| |
“THOSE BREAD ROLLS TURNED out delicious,” Star told her husband.
It was Kennedy’s second Christmas Eve dinner at the Winters’ home in their Copper Lake homestead. She couldn’t believe how fast time had flown since the earthquake.
Judson, who was holding baby Rylee on his lap, put his face close to hers and cooed, “It’s too bad our sweet little baby girl can’t eat the big yummy bread yet, but she can’t because it would hurt her tummy wummy, wouldn’t it?”
His wife let out a sigh. “I still think it’s ridiculous that we have to give her bottled formula when we’ve got two perfectly healthy milk goats. Makes me remember why we don’t foster full time.”
He smiled and continued to talk in his baby voice. “No, but soon she’ll grow big and strong and when she’s a year, she’ll be able to drink all the goat’s milk she wants, won’t she? Won’t she?”
Star laid a hand on her husband’s arm. “Just remember, there’s a decent chance she won’t be with us in a year. They haven’t found any family members to take her in yet, but how hard do you really think they’re looking with the earthquake causing as much damage as it did and it being the week before Christmas?”
He ignored her remark. “She’ll stay with us because she wants to grow up on good, healthy goat’s milk. Not the nasty stuff that comes in plastic containers from the store.”
Nick cleared his throat. “This is a delicious dinner. Thank you so much.”
Star turned to him and offered a smile just as dazzling as her daughter’s. “Of course. You’re our son now.”
“Or will be,” Judson added while glancing at his watch, “in about half an hour.”
“What time’s the pastor coming over?” Star asked.
“Right about six.”
Willow smiled from her seat beside Nick. “I’m just glad everything worked out so well in the end. We had to wait a couple extra days, but I don’t mind. I think the idea of a church ceremony was stressing me out anyway.”
Kennedy doubted Willow had ever felt true stress for an hour out of her entire life, but she didn’t say anything.
Nick stood up. “Well, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to carry my wife-to-be upstairs to her room so she can get ready.”
“I can get upstairs by myself,” Willow insisted. “They just cut off two toes, not my whole leg.”
Nick grinned. “I’m especially glad about that tonight of all nights.”
“Cut that out.” Willow pushed him playfully away. “Kennedy, hand me my crutches, and then you can help me get ready. Nick’s got to stay down here and pretend like he hasn’t seen me all day.”
“Oh, wait.” Judson held up his hand. “Before you go, we have a new Christmas Eve tradition at our home, don’t we? Isn’t somebody supposed to read the Christmas story and then we’ll sing a hymn? That’s how we did it last year.”
“You really want to do that, Daddy?” Willow asked.
“Of course. You’re a Christian now, and so is my future son-in-law. What kind of dad would I be if we ignored something important like that?”
“I left my Bible in the guest room. I’ll go grab it,” Nick said.
Star leaned over and hugged Willow. “I’m so excited for you,” she whispered. “He’s such a good man.”
“I know, Mom.”
“You’re going to be so happy together.”
“You’ve got that right.”