Total pages in book: 66
Estimated words: 63004 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 315(@200wpm)___ 252(@250wpm)___ 210(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 63004 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 315(@200wpm)___ 252(@250wpm)___ 210(@300wpm)
Vivianne bit down on her lower lip, then released it. “I’d love to join you for Christmas and help.”
Mom clapped, while Dad, David, and I all smiled. Knowing that Vivianne would be coming home with me, seeing the ranch and spending time with my family, made me happier than I could have ever imagined.
“This is going to be a wonderful Christmas,” Mom said, beaming at my father. “I just know it!”
He agreed, turning to me with a wink.
Vivianne
Dinner was excellent, and Ladd’s parents were a dream. We were all standing out in the parking lot as I watched Nellie and Gus hug their sons goodbye.
Nellie turned to me and pulled me in for a hug. When she stepped back, she was giving me a full-on toothy grin. “I’m so happy you’ll be coming to River Falls this Christmas. The idea of you being here alone didn’t sit right with me.”
“Thank you for inviting me.”
“And you’re sure you don’t mind helping me with the Christmas Day event?”
“I don’t mind at all. I’m looking forward to it.”
“I do hope you like to bake because we’ll be doing a lot of it. This will be so fun! With me having four boys, I always longed for a girl to bake with me at Christmastime!”
“Okay, Mom,” Ladd said, walking up and gently drawing me to his side. “You’re going to scare her off.”
With a wave of her hand, Nellie replied, “Pish, I’ll do no such thing.”
Gus gave me a quick hug before opening the door to his truck for his wife. With a wave of his hand, he slipped into the driver’s seat, and we watched them drive out of the parking lot.
“They’re not staying the night?” I asked.
“Yeah, they are, then they’ll drive home in the morning,” David replied.
Ladd added, “They do it all the time. Just come in for a day or two.”
“They must miss you guys a lot if they drive here just to have dinner with you.”
Both men chuckled.
“We’re lucky to have parents like Nellie and Gus,” Ladd said, as he held my door open for me. It reminded me of his father doing the same for their mother, and I couldn’t help but smile. The apple clearly hadn’t fallen far from the tree.
Once the three of us were in the car, Ladd asked, “What did you think of them?”
I let out a soft laugh. “I adored them. They’re so sweet, and you can tell they love not only you two, but each other. The way your dad held your mother’s hand was so sweet. I don’t think I’ve ever seen my father hold my mom’s hand.”
If Ladd was surprised I’d brought up my parents, he didn’t show it.
“They’ve always been that way,” David said from the back seat. “I can remember one time at school, they came to have lunch with me and Ladd. Dad kissed our mom, and all of our friends yelled about how gross it was. I thought it was sweet, but I went along with the guys.”
Ladd laughed. “I remember that. I also recall that on more than one occasion, a friend of mine told me how lucky I was to have my parents. They’re not afraid to show their love for one another. By the time we got to high school, our friends were so used to it that they never thought twice about it when our dad came in from the field and swept Mom into a hug and kissed her. Or started to dance with her in the middle of the kitchen if their song came on.”
David laughed. “They have more than one song, too!”
I felt pressure in my chest…and realized what I was feeling was jealousy. The most I ever saw my father and mother do was give each other a small peck in the morning.
“That’s nice that you all grew up in such a loving house.”
“I take it you didn’t?” David asked.
With a lump in my throat, I managed to get out three words. “No, I didn’t.”
“David, you want to go back to the house, or should I drop you off somewhere else?” Ladd asked, clearly changing the subject.
“Home is cool.”
Ladd headed toward their place and pulled into the driveway to park.
“See you tomorrow,” David said as he got out. “See ya around, Vivianne!”
“Bye, David,” I replied, as he headed toward the house. Turning to Ladd, I smiled. “You’re staying the night?”
“Hell yes, I am. An empty house to ourselves? That’s a no-brainer.” We drove for a few minutes in silence before Ladd asked, “So you really don’t mind coming to River Falls for Christmas?”
Smiling, I reached for his hand. “I’m honored your mother invited me. I’m looking forward to seeing what she does for the kids at the orphanage.”
“It’s only her second year doing this. Last year was a huge success, and she learned a lot, so I’m sure this year will be even better. Thank you for helping her.”