Total pages in book: 57
Estimated words: 54287 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 271(@200wpm)___ 217(@250wpm)___ 181(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 54287 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 271(@200wpm)___ 217(@250wpm)___ 181(@300wpm)
We hear the mower shut off, and Mom turns to Alexis. “Will you tell your papaw and Davis to clean up for dinner?”
Excited to be appointed to such an important job, Alexis runs out the door in search of her papaw.
After everyone is cleaned up—and Davis has his shirt back on—we sit down for dinner. The talk around the table revolves around Alexis, and eventually I have to put a stop to her asking a thousand questions.
“Thanks for dinner, Brenda. This is the best meal I’ve eaten in a long time.”
My mom blushes at Davis’ compliment. “Well, now, I’m hoping you come over more often. We still have Sunday dinner every week, and we’d love it if you come. And of course, if you have a lady friend, or any friends, for that matter, they’re welcome. You know around here, the more the merrier.”
I look at my mom with a pained expression. Did she really just encourage him to bring dates to dinner? Of course she did. Because she wants to make him feel welcome. There’s no way I can sit across from him and a girlfriend. I blow out a breath and look at Davis. He’s staring at me, and I try to smile to cover up my thoughts.
He’s looking at me curiously, and I stare down at the plate in front of me. We make it through the rest of the meal, and when my mom brings out a plate of her famous chocolate chip cookies, Davis literally salivates.
Instead of eating a cookie, I lean back in my chair and watch him as he enjoys his dessert.
He points to the platter. “You not eating? I promise I won’t eat them all.”
I shake my head. “No, I’m going to pass. You enjoy them.”
Alexis grabs a cookie and takes a big bite. “She’s addicted to sweets.”
“Alexis,” I say with my face red.
She just shrugs. “What? That’s what you always say. And then you talk about how when you eat something sweet, you can’t lose weight.”
My mouth drops open, and I stare at my beautiful daughter wide-eyed. Not only am I mortified to be talking about my weight in front of Davis, but I’m ashamed of myself. This is not what I want to be teaching my daughter. Not at all.
I open my mouth to try to explain, even though I’m not sure what I need to be saying to make things better when Davis turns in his seat. “You know what, Alexis?”
She takes another bite of her cookie. “What?”
“Your mom is perfect just the way she is. She’s beautiful and doesn’t need to change a thing.”
Alexis just nods. “I know. I’m never going to give up cookies to lose weight. Cookies make me happy.”
Everyone at the table laughs. I can feel my mom’s eyes on me, but all I can do is look at Davis. He just said he thought I was beautiful.
There are a few different reasons why he could have said it, but it doesn’t matter. He gave me something—and taught my daughter in the process. I mouth thank you to him and then look over at my dad. I need to get out of here and put some distance between Davis and me. Already I can see myself completely falling for him, and that can’t happen.
“Is it okay if I borrow your lawn mower? Mine is still in the shop.” I raise my hand. “And don’t worry, I know now to have my lawn mower serviced in the winter instead of in the middle of mowing season. It’s going to be another week before I get mine back, but my yard is starting to look like a jungle.”
My dad looks at me proudly. “Yes, you can still use it. Davis already put it up on the trailer and hooked it up to his truck.”
Alexis leans against Davis and smiles up at him. “Davis is coming to our house to mow the grass, Momma. I told him I’d show him where Uncle Zach is going to build my treehouse the next time he’s home.”
With a smile on my face, I nod at Alexis. “Let’s help Grandma clean up and we’ll get going.”
Mom is already up out of her seat. “Davis, I’m going to send some leftovers with you, and I made an extra dozen cookies for you.”
“Thank you, Brenda. They won’t go to waste, that’s for sure,” he tells her as he rubs his flat stomach.
As everyone busies themselves cleaning up, I’m piling dishes. “Davis, you don’t have to mow my yard. I didn’t invite you over to take care of all of us.”
He stands up leans over to grab the serving plates off the middle of the table. He’s so close, and our faces are inches apart. “What if I want to take care of you… and Brenda and Rick?”