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 looked to my left and saw the familiar furniture in the formal dining room. The huge oak table that once belonged to my grandparents still sat in the center, with ten chairs all tucked around it neatly. The buffet cabinet most likely still held the same china that my parents got when they were married so long ago.
Dad set my bag down at the bottom of the steps. I did the same with the other before following him again down the hallway leading to the kitchen and family room. It was one big giant space; my mother always said it was her favorite part of the house. They’d lived in this place for almost their entire marriage, first living in a small rental home until my mother discovered she was pregnant with me. The first thing on their agenda: buy a home where they could raise their family.
As we drew closer, I heard her humming a Christmas song.
Christmas. It was May, for crying out loud.
“Maddie?”
She stopped humming but continued packing the food without missing a beat. “Matt, you know I have a lot to do to get this all ready for tomorrow.”
“I have an early Mother’s Day gift for you,” Dad said with a smile in my direction.
“What?” she said, humor in her voice. “We promised we weren’t going to…”
Her words faded when she turned and saw me. Tears instantly appeared.
“Aww, don’t cry, Mom.”
“Declan,” she whispered as she rushed across the kitchen and into my arms. “You’re home!”
Holding her close, I breathed in my mother’s familiar scent—roses and citrus. When I was younger, I always thought she smelled that way because she had roses in the backyard and ate a lot of oranges.
“I missed you, Mom. I missed everyone.”
She eased back and gave me a once-over. “You’re okay? Not hurt or anything?”
Smiling, I shook my head. “I’m fine.”
“How long are you home for?”
I felt my smile slip and tried like hell to plaster it back on. “For good. My time is up in the Marines.”
Her brows slammed down. “Did you get injured? What happened?”
I laughed. “Stop letting your mind go there, Mom. I just decided not to reenlist.”
Confused, she asked, “Why not? I thought you loved it.”
“I did love it, but it was time for a change. I’m getting older, and well, it was time for a change.”
She smiled. “I hope that change means grandbabies soon!”
I laughed. “Mom, I just walked in the door, let’s not jump right into that.”
Closing her eyes, she breathed and focused back on me. “I’m not going to lie, Declan, I’m happy you’re out. I was always so terrified. I prayed every morning and night for your safety.”
I took her hand in mine. “I know, and I’m so sorry I made you worry, Mom. I’m home now.”
“What do you think you’re going to do?” Dad asked.
Seeing how relieved my mother was reenforced my decision not to tell them yet about my plans to become a cop. “I’m not sure yet.”
He nodded. “Take your time and rest up some. Lord knows you deserve it.”
“Yes! I’ll need to get your room made up and ready for you. Oh, I wish I’d have known you were coming! I’d have gotten everything ready for you.”
I chuckled. “It’s fine, Mom. I need to find a place to live.”
Her eyes went wide. “Don’t be silly. You’ll stay here!”
“Maddie,” my father warned. “He’s a grown man, and I’m pretty sure he doesn’t want to live with his mother and father.”
She pouted, and I laughed. “I’ll be here at least a couple of weeks while I look for a place.”
“Fair enough. You’ll come to the Mother’s Day brunch tomorrow, right?” she asked, with hopefulness in her voice.
“Or course I will.” I winked, then brought her hand up and kissed the back of it. “I have to celebrate the best mother in the world.”
She blushed. “Stop that.”
“What? It’s true.”
“Did you have plans for tonight?” she asked.
“Sleep.”
Dad walked over and kissed my mother on the cheek. “Your brother is coming over for dinner with Harper, don’t forget.”
Mom drew in a deep breath and sighed on her exhale.
Smirking, I said, “Don’t hold back your excitement, Mom.”
She rolled her eyes and went over to the stove, opening it to check on whatever she was making. The smell of my mother’s lasagna invaded my senses. My mouth instantly watered.
“Lasagna.”
“Yes, your favorite. Imagine if I’d known you were coming; I would have made your favorite dessert, as well.”
“Mom,” I said, as I reached for a chocolate-covered strawberry, “shouldn’t we be the ones cooking, since it is Mother’s Day weekend?”
“That’s what I said,” my father added, reaching for a strawberry—and getting his hand slapped at the last minute by my mother.
“Those are for tomorrow!”
Dad looked confused. “But Declan just ate one.”
Her hands went to her hips. “Declan served our country for seventeen years. He can eat them all if he wants to.”