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“Thirty-six kids, forty-two parents.”
“Holy smokes,” Linc said. “That’s a mob.”
“Sure was, but it was fun.”
Lexi wondered how the Abbotts handled that level of activity on a regular basis, but then again, they were probably used to it after raising ten kids.
“Are your ears ringing, Lexi?” Molly asked.
“Not at all,” she said, smiling. “It was a wonderful day. So great to see everyone again.”
“We loved having you here with us.”
“Thank you. I loved being here.”
“It’s time to pack up, buddy,” Max said to Caden. “We need to get Daisy home to have her dinner.”
“Grammy gave her some treats,” Caden said.
“It’s still time to go.” Max carried Caden’s stack of gifts to his truck in three trips. The downside to having a huge family was that birthdays yielded far too many new toys for one kid. Every year, they cleaned out his old toys to donate them to less fortunate kids. They hadn’t gotten around to doing that before the birthday party, so that was on the docket for this week.
Before they left, Lexi hugged his parents and grandfather. “It was so nice to see you all again.”
“You, too, sweetheart,” Elmer said. “We hope we’ll see you again soon.”
“I hope so, too.”
Max handed Caden his coat and snapped the leash on Daisy. “Come on, girl. Let’s go home.”
Daisy waited until Caden was coming, too, before she headed for the door.
“Did you see that?” Max asked Lexi.
“I did. She already knows who her best friend is going to be.”
He gave her shoulder a squeeze. “So do I.”
On the ride back to his house, Lexi wasn’t sure whether he wanted her to stay for a while or if they would say their goodbyes when they arrived.
Max solved that concern for her. “Hang out for a bit?”
She nodded and followed him, Caden and the dog into the house.
Max showed Caden where the dog food was and how much to give her. “While she eats, hit the shower.”
“I want to play with my toys.”
“Tomorrow after school. Right now, you’re heading for bed.”
“I don’t want to go to bed.”
“Caden…”
The note of warning in Max’s tone brokered no room for negotiation.
“Fine,” he said, storming off toward the bathroom.
“And use soap!” To Lexi, he said, “Sorry about that. He’s always a little cranky after his birthday party when he has to get back to reality.”
