Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 76364 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 382(@200wpm)___ 305(@250wpm)___ 255(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76364 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 382(@200wpm)___ 305(@250wpm)___ 255(@300wpm)
So, I’m not giving up.
“Can someone pass me the chicken?” Beckett asks from across the table, pointing at the perfectly roasted chicken.
“Can I have another roll, please?” Tilly adds.
We’re all sitting around the picnic-style table in my parents’ house, eating dinner. Both of my brothers, their wives, and their kids are here, as well as my parents. Kelsie looked a bit overwhelmed when we got back to my parents’ place and saw that everyone had arrived.
Like every week, when we have a family dinner, the women were cooking and gossiping while the guys were watching and talking about whatever sports were on. To some, it might seem odd how close of a family we are, but I don’t know what I would do without the love and support of my family.
I don’t know anything about Kelsie’s family, but based on her reaction, I guess she’s not used to big family get-togethers. On the other hand, Jordan is more than comfortable running around with Tilly and soaking up all the attention from everyone.
My hope is that regardless of what happens—or doesn’t happen—between Kelsie and me, she’ll let down the wall she’s erected and let my family in. The idea of her going at everything alone doesn’t sit well with me, not when she’s got so many people in this town who already care about her.
“Kelsie,” Mom says with a smile. “Dorothy said you’re planning to go to college in the spring. What is your major?”
The question is only meant to make conversation, since Kelsie hasn’t said a word since we sat down, but Kelsie glances around the room nervously, as if she’s being put on the spot.
“Oh, umm…” Kelsie chews on the corner of her lip for a moment, clearly uncomfortable with being the center of attention. “Yeah,” she finally says. “I’d like to be a nurse one day, maybe even a nurse practitioner.” Pink tinges her cheeks, and she shrugs. “I don’t know. It’s just a thought. We’ll see.”
“I think it’s a wonderful thought,” Mom says, refusing to let Kelsie discredit her own dreams. “I was a nurse for twenty years. If you need anything, please let me know.”
“Thank you,” Kelsie says.
“What made you want to become a nurse?” I ask her once everyone goes back to talking and eating.
“When I gave birth to Jordan, Trent and I were so young and scared,” she confesses, glancing up at me through her lashes. Her bright emerald eyes meet mine, and if it wasn’t creepy, I’d snap a picture of her to look at later when she’s back home and I’m thinking about her. “But the labor and delivery nurse on duty was so sweet and compassionate,” she continues, “keeping us updated and not treating us like the teenagers we were. And then, after she was born and I was moved to recovery, the nurse was so helpful to Trent and me, going above and beyond to explain everything.
“Their kindness stuck with me, and when I thought about what I’d like to do, nursing kept popping into my head.” She shrugs nonchalantly. “A lot would have to go right in order for it to happen, though. So, for now, I’m just taking it one day at a time.”
“Jordan’s mommy,” Tilly exclaims, getting Kelsie’s attention. “Can Jordan come to the station for turkey? Uncle Jackson’s making a big turkey”—her arms fly outward to show just how big, and the adults laugh at her exaggeration—“and he always lets me help cut it. And Daddy and Uncle Pierce let us go down the super big pole. And Cinderella will be there!”
“I want a big turkey and to go down a super big pole!” Jordan replies, eyes wide in excitement. “Can we go, Mommy? Please.”
“Oh, umm…” Kelsie smiles nervously. “I don’t know.”
“You should come,” I add. “Unless you have other plans.”
“No, it’s just Jordan and me this year, but I wouldn’t want to intrude.”
“Nonsense, dear,” Mom says. “We would love to have you.”
Everyone voices their agreement and then goes back to their side conversations.
“You guys should come,” I insist, so only she can hear me. “There are a bunch of us. Everyone cooks and brings something. It’ll be fun. If you ask nicely, I’ll let you go down the super big pole too.” I wink playfully, and her eyes go wide, her cheeks turning pink. I have no idea why, until I replay what I just said in my head and realize what it sounded like.
I let out a quick laugh and then lean in, making sure only she hears what I say next. “I meant the pole at the station, but if you want to slide down my pole, I won’t be opposed.”
She makes a choking sound, her face getting even redder, and I chuckle at how adorable she is.
“Friends, Pierce,” she says, glaring my way. “We can only be friends.”