Total pages in book: 71
Estimated words: 68004 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 340(@200wpm)___ 272(@250wpm)___ 227(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 68004 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 340(@200wpm)___ 272(@250wpm)___ 227(@300wpm)
“I’ve always wanted a big family. I was an only child,” she told him.
“As frustrating as mine can be, I wouldn’t switch places to a smaller one.”
“I don’t blame you.”
Silas opened the door, allowing her to enter first.
Expectant faces turned as she walked inside. The sea of males all stood as one as Silas ushered her further into the room.
“Hello,” she greeted them nervously.
“Hello,” they all said in unison.
“I was wondering how much longer you would be. I was about to put the roast back in the oven to keep it warm.”
A cheerful female voice had Alanna turning her head toward the woman she hadn’t noticed standing beside the biggest table she had ever seen. Every inch of the table was filled with empty plates waiting to be filled, and the rest was taken up with the smorgasbord of dishes that had her stomach growling.
“Silas”—the woman smiled, breaking the embarrassing moment—“you better make the introductions quick. I hear your stomach growling from over here.”
Flushing, Alanna gave her a thankful glance for trying to spare her feelings. “I’m afraid that was me.” Placing her hand on her stomach to smother the rumbling sounds, Alanna regretted not eating the breakfast that Deputy Porter had brought her. “I was too nervous to eat breakfast this morning.”
Way to go, Alanna, she scolded herself, just blurt out that you just came from a court hearing.
Becoming further embarrassed, she was unaware that her bottom lip started trembling.
The woman came around the table to link arms with her. “I was nervous the first time I met them, too,” she confided in an overloud whisper. “I was so nervous all I wanted to eat was cranberry sauce. It’s a comfort food for me.”
Giving her a warm smile, the woman introduced herself, “I’m Ginny.” Urging her away from the doorway, the woman pointed to the line of men that started by Silas. “That’s Jody. Next to him is Jacob, then Moses, Ezra, and the youngest is our Fynn. Don’t let his height fool you. He’s only twelve, so if you catch him playing his computer games before his homework is done, tell Silas.
“Ginny …” The boy gave a loud groan.
“He will play the games nonstop if we don’t keep an eye on him. He’s gotten good at sneaking in the other boys’ homes to play their games if Silas is here.” Giving her younger brother a playful glare, she released Alanna’s arm to move toward the last man, whom she hadn’t been introduced to yet, and took the child from his arms to settle him comfortably on her hip.
“And last, but not least,” she said, giving the man a loving smile that had her catching the love apparent between the two, “my husband, Gavin. And the one chewing on his fist is Freddy.”
She loved babies. If the intimidating man weren’t standing so close behind them, she wouldn’t have been able to hold back from touching the child.
“He’s beautiful,” she said softly, staring at the child wistfully and seeing she was expecting again.
“We like to think so.” Ginny gave her a questioning glance. “Would you like to hold him?”
Alanna raised her eyes from the toddler to the father. At his nod, Alanna held out her arms.
Ginny gave her a curious look at the motion, but brought the child closer to her. Alanna took the baby and settled him on her hip the same way Ginny had done.
“You’ve been around children.” Ginny smiled, tugging her hair away from her son’s clutching fingers.
Alanna smiled, too. “I was placed in a group home when my parents died. In emergencies sometimes, they would have to take in younger children until a foster parent became available. The staff would always let me hold them when they couldn’t get them to stop crying.” Alanna used the bib to mop up the drool sliding down Freddy’s chubby arm.
“They felt safe with you,” Ginny said, smoothing her son’s hair down.
Alanna breathed in the baby smell of baby powder that always filled the constant void of loneliness she lived with every day. “I knew they were scared.” She automatically rocked the child when he started crying after his hand slipped out of his mouth. Finding it again, he became content once again.
The door opening behind them had Alanna turning her head to see Matthew and Isaac coming inside.
“Good. Now we can eat,” Ginny proclaimed.
Alanna felt herself blushing when Matthew’s eyes landed on her holding the child. She could have sworn she felt her womb clenching at the way he stared at her. Burying her face in the little boy’s neck, she breathed in his calming scent.
“Alanna, do you care to buckle Freddy into his highchair for me? Gavin, can you carry the roast to the table? Boys, take your seat before the food gets cold.”
Relieved to have an excuse to move away from Matthew’s gaze, she carried Freddy to his highchair. Making sure he was safely buckled, she didn’t immediately take a seat when she was finished.