Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 74698 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 373(@200wpm)___ 299(@250wpm)___ 249(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74698 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 373(@200wpm)___ 299(@250wpm)___ 249(@300wpm)
After Miranda brought all the dishes to the table, Tommy carved the pot roast while we served ourselves from the bowls of mashed potatoes, green beans and warm buttery rolls. Abby and Kat sat on either side of me, chattering excitedly about our sleepover plans for later. Wade, Ethan and Trey sat across from us, Wade sneaking extra rolls while Trey tried to keep a straight face.
“Holland, would ye pass the gravy, please?” Fi asked with a warm smile.
I handed it over, swinging my legs and bouncing with happy energy.
After dinner, we cleared the dishes and moved to the living room, where, to my shock, a large cake with candles sat waiting. My eyes widened in surprise. “What’s this?”
Fi beamed at me. “It’s for your birthday, silly.”
Kat and Abby grabbed my arms and pulled me forward while Tommy got to work lighting all twelve candles.
My birthday had been the previous week, completely uncelebrated and forgotten because my dad had gotten drunk and my mom was angrily locked away in her room. Tears pricked the corners of my eyes as I looked around at the Blackburns, their faces glowing with affection. They had remembered when my own parents had not considered it important at all.
“Make a wish,” Kat whispered excitedly, and for some reason, my eyes landed on Trey. He was on the opposite side of the room, slouched in a chair with an easy smile on his face.
I closed my eyes, made a wish, and blew out the candles. Everyone cheered, and I couldn’t help but laugh, feeling warm and safe and loved.
Wade handed me a neatly wrapped package. “This is from all of us.”
I unwrapped it carefully, revealing a T-shirt inside. I unfurled it, held it up and read out loud, “Honorary Blackburn Family Member” printed across the front. I stared at it in disbelief, a lump forming in my throat.
“It was me and Kat’s idea,” Abby said with pride. “But Mom helped us get it.”
“We wanted ye to know how much ye mean to us,” Fi said softly. “Ye’re part of our family, Holland.”
Abby and Kat hugged me from either side, their small arms squeezing tight. “You’re our sister now,” Abby declared.
Wade grinned. “And sisters are supposed to keep their brothers in line, so you’ve got your work cut out for you.”
Tears streamed down my face, but for once, they were tears of joy. I had never felt so loved, so accepted. “Thank you,” I managed, my voice choked with emotion. “This means more to me than you’ll ever know.”
Tommy raised his glass of iced tea in a toast. “To Holland, the newest Blackburn. May you always feel at home here.”
Later that night as I slept on a blow-up mattress between Kat’s and Abby’s beds, I reflected on the most perfect evening ever. I knew that no matter what happened in my life, I would be okay because I was officially a Blackburn. Their love and acceptance would guide me through even the darkest times.
The phone rings again, startling me from my reverie, and without thought, I grab it. “Rhodes Printing.”
“Yes, I’m calling about an order I put in last week for my wedding invitations,” a woman says, and I immediately search for the order manifest.
“Yes, ma’am. Just a minute and I’ll look that up.”
“No need,” she says crisply. “I’ve been calling for three days to make a change and I can’t get anyone to call me back. I’m going to cancel my order.”
My first inclination is to tell her bluntly that my dad died and I’m trying the best I can and could do with a little empathy, but I resist. It’s not this poor woman’s fault, so I say, “I’m so sorry. I completely understand.”
I take the woman’s name and promise to refund her deposit. I then dive back into the mess my father left behind, knowing that was one customer the store just lost and fearful of what else I might find lurking beneath the surface of this paper jungle.
CHAPTER 5
Trey
“I thought Holland looked grand,” my mom muses as she peeks out the curtains of the formal living room. She’s keeping watch for Holland to arrive for dinner but glances back at my dad. “Didn’t she look grand?”
“Pretty as a picture,” my dad agrees.
Stunningly beautiful is my opinion, but I keep that to myself.
My family has congregated in the formal living room as it’s closest to the front door so we can welcome Holland en masse. Ethan is here with Marcie and Sylvie, all three sitting on the couch with Sylvie’s dog Renault at her feet. Kat brought along Gabe and they’re cuddling on the love seat which makes me want to puke. Wade and I are the solo guys. He’s cocked back in one of the straight-back chairs beside a gaming table surfing his phone, and I’m pacing by the mantel because I’m a nervous ball of energy.