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Mark raised his hands and laughed, “No way. Uncle Brice said if he had to be tortured by that again then I wouldn’t be invited to the reunion next year.”
Brice and Lena had entered the lobby with Shaun and Morgan. Shaun said, “Don’t feel bad, Mark. You didn’t hear Brice singing, did you?” Mark shook his head. “There’s a good reason for that,” Shaun made a face of someone in pain.
“For the record, most Hendersons can’t carry a note,” Morgan clarified. “But it’s not about how it sounds; it’s about participating and having fun.”
I liked Morgan. She was so good with children. Mark had told me a little about them and how they have two children, Jenny who is sixteen, and Tyler who is twenty-six. When I asked about Tyler, assuming he hadn’t wanted to come, he explained that Tyler had autism and wouldn’t function well in this type of setting. That he needed a routine. Thankfully Morgan’s parents lived close by, and Tyler was staying with them.
“You better get going. Jenny is already on the slopes and was excited when she heard you were going, Charisa,” Shaun said, changing the subject.
Charisa took Mark’s hand again, gave us all a wave, and headed out the front door.
I was going to miss having him around today, but he couldn’t spend his entire vacation shadowing me. I was glad that Mark was off skiing with his cousins. I thought that Christopher and Nicholas were the ones to drag him away. But seeing how good he was with his younger cousins touched my heart. He was a good man. And though he kept telling me he was nothing like his Henderson family, I wasn’t so sure I believed him.
When I heard they were the family renting the entire lodge, I must admit, I was nervous. I had seen their names in the news and tabloids. Not a family one would want to piss off. But everyone had been so nice. No one was boasting about what they had and what others didn’t. Everyone, even the children, carried their dirty dishes to the kitchen after meals. And last night, it didn’t feel as though we were putting on a tree-trimming party for strangers. They made sure we were included in every part of it, from the decorations to the songs and then the holiday trivia and charades games. My body ached this morning, but I didn’t think it was from carrying the tree. I think it was from laughing so hard last night.
Now that breakfast was over, I needed to go and tidy all the rooms. I had a little more time because some of the couples were heading back into town. This time the women were dragging their husbands. Something about last-minute Christmas shopping.
I hadn’t even started mine, and at this point, I wasn’t going to get to it at all this year. Any time I had to myself, I would close my eyes and get some sleep. Billy seemed to feel the same way because I hardly saw him except for in passing.
Dean and Tessa joined everyone in the lobby and said, “Sorry to keep you waiting.”
Brice said, “No problem.” He turned to me and said, “Don’t worry about the rooms today. All we need is fresh towels. All the beds are made, and the trash is minimal.”
“What? How?” I asked.
Lena smiled. “Don’t look at us. Somehow all the children decided today to get up and do it themselves. I have no idea what possessed them to do it, but boy, I wish it would happen at home like that.”
Mark. What did you say to them?
I appreciated it, but hopefully, he didn’t tell them I couldn’t handle it on my own. I could ask him when he returned, or just shut my mouth and be grateful for all he had done for me. I wasn’t sure which option I was going to go with yet. I’d know when I saw him next.
“They didn’t need to do that,” I said.
Brice shook his head. “Yes, they did. Adilyn, I don’t mean to offend you, but it is obvious you and your family weren’t expecting such a large group of people for the holidays. The least we can do is show our appreciation for all you are doing to make this reunion special for everyone. Adults and children included. If making their beds for a couple of days alleviates some of your workload, then please, let it be our way of saying thank you.”
Now I wasn’t so sure it was anything Mark had said. Smiling at them all, I said, “I’m touched. And thank you. We really are trying to make this reunion memorable for you.”
Tessa walked over and hugged me, very unexpectedly. “Adilyn, no one has ever put so much thought and care into every single thing like you and your family are doing. “
She released me and Lena said, “I agree. We don’t feel as though we’re on vacation. We feel like we’re all home for the holidays. Without all the workload that comes with it.”
Phil and Rhonda, Mark's parents, joined us and she said, “Home for the holidays. Maybe that’s what we need to call this instead of a reunion.”
Morgan said, “That’s a wonderful idea. I just wish everyone could’ve been here.”
Lena said, “Maybe next year you can bring Tyler and your parents.”
“That might work,” she said.
Rhonda added, “And I’d love it if my brother Colton and his wife Annabella could come with Jace too. Although I’m not sure what a two-year-old would’ve done here this year.” She turned to me and said, “But I have a feeling Adilyn, you’d have thought of something for Jace to do too.”
“I’m sure he would’ve enjoyed himself with all the aunties doting all over him,” I replied.
They all laughed. “Very true,” Rhonda replied. “The children are all getting so big, and Colton is the only one with a little one now. Cayden and Allyson's children are already five and seven. We really could use some more babies in the family.”
Lena raised her hands. “Don’t look at us. We already have our three and are done.”
Morgan said, “Two is our limit, thank you.”
