Total pages in book: 248
Estimated words: 236036 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1180(@200wpm)___ 944(@250wpm)___ 787(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 236036 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1180(@200wpm)___ 944(@250wpm)___ 787(@300wpm)
“Oopsie,” Luther said.
“Oopsie?” I echoed, totally stunned to hear that word out of my twin’s mouth. I was saved from saying anything I’d regret when Livvy parroted, “Oopsie,” and then collapsed into giggles. When Luther joined her, his laughter ringing out, I just shook my head and muttered they were both certifiable as I carried Livvy up the porch steps.
When the screen door swung open, I wondered how Luther had managed to get ahead of me, then I realized it wasn’t my brother, but his girl.
“Get in here before you two break her other leg,” Kate said and with a huge smile, added, “Welcome home, Livvy. It’s been far too long.”
Livvy looked up and I watched as confusion was replaced with recognition. “Kate!”
As the two women began a repeat of the squealing and laughing, Kate bouncing like a jumping bean and Livvy attempting to match her step for step by wiggling like a worm in my arms, I could only smile and bask in the pure joy of how this all just felt so very right.
“Hey, I wasn’t the one—” I began as sternly as I could which, granted, wasn’t stern and about as effective as pissing into the wind and not expecting any splash back. Giving up the blame game, I changed tactics and said, “I could use some help here,” as Luther joined us.
He didn’t hesitate or ask for clarification. Instead, he stepped around me and corralled Kate by mimicking me and scooping her up into his arms. As the pair we’d been since conception, we carried the women into what our mother called the front parlor and took seats on facing sofas, Luther arranged Kate’s legs to the left while I positioned Livvy’s on the right. The only difference in our mirrored positions was that I then bent over to grab a needlepoint throw pillow and gently placed it underneath Livvy’s wrapped ankle.
For a moment we all just smiled at each other and then the girls were off again. I grinned and simply kept my arm around Livvy’s waist to ensure she didn’t tumble off my lap. I wasn’t exactly sure what the girls were saying or even how they were capable of understanding each other, but who was I to question? It wasn’t until I smelled something that I even bothered to attempt to speak.
“Is something burning?”
The question didn’t have either woman even pause. I looked across to Luther who grinned and as his lips began to pucker, I reached up to cover Livvy’s ears. The whistle split the air and I was pretty sure I heard the livestock bellowing a bit as the girls’ eyes widened and Kate slapped her hand over her ears.
“Thanks.” I gave Luther a nod before I dropped my hands. “I thought you said you weren’t cooking.”
“I didn’t,” Luther began and then his nostrils flared. “Shit!” He didn’t exactly dump Kate off his lap, but he didn’t set her aside very gently either. When she realized why he’d gotten up, she jumped to her feet.
“Dinner!” she shouted and proved to be very agile as she leapt over the ottoman between the sofas and beat Luther to the door.
“She always did love to run,” Livvy noted as she looked after the girl who’d joined us on many adventures in our youth.
“She still does, though most of her practice is in trying to outrun Luther when he’s caught her doing—”
“Doing what?” Livvy asked when I caught myself.
“Sorry, not my story to tell,” I said at the same time Luther returned.
“Doing something naughty,” he provided as he dropped back onto the couch. “Like forgetting to turn on the timer.”
“Oh,” Livvy said, her voice quieter. “That’s okay. We had ice cream not that long ago.”
“No worries,” Kate declared as she came back into the room waving her apron behind her as if to hide the fact that wisps of smoke were swirling toward the front door. She plopped onto Luther’s lap. “We can grab something at the dance. You are coming, right?”
“I can’t,” Livvy said before I could. “Though I’d love to, not only don’t I have anything clean to wear, but to be honest, I’m kinda wiped out.” She turned to look up at me. “But, please, if you want to go, I’ll be fine here on the couch.”
“Not happening.” I immediately cut off any such idea. “You’re not getting rid of me that easily. Besides, unless I’m completely wrong, I’m guessing that we will be inundated with casseroles just about any time now.”
Her eyes widened. “But how can you be sure Susanne will tell them I’m here and not at Grammie’s?”
“I never doubted the ‘everyone wanting to help’ part of Susanne’s story, pixie, I just made sure she was on the same page as the rest of the town. Between Evelyn, Dr. Eastman, Judith, and Frank, I’m betting they had the right address to start with.”