Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 82214 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82214 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
“Well, what can I have then?”
James mimicked her humming, and when he tapped his chin, Christie smiled big. “You can have some of mine.” He sucked in his lower lip, and Christie swept him in a sudden hug.
“Thank you so much! I can’t wait.” When she released him, he was nodding.
Darlene watched the exchange, her smile warm and her face soft. She’d changed a lot in the past year, but so had I. It surprised me how far we’d come. Over the past year, Christie had helped me so much that it was amazing to see what she could do. I basically gave her a long list of tasks, but she handled them all as if she’d been in the industry longer than I had.
She’d even helped Darlene, who had to rent out a building barely six months after starting her daycare business. It was amazing watching our family grow, not just in size and security, but in love and joy.
“Hey, babe, you leaving?”
I looked up as Duke and Darlene released their outstretched hands.
“Don’t eat cake without me,” he said, throwing her a wink before he ran toward the parking lot.
Darlene and Christie sat at the table to talk. I returned to the grill and slapped on the first patty, relishing the sound of fresh meat on a flame.
Another wave of nerves surged through me, and I tried to control my breathing. I had to admit that I wasn’t sure how it all would go. I’d called Christie’s mom and told her my plans. She gave me her blessing without hesitating, but when she said she wanted to be there, I was wary of how that would go. Christie loved her mom, but I’d learned how overwhelming Mrs. Hannam could sometimes be. When she butted in, she butted in hard. I thought it was funny, but it drove Christie nuts.
“She’ll be fine,” Mrs. Hannam had said. “I am not missing out on it.”
“It’s kind of personal, though, isn’t it?” I tried, but Mrs. Hannam wouldn’t have it.
“I’ll hide if I have to, but I’ll be there.” She fought me hard and never gave in. In the end, we agreed she could set things up, but she had to stay out of sight until Christie made her choice.
***
Christie
I had never seen this side of the park, but it was clean and more open than the trails we’d always walked. Ryan’s business had made huge changes in the past year, and he and I were even talking about trying to expand in Houston now.
James was playing on the playground near the picnic tables, and Darlene was setting out the buns for the hamburgers. Darlene’s previous clients were eager to work with her in her new daycare venture, which meant the birthday boy had tons of friends to invite to his event.
“Christie, can you hand me that?” Darlene pointed to the plate full of sliced vegetables, which had started to attract flies. “And the aluminum foil,” she added.
I leaned over and snagged the plate, barely keeping a grip with one hand while the other pulled the sheet of foil from beneath the tubes of condiments.
“Is Duke coming back?” I asked, realizing he hadn’t even turned up yet.
“He had to pick up James’s gift.” Darlene winked and made her way back to the grill.
Ryan set a few cooked patties on the plates she held out, and I admired him from afar, eager for him to be done with his task.
Missy and a few kids were walking out of the trees, another collection of kids in tow trailing them excitedly. “I hope they’re not all yours!” I called, and Missy waved excitedly. When she finally reached the table, holding her large stomach, she looked overwhelmingly tired. “Dang!” I said, eyeing her flushed skin. “You could have parked on this side, you know.”
“Yeah,” she gasped, waving a paper plate so it blew air against her face. “I realized that halfway down the trail.
I gave her a half-hug and patted her back. “I’ll drive you back.”
She nodded gratefully and pursed her lips, a long breath leaving her lips. “Sarai and Bea are coming. Their kids just ran ahead.”
“You ready for your first?”
“After today, we’ll see.”
Darlene joined us, her reunion with Missy grand and full of excitement. “Your hair! Oh my gosh!” Darlene squealed, bouncing Missy’s short black curls on her palm and admiring the shine.
“Thank you,” Missy said, though her eyes were on the kids on the playground equipment. “Hey, y’all. You take turns, or your momma won’t let you play!”
“See, you’re ready,” I teased, poking her arm.
“Those kids. I swear.” Missy shook her head. “Five minutes, and they’re already driving me nuts.”
When the burgers were ready, Ryan set them on the table, and the kids were called to eat. The smaller ones started first on the ones Darlene had prepared and let cool so they wouldn’t burn their tongues. I waited until everyone got their fill, unwilling to fight for my food.