Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 100713 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 504(@200wpm)___ 403(@250wpm)___ 336(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 100713 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 504(@200wpm)___ 403(@250wpm)___ 336(@300wpm)
“Yes. He loves it. I don’t let him have it that often, because it’s just a bowl full of sugar, but it distracts him in a pinch.”
“Got it. But I think we’ll be fine.”
A few minutes later, Elliott and I headed out. He wore the pink boots again today, with blue jeans and a gray hoodie. The unicorn barrette I’d noticed yesterday was fastened in his hair again. I wondered if kids ever made fun of him for liking “girly” things like unicorns and the color pink. Yesterday Maddie had mentioned wanting him to grow up unafraid to be himself—did that mean he’d already been subjected to mean comments or name-calling? I glanced at the little guy walking next to me, so excited to help out and spend time caring for the animals, and felt a wave of protectiveness.
“Come on,” I said, nudging his shoulder. “We can start by feeding the goats.”
After the morning chores were finished, we went back inside the house, where the aroma of sautéed onions made my mouth water.
In the kitchen, Maddie was pulling a big iron skillet full of eggs from the oven. My father sat at the table in his pajamas and robe, his hair messy. But he appeared to be enjoying his cup of coffee and I saw no sign of Cap’n Crunch.
“Wow,” I said, as Maddie set the skillet on top of the stove. “What’s that?”
“Nothing fancy,” Maddie said. “Baked eggs with greens and caramelized onions. You guys were quick out there.”
“It was quick because Elliott was so helpful.” I smiled at her son. “He’s really good with the animals.”
“The goats are my favorite,” said Elliott, who’d left his dirty boots in the mudroom next to mine and stood beaming in his socks. He hugged himself. “They’re so cuddly.”
“Go upstairs real quick and wash your face and hands,” said Maddie as she sprinkled parmesan cheese over the eggs, “and you can tell me all about it.”
I scrubbed my hands at the sink and poured another cup of coffee before sitting across from my father. The table was set for four, complete with actual napkins, not just paper towels. A plate stacked with toast and a bowl full of green apple slices was out, as well as a pitcher of orange juice. “Morning, Dad.”
“Morning.” He glanced over at Maddie in the kitchen and spoke conspiratorially. “That lady was here when I woke up.”
“That’s Maddie Blake, remember? She arrived yesterday. She’s going to stay with us a couple weeks.”
“She seems nice,” he said. “And she reminds me of someone.”
“Oh yeah?” I lifted my cup. “Who?”
“I’m not sure. Maybe it’ll come to me.” He shrugged. “She said she’d take me to town today.”
“What do you need in town?”
“To get a haircut,” he said, as Maddie set a trivet on the table and the iron skillet on top of it.
Rather than remind him he’d just gotten a haircut yesterday, I chose to move on, recalling how his doctor had told me that trying to set the record straight all the time only led to anger and frustration for both of us. “This looks incredible, Maddie. Thanks for making breakfast. We don’t normally eat so well in the morning, do we, Dad?”
But my dad was studying Elliott, who’d sat down in the chair next to him. “Who are you?”
“I’m Elliott,” he said, reaching for a piece of toast.
I spoke loudly and clearly. “Elliott is Maddie’s son.”
“Oh.” He studied Elliott for a moment. “Are you staying here too?”
“Yes,” Elliott replied.
“Well, good. That’s good.” My dad nodded in satisfaction. “You’ll like it here. Sometimes they don’t let you out when you ask, but mostly the people are nice.”
“Thanks,” I said drily, taking another sip of coffee. Maddie laughed softly beside me, placing a hand on my knee. She only left it there a second, but my body reacted as if she’d unzipped my jeans beneath the table.
“I told your father I’d take him into town later,” she said, serving Elliott some eggs.
“See?” my dad said, pointing at her as if I’d accused him of lying about her offer.
“That’s fine, as long as it’s not too much trouble.” I shifted in my chair, trying to adjust the crotch of my jeans, which had grown hot and tight.
She smiled as she handed Dad the spatula. “It’s not.”
“Beckett said he’d take me for a ride in a four-by-four,” Elliott said excitedly. “He has to go check on the fences and he said I can come and maybe even drive.”
“If it’s okay with your mom,” I said quickly.
“It’s fine.” Maddie placed some apples on Elliott’s plate. “But you have to finish your whole breakfast.”
“And he said he can teach me how to hit home runs today!”
Laughing, Maddie sat down and picked up her fork. “That’s a lot in one day.”
“I’ve got some help this afternoon, so I should be able to finish up what I need to by about three,” I explained, serving myself some eggs. “And then I thought I’d take Elliott over to the ball field for a little batting practice.”