prosciutto-wrapped asparagus as requested. The main course will be roast beef, potato gratin, and sauteed Brussels sprouts.”
Lacy simply nodded her head once. “And Easter?”
Sally cleared her throat. “Honey-baked ham, mashed potatoes, creamed corn, and lemon orzo salad. We also have the delight of having dinner rolls and homemade crescent rolls that Cadie made.”
All eyes went to me, and I felt my face heat. Kian squeezed my hand again as Macy smiled in my direction.
“Easter’s dessert will be sour cream lemon pie and sugar cookie bars. Both made by Cadie as well.”
Lacy looked at me and smiled, but it wasn’t genuine. “What is for dessert this evening?”
Sally and I exchanged a look. “Carrot cake cheesecake bars.”
“Let me guess, baked by Cadie,” Lacy said, folding her arms over her chest as if my baking dessert for everyone was a crime.
“Wrong. I made them.”
All eyes turned to see Opal standing there. A wide smile plastered on her face. Millie and Jack ran to her and threw themselves at her. I dared to take a peek at Lacy to see if she was bothered that her grandchildren were happier to see Opal than her. She wasn’t even watching. Instead, she held one of the crystal glasses up to the light. I resisted rolling my eyes.