Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 90266 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 451(@200wpm)___ 361(@250wpm)___ 301(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90266 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 451(@200wpm)___ 361(@250wpm)___ 301(@300wpm)
“What?” I say, looking around the room at my beautiful family.
“We’re all placing bets,” Hartley says with a smile.
“Bets?” For a moment my heart stops. Surely they wouldn’t bet on how long their marriages might last.
“You’re going to give your mom a panic attack,” Gabriella says. “Don’t worry, Joy, it’s a good bet.”
“Well, nothing could top how I feel right now,” I say, meaning every word.
“I think this bet can,” Mason chuckles.
“Okay, now we’ve got to know,” Hank says, laughing.
“The bet is on who’s going to give you and Mom the first grandkid,” Nate says.
Christopher snorts and pulls Winter into his side. “I started working on that the day Winter arrived. Just hand over your money now, because I’m winning this one.”
The other boys protest and argue good naturedly.
I look around at them, surprised at the announcement, but filled with excitement. Raising my voice to be heard over them.“Well, that is one bet I won’t interfere in,” I say.
The boys laugh, their expression dubious. I suppose it serves me right. This Christmas I made it clear I am pretty dang good at interfering in their lives. But I made them all a promise to let them live their own lives, and figure out their marriages on their own. Hank and I will always be here with a helping hand, but this is their business.
The brides ask me to come over for a girls’ photo, and I offer to take the camera to capture it. “No,” Catriona says. “You’re getting in here with us!”
I never had daughters, but this Christmas I gained six. Hank’s eyes meet mine, and I give him a teary-eyed smile. He knows how much this means to me. Somehow, all my Christmas wishes came true.
And maybe this time next year there will be a bundle of babies added to the family tree.