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)
I leaned back in my chair and placed my hands on my stomach. I waited for the tears to fall, but they never did. So I packed up my things, put on my coat, and headed to Main Street.
I parked down the block from River Falls Sporting Goods. A light snow was falling, so I grabbed my hat and gloves. Slipping them on, I got out and walked the short distance. The store had been open for less than a month, and things were still a bit hectic. When I walked in, I took my hat and gloves off and smiled.
It was packed with people. River Falls wasn’t a large town, but with a ski resort only a few minutes away in Martindale, I knew most of these people had to be tourists.
“Hi, Vivianne!”
I turned to see Janet Miller, the owner of Main Street Gifts, walking toward me.
“Janet, Merry Christmas.”
She smiled. “Merry Christmas, darling. Can you believe this?” she asked as she spun around and waved a hand. “All these people in here? I heard a lot of them are from Martindale. Just in the few weeks it’s been open, my sales have doubled! It’s bringing in folks from all around River Falls, and while they’re here, they’re shopping Main Street! It’s been the best thing for our sleepy little town.”
I returned her smile and simply nodded. Janet was one of just a few residents who’d objected when they heard about the sporting goods store, swearing it would pull business away from the other stores on Main Street. It was clearly doing no such thing.
“I’m glad to hear that, Janet. If you’ll excuse me, I need to find Ladd.”
“Yes, of course. Happy Holidays!”
I waved to her and set off for the steps that led upstairs, where Ladd’s office was located. Right before I reached them, I heard him call my name.
The second I turned around and saw him, tears filled my eyes. I hadn’t realized how upset my mother’s visit actually made me until I saw my husband.
His smile dropped, and he nearly sprinted over to me.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, giving me a once-over.
“Not here. Can we go to your office?”
He took my elbow and started leading me up the steps. “Of course we can.”
Once we were in his office and he’d shut the door, I let out a long breath and sat down. I managed to keep my tears locked away, though. I was tired of crying over my parents.
Ladd knelt in front of me. “Are you okay? Is the baby okay?”
I nodded. “I didn’t mean to scare you. It’s just, when I saw you, I got emotional.”
He took my hands in his and brought them to his mouth for a kiss. “What about?”
I closed my eyes and drew in a few breaths before focusing back on him. “My mother came to the school today.”
Ladd’s mouth fell open. “What? Why?”
I launched into the whole story…including how it ended, telling my mother that she would never be a part of my life, and that she seemed to regret her choices. I also told him that she had information about the couple who’d adopted my daughter.
Ladd had gotten up to sit as I told him the story, and now he stared at me as he slowly shook his head. “And you’re really okay?”
“I am. I mean, of course, it hurt knowing that she’d come because they need something from me, but when I said no, she didn’t argue. She accepted it and that was that.”
“Do you think she used that as an excuse to come see you?”
I shrugged. “It’s possible.”
“I’m so sorry, Viv.”
“Don’t be. I’m kind of glad she showed up. I was able to speak my truth and let her know exactly how I felt. It honestly feels like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I know the best thing I could have ever done was walk out of my parents’ house that day.”
“It led you to me.”
“It did,” I smiled. “Enough of that. Janet said that since the store opened, her shop has done double the business.”
A wide smile erupted on Ladd’s face. “I’ve heard that from a few people. Our numbers are already above what we projected. Mitch is happy. The town is happy. I sometimes have to pinch myself because I cannot believe how happy I am. You. The baby. The store. Life is good, Viv.”
I stood and made my way over to him. He was on the small sofa in his office. I took off my coat and tossed it onto the couch, and he was about to move it so I could sit next to him. I shook my head and crawled onto his lap.
“Did you notice I’m wearing a dress today?” I asked as I ran my fingers through his hair.
He dropped his head back and laughed. “Should we lock the door?”