Total pages in book: 110
Estimated words: 107803 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 539(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107803 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 539(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
I took the plates from my sister and headed to the dining room, but not before saying, “That was nice of you to invite them.”
My mother followed Emeline and me into the dining room. “It’s their first Christmas in town, and I really want them to feel welcome and relaxed. Especially poor Lilibeth. She must be stressed, since finding out she has to look for a new place to live.”
I was putting a plate down on the table and stopped midway. “Why?”
Mom sighed. “Larry White, who owns that little place she rents? The heater went out a few weeks back, and he had to replace it. Then the refrigerator died, and he had to buy a new one. Then there’s an ongoing problem with the garage door, and there’ve been some other issues. I guess he told Lilibeth it’s becoming too much, and he’s going to have to sell.”
“Did he offer to sell it to her?” I asked.
Emeline answered. “He did, but she can’t afford it right now with the store and all.”
“Is the store profitable?” I asked, as I set the last plate down.
“It is, yes,” Emeline replied. “But I think Lilibeth is trying to save up for something bigger. Her place is so small.”
I nodded and glanced at my mother. “What else can I do?”
“If you don’t mind getting the stuff out of the pantry for the hot chocolate bar. We’re having friends over this evening, as well, for some games.”
Emeline and I both froze and said at the same time, “Games?”
“I thought Gatlin was kidding,” Emeline stated.
Our mother grinned. “Yep! Now that we no longer have to worry about setting things up for the kids tomorrow since we pushed the date out a few days, we can do all the fun things on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day! I’m so excited.”
We watched her walk to the kitchen.
“Did she really just say we’re playing games tonight?” I whispered.
Emeline let out a low groan. “I’d better go warn Levi.”
“Better tell Ensley and Gatlin, as well. It’s not too late for them to fake being sick.”
“What?” Emeline said with a laugh. “That’s terrible, Caden Wilde.”
I snarled my lip. “Please, like it didn’t cross your mind.”
Screwing up her face in the most adorable way, she giggled. “It did!”
Dinner was a roast with potatoes, carrots, and green beans that our grandmother, Nellie, prepared. Uncle Mike and Uncle David were there as well as their wives. Unfortunately, our Uncle Jason, an NFL coach, was on the road because his team was playing on Christmas Day, but that’s not unusual with his career.
Rhett, Emeline’s son by marriage, ran through the house with his two close friends, Katie and Jimmy Mills. They’d lost both of their parents in an accident and were currently being fostered by my sister and Levi.
“Those kids sure do get along,” I said to Levi before I took a drink of my beer.
“They do. They’re thick as thieves, just like we were at that age.”
I smiled as I watched Emeline bend down and whisper something to Katie, who seemed upset by something the two boys had said or done. She was going to make a wonderful mother someday.
“Speaking of Katie and Jimmy, Emeline and I were going to talk to everyone, since both of our families are here tonight.”
“About?” I asked, my curiosity piqued.
He suddenly seemed nervous.
I playfully punched his arm. “Levi, I’m your best friend. If you can’t tell me what’s going on, who can you tell?”
He swallowed hard before saying in a lowered voice, “Emeline and I are thinking of adopting Katie and Jimmy.”
I was pretty sure my eyes were as big as the dinner plates. “Wow. Okay, that’s a big news bomb.”
He nodded and rubbed the back of his neck. “I know, but it’s something we both feel pretty passionate about. Rhett already loves them both as if they were his brother and sister. My biggest worry was that he might be using them to replace Brooke.”
Brooke was Levi’s daughter, who was killed in a car accident nearly a year ago.
“I don’t think he’s trying to replace her. I think he’s found two kindred spirits who can remind him that it’s okay to be a kid again.”
Levi smiled, his eyes filled with relief. “Thank you, Caden. I needed to hear that.”
I placed my hand on his shoulder and squeezed. “No matter what you and Emeline decide to do, Levi, you know we’re all here to support you.”
He nodded. “I appreciate it. I hope someday, you find someone as amazing as your sister and you’ll be as happy as I am.”
I forced a smile. “Who knows. I’m not holding my breath.”
I heard voices from the front of the house as my mother raced past us. “The Mitchels are here. It’s time to start the games!” The Mitchel family owned the ranch next to ours.