Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 67133 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 336(@200wpm)___ 269(@250wpm)___ 224(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 67133 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 336(@200wpm)___ 269(@250wpm)___ 224(@300wpm)
He put down his phone and let out a long breath. “They did. So what are your plans for the new year?”
“Well, I was hoping to put down roots here. I mean, there is this really hot guy I like, and he’s pretty amazing.” I leaned closer and kissed his lips, but he gave me a quick peck and pulled away, staring at the bottom of the stairs as if Star could come down any moment. Was he that afraid she’d see us?
Before I could ask, Star came bounding back down the stairs and Chance got up to see what she was getting into.
CHAPTER 25 - CHANCE
I’d just finished up with my latest project for work and was on my way out back to get Star’s bicycle when I heard Dream retching down the hall. I went to the bathroom and found her on her knees over the toilet where the remnants of green food coloring were making their reappearance. “Are you okay?”
She waved me away. “I’m fine. You should go back to work.” She met my eyes with a dead stare, and as she prepared to heave again, I pulled the door closed to give her privacy.
“Do you think it was something you ate?”
“My green eggs didn’t seem to digest. But to be fair, I haven’t felt that great all evening. I think I’ve gotten that stomach bug going around.” She hadn’t eaten dinner, and the eggs were all that had been in her stomach all day other than some crackers.
“Do you need me to get you anything? A glass of water? A cool rag?” I didn’t know what to do and hoped that me and Star wouldn’t wake up sick with the same bug on Christmas morning.
“No, please, go.” I walked down the hallway, concern knitting my brows. Her coloring had looked awful and I was worried. Not to mention, I’d been so looking forward to us all being together for Christmas, and now it looked like Dream was going to have to quarantine herself. Star would be crushed.
I got Star’s bike and brought it to my studio to put it together, and once I had it all assembled, I took it to the living room and rolled it under the huge tree the girls had picked at the tree farm a weekend before. It had taken us two days after the incident with Nick to remember that we had a holiday coming and I couldn’t just let the event go having Star in the house. I had to make it special.
I stepped back from the tree and knew I truly had. This was the first year since my childhood that I had a tree in the house, and someone to share the holiday with since my wife and I had been together. She’d never liked Christmas trees, though. Being allergic, she’d always opted to fill the house with poinsettias and wouldn’t even allow a fake tree. She’d been a real piece of work. I should have known then to dump the scrooge.
When I passed Dream’s room, I opened the door and peeked inside. She was sleeping soundly, so I pulled the door shut and went to bed. I couldn’t wait until the day that Dream would sleep in my arms again, but I hadn’t wanted to tell Star anything until I knew for sure that Dream was going to stick around. Before, when I’d asked her about selling her place in Chicago, she had said she wasn’t sure. But earlier, when I asked about her plans for the new year, she had said that she was staying. I needed to know 100 percent what would happen with us before I could risk letting Star get that attached to having her around.
The morning came with Star standing at my door. “Uncle Chance, are you awake?” Her voice was a soft whisper, and I whispered back.
“Yes, I am now.”
“Santa came!” She walked over to the bed and picked up my leg. “Come on!”
“Okay, okay. Relax, let me get myself put together.” I took the leg, which she had cradled in both arms and strapped it on as Dream came into the room, still looking pale.
“How are you feeling?”
“I feel much better. It must have been the you-know-what after all.” The eggs or their coloring had done her in. She seemed weak though, and I couldn’t help but think she should take it easy.
“I could help Cynthia if you’re not up to it.” I didn’t want her to overdo it considering her night.
“No, I’m really okay. I want to make dinner. I used to help my mother back when I was a kid, and I’ve really missed that part of not being close to her.”
“There’s still time, you know; to be close to your mother.”
“No, I don’t think we’ll ever be that close again, but it’s nice spending time with Cynthia. She’s a neat lady. Did you know she packs a pistol when she goes shopping? It’s terrifying, actually.”