Total pages in book: 53
Estimated words: 49294 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 246(@200wpm)___ 197(@250wpm)___ 164(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 49294 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 246(@200wpm)___ 197(@250wpm)___ 164(@300wpm)
“I’m positive. You all have done enough. Seriously.” Minnie and Clay are here. Catherine and Russell, who are now aptly addressed as Momma Catherine and Poppa Russell for my sister and me. Amos and Trey came, too, but they left their wives at home. It’s a busy time of year for Two Chicks, their pottery store. While it stinks I’m missing out on them being here, I know once I get my feet planted firmly on the ground, I’ll make a trip up to Wyoming and Colorado.
“We haven’t done near enough. The walls and ceilings need to be painted, the toilets could definitely be changed out, and you have a leaking kitchen faucet.” Momma Catherine comes up beside us, arm wrapping around my shoulder.
“Dang, how did I not notice any of this? Let me talk to Clay to see if we can get more help at home, and we’ll stay a few more days.” I’m shaking my head, trying to tell my sister no. Too bad she’s already darting toward where the men are congregating, heads dipped while talking about who knows what.
“Come with me, sweet child.” Momma Catherine takes my hand in hers and walks me to where the whole group is standing. Goodness, the last thing I want is more attention on myself. A girl can only handle so much. My therapist says this is the part where you have to allow yourself to feel the love you have surrounding you. Well, I say that’s easier said than done.
“Momma Catherine, I can’t let her stay. They’ve been down here for almost a week already, helping me pack and move. They’re relying on someone else, who isn’t family, which I know means they’re paying them,” I mumble under my breath so only the two of us can hear.
“I know. I’ve got a plan.” It’s clear as day that Catherine Johnson has her shit together. She’s what most would call the glue of the family. She rallies the troops when needed and manages to be a rockstar wife, mom, and grandma. All while including as many people as she can.
“Everyone, I’ve made an executive decision,” she announces as they all lift their head to the matriarch of the Johnson family, extended into the Garcias and now Sinclairs.
“And what’s that, honey pie?” Poppa Russell’s hands go to his suspenders, pulling them away from his stomach while waiting for her response.
“Oh, this is going to be good. You’re in for it now,” Trey interjects.
“Hush, boy,” Momma Catherine says.
“You’re gonna get the closest thing she can grab if you keep pushing it,” Amos says quietly but not quietly enough that I can’t hear him.
“Clementine, you’re about to see her in action.” Clay looks at Minnie with love and devotion. I’m hit right in the solar plexus, leaving a hole smack dab in the middle. I figured by now, a scab would form, but it’s yet to, and I’m the one left in pieces.
“I know, so I guess this means my idea of staying an extra week is out of the question?” my sister asks.
“Yes, it’s completely and totally out of the question. You’ve been back to Florida too many times already, none of it being for vacation either.” I love her. She’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me, even when I adopted her fresh out of high school, forgoing my own youth for hers. I’d do it over and over again, minus the marriage. I wince at the thought. I really thought Zach would be the person I’d spend the rest of my life with. Goes to show how great my taste in men is. Disastrous. That’d be the adjective I’d use to describe for myself.
“Which is why Russell and I are extending our stay. We’re going to help get Lennon on her feet, get a few things done here and there. Then we’re going to go on a much-needed vacation,” Catherine states. Russell gazes at her with pride in his eyes. The others, namely Trey and Amos, are looking at her like she has two heads. “What? Everyone has someone. You all can pull the weight. Your father and I don’t need to be at the ranch every waking moment. We’ve done our time. He’s retired. I’m retired.”
“The queen bee has spoken,” Clay says, squeezing Minnie closer to his side.
“She has.” Catherine nods. “Now, we’re going to hit the hardware store, grab a bite to eat, and come back. I already know the furniture isn’t where Lennon wants it, but she wouldn’t tell any of us that.” She swings her head toward me, and try as I might to fade into the background, it’s no use. Everyone turns to look my way.
“It’s okay. You all put it in the room I want it. The rest will work itself out. As for you two staying, I’d much rather you go on vacation instead of spending some of your time here working on my problem child.” I point at the house behind me. It’s been a fiasco, to say the least. The house may have been left to me along with money, but it still took almost all of the small stipend our Aunt Estelle granted to turn the water and power on, and then there was the electrical. It was chewed through by squirrels. Yep, they got in the attic, had a hay day, and let’s just say that cost a whack. Then there were holes in the wall that needed to be repaired from said electricians fixing it, so the funds were depleted. But the drywall is fixed except it needs paint, a whole freaking lot.