by Marla Monroe
She was royally screwed and not in a good way.
* * * *
“What do you think?” Kent asked his brother once everyone had said good night and headed to bed.
He and Brent were sitting outside on the front porch enjoying a beer in the peace and quiet. They loved their family, especially when everyone was together like this. It was what they’d grown up with and hoped one day to have as well, but the peace and quiet helped them slow down and relax enough to talk about their day and plans for the future. Like right now, he and Brent needed to talk about Erica.
“She’s going to fight it. I could see it in her eyes. We knew she would. What we want isn’t something that’s done every day, Kent.”
“I know.” He sighed. “Maybe we should have looked a little harder for property around Riverbend or Perkins City. It’s a lot more prevalent there. We wouldn’t have had to worry about what other people thought.”
“And we wouldn’t have met Erica. She’s perfect. We both felt an instant connection to her and the children. It isn’t often you find a good woman with children who isn’t already in a relationship.” Kent ran a hand over his face. “I think I started falling in love with her the instant you brought her into the office that day.”
“She fit in with the family and didn’t seem the least bit uneasy around anyone. Yeah, she was a little overwhelmed at first, but who wouldn’t be with twenty something people in one house?” Brent shook his head. “I just get the feeling that she’s going to fight it because of what the community will think. She’s a business woman who depends on the people here to make a living for her family.”
Kent wanted to stomp out to the barn and get on his horse and ride for a few hours to take some of the aggravation his brother’s words built inside of him. It wasn’t safe to ride at night like he wanted to when it wasn’t a life or death situation. It didn’t stop the need from clawing at him so that he bounced his leg with nervous energy. His twin was having the same issues by the look of how he was gripping the rocking chair’s arms.
“What do you suggest?” Kent finally asked.
“Honestly, I don’t know. I’d say back off some and let everyone in the community get to know us better first, but I don’t think it would make that much of a difference one way or another if they want to be snobbish about it,” Brent said with a bite in his voice.
“I don’t want to wait that long. I want to spend time with her now and have her at least spending time with us and her children here at the house by Christmas,” Kent said.
“Yeah. Can you imagine her kid’s eyes when they see what Santa brought them Christmas morning? If they were here, they’d run up the stairs to look under the tree in the living room. I can see them camped out down there watching Christmas shows late into the night. Watching them light up brighter than the lights on the Christmas tree would be the best gift I’ve ever gotten,” Brent admitted.
“Mine, too. The only thing better would to be able to make our own children with Erica to join the others. Then we’d have a big family, the woman of our dreams, and something a part of all of us under one roof.”
Brent chuckled. “Even as large as this house is, we’d need to build an addition to accommodate everyone when we all got together.”
“It would be worth it, though. I’d gladly labor day and night if we needed a larger home.”
He and Brent sat on the porch and finished their beers before calling it a night and going back inside. While he checked all the doors on the front part of the house, Brent checked that everything was secure in the back and down in the basement. They quietly climbed the stairs and nodded their good nights at their respective doors.
He had the master suite, but once they had Erica and her children in the house with them, He, Brent, and Erica would share that room between the three of them. The room Brent kept now, would be connected to the master suite to give her some privacy when she needed it. He had no doubt that living with two demanding men could be challenging at times, but they would make sure she had everything she needed.
It hit him just as he stepped out of the shower that they needed to figure out where to locate her office and whatever else she needed for her business. He remembered her being excited about finally having one once she’d taken in her garage. That was something he and Brent needed to focus on in the near future if they were going to be able to offer everything she might need that would be a sticking point to their plans. Being able to counter her every roadblock into seeing them and hopefully, eventually becoming their wife would go a long way to making it happen.
Just as he fell asleep, Kent remembered how little Sissy had drawn Krissy out enough that she had spoken. Even after Erica and the kids had left, the little girl had hugged her mom and said she loved her. That had been the only thing, but it had meant so much to his sister and brother-in-law. How could he and his twin not fall a little more in love with her every day?
Chapter Nine
“Now, mom! It’s going to be too late if you don’t call now,” Sissy said snapping her hands on her hips and tapping her foot.
“Now calm down, young lady and don’t tap your foot at me. I’ll call in just a few minutes. I’m going to finish what I’m working on first. Go ask Ricky to come here for a minute.” Erica watched her little adult stomp out of the office and back into the house.
Shaking her head she continued checking the list for the hayride to be sure she’d addressed everything before handing it all over to Sarah to oversee. She was so thankful her friend didn’t mind helping out. Her helpers were already knee deep in work with all of the other areas that had to be handled and her teenage helpers weren’t experienced enough turn over something this important to. Besides, they were going to be part of the hayride as well.
“Yeah, mom?” Ricky closed the door to the laundry room behind him. “Sissy said you needed me.”
“Thanks, Ricky. Can you put on your coat and run this down to Sarah’s house for me please?” Erica closed the spiral book she’d organized all of the information in then handed it to her oldest son.
“Sure. I don’t need a coat just to run down there and back,” he said turning to leave.
“Ricky Carol. Put a coat on. I don’t want there to be any chance you catch a cold. It won’t hurt you to stop and pull it on. It’s right by the door on the coat pegs.” She smiled when he huffed out a breath.
“Okay, mom,” he said in a put out tone.
With that settled, she picked up her cell and dialed the Stone’s number. It rang five times before someone picked up.
“Hello?” the voice could have been any of the women there except for their mom’s. She had a very distinctive voice.
“This is Erica Carol. I was wondering if Jeni was available to speak to,” she said.
“Hold on, Erica. I’ll get her. She’s sitting in the living room arguing with her husband about something.”
Erica tried to stop her from interrupting, but the other woman had already put down the phone. She hated to get in the middle of something like that when she didn’t know them that well.
Several seconds later, the phone sounded as if it had been picked up and a voice came on the line.
“Hello?”
“Hi, Jeni. This is Erica from yesterday. I hope I’m not interrupting anything.”
The other woman laughed. “Nope. Nothing important at all. My husband has this crazy idea that we’re not going to get a live tree this year and instead, buy an artificial one. I’m winning so not to worry.”
“Glad it’s nothing serious,” Erica said.
“Oh it’s serious all right. Christmas is very serious to me and my side of the family. Just because he never got to celebrate it like we did doesn’t mean I’m going to forgo my special time with the kids. He’ll come around once it’s all up and decorated. He just hates putting it up then taking back down again.”
Erica smiled. She could commiserate with Jeni’s husband. As much as she loved the holidays, after han
dling a thousand crises around holidays, sometimes she wished she could get away without having to deal with it at her house. All it took to change her mind every year was to watch how her kids got excited and see the sparkle in their eyes with each decoration. That did it, hands down.
“Well the reason I was calling you is that my daughter, Sissy is having a fit to ask if Krissy could spend the night over here tonight after the hay ride. I know you don’t really know us, but anyone in town will tell you I’m very responsible and would never let anything happen to your daughter.” She held her breath to see how Jeni would respond. While she couldn’t blame the lady if she said no, it would be so hard to tell her daughter that the other little girl couldn’t stay.
“Oh! That is so nice of her to invite Krissy to spend the night. Nothing against you as I’ve heard nothing but good things from the twins about you, but I need to talk to my husband and ask Krissy how she feels about that. I’m sure you can understand that with her history she’s never spent the night with anyone before, and I’m just not sure she will be open to the idea,” Jeni said.
“No problem! I totally understand and wouldn’t want Krissy to come if she didn’t feel comfortable away from you. If you and your husband agree to let her, provided she wants to, she can change her mind at any time. I will be more than happy to bring her back if she starts to get upset or miss you. No question. I really appreciate you even considering it.”
“You have no idea how much we appreciate your daughter. To hear Krissy speak after so long has been the biggest present for us even before Christmas. We have so much to be Thankful for and your daughter is part of it. I’ll call you closer to time for the hayride if that’s okay. What time will you be heading out?” Jeni asked.
I’m not sure right now. Probably around four or four thirty, but I’ll have my cell with me of course. That’s this number,” she told her.
Once they’d disconnected, Erica stood up, wincing with her side and went in search of her daughter to tell her about Krissy. She hoped she would understand and not be too disappointed if the little girl didn’t want to spend the night away from her family. Erica could easily understand. Despite how bossy her little girl could be, she was very proud of her. She was proud of all of her children.
* * * *
“What do you think?” Kent asked him.
Brent looked at his brother and grinned.
Fucking brilliant! I should have thought of this.
“I think you way ahead of me. I’m still working on getting her used to us. You’ve already figured out a major road block she would have thrown at us when we asked for forever,” he said.
“That’s what I’ve been thinking about most of the night instead of sleeping. I’m going to be a total waste today,” his brother said.
“We’ve wondered what to do with that room since we moved in. It only has that one window facing the pasture and french doors. With the drive circling the house, she’d be able to pull right up to the doors to load and unload her stuff.” Brent could picture it and almost see Erica sitting at a desk near the window.
“We need to get a look at her office now so we’ll know what sort of set up she’ll need.” Kent walked out of the room with Brent on his heels. “It’s the same size as a double carport, so it should be large enough for her.”
“So what’s the next block she’ll throw at us, oh mighty one,” he teased.
“Fuck you,” Kent said good-naturedly. “I know her kids will be one. She’s going to worry about their getting attached to us and it not working out.”
“I think the biggest one we’re going to have is her reputation in the community,” Brent pointed out.
Kent stopped and hung his head. “I was hoping you wouldn’t bring that up until I’d had some time to figure something out. But you’re right. That will be the biggest fucking boulder in the middle of the road leading to capturing our woman.”
“Hey you two.” Jeni walked down the hall to where they stood. “I need to ask you something.”
“Sure, sis. What is it?” Kent asked.
“Erica’s little girl is asking if Krissy can spend the night with them after the hayride. I’ve talked to Heath and he’s fine if you say she’s okay. I didn’t want to talk to Krissy about it until I was comfortable that it would be safe, and before you go off on me, remember, you just moved here and I don’t know this woman or where she lives.” Brent could see that Jeni was torn on the subject. She had her hands stuffed deep in her pockets, a sure sign that she was nervous.
Kent sighed. “No. You’re right. You don’t know her or her living situation. I can understand that. Erica is a wonderful mother and very dependable. Her children are well behaved but relaxed and happy, so we know she doesn’t beat them either emotionally or physically. I haven’t been to her house, but I know she lives on a street with a lot of other children from what the children said.”
“Talk to Krissy and see if she’s even interested. If she is, we can easily go over with them and you can see for yourself. I’m sure Erica would be fine with that and probably expect it,” Brent suggested.
It was the perfect solution for Jeni’s need to protect her child and their need to see Erica’s workspace. He hoped his sister would agree and then, he hoped Krissy would want to go.
“Yeah, I like that idea. I’ll go talk to Krissy and see what she thinks. If she wants to go, we’ll pack her an overnight bag and we’ll hold onto it until after the ride.” Jeni looked relieved as she pulled her hands from her pocket and turned to search out her daughter.
“Good idea, brother. We can scope out Erica’s office at the same time. Plus, I’d like to see the size of the kid’s rooms. I’m hoping the ones here will be larger, which will be another plus on our side,” Kent said. He stuck his hand up and Brent slapped it, giving him a high five.
It would be time to head out to the hayride soon. The kids were excited about it and the parents were excited about three or four hours without them underfoot. He and Kent were going to carry them out there and it looked like Jeni and maybe Heath were going along. He thought that maybe he could convince Erika to hang out with them at the diner for coffee and pie until time to go pick the children back up. It would also give Jeni a chance to talk more with her before it came time to make a final decision.
Two hours later, he and Kent loaded some of the kids up in the back of their truck while Jeni and Heath took their other truck and the rest of the children with them. They were leaving a bit early, but Brent didn’t normally allow kids to ride in the bed of the truck, so he would be going very slowly. Kent would keep an eye on them to be sure they all remained sitting the entire way.
Krissy had shocked her parents by appearing excited about the prospect of spending the night with her new friend. She’d nodded and clapped her hands then stilled and told them in a near whisper that she wanted to stay with Sissy. That was all it took for Jeni to agree. Brent had been able to tell that Heath had been fine with it from the beginning. He loved his daughter but had often said he worried that Jeni was being a little over protective after the horrible accident. Now maybe things would go back to as near normal as possible for them all.
When they drove up outside the town hall, two large trailers with bales of hay strategically placed to keep the kids away from the sides waited out front. The trailers were decorated with lights which would make it much easier for everyone to see. They spotted Erica standing in a small group of children along with a woman they’d not met. Brent figured it was Sarah, the woman who was helping her due to her fall.
“Hi guys!” she said with a broad smile.
“It looks great, Erica. Krissy is very excited. I’m not sure if you met our son or not.” She rested her hand on a teenager that was nearly as tall as she was. “This is our son, Mason.”
“Hi, Mason. Ricky said you guys are the same age,” Erica said.
“Yeah, he’s pretty neat. Where is he? I was going to see if he wanted sit with me and Krissy,” the teen said.
“He’s over there,” Erica pointed at where some of the kids were standing around talking. “I’m sure he’d like to.”
Brent smiled when he looked up at his dad to get permission to run over and join the group. Heath nodded and Mason was gone in an instant.
“Once they get under way,” Brent began. “We were planning to hang out at the diner with coffee and pie for an hour or two till they make it back. Would you like to join us?”
She looked from Jeni to him and smiled. “That would be great. I usually go with them, but Sarah is taking my position this time. There are a couple of adults on each trailer to lead them in songs and make sure they stay seated.”
“Great,” Kent said with a wide smile.
“Where all do they take them?” Heath asked as they watched the adults start to round of the kids.
“They start out at the park on the other side of town then head out to the Johansson farm where they are served cookies and hot chocolate. They don’t get out of the trailer so there isn’t any possibility someone gets lost and left behind. Anyone who needs the bathroom is accompanied by an adult,” she told them. “Once they leave there, they take a back road and curve back around toward town. All in all, they’re gone about an hour and a half. That minivan will follow in case anyone gets scared or too cold.”
“This would be a great thing to do back at home,” Mason told her. “Would it be okay for me to call you once we get back to ask some details?”
“Of course. I’ll be glad to help. The kids love it and it brings back memories for some of the older folk. Sometimes they will go as well, but we don’t have anyone this year who is able. Mr. Colter broke his hip and Ms. June has a cold. They both went last year,” she said.
“Hey Krissy. Are you ready to go?” Sissy ran up to them and held out her hand. Ricky and Mason were right behind her.
