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)
Gus grinned. “Ladd snuck into your room and changed it. We wanted you to sleep in since you’re our guest.”
My mouth dropped open. I hadn’t even paid attention to what the clock said when I slapped it to turn the alarm off.
I turned to Ladd with a raised brow. He just grinned. “I knew you’d be up at the crack of dawn to help. I wanted you to get some sleep. Today is going to be busy.”
“He’s right,” Lilith said, walking up and kissing me on the cheek. “Merry Christmas, sweetheart.”
“Merry Christmas, Lilith.”
“Vivianne,” Nellie said, “I’d like you to meet Rachel Mitchell.”
“Oh, I just met your husband, son, and daughter,” I said as we shook hands.
“I’ve heard so much about you, Vivianne.”
I felt my cheeks heat as everyone in the kitchen turned their focus on me.
Rachel smiled at me. “Everyone is so happy about the engagement and thrilled to have you become part of the family. I’m looking forward to getting to know you.”
“Thank you so much, Rachel. I’m looking forward to getting to know you and your family, as well.” Glancing around, I asked, “What can I do to help?”
Nellie looked about the kitchen, then back to me. “You can start bringing the food to the dining room and setting it on the table, I suppose.”
I jumped into action. I’d never seen so much food in my entire life. Even at events I was allowed to attend with my father and mother, I never saw such an abundance. Those usually just had hors d’oeuvres. There was a platter full of waffles, one with pancakes, cinnamon rolls that Ladd said had gingerbread spice in them, a hash brown casserole, ham and cheese croissants, bacon, a few different quiches, biscuits, deviled eggs that resembled little Christmas trees, sausage balls, and bowls of fruit.
“Do you think there’s enough food?” LouAnne joked as she set a platter down on the large sideboard in the formal dining room. It was set up buffet style. A small table had been added at the end of the sideboard, holding paper plates and plastic silverware.
“I don’t think I’ve seen so much food.”
She laughed. “We wanted to be sure we had enough for the kids from the orphanage.”
My heart soared. “That’s wonderful!”
“They’re here,” Jason called from somewhere in the house.
“That’s them,” LouAnne said, squeezing my arm and motioning for me to follow her. “Let’s get the rest of the food out.”
Following her back into the kitchen, we brought out all the food, with Ladd and David’s help.
Chatter quickly filled the house as a group of children came into the dining room, led by Nellie.
“It smells so good!” a little girl with curly blonde hair said as she walked in, holding Lilith’s hand, followed by someone who I assumed worked at the orphanage. The little girl couldn’t have been more than five. My heart ached knowing she was just a bit older than what my own daughter would be. What was she doing today? Was she having fun celebrating the holiday? Were her adoptive parents spoiling her? I closed my eyes and I drew in a deep breath before opening them once again and surveying the kids. They didn’t have any parents or family to love them. I instantly felt a connection with all these kids.
I walked over and bent down to her eye level. “Hi, I’m Vivianne. What’s your name?”
She smiled brightly. “My name is Logan.”
“It’s so nice to meet you, Logan. And Merry Christmas!”
Bouncing on her toes, she replied, “Merry Christmas to you too! I’m so excited! I heard Santa came and left us gifts in the barn. Is that true?”
I nodded. “It sure is. But first, we have to eat Christmas breakfast. Are you hungry?”
“I am! I’m always hungry!”
Laughing, I stood and introduced myself to the woman who looked to be about my age. “Hi, I’m Vivianne Pennington.”
“Lily Waters. I work at River Falls Haven.”
“What do you do there?” I asked as we got Logan settled in a seat.
“I’m a teacher.”
My eyes widened. “You are? What do you teach?”
Logan pulled on Lily’s sweater. “Ms. Lily, may I have waffles?”
She bent down. “Yes, darling. You can have whatever you’d like. Once everyone gets their seat, we’ll get up and make you a plate.”
That was when I looked around and saw the kids all sitting down. My heart broke in two. They were all really young, ten years old and younger, if I had to guess.
My hand went to my chest. “Oh dear,” I whispered. “They’re all just babies.”
Lily gently touched my shoulder. “The older kids have their own Christmas celebration that they do back at the center. The Wilde family makes a big donation for food and decorations for their event.”
I noticed she didn’t call it an orphanage. “I’m not surprised to hear that. Did you call it a center?”