Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 87260 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 436(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87260 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 436(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
With a quick glance over my shoulder, I said, “She knows something we don’t! Quick! Do some stretches!”
Haven looked shocked when I grabbed her hand and pulled her to the side of the living room and started doing some jumping jacks.
“Nate?” she softly asked. “What is happening?”
Turning to her, I said, “It’s too late to do any reconnaissance work, if someone knows the games, they won’t tell us now.”
Looking even more confused, Haven asked, “Reconnaissance work?”
Josh made his way over to us. “Rose knows something.”
“I know. I saw her stretching.”
Josh leaned in closer. “I saw Lincoln earlier today blowing up orange balloons.”
“Orange balloons?” Haven and I both asked in unison.
“And my father made a podium. He’s been trying to hide it from me, but I saw it.”
“Wow, you guys really take game night seriously, don’t you?” Haven asked with a lighthearted laugh.
When Josh and I both turned to her, her smile faded. “If we break up into teams, you need to be ready, Haven.”
She swallowed. “Ready?”
Josh and I both nodded.
Her hand came to her chest as she searched the room. “I wonder if my mom needs to leave?”
“I need everyone out back. Grab something warm to wear, but dress in layers!” Uncle Brock called out as he motioned for everyone to follow Uncle Ty.
Grabbing Haven’s hand, I gave her a slight tug. “The chance to save yourself is over! Let the games begin!”
Chapter Fifteen
HAVEN
I wasn’t sure what in the world had happened to Nate. It was like a switch went off when Brock had announced it was time to start game night.
My mother walked up next to me and leaned in to whisper, “They take game night seriously here, don’t they? Did you see how everyone instantly started putting their…game faces on?”
“I noticed,” I replied. “I think it’s too late to say we’ll sit this out.”
“What are they carrying!” my mother said, jerking her head to where Josh and Brock were walking.
“What does he have in his arms?”
“Sacks, Haven. Burlap sacks. I think this is going to get physical.”
I laughed. “I’ve never heard of any horror stories on the local news about the game nights, so I think we’re fine.”
Brock stopped, dropped the sacks, and then turned to face everyone. On one side of the large backyard, there were ropes set up to make lanes. Thank goodness the snow had stopped falling; otherwise, it could get a bit slippery. The other side was where all of the orange balloons were. There was also a smaller course next to the big one, and a smaller patch of balloons next to the larger patch. I was guessing those were for the little ones.
Brock clapped his hands and got everyone’s attention.
“First game up is the pumpkin patch stomp.”
All the little kids jumped and cheered.
“Mom and Lincoln will be in charge of the kiddos’ games. They are the only two who have an exemption from participating in our event. Everyone else is playing.”
“Oh, dear,” my mother whispered.
“How are the teams going to be divided?” Rose called out.
“Girls against guys!” Lily shouted.
Before I knew it, the women were on one side of the yard, and the men were on the other. The kids were already playing their game and not paying attention to the grownups at all.
“First up, the sack races,” Brock stated with what I could only describe as an evil smile.
“Gather around, ladies!” Rose called out.
Once in the circle, I noticed Sophia was on my left, Kipton was on my right, and Rose was in the middle.
“Okay, I’m pregnant and not so sure the race is something I should participate in. Anyone else preggers?”
Everyone glanced around the circle, and all eyes landed on me.
“Me?” I squeaked out. “Why are you all looking at me?”
A few of them shrugged as my mother’s eyes went as wide as saucers.
“Well, I can tell you, I’m not pregnant.”
“Anyone else?” Rose asked, slowly scanning the group. Once she was sure no one else was pregnant, she smiled. “Okay. I discovered they are drawing names on who is going up against whom. I want you to give it your all, ladies. We have a streak of winning anytime it is girls against guys.” Her eyes found me again. “Are you prepared to give it your all?”
Sophia cried out, “She is! She’s a fighter!”
Everyone clapped, including my mother.
“Mom? You’re doing the sack races?” I asked.
Giving me a look that said I had just asked a stupid question, my mother laughed. “Of course, I am.”
“But…you just said?”
Waving me off, my mother clapped her hands and cried out, “Let’s beat the guys!”
Rose pointed to my mother. “See, that’s what I’m talking about, people. Get your game faces on!”
They all put their hands in the middle, and I quickly joined.
“On the count of three, women rule. Got it?” Rose asked. “One. Two. Three!”
“Women rule!”