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)
“How are you doing? Are you feeling okay?”
My hand instantly went to my stomach, which had been feeling unsettled this morning. I wasn’t sure if it was nerves about seeing Caden or if I was actually coming down with something. “I’m feeling wonderful.”
She smiled finally. “That’s good. And the store’s doing well?”
“Yes! We were so busy these last few weeks leading up to Christmas. Moreen was such a huge help, and the two seasonal girls I hired have been great.”
“I heard you hired Sammy from the orphanage. That was so kind of you to do that.”
“She’s amazing. I’ve actually decided to keep her on to work the shop on Saturdays and Sundays. It’ll give both Moreen and me a much-needed break. I don’t even remember the last time I had a full weekend off.”
Vivianne grinned. “That’s wonderful. I’m glad to hear the store is doing so well.”
There was a tapping sound against glass, and everyone turned toward Emeline, Levi, and Rhett, Levi’s six-year-old son.
“We have a bit of an announcement to make,” Emeline said, as she beamed at everyone.
Vivianne took my hand in hers. “Oh dear. Here we go!”
“What’s happening?” I whispered.
“The best news!” Vivianne replied, adding a wink.
Once all eyes were on Emeline and Levi, they exchanged smiles.
She nodded, and Levi cleared his throat as he motioned for Katie and Jimmy to join the three of them. My hand flew to my mouth, and I couldn’t help the smile from stretching across my face. I knew what was about to happen.
“Emeline and I have both talked it over with our families, and of course with Rhett, and we’ve decided to start the process of adopting Katie and Jimmy.”
A few surprised gasps filled the air, before someone yelled out congratulations. Soon, everyone was surrounding the little family of five.
I felt tears prick the back of my eyes and quickly blinked them away. Emeline was beaming with happiness, and for a hot second, I was jealous of the love she’d found. Then I felt guilty for feeling that way.
“You okay?”
The deep voice beside me sent a prickle of awareness through my core. I glanced over my shoulder at Caden, who was studying me.
I nodded. “I am. I’m so happy for them.”
He smiled. “Did you know?”
Shaking my head, I let out a breath. “I had a feeling something was going on, but I didn’t press Emeline for any information. How exciting.”
“My sister’s never looked happier.”
“You don’t think she’s taking on too much? An instant family of five?”
He shook his head as he watched his sister. “Look at her. I think this is something she’s always longed for, and particularly with Levi.”
“A family?” I asked.
Caden’s gaze returned to me. “I can remember when she was around six or seven, my mother made me go to her room to play with her. I had to sit at this tiny little table, with all her dolls and stuffed animals around it. We were having afternoon tea.”
I smiled at the image. “I would’ve loved to have seen that.”
He chuckled. “She used to pretend she was the mommy to all of them, and I was their favorite uncle. She told me once that she had two dreams. One was to ride a horse every single day for the rest of her life, and the other was to have a big family with lots of kids.”
I quickly wiped a tear away. “And both dreams came true.”
His head tilted slightly as he regarded me. “What are your dreams, Lili?”
The use of his nickname for me made my entire body warm. I shrugged. “I don’t know. I mean, the store was a dream.”
“Did you used to play tea and have all of your dolls and animals sitting at a table?”
Laughing, I replied, “I think every little girl did at one point growing up.”
“Not me!” Ensley stated, as she walked over to join us.
Caden laughed. “You had all of your horses and that barn Dad built for you. If I remember, you wanted to be a vet for the longest time.”
“Blame Emily Elizabeth from Clifford the Big Red Dog for that. She wanted to be a vet, and so did I.”
“Remember when you asked Santa one year for a Clifford dog? You were so pissed when you opened your present and found a stuffed Clifford. You set it back in the box, looked at Mom, and asked if Santa was real, because you did not ask for a stuffed dog.”
“You didn’t,” I said with a giggle.
Ensley grinned. “How do you remember all of this stuff?”
Caden shrugged.
Looking at me, Ensley said, “I was so mad. I remember wanting to take that stuffed dog and chuck it out the window. Mom obviously realized I was pissed, because she quickly told me I had one more gift. Then they brought me outside, and Uncle Jason was holding the most beautiful Suffolk Punch I’d ever seen.”