Total pages in book: 38
Estimated words: 36691 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 183(@200wpm)___ 147(@250wpm)___ 122(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36691 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 183(@200wpm)___ 147(@250wpm)___ 122(@300wpm)
“Hey, Dad!”
“Merry Christmas,” I tell him. “How’s it going there?”
He shrugs. “It’s pretty cool. The lodge is huge. JD’s a riot. He said I can call him that instead of Mr. Davis. And Mr. and Mrs. Westbury said I can call them Liam and Josie. I never realized how popular Liam’s band was until we got there. Dad, the ladies were going crazy, screaming his name. It was sort of embarrassing. I mean, I was embarrassed for the women.”
“I’m sure Liam appreciates you taking his side. I can’t imagine living like that.”
“Yeah. Same with Quinn, too. Only a couple people recognized Noah and that was after someone went gaga for Liam. I never want to be famous.”
I laugh. “I hear ya, bud. How’s everything else?”
“It’s good. We’re going on this really long snowmobile ride tomorrow. Elle found a diner but it’s only accessible by snowmobile, so we rented some and went there. The food was okay, but the ride was fun.”
“Have you opened your presents yet?”
He nods. “Yes, thank you for everything. I don’t how you managed to get the Griffey cleats, but I’m so grateful. And of course, the new phone is awesome. Peyton said she’d help me set it up later.”
“You’re welcome. Did Liam like his gift?” Mack has taken a liking to photography and captured a moment between Liam and Betty Paige. When I saw it, I told him he should print it and give it to them, but Mack had a better idea.
Mack’s face lights up. “He loved it. He says he has some camera equipment back home and we’re going to look through it when we get back.”
“That’s great. What else have you done?”
“Lots of snowboarding. We met, like, an Olympic snowboarder. His name is Rush. He’s pretty cool. I think Eden likes him.”
“How’s Noah?”
“He’s good. He plays with the baby a lot because he doesn’t want to get hurt. He and Peyton have to leave before everyone else, I think.”
“Baby? What baby?” I’m not aware that any of their crew was pregnant. Surely, Josie would’ve said something, or Paige would’ve told Mack.
“Uh, Peyton’s mom and dad are adopting, but not yet. It’s whatever comes first. His name is Oliver. He’s pretty cute, and has chubby cheeks. But he cries a lot.”
“Yeah, babies do that.”
“Where’s Mom?”
I should’ve been prepared for this question, but I’m not. “Mom’s working,” I tell him. “She should be back in town in a few days and then she can call.”
“Doesn’t she have her phone?”
“Cell service is spotty at times.”
“Where’s Amelie?”
“Hang on, let me get her.”
I walk back into the house and call for her. “Come outside, please.” Service is better outside and too unreliable once I go in doors. “Mack’s on the phone.”
Amelie beams, which I find funny. Days ago, she wouldn’t look at him. I hand her the phone and step back to give her some privacy.
“Hey, Mack. What day is it there?”
“Christmas,” he tells her. “So, Merry Christmas.”
“You, too. They don’t really celebrate it here. Dad and I did presents by ourselves.”
“Do you like it there?”
“Oh yes, there’s lots to do. Guess what!”
“What?”
“I don’t have to go to real school. I’m going to learn with the locals.”
“That’s cool. I’m jealous.”
Amelie giggles. She’s definitely going to school at the American International School. This is one thing I won’t give in on. Amelie needs an education.
“One of my friends is coming. Here’s Dad.” Amelie waves and then brings the phone over to me.
“She’s already popular,” I tell Mack. “But she misses you.”
He laughs. “I’m sure she doesn’t. At least not yet. It’s like she’s on vacation.”
“That’s true.”
“I should probably go,” he tells me. I want to ask him what he’s doing or why he has to get off the phone, but I don’t. I have to trust that Liam and Josie are treating him as their own and have set some rules down for him.
“All right, well tell everyone I said hi. I’ll call you in a couple of days.”
“Okay. Hey, Dad?”
“Yeah, bud?”
“When are you coming back?”
“In a couple of weeks. I need to get your sister registered in school and make sure she has a nanny available.”
“How come Mom doesn’t take care of her?”
Good question. “Mom’s going to be busy working. There will be times when she can’t come back to where they’ll be living right away. Besides, whoever we hire will be able to help with your sister’s homework and dinner.”
“Then why doesn’t she just come back with you?”
I do my best to keep my expression neutral. “She wants to try living here with your mom. We’ll come visit though. Once baseball season’s over.”
“Okay.”
“Is Noah around?”
“Yeah, one second.” Mack drops his phone and then yells for Noah. “Dad wants to talk to you.”
I smile at Mack’s use of the word “dad” when he talks to Noah. When Liam returned, I thought I’d lose the boy I had raised. I wish Aubrey could see how much she was a part of bridging the gap between Josie and me, when it came to Noah. He taught me how to be the father I am today. His face and torso appear on the screen and Peyton waves behind him.