Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 81718 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 409(@200wpm)___ 327(@250wpm)___ 272(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81718 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 409(@200wpm)___ 327(@250wpm)___ 272(@300wpm)
“Pretty much.” She grins. “Come on, Briar, you’ve known Monroe for a while now. The girls are going to be just fine with her parents tonight.”
“I know.” I exhale and glance in the rearview mirror at the girls. They’re smiling and chatting happily with one another, just like they always do. Since we moved to Ashby two years ago, I’ve not had to leave them with anyone but Brogan. I know that’s not realistic, but she’s my only family, and I don’t trust easily. Then again, neither does she.
“It’s for a couple of hours, tops.”
“Right.” I nod as I turn into Monroe’s parents’ driveway. I met Heather and Eric Morrison earlier this week. I’ve seen them around town, and, of course, Brogan works with their daughter, Monroe. I do too. Kind of. I’m employed by the same company, but I work from home in medical billing. They’re good people and were thrilled to keep the girls for a few hours. They insisted it would give them practice for when Monroe and her husband, Legend, start having kids.
Brogan and I have worked with Monroe since moving to Ashby, and she’s invited us out and to her place several times, but we always decline. I’m sure the last thing they want is my twin girls running around like the silly, tiny humans they are during their backyard barbecue. And like I said, I don’t trust easily. My ability to do so was torn away from me.
Monroe kept asking, never giving up, and here we are, going to a girls’ night dinner with her and her best friend, letting her parents watch my daughters for a couple of hours. Something she insisted they would be thrilled over, and after meeting them, I know she was right. It still makes me nervous.
“We’re here,” I say brightly. The girls cheer from the back seat and rustle around to unbuckle their seat belts. A task they learned not long ago. They about gave me a damn heart attack when I was driving down the road and suddenly, they’re both peeping into the front seat over the console. I immediately pulled over to the side of the road and read them the riot act. Of course, they cried, which made me feel like a shitty parent. However, I’m the only one they’ve got, and it’s my job to keep them safe.
I might have made a detour for some ice cream to help with the sad faces. In case you didn’t know, ice cream for three-year-olds is the cure-all.
After everyone is unloaded, and the girls have their backpacks strapped to their backs, we make our way to the door. Heather greets us with a wide smile before we can knock.
“My friends are here!” she says excitedly.
“We’re sisters,” River tells her.
“And we look the same!” Rayne adds, making Heather laugh.
“Did I hear we have twin sisters in the house?” Eric asks, stepping outside on the porch with us.
“My mommy and my auntie too!” River says, jumping with excitement. Brogan and I are fraternal twins, just like the girls, so we look similar, but you can definitely tell us apart. However, my daughters are still amazed by the fact that they are twins, just like their mommy and Aunt Brogan.
“Yeah,” Rayne adds.
“Well, come on in. We’re going to make pizza.”
“We are?” both girls say at the same time.
“We sure are. Then we’re going to watch a movie. Wait, do you like princess movies?” Eric asks, feigning concern.
“Yes!” they scream.
“Okay, girls, inside voices,” I remind them.
“But, Momma, we outside,” Rayne points out.
“Don’t you worry, Momma. You go have some fun. We’ll be here when you get back,” Heather assures me.
I lower to one knee and pull the girls into a hug. “I’ll be back in a few hours. Best behavior,” I remind them. I was worried about them staying here since they’ve never really stayed anywhere, but they really hit it off with the Morrisons when we met earlier this week, and there are no tears in sight.
“We sleep ins our bed, right, Momma?” River asks. She’s my inquisitive one. She needs to know when, what, where, and how. Whereas Rayne is happy to go with the flow.
“Yes, you will sleep in your bed. Mommy is going to dinner with some friends while you stay here.”
“Okay.” She nods, satisfied that I’m coming back for her.
I stand and address Heather. “Are you sure you don’t mind watching them? I feel terrible even asking you to do this.”
“Briar, we’re honored. This house is too quiet with Monroe gone. I know she’s an adult, but she moved back home after college, and with her gone again, it’s too quiet,” she says again. “We’re thrilled to watch the girls. I’m happy to help out anytime you need me. When they say it takes a village, they’re not wrong. Lean on us.”