Total pages in book: 73
Estimated words: 67991 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 340(@200wpm)___ 272(@250wpm)___ 227(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 67991 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 340(@200wpm)___ 272(@250wpm)___ 227(@300wpm)
“Hey,” I murmur, stepping aside. “Come on in.”
One by one, they duck through the doorway, each of them as big and broad as the next, filling up the small entryway of our little home. Rafferty turns to his friends who all nod with keen interest. “Guys, this is Tempe Martin, the friend I told you about.”
One by one, he introduces them—North, who I met at the photo shoot, towers with a gentle, shy smile, King with keen eyes and a firm handshake, Foster with his easygoing grin, and Atlas whose eyes already sparkle. They each greet me with warmth, making jokes and offering polite compliments that ease the tension from my shoulders.
“Nice to finally meet the famous Tempe,” Foster says, his tone low and friendly.
Atlas nods in agreement. “Rafferty hasn’t stopped talking about how you saved him at the store.”
Embarrassed but amused, I laugh, shaking my head. “Oh, I’m sure there’s a bit of exaggeration there.”
With introductions out of the way, I turn toward my mom, who’s been watching the exchange with a mix of excitement and apprehension. “And this is my mom, Natalie Martin.”
“Mrs. Martin,” Foster says, stepping forward first. He gently takes her hand, mindful of her condition. “Looks like you’ve had a tough road.”
“Please… it’s Natalie, and thank you for coming to help,” she says.
King, North and Atlas all make the same greetings and though they call her Natalie, there are also some “ma’am’s” uttered and it’s adorable.
Rafferty is the last to step up and take my mom’s hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Natalie. Tempe speaks so highly of you.”
“That’s good to hear. Otherwise, I’ve got a few embarrassing childhood stories of hers up my sleeve.” My mom’s eyes twinkle with mischief. “I really only heard about you less than an hour ago. Some scheme you got my daughter caught up in.”
“Mom,” I exclaim in admonishment. “Be nice.”
Rafferty laughs. “No, it’s all good. She’s being a protective mom and I dig that.” He turns his focus back to her. “I promise, I’ll take good care of your daughter.”
Atlas, the apparent handyman of the group, changes gears quickly. “Tempe mentioned you needed some help with mobility rails and maybe some furniture moving?”
“Yes.” Mom nods and I’m grateful for the shift. “She bought shower rails we need installed.”
“The stuff is in the garage. I’ll show you where.”
Atlas looks to King and Foster, motioning with a jerk of his head. “How about you help me with the rails and Rafferty and North can move furniture?”
“And the Christmas tree?” my mom asks, her voice soft and hesitant.
“Mom,” I say soothingly. “I told you I can get that stuff down from the attic. I’ll handle it.”
“It’s a lot,” my mom says, her eyes moving to Rafferty. “I don’t like the idea of her trying to carry everything down by herself. It’s an artificial tree and a few boxes of lights and ornaments. We usually do it together with Cooper’s help, but…” She gestures to her broken body. “I can’t this year.”
“No worries,” Rafferty says with a wave of his hand, sparing me a short glance. “We’ll get it all down for you and we’ll even set up the tree so all you have to do is decorate.”
I don’t think to argue, because I can tell he’s already added this to his list of helpful to-dos, and besides… I won’t have to risk breaking my neck trying to get our Christmas décor down the attic ladder.
Quick plans are confirmed and I’m shuffled off with Atlas, King and Foster, the three hockey players who are just meeting me for the first time. It doesn’t take all three to install the rails and only Atlas can fit in the bathroom, but while he works, we all chat and get to know one another. I hear laughter from the living room, mostly from my mom, so I know she’s being charmed by Rafferty and North. It’s not long before I hear them upstairs, the attic flooring creaking and a lot of cursing as they try to maneuver everything down the narrow ladder.
When everything is done—the rails installed, the tree set up in the corner with the ornament boxes stacked neatly—we all sit down in the newly rearranged living room, which was done so well, they were able to move the love seat back in from Cooper’s room.
There’s an easy banter among everyone and Rafferty’s friends dutifully ask me questions to have genuine things for us to talk about at the wedding. In turn, I nosily ask all kinds of questions of them, and I’m promised that I’ll adore Foster’s and King’s girlfriends, Mazzy and Willa, who will also be in attendance. The entire time, Rafferty is quiet but clearly enjoying watching the conversation unfold. I catch his eyes a few times, and I swear, I get a little giddy when it happens.