Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 81176 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 406(@200wpm)___ 325(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81176 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 406(@200wpm)___ 325(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
With Clare going to her family’s this morning, it gave me and Angie time alone, and it had been nice to talk to my sister and get caught up on what else was happening in her world. I felt guilty for being so focused on myself since my return to Boston, and not on my baby sister.
Once Clare got back home, we swung by Angie’s place so she could change, then headed out of the city. I pulled up and parked behind Finn and Rory’s car. Angie drew in a deep breath and slowly exhaled.
Turning to face her in the backseat, I said, “You’ve got this. Finn and Preston are one hundred percent behind you, sis.”
She nodded. “When should I tell them?”
I glanced to Clare.
“I think if it was me, I’d want to get it out of the way. Otherwise, you’re not going to enjoy your Christmas.”
“By the way,” I asked, “I didn’t ask, what is Reece doing today?”
Angie’s body slumped. “He’s home at his condo. I invited him and he laughed. Said he didn’t feel like dying today.”
Opening my door, I laughed. “Smart guy. I like him.”
Christmas at the Ward house was always my favorite time of year. It was crazy, loud, and full of love. Add in two grandbabies and two daughters-in-law, and it was practically heaven if you asked my mother and father.
The second we walked in, my mother zeroed in on Clare.
“Clare! My goodness, how wonderful that you’re here!” She hugged Clare and looked at me as she gave me a thumbs up. “I knew that day when I saw the two of you kissing that you were both in love!”
“Mom,” I groaned as I looked at my father who simply shrugged.
“Maybe Mom will be so engrossed with you and Clare, she won’t even notice me,” Angie whispered as she took off her coat.
“Angie, sweetheart. Are you here alone?” Mom asked as she walked up and kissed Angie on the cheeks before hugging her.
“Yes, Mom. I’m here alone.”
Mom frowned. “That’s a shame. Well, don’t you worry. Did I tell you about Luke, my friend Trish’s son? He graduated from Purdue this fall!”
Angie looked at me with pleading eyes. Clearly Mom could be happy about me and Clare and still try to fix up her last child.
“Mom, what did you say was on the menu?” Preston asked as he walked up and distracted our mother by whispering something to Presley, who quickly ran up to Mom and demanded she show her what Santa had brought her that morning.
Angie walked up to Preston. “Thank you for using your daughter as a weapon for the cause.”
He laughed and pulled her in for a hug. “Congratulations are in order.”
With a single nod, Angie looked around the room. She looked exhausted. “I should just tell them now.”
“It would make for an interesting Christmas, that’s for sure,” Preston stated.
I motioned for us to move on. “Come on, let’s not stand in the entryway and make it any clearer you’ve got a secret you’re hiding.”
My mother soon forgot all about Angie being alone and homed in on Clare and me by asking a million questions about our relationship. We decided not to mention anything about my stupid plans to win Mandy back.
“Jennifer, honey, I know you’re happy about Wes and Clare, but give them some breathing room!” Dad urged.
Smiling at us from her end of the table, she said, “I’m just so happy. All three of my boys have found love.”
Then her eyes swung to Angie. “One more to go!”
“Jennifer…” Dad warned again. “Not today, okay? Let’s just have one day of no matchmaking.”
Mom frowned. “Is it so bad that I want all my kids to be happy.”
“How do you know I’m not happy?” Angie asked.
All eyes went to my sister as no one said a word.
Mom wiped the corners of her mouth with her napkin. “Are you happy? Are you dating anyone?”
“Mom, I don’t have to have a man in my life to make me happy.”
“I know this.”
Clare cleared her throat. “Angie is going to be working for the Boston Red Sox organization.”
I was really hoping Clare was confident that Angie would get the job, considering she barely spoke to the VP about her.
“What?” Finn, Preston, and my father all said at the same time.
Angie gave Clare a look that said she was grateful for the change in subject.
“Angie, when did this happen?” Mom asked.
Sipping her water, Angie put it back down on the table. “Yesterday. Clare told me there was a position that would be opening that she thought I would be perfect for. It’s working in the marketing department after I graduate. It’s not final yet.”
“But I’m positive she’ll get it,” Clare added.
“That’s wonderful, sweetheart,” Dad said as he lifted his glass. “To our Angie, working for the Sox.”
Everyone toasted, and soon smaller conversations broke out among everyone. After telling our mother to go and play with the grandkids, the rest of us, minus my father who was crashed on the sofa sleeping, got to work cleaning up. We were all soon packed into the kitchen with Harmony and Rory talking to Angie.