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)
Leaning in, she whispered, “I just hate calling it an orphanage.”
I nodded. “Do they not come to the barn?”
“They do,” she replied. “But it’s become a tradition that they all spend the morning together, preparing gifts for the little ones. Even though they know they’ll receive other gifts today, they make them dolls.”
“Nellie told me about the dolls. That is so sweet.”
She nodded, and tears formed in her eyes before she quickly blinked them back. “They all like to have something to hug when they go to sleep. Years ago, kids used to get a doll when they first arrived, but budget restraints eventually made it impossible. So the older kids started making them. They spend most of the year doing so. And it evolved into gifts they give them on Christmas morning.
“With the Wildes now inviting the younger kids over for breakfast, the older ones decided it would be the perfect time to put the dolls on their beds. That way, when the kids come back, it’s like Santa’s left them all a surprise. And with the Wilde family doing Christmas here, the center can use those funds we’d normally use to buy them each a present and put it toward the classrooms. We try to make it feel like the kids have their very own school at River Falls Haven.”
A lump formed in my throat and I pressed my lips together tightly to keep from crying. This information made me fall even more in love with my future in-laws.
Nellie clapped her hands. “The food is all ready, so we’ll have the children come up first and make their plates.”
Turning to Lily, I asked, “How can I help this morning?”
She grinned. “Pick a little one.”
“Ms. Lily, can she help me?” Logan asked.
Lily looked at me, and I replied, “Of course I can.”
I was stunned to see how smoothly the breakfast line went. After the kids and the people from River Falls Haven sat down with their plates, the family and friends followed suit. I wanted to stay and eat with Lily and the kids, but didn’t want to ignore Ladd and his family, or their guests. So I ate half of my breakfast with them, then excused myself and finished eating with the kids. I spoke with each one, trying to learn a little bit about them and the staff members who’d brought them.
When breakfast was over, and Ladd, David, Jason, Mike, and LouAnne went outside with the staff and kids to play for a bit, I asked Lily if I could speak with her.
“I won’t keep you long,” I started. “I’m going to be moving to River Falls after I graduate from school this spring.”
She smiled. “I heard you’re engaged to one of the Wilde boys. Congratulations.”
“Thank you,” I replied. “I plan on trying to get a teaching job, but I’d love to volunteer at the…center.”
Her eyes lit up. “That would be amazing. I’ll give you my phone number, and we can chat about it more. Would you be interested in teaching there? It wouldn’t be full time, but maybe you could do a couple days a week?”
I felt my heart soar. “I love that idea. We’ll talk again as the date of graduation approaches. Thank you, Lily. I’ll let you go. I need to get to the kitchen to help clean up.”
Lily reached for my hand. “Thank you, Vivianne. These kids are so wonderful, and to have people like you and the Wilde and Mitchell families take the time to show them love like this…well…it means a lot to them.”
I squeezed her hand before she turned and headed to get her coat to go outside and play with the kids.
When I turned to make my way into the kitchen, Ladd was standing behind me.
“Oh, hey!” I said as I walked up to him.
“Everyone has been telling me how lucky I am.”
Raising my brows, I asked, “Why is that?”
“Because you said yes.”
I laughed. “I’m the lucky one.”
He shook his head. “Viv, seeing you with the kids this morning, and how you took the time to talk to every one of them. Plus, you made sure to spend time with us first…it didn’t go unnoticed by me or anyone else. Your heart is so beautiful.”
I chewed on my lower lip before I exhaled. “I know how those kids feel. The only difference between me and them is that my parents were around. As far as they were concerned, I was just a prop that was only good for when they needed me. But at least I had a home, food, and clothes. These poor kids…”
My voice faded, and he took my hand and drew me to him. “My mother was nearly in tears as she watched you. This event means so much to her. I love you both for how much you care for others.”