Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 82671 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 413(@200wpm)___ 331(@250wpm)___ 276(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82671 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 413(@200wpm)___ 331(@250wpm)___ 276(@300wpm)
Allison looked at us and suddenly began to laugh too. “Boys,” she repeated.
The sounds almost made me tear up. The agent sitting in the corner looked shocked, a smile of pure relief curling her lips.
I looked at Sammy, and we had our own silent conversation.
We’d found our little family.
And I couldn’t wait to hear their laughter ring out at the ranch.
In the car, we were quiet. “Sandra is going to start the paperwork for placement,” Sammy said finally.
“I don’t want them staying in a foster home,” I agreed. “I want them to come with us.”
“Me too,” she whispered, her voice thick.
I squeezed her hand. “Sandra is going to work with us. She says she hasn’t seen the kids respond to anyone like they did to us.”
Sammy nodded, unable to speak. She looked out the window, and I wanted to pull the truck over and haul her into my arms.
“We’ll get them home, Sammy. Make them feel safe.”
She nodded.
“Can you call your parents?” I asked. “Put them on speaker.”
She did as I asked, and Liv answered.
“Hey,” I greeted her. “Van around?”
“I’m here,” he said in the background. “What’s up?”
“I got a project I need your and Liv’s help on.”
He chuckled. “Okay. What is it?”
“We need you to come out and help Sammy and me turn the guest rooms into happy places—” I paused “—for your grandkids.”
There was silence, then he spoke. “We’ll be there next week.”
“Good. I’ll be in touch.”
I hung up and reached for Sammy’s hand. “Hold tight, Momma. We’ll get your babies home.”
It was still dark as I sat at the table sipping coffee. The rest of the house was asleep. I rubbed my eyes. The past weeks had been stressful, and since we’d brought Allison and Jake home, it hadn’t lessened much. They were scared. Worried about being separated. Still not grasping their new life, mourning their old one, and unsure of the future. They refused to be apart, even sleeping in the same bed. The social worker and counselor assured us they would adjust and we just had to be patient.
I had plenty of patience, but their fear broke my heart. They got anxious when one of us would leave, worried, like their parents, we wouldn’t return. Sammy and I couldn’t be out of the room at the same time without tears from one or both of them. Sammy often cried too.
I sighed, letting my head fall back. I heard a noise and glanced down the hall. Jake was walking toward me, pulling a blanket Sammy had given him the first night. I was shocked to see him out of the room without Allison. I kept my voice calm.
“Hey, Little Partner, you okay?”
“Hungry,” he said.
“Okay. Cereal?”
“Please.”
I got bowls, cereal, and milk and sat down. He remained standing, and I held out my arms. “You wanna come up?”
He let me lift him to my knee, and I poured cereal and milk into his bowl, then did the same for myself.
He ate steadily for a few minutes, then set down his spoon.
“Had enough?”
He shook his head, and I knew he’d go back to the bowl soon.
He looked up at me and then the hooks by the front door. I laughed softly. “I don’t wear my hat in the house. Sammy doesn’t like it.”
“Outside.”
I ran my hand over his head. “Yeah, outside. In the stable.”
He played with his lip, one of his nervous tells. “Horses,” he whispered.
“Yep. In the stable.” I paused. “Maybe you’d like to come see them this morning?”
“Yes,” he whispered. “Ally not like them.”
“Maybe Ally and Sammy could visit the chickens.”
He frowned, then looked up at me. “Then we come here. Back here?”
“Yes,” I said firmly. “Both of you.”
He nodded, pulling his cereal bowl back and eating.
Sammy came down the hall, stopping in shock when she saw us.
“My Little Partner and I are having cereal,” I explained. “He wants to see the horses.”
Jake looked up. “Ally see the chickens.”
“Sure,” Sammy said easily, not giving away her surprise.
The sound of rushing feet came down the hall. “Jake!” Allison cried, skidding to a stop when she saw us. She rushed over, gripping his arm. “Jake,” she whimpered, the sound of tears in her voice.
“Hey, Little Lady,” I soothed. “We’re just having cereal. Little Partner was hungry. Are you hungry?”
She wiped her face. “Yeah.”
“Sammy will get you breakfast. You want cereal too?”
She nodded, sliding onto a chair, her gaze fixed on her brother.
Sammy poured her some cereal and got a cup of coffee. We ate and sipped for a moment, then I cleared my throat.
“Jake wants to see the horses with me today, Ally. He thought you’d like to see the chickens and the kittens with Sammy?”
Her eyes widened, fear filling them. Jake put his small hand on her arm. “Back here, Ally,” he said, assuring her. “Home after.” He patted her again. “Us home. Ally, Jake, Sammy, and Cowboy.”