Total pages in book: 98
Estimated words: 95712 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 479(@200wpm)___ 383(@250wpm)___ 319(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95712 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 479(@200wpm)___ 383(@250wpm)___ 319(@300wpm)
“Guess he’s tired of her shit and is telling her so.”
Emeline laughed, then looked at me with a mischievous grin.
“Oh no. I don’t think I like that look.”
“Let’s see how they do in a trot.”
Before I could reply, she and Starlight were taking off, leaving me and poor Comet in the dust.
Smiling, I said, “Come on, boy. Let’s put her in her place once and for all.”
Emeline
The Sunday dinner of Thanksgiving week was like a prequel, or at least that was what my mother always called it. Instead of turkey, the meal Mom always made was roast with mashed potatoes, roasted carrots, green beans, homemade gravy, and sourdough rolls, and cherry or apple pie for dessert. It was a tradition that my great-grandmother, Lileth, started, and one that my grandmother and mother continued. Joining us was the entire family and a few friends.
“Wow, this is the most food I think I’ve ever seen outside of a holiday meal,” Levi said as he set the basket of rolls on the table.
“It’s the traditional pre-Thanksgiving Sunday dinner,” Ensley said as she placed the carrots on the table. “It’s like a warm-up.”
Levi smiled as he asked, “Is there a pre-Christmas warm-up dinner?”
I grinned. “No. The Sunday before Christmas is pizza night.”
“Cool! I can’t wait until pizza night!” Rhett exclaimed with excitement.
“Same,” Gatlin said before picking up Rhett and tossing him into the air, causing a round of giggles from the boy.
“You’re going to drop him one of these days, Gatlin Wilde,” my mother chastised as she followed my father in, who set the roast down in the middle of the table. Mom motioned for everyone to sit down. “That’s it, everyone, take your seats.”
The moment everyone was seated, food was passed around.
“May I make your plate for you, Rhett?” I asked.
“Yes, please! Lots of carrots. I love carrots.”
“A young man after my own heart,” my father said with a wink in his direction.
“I want to grow big and strong like you, Papa!”
My heart warmed as my father beamed at Rhett. He’d started calling my father ‘Papa’ and my mother ‘Minnie’ about a month ago, and I knew my parents were over the moon about it. They’d tried to act all nonchalant when it first happened, but I saw my mother’s eyes fill with tears. We still weren’t sure where Minnie came from, but Mom had declared that was her official grandma name.
“Emeline tells us that you’re going to be making your first turkey this week, Levi,” Mom said with a smile.
“I am. I’ve been googling the proper way to thaw and cook it.”
“Think you’re up to the task?” Caden smirked.
“I do, thank you very much.”
Dad had a worried expression. “Please tell me you’re baking it and not trying to fry it?”
“You can fry a turkey?” Levi and Gatlin asked at the same time.
“You can, but I wouldn’t recommend it,” my father said.
Ensley asked, “What sides are you making?”
Levi wiped his mouth and looked around the table, a proud smile on his face. “I’m having stuffing, green bean casserole, fresh cranberry sauce, rolls, and mashed potatoes. Oh, and turkey gravy.”
My mother’s brows shot up. “That’s a pretty hefty menu to handle by yourself.”
“I’m gonna be helping, Minnie!” Rhett told her. “And Emeline’s gonna make the pumpkin pie and stuffing.”
“You’re sure you don’t mind Emeline spending Thanksgiving with us?” Levi asked my parents.
Mom’s grin was answer enough. “We don’t mind at all. I love that the three of you will be spending the day together.”
“We’re still going to a movie afterward, right?” Gatlin asked. “It’s our Wilde family tradition.”
Rhett looked at Levi and asked, “Are we Wilde family now?”
Before Levi could answer, my father did. “Always have been, always will be a part of this family.”
Levi glanced my way and winked. A warm sensation washed over me as our eyes met and held for a few moments.
“Um, hello? Can you not stare at my sister like that at the family table?” Caden complained, spoiling the moment.
“Very funny,” I said, balling up my napkin to throw at him, but my mother quickly interjected.
“Small eyes at the table, please. Let’s not teach him bad things.”
I quickly put my napkin on my lap and peeked at Rhett. When I was sure he wasn’t looking, I flashed my middle finger at Caden, who laughed.
“Emeline Wilde!”
Lowering my hand, I muttered, “Sorry, Mom.”
She shook her head, but I could see the corners of her mouth twitching with a hidden smile.
The rest of dinner was filled with conversations about the ranch, the vet clinic, and Rhett’s horse, Orion. After dinner, Gatlin, Caden, and Levi all played a game with Rhett, while my father, mother, Ensley, and I cleaned up.
“It’s been so lovely having Rhett and Levi join us for Sunday dinners,” Mom said as she hugged me. “They’ve brought such joy to the house.”