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.* * * * So you are sure that you don t mind?Kayla shook her head and opened her door wider.She d spoken with James a few moments ago.The law firm that he did accounting for as a consultant had an emergency issue with an audit thatrequired him to fly out to Houston.He had asked her if the kids and his father could stay with herwhile he was out of town since he wasn t sure how long he would be gone.It was late, but heneeded to catch a flight right away to be on time in the morning.She stepped back, and Jamesstepped inside, followed by Jana, Jenna, and Dennis.Jamie brought up the rear holding a sleepingJosh in her arms.Kayla closed the door and led everyone upstairs.She showed Jana and Jenna totheir rooms.They had a connecting bathroom, and they didn t seem to be upset about that.She putDennis in the next room.The bathroom was across the hall.She led Jamie to her temporary room.Jamie had received the biggest bed because Josh was going tosleep with her.She had a room available for Josh, but James had told her that Josh had troublesleeping when they first moved into Dennis s house.Jamie entered the room, and Kayla turned andheaded to her own, followed by James.As soon as they made it to her room, he pulled her from thedoorway and out of sight.His lips came down on hers before she could blink.Seconds later, shepulled away, conscious that anyone could walk in on them. Thank you again.She smiled. You are welcome.She knew that James hadn t wanted to leave the kids by themselves or his father with his recenthealth scare.His father hadn t suffered any setbacks, but there was no way that he could watch allfour kids by himself.Instead of splitting everyone up, she figured it would be best for everyone tocome over and join her.He told her that in the past, when emergencies like this had arisen, he d hadto leave the kids with his mother, sister, or brother.It was easier then because they all lived inAustin.It had felt a little strange offering to take in his family, but she didn t mind, and she knew itwas the right thing to do. What time do you leave?He sighed. My flight is supposed to leave as soon as I can arrive at the municipal airport.They aresending a private jet.Her eyebrows rose. This must be serious. It is.These guys don t work on Sundays.And for them to be this insistent, I know it is. Well, you get going.We will be fine. Okay.She smiled. You can call as much as you want.Just be conscious of the time zone difference.He winked. I will keep that in mind, and I will call when I arrive, providing that it is not too late.She shook her head. No, call when you make it, no matter the time, to let us know that you havemade it safely.He promised that he would before turning to leave the room.She followed him.She watched as he said good-bye to his children.If there was one thing that she knew for sure, itwas that he loved his family.She wondered if his deceased wife had had any idea of how lucky she dbeen to have such a devoted husband.She d yet to ask James anything specific about the situationother than what he had already told her, but from what she knew, it had been rocky in the end.Everyone, including Josh, who was now awake, made their way downstairs and waved James off.Once James was out of view, Kayla led everyone into the house. Are you guys hungry?Everyone either nodded or said yes, and she grinned. How does pizza sound?Jana and Jenna did a little celebration dance.She asked them what kind of pizza they liked and toldthem to go into the living room and watch television while she ordered it.After she ordered the pizza, she went back to the group that was waiting anxiously. I will give youguys a quick tour of the house, and the pizza should be here by then, and we can eat.She showed them the house, informing them of whose old room they were sleeping in.Theyfinished the tour pretty quickly, and she sent everyone off to wash up for dinner while she wentdownstairs into the kitchen and began to prepare a salad.Three pizzas had been ordered, but shealready knew that she was going to limit Dennis to three slices of cheese, and he would have to getfull on salad if that wasn t enough.She even had light Italian dressing to accompany it.Just as sheput the finishing touches on the salad, the doorbell rang.She left the kitchen and heard the pounding of feet on her stairs.Just as she opened her mouth totell the girls to stop running, Jamie beat her to it.The girls stopped dead in their tracks without anyargument.They even offered her an apology for running in the house with the promise that itwouldn t happen again.She opened the door to take the pizza boxes from the deliveryman andhanded him the money.She thanked him then closed the door.Turning around, she almost jumpedout of her skin.Jana and Jenna were standing behind her expectantly.She handed them each a box,keeping one for herself.They all went into the kitchen with Josh, Jamie, and Dennis behind them.She d added the extension to the table so that they could all fit at the table.She arranged the pizzaboxes in the center of the table with the salad in the middle of the boxes so that everyone couldreach them. Everyone, dig in.Dennis reached for a slice of pepperoni pizza, and she slapped his hand. Three slices of cheese foryou, and that s it.Dennis s face fell, and she laughed at his pout. Why is that? I got to have nacho layer dip.She chuckled. Yes, you did, but don t forget that I made that as healthy as I could.Dennis could only sit there and sulk like a child, and she laughed. It is for your own health, but ifyou don t get full off of the pizza, there is plenty of salad.She was glad that the kids were eating responsibly without her having to tell them to.They all had atleast two servings of salad if not more.She was almost afraid that she hadn t made enough.Jenna looked up at her with surprise. Ms.Smith, this salad is good.How did you make it?She laughed. It is not as hard as it seems.I will have to show it to you sometime.They made small talk as they ate.The girls filled her in on their day at school and the new thingsthey had learned.The only thing missing was James.She looked over at the empty spot where hewould have sat and missed him instantly.Sitting around the table with the Feldons had her thinkingabout how life would be if this were a permanent situation.She wondered if James would want anymore children.He already had a handful.She knew for sure that she would want at least one child.Looking up, she saw that Jenna had finished eating, and her eyes were starting to droop.Kayla stoodand picked up Jenna s plate. Why don t we go upstairs and get ready for bed?Jenna nodded and headed out of the kitchen toward the stairs.Kayla put the plate in the sink beforefollowing Jenna. You two keep an eye on your grandfather [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]