Total pages in book: 70
Estimated words: 66861 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 334(@200wpm)___ 267(@250wpm)___ 223(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66861 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 334(@200wpm)___ 267(@250wpm)___ 223(@300wpm)
For a moment, I basked in the memory of everything we’d talked about. He told fascinating stories of his childhood with Corrine. The land and culture in this part of Louisiana were in his blood. The childhood he described was very different from the one I’d had in Colorado, and probably from how Spencer and Flynn had grown up in Illinois.
“All my boys are so talented. And they all do double duty, too,” Nana said. “Raphael writes all that technical stuff and teaches fitness classes. Flynn’s a veterinarian, but he’s an amazing woodworker. And Spencer, he’s a principal and a single dad. He influences the lives of hundreds of children. I don’t know how he does it.”
“Me either.” When she put it like that, all three men did seem rather amazing. I’d truly admired how Raphael’s stories revealed his values and philosophy of life at lunch. For once, my mind hadn’t been in the gutter, and I’d just enjoyed talking to him. “Oh, I also went to physical therapy today. Raphael took me.”
“How did that go?”
“About how I expected,” I said neutrally, but Nana laughed.
“That bad, huh?”
Yeah, it had been pretty bad. Everything they did hurt, even when they were working with my good arm and leg. Still, I was determined to do my best and try all the exercises they gave me.
Once I got stronger, I could move around the house better instead of relying on strong men to carry me around. That was why I still spent so much time in the bedroom—my recovery required lots of rest, and if I was in there, I could lie down anytime I needed to. If I was in another room, like now, I was reliant on one of them to come along and help me.
Just then, Raphael jogged down the stairs. “I’m going to go meet the twins. They’re taking the bus home today because Spencer needs to work late. Alyssa, do you want to stay where you are, or are you ready to go back in the bedroom?”
It was almost like he’d heard my thoughts a moment ago. I wanted to stay out here, where the sun was shining in through the windows, but my body ached. Ninety minutes was about my max for sitting upright without too much pain, and Raphael had helped me get here nearly two hours ago.
He accurately judged my expression and picked me up. “Come on, Nana, you two can continue your visit in the bedroom.” She followed us in, lugging her bag with her, and settled in the chair at the foot of the bed.
“How about I come over and make lunch for you on Thursday?” Nana suggested once he’d gone. “Raphael teaches a lunchtime class, so I can keep you company.”
“Is your cooking as spicy as his?”
Nana laughed. “You’re in Cajun country now, dear. So—yes.”
“I was kidding.” Mostly. “I’d love to have lunch with you. I’m sorry I can’t make it over to your place, though.”
“Don’t be silly. I’ve cooked here plenty of times.”
“That sounds great, then.”
“Oh, and then guess what? This weekend, my granddaughter’s coming to visit. She lives in New Orleans, you know. She’s about your age—it might be nice for you to hang out with another young woman.” Nana’s face lit up as she talked about her granddaughter.
“I’d really like that.” It did sound good to be around a woman my age, but I wished it could be Kylie or Sierra. Or even McKenna, from work. I’d only met her that first day, but it seemed like we were on our way to being friends. But though she’d texted a few times last week, she hadn’t answered the texts I’d sent her this week.
Nana and I talked a bit longer until we heard the sound of the front door opening. A moment later, the bedroom was twice as full. “Nana!” Lucas cried, while Charlotte hopped up on the bed and climbed over to sit next to me.
“How did you two do on your spelling test today?” Nana inquired.
“Nine out of ten,” Charlotte said, and I gave her a high five.
“Eight out of ten,” Lucas said, a bit more subdued.
Nana tilted her head to the side and then looked at me. “What do you think, Alyssa? Are those scores good enough for a treat?”
“Yes,” both twins said, and I laughed.
“I think so too.”
Nana reached into her bag and pulled out an ancient-looking cookie tin. Lucas took it from her and clambered onto the bed.
“Watch out for Alyssa’s cast,” Nana cautioned, but the kids were nowhere near it. It did ache a little when they made the bed shake, but it was a small price to pay for such cheerful company.
Lucas pried the lid off the tin and pumped his fist. “Pecan pralines!”
He and Charlotte immediately reached for the pralines, which were caramel-colored and looked like a cross between peanut brittle and a flat cookie that hadn’t risen.