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)
David’s face lit up. “As if this Christmas couldn’t get any better.”
“Lisa?” Vivianne asked.
“Lisa Townsend is the only daughter of Betty and Marcus Townsend, and David’s high school crush,” I said as I glanced at a smiling David.
He held up his hands in defense. “I won’t argue with you that Lisa was, indeed, the one who got away.”
My father let out a bark of laughter. “The one who got away? You’re only twenty, for Pete’s sake, David. I hardly think she got away. And from what her mother told me, she’s very single.”
David smiled, then it faded. “I feel bad that she never went to college.”
“Why didn’t she?” Vivianne asked.
Drawing in a deep breath, David exhaled. “She wanted to, and was planning on it. She was going to go on a cheerleading scholarship to the University of Texas.”
“Wow.”
“Yeah, she was pretty happy about it. Her dad, who runs the local grocery store in town, got really sick and passed away right before she was set to graduate. She was in Ladd’s class.”
Vivianne frowned. “I’m so sorry to hear that.”
Nodding, David went on. “Yeah, it sucked for the family.”
“Marcus wasn’t from River Falls, but Betty is. He drove through on his way to Denver and fell in love with the town. We had a small store in town, and he bought the owner out, expanded, and gave River Falls a real full-blown grocery store, with a full-time butcher and baker,” Mom explained.
“Made such a big difference in the town,” my father added. “Plus, he added a number of jobs, of course. Which helped our little town as well.”
“He was ten years older than Betty, but the way he told the story,” Mom said with a smile, “he fell head over heels in love the moment he saw her. He asked her out, and the rest is history.”
“So did she stay in town to help her mother with the store?” Vivianne asked.
David nodded. “She did. Her mom begged her to go, but Lisa wouldn’t even hear of it. She still helps her mother run the store. We write, and I call her now and then. She seems happy. Says she doesn’t have any regrets.”
Vivianne sniffled, and for a second, I thought she might cry. “What a wonderful and selfless thing to do for her mother.”
David gave her a soft smile. “Yeah, she’s a terrific girl.”
“Young lady,” my mother stated. “She’s not a girl any longer.”
“Better get the toast going, Ladd. Everything is about done,” Dad said as he put the jar of jam, along with butter and honey, on the table.
“Can I at least help with setting the table?” Vivianne asked.
Dad grinned. “Come on, kid, you can help me do it.”
Vivianne
Breakfast was filled with laughter and stories about the boys. Nellie and Gus did their best to embarrass their kids, but all they did was laugh and reminisce about when they were younger. The trouble the four of them got into was insane, and I couldn’t help but wonder how Nellie didn’t have a full head of gray hair.
After eating, I was able to convince Nellie to let me help her clean and do the dishes while the guys helped their father with some things on the ranch. She was such a wonderful mother, and she was treating me as if I were a member of her family. My emotions got the best of me when she hugged me, kissed my cheek, and thanked me for helping. I was fighting back tears, so I excused myself to get ready for the upcoming ride.
Now I was standing at the window in my bedroom, looking down at David, Ladd, and Gus as they walked toward the barn. They were laughing, and Gus pulled Ladd to him and pretended to sock him in the stomach as Ladd pushed his father away.
Hugging my arms around my body, I closed my eyes. I had no concept of what it might be like to have parents who loved you and wanted to spend time with you. Parents who didn’t judge you for mistakes you’ve made…or disown you for them.
As I opened my eyes, I felt the tears fall. But when a light knock came at the door, I quickly wiped them away and said, “Come in!”
I turned to see Nellie opening the door and peeking in. “Vivianne, sweetheart…is everything okay?”
Forcing myself to smile, I replied, “Yep! I was mentally preparing myself for the ride.”
Nellie was dressed in riding pants and a sweater. She held what looked like a pair of riding gloves in her hands. Or I was guessing that’s what they were.
“Ladd said you’d need some riding gloves.”
I nodded and made my way across the room. “I don’t have riding pants, so I hope my jeans are okay.”
She gave me a once-over and grinned. “They’re just fine. Do you have a lightweight winter coat?”