Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 79197 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 396(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79197 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 396(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
She shrugged. “You’d have to be blind not to see the way the two of you look at each other. Take it slow, Aiden. You both have things to work out separately before you take this on together.”
I nodded.
“I’m going to swing by Hadley’s room and say goodbye.”
“Thanks again, Mom, for coming over to stay with her.”
She gave me a warm smile. “Does Emma know you were on your way out to look for her?”
“No, and I’d like to keep it that way.”
Lifting her hands in defeat, she replied, “Fair enough. I’ll see you later, son.” She smiled as she headed to Hadley’s room.
Emma knocked on the door, causing me to turn. I waved her in.
“I brought my pillow and favorite blanket.”
With a tilt of my head, I asked, “Why?”
“Hadley called me on your cell phone right after you left and told me to bring them. Said we were all camping out here in the loft.”
Laughing, I shook my head. “Guess I better go make some snacks then.”
“I can, you don’t have to.”
In two steps, I stood in front of her. “You’re not the nanny tonight, Emma. As a matter of fact, I think after those kisses, your days as my nanny are over.”
She chewed on her lip. “That’s gonna stink; I need the job.”
Laughing, I kissed her forehead. “Fine, you’re the nanny only during certain hours. Why don’t you go help Hadley in her room, I’ll get the snacks going.”
When she winked and said, “Deal!” I had to fight the urge to pull her into my arms and kiss her again.
It didn’t take long before I heard a chorus of girly giggles. What was it that Emma did that made Hadley so happy? Even when she was hurt, Emma knew how to make her feel better.
I thought back to the two of them dancing to Taylor Swift. I never did ask Emma what had happened at the swim lesson to upset Hadley, and my daughter never mentioned it to me.
“Does making popcorn usually make you smile so big?”
Glancing over my shoulder, I couldn’t help but let my smile grow even bigger.
“Not usually. But when I’m making it and thinking about you and how happy you make Hadley, then yes, it does.”
Her cheeks turned pink, and she pulled her lower lip between her teeth. I groaned internally. Did she have any idea how beautiful she was?
“Um, need any help?”
I pointed to the large tray that held three small hibachi grills and all the fixings for s’mores. “Will you bring those upstairs?”
“Sure.”
When I got back upstairs, Emma had made a giant bed on the floor with pillows that I swore were collected from across the entire house.
“Wow, you two have been busy.”
Hadley bounced with joy. “Emma collected most of the pillows, and I pointed where to put them.”
Smiling, I set the giant bowl of popcorn on the coffee table that had been pushed up against the wall.
“What should we watch first?” Emma asked, making her way over to the TV.
“Spirit!” Hadley called out.
Smiling, Emma replied, “Spirit it is.”
While the movie started, I fired up the hibachis. Emma made herself one s’more, Hadley made two, and I had four, the girls laughing at my appetite.
Hadley lay back on the plethora of pillows and started tossing popcorn into her mouth. I could see she was beginning to fight the urge to fall asleep.
“Should we say our prayers before you fall asleep, Hadley?” I asked.
She nodded sleepily. “Emma, will you say them tonight?” Hadley asked.
“Oh, um, are you sure you don’t want your daddy to? He always does.”
“I’m sure.”
I winked at Emma, who nervously chewed on her lip. Then she nodded, took a deep breath, and prayed.
“Dear God, thank you so much for being with Hadley tonight. We’re so thankful she wasn’t hurt worse than a sprained wrist. Thank you for being with her in the X-ray machine earlier, when she was nervous, and thank you for allowing us to have this amazing sleepover. And, um…well…ah…” She paused for a moment before she went on. “Please forgive us for our trespasses, as we forgive those who…”
My eyes opened and I watched Emma as she fell into a Catholic prayer. Hadley peeked one eye open and stared at her, confused.
“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil…”
“Emma?” I softly asked.
Instantly, she stopped and opened her eyes. Hadley asked, “What were you saying?”
Emma looked from me to Hadley. “I…um…the Lord’s Prayer. I was saying the Lord’s Prayer.”
Hadley wrinkled her nose. “But why?”
“God moved her to, pumpkin. Let’s all say amen and get back to the movie.”
Emma finished the prayer. “Amen,” we said in unison.
The movie continued and Emma leaned over and whispered, “We didn’t pray in my house growing up. It was confession on Saturday and church on Sunday. I could say the Act of Contrition faster than my childhood best friends, Tina and Kristin…if that helps any.”