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)
When I walked into the large kitchen, I grinned. Sitting at the oversized table in the breakfast area was Vivianne, my mother, grandmother, and our neighbor, Liz Tucker, who also happened to be my mother’s best friend.
All of them were laughing as David stood there, a perplexed expression on his face.
“What’s going on?” I asked, walking over to stand next to him.
“I have no idea. I said one thing and they all started laughing.”
I looked from him to the women, who were still laughing, then back to him. “What did you say?”
He shrugged. “I don’t even remember, if I’m being honest.”
Dad walked by and hit David on the back. “Don’t worry, son. This won’t be the last time a woman makes you forget what you were saying.”
I laughed and reached for a carrot from the veggie tray my mother had made up. The entire table was covered with plates containing various foods. Pasta salad, veggies, fruit, dips, chips, you name it, and it was there.
“Mom, did you cook for an army?” I asked with a laugh.
She glanced at the table. “These are just the pre-dinner snacks. I’ve got a meatloaf in the oven.”
“I haven’t had meatloaf in so long,” Vivianne said.
“You’re in for a real treat then,” David said. “Our mom makes the best meatloaf in the entire state of Colorado.”
My mother’s brows lifted as Liz nodded. “He’s not kidding. It really is the best I’ve ever had.”
Mom waved everyone off. “Don’t be silly. The potatoes are done. Gus, would you do the honors?”
“Sure thing,” he said before he kissed her cheek and moved to the kitchen to make the mashed potatoes.
I sat down next to Vivianne. “My father is the head mashed potatoes guy.”
David nodded.
“Why is that?” Vivianne asked.
I shrugged. “Why is Dad always the one who makes the mashed potatoes, Mom?”
She’d left the table and was now stirring what I guessed was gravy. “He’s just always made them, not sure why.”
“I know why,” my father replied. “The first time you ever made them, you put so much milk into the pot that it was like potato soup.”
My mother stopped stirring and glanced at my father, clearly confused, before the memory must have returned—then she burst into laughter. “That’s right! Oh my gosh, I forgot all about that. And you still ate them, Gus.”
“Dad, you ate runny mashed potatoes?” David asked, wrinkling his nose.
My father poured some milk into the potatoes, then started to add pepper as he answered my brother. “Hell yes, I did. I was head over heels in love with the woman. We’d just gotten married, and it was her first time making them. Besides, I just told myself it was potato soup.”
Everyone started to laugh, and a warm feeling moved through me. Seeing Vivianne sitting here among some of the people I loved made my heart swell in my chest.
“Is there anything I can do to help?” Vivianne asked.
“You’re a guest, you just sit there and enjoy yourself,” Mom said.
“Trust me, Nellie’s the type of host who won’t let you do anything. I should know, I’ve known her nearly my entire life,” Liz mock complained.
Vivianne smiled. “That’s so nice. I take it you both grew up here in River Falls?”
“We did,” Nellie replied, before popping an olive into her mouth. “Our mothers were best friends. We were thrown together from the time we were born. They even used to dress us up in matching outfits and take our pictures.”
“I think that’s amazing. What a wonderful gift that is, to have a lifelong friend like that,” Vivianne said wistfully.
Liz nodded. “You’ll get to meet my daughter while you’re here, Vivianne. She goes to the same school as you and the boys.”
“Really?” she asked. “What year is she in?”
“She’s a senior this year as well.”
Vivianne turned and looked at me. “Have I met her?”
I smiled. “Yeah. Liz’s daughter is Mary, you met her at that poker party we had a couple months ago.”
Vivianne’s eyes went wide. “Oh my gosh! I adored Mary!”
“David, Ladd, please set the dining room table. Dinner’s ready,” Mom said.
I kissed Vivianne on the cheek before standing. Looking at Liz, I asked, “Would you mind showing Viv where the dining room is?”
Liz stood. “Not at all. Let’s go, Vivianne. They won’t let us help with anything, believe me.”
Vivianne looked at my mother and asked, “Are you sure?”
“I’m positive.”
Liz linked her arm with Vivianne, and they soon slipped out of the kitchen.
“I know we’ve already met Vivianne, but I have to say, I like her,” my father said as I walked up behind David and waited for him to hand me the plates.
Smiling, I replied, “I’m glad, because I do as well.”
“She’s beautiful, and so polite. I’m glad she decided to join us for Christmas.”
David handed me the plates before he started grabbing silverware. “She fits in already. Did you see the way Liz whisked her away?”