Page 32 of Sugarplum Dreams
“To remember to do them. I have to remember before I can learn.” He said that, and it felt like the awkwardness disappeared.
She didn’t know why the idea of him being a dad felt so…weird. Because she knew that was his plan.
Still, it had taken her a little bit unaware, and she hugged those words to her heart. How could she have been so blessed? This man who wanted to marry her didn’t just want to take care of her, protect her, and provide for her children, he wanted to be a dad. To give her children the male influence that they needed in their lives, to give her a helping hand, taking care of their children together. Their children. Not hers, theirs.
Was it really real? It seemed to be. He didn’t seem to think anything of it as they walked out together, him chatting with Evans as they moved to where Gifford and Banks sat together at the far table, pie in front of them.
“I hope it was okay that I got the boys some pie. I didn’t think to ask.”
“And I didn’t think to ask if it was okay if they went on the sleigh ride that Amy and Jones and Judd are offering as soon as they get the horses hitched up. I told Amy they’d be there. She even said she’d take Evans.”
“That’s fine. I guess we each have some adjustments to make.” His eyes, sparkling but serious, glanced down at her.
She nodded. “The pie is fine. It’s Christmas Eve. I hardly think it’s going to hurt them. Plus, it’s a special day.”
“That’s what I thought, but I should have asked. We’ll figure it out.”
“I suppose. I appreciate you not being upset with me.”
“I could say the same thing. After all, I’m a newcomer, and you are already set in your ways, so I want this adjustment to not be too much.”
“We both need to adjust. If you’re helping, it should be both of us making decisions, not just me.”
“I’m definitely helping. I guess we didn’t really talk about that, but that was my plan.”
“I’m kind of figuring that out, and I appreciate it. More than I can say, to be honest.”
As they reached the table, she looked around, finding Lavinia playing with a few other girls across the fellowship hall.
“I’m going to run and get Lavinia, so she can eat too. That way, she’ll be around when they’re ready to go for the ride.”
“Sounds good,” he said. “I’ll get everybody settled and wait on you.”
“Thanks,” she said. It was unusual for her to be able to leave her children to go get another. Normally she would have to drag both Evans and Serafina with her in order to get Lavinia, since she couldn’t leave either one of them unattended at the table.
Having someone helping her was going to take a little bit of time to get used to. But that feeling of the future having promise, rather than just looking bleak, grew more pronounced.
It wasn’t long till she had Lavinia back at the table, with the rest of the kids, where Wilson had put a piece of pie and got a drink for each of them except for the youngest two.
He even had a piece for her. She couldn’t remember the last time someone had gotten her a piece of pie, or food of any kind, and brought it to her. Other than yesterday when he’d taken her out for lunch.
Maybe her life really was going to change. How could she not admire Wilson for instigating all of those changes?
She sat down, and he said a short prayer, and then like a real family, they started eating together.
The kids had barely finished their pie when Amy came to the door and announced that the kids were invited to go for a sleigh ride.
“Make sure you keep your coats on, guys,” she said as Gifford and Banks got up to run to the door.
“If you give me Serafina, I’ll take her and Evans, and I’ll ride along,” Wilson offered, holding his hand out for Serafina who had been sitting on Charity’s lap.
Her brows rose. But she didn’t say anything, just made sure Serafina’s face was wiped, put her hat down on her head, and handed her over.
He gave her a jaunty smile and then walked out with Serafina in one arm, Evans in the other, and Lavinia walking beside him. The boys scooted on ahead, but occasionally they looked back to make sure that he was coming.
“He’s quite a guy, isn’t he?” Kyra said as she settled into the space that the children had left.
“I can’t quite believe he’s real. If that means he’s quite a guy, then so be it.”
