Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 80304 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 402(@200wpm)___ 321(@250wpm)___ 268(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80304 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 402(@200wpm)___ 321(@250wpm)___ 268(@300wpm)
Willow River feels like home.
Rushton feels like home.
I’m so nervous walking into Rushton’s childhood home I don’t try to pull away when he grips my hand tightly as we enter. He places the container on a small entryway table and takes my coat and purse, placing them in the closet before grabbing the container, linking our fingers together, and leading me further into the house.
“Well, you two are early. What a nice surprise,” Carol Kincaid greets us as we step into the kitchen.
“Hey, Mom.” Rushton releases me to kiss his mom on the cheek.
“What’s this?” she asks when he hands her the container.
“Crosby made cheesecake.” He looks at me and smiles. I know what he’s doing. He’s including me, and I could kiss him for it.
“Pumpkin cheesecake bites,” I clarify.
“You didn’t have to bring a thing,” Carol tells me. “Just yourself and your appetite. But thank you. These will be gone in no time.”
“Told you.” Rushton smirks.
“Mrs. Kincaid, can I help with anything?”
“Carol or Mom. Mrs. Kincaid is my mother-in-law. I think I have it all under control. I’ve got this down to a science after all these years.” She chuckles. “What you can do is keep me company.”
I nod, because my words are lodged in the back of my throat. I wonder what it would have been like growing up with a mom like Carol Kincaid and a father like Raymond. And the fact that she has so selflessly welcomed me into her home, into their lives, it’s bringing out emotions that I try to hide. The ones that are just for me. The one person I know I can always count on.
“Good to see you, son,” Raymond Kincaid says, entering the room. “Are you harassing your mother already?” he asks, and I can’t hide my giggle.
“Crosby, right?” Raymond asks. “Welcome.”
“Thank you.”
Rushton sits on a stool at the counter and nods for me to take the one next to him. I do as he suggests and watch as Raymond walks around the counter and wraps his arms around his wife and kisses her cheek.
“What can I do?” he asks her.
“I’m all set,” Carol tells him. The smile she gives him is intimate and has me looking away. I glance toward Rushton to find his gaze on me.
“You get used to it,” he tells me, not bothering to lower his voice.
“Crosby, if my son doesn’t make you feel like a queen, you let me know. There is no other way.” His dad winks before kissing the corner of his wife’s mouth.
“Thanks for the vote of confidence, Dad. I’m trying to get her to give me a chance, not scare her away,” Rushton grumbles.
I feel my face heat and duck my head.
“You two out of my kitchen. Leave us women in peace,” Carol scolds.
“I’m not leaving her here alone.”
“Alone?” Carol asks. “Am I not standing here in my kitchen?” she asks, placing her hands on her hips.
“I love you, Momma, but I want her to feel comfortable.”
Carol’s eyes soften. “I’m not going to interrogate the poor girl. I’m giving her a break. Go.” She waves her hand, and Rushton looks at me. I nod, letting him know I’m a big girl and I’ll be okay.
He stands from his stool and places a kiss on my head before leaving the kitchen.
“Now, tell me everything.”
“What?” Is she asking me to tell her what’s going on with her son and me? Can I do that when I don’t really know for sure?
“What’s been going on in your life? Read any good books lately?”
My shoulders relax. “I’ve been exhausted each night after work. I think the kids are ready for an extended break. It’s been challenging.”
“Bless you. I had nine boys, and I couldn’t imagine a classroom full that I can’t take TV or toy time away from.” She chuckles.
“I have a great class this year, but there are some hard days, that’s for sure. Especially since they’re all just learning the rules of the school and how it all works.”
“Well, my granddaughter loves school. My daughter-in-law tells me we have you to thank for that. Oh, and that turkey she made. She video called all of us. She was so proud of it.”
“She’s a joy to have in class.”
“Come on, now. We all know that our Blakely can be a handful.”
I shrug. “They all have their moments, but Blakely’s are less than the others.”
“That’s good to know.”
We spend the next half hour or so chatting about anything and everything. Eventually, she gets tired of me asking if I can help and takes pity on me, letting me pull the plates and silverware from the cabinets that we’re going to need for today’s meal. By the time everyone starts to show up, I don’t feel so out of place, and when my eyes meet Rushton’s across the room as he holds his nephew Orion, I smile and nod, and that’s all it takes for him to understand my meaning.