Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 83992 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 420(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83992 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 420(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
I could hear someone on the other side approaching the door. “I think someone’s coming.”
The door opened, and a very tired-looking Liam stood there. He had dark circles under his eyes, and it looked like he’d pushed his fingers through his hair a hundred times.
“Liam, we don’t mean to bother you or Hope, but I wanted to drop off this dish for you. It’s eggplant parmesan.”
He offered up a weak smile as he reached for it. “Thank you so much, Harper. Thanks, Declan. It’s very much appreciated.”
My heart ached for Liam, and I wanted to pull him into my arms and just hug him.
“Is there anything else you need?” Declan asked.
He looked as if he was going to say something, then he shook his head.
“Liam…anything. We really want to help you and Hope.”
He let out a long breath. “I have to head into work for a bit tomorrow, and my mother can’t watch Winnie, and Hope’s father is out of town with Opal. I was going to take her with me, but—”
“Nonsense. We’ll pick her up tomorrow morning, and she can spend the day with us. We’re going to my parents’ house for dinner, and I know my mother would love to spoil that sweet baby.”
Liam looked unsure. I didn’t blame him. We all may have known each other from growing up in Moose Village, but he didn’t really know know us.
“If you’d rather Aurora joined us, I can ask her.”
Liam perked up at that. “Are you sure, Harper? That’s a mighty big ask.”
“I’m positive. Right, Declan?”
Declan nodded. “Absolutely. I mean, I don’t know anything about kids, but we’d love to help out, and I’m sure we’ll all have fun.”
That time, Liam laughed. “I like your honesty. I’ll pack a bag for her tonight. Just some things you might need. You’re totally sure?”
“I am one-hundred percent positive.”
Liam handed Declan the casserole dish and hugged me tight. I hugged him back, and wished I could absorb some of the hurt and worry he was going through.
When we stepped apart, Liam wiped a tear away, cleared his throat, and then took the dish back from Declan. “Thank you.”
My throat was clogged with emotion, so I was relieved when Declan asked when we should stop by to get Winnie.
“How does nine-thirty sound?” Liam asked.
“We’ll be here!” I said, as cheerfully as I could.
Liam thanked us again and bid us goodbye.
Declan reached for my hand, and we started to make our way back toward Main Street. Liam’s house wasn’t far from Main, and was only a fifteen-minute walk or so from the Moose Village Hotel.
We walked in silence for the first few minutes, until Declan spoke.
“I can’t even imagine what Liam is going through.”
“Me either. I don’t know Hope as well as Aurora or Brystol, but I know they’d been trying to make her feel at home in Moose Village ever since she and Liam moved back here.”
“That was nice of you to offer to take Winnie.”
I squeezed his hand. “Now that it’s sinking in, I’m kind of scared. What do we do with a one-and-a-half-year-old?”
Declan laughed. “I have no idea. Take her to the park. Get ice cream. Are there any play places around here?”
“Not in Moose Village. Well…actually, I don’t really know. We could call Brystol and see if we can meet her at the toy store?”
“Yes!” Declan said. “Brystol would surely know what to do with her.”
I nodded in agreement. “Of course, she will. She should know how to entertain a toddler. I mean, she owns a toy store.”
“Great. Then after we pick up Winnie, our first stop will be Memory Lane Toys.”
Brystol stared blankly at me and Declan. He had Winnie’s bag over his shoulder while I carried Winnie on my hip. She was adorable, with her blonde curly hair and big blue eyes. Liam had dressed her in the cutest outfit, as well. A pink romper with a matching pink bow in her hair.
“Why in the world did you think I’d know what to do with a one-year-old?” Brystol asked us both. Her long blonde hair was pulled up and piled on top of her head in a loose bun.
“Well…she’s one and a half.”
Winnie held her little hand out and held up one finger.
“That’s right, sweetheart! You’re one!” I looked at Brystol and Declan. “She’s so smart!”
Declan hefted the bag off his shoulder and set it on the floor. “What’s in this thing? I didn’t pack this much stuff when I was in the Marines.”
“You own a toy store, Bry. You have to know what to do with kids.”
Her brows shot up. “Just because I own a toy store doesn’t mean I know what to do with that!” She pointed to Winnie, who was now sucking her thumb. I gently took it out of her mouth.
“Well, are there places where we can take her to play?”