Page 137 of Holiday Hire

Will we get there?

Of course we will.

What if we don't?

Wilder interrupts my thoughts. "Phoebe, let's go to the sugar cookie table!"

I squash away my musings and focus on the task at hand.

The bell rings, and someone announces on the loudspeaker, "Lunchtime."

Everyone gets up, and Alexander shouts, "Wilder! Phoebe!" He motions for us to join Ace and him.

We meet them halfway.

Alexander asks, "Do you boys want to stay or hightail it home early?"

"Home!" Ace and Wilder both shout at the same time.

I laugh.

"Great. Let's go to Piggly's for lunch," he adds.

"I'll race you to the truck," Ace challenges and takes off.

Wilder runs after him.

Alexander and I stop at the office. He signs the sign-out sheet, and we meet the boys in the truck.

They're more excited now than they were this morning.

Wilder shouts, "Christmas break! No more homework!"

Ace chimes in, "A month off school!"

"Can't believe they made it a month this year! Put your seat belts on," Alexander reminds them before pulling out of the parking lot.

"Why did they add an extra week?" I question.

He shrugs. "Who knows."

Piggly's isn't far from the school, and we're soon sitting in a booth with Martha serving us.

Lunch takes about an hour and then we return to the ranch. We go inside Alexander's house. I put my purse in my bedroom and then join the others. Alexander stands in front of me with his hands behind his back. He orders, "Pick a hand."

"Oh, this is pressure," I tease.

His boyish grin graces his lips. I tap his right shoulder, and he reveals his right fist. He turns his hand and opens his palm.

I pout. "Oh, it's empty. Now I don't get anything."

He puts his arm back behind him again. "Go ahead and pick again."

I tap the left shoulder this time.

He opens his hand, and the horse ornament is in it. It has my name on the front in red and green. "Just for you," he teases with a wink.

Heat floods my cheeks. I study it and chirp, "Wow. You did a great job painting this. I'm shocked at your skills."

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