AllFreeNovel
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“They are helping a future heart surgeon who will revolutionize ways to save children with heart defects. They are helping a future engineer who will vastly improve the process by which oil and gas are removed from our earth. They are helping a woman who will become the leader of the greatest nation in the world.
“In that mix are also professional athletes, a producer of documentary films that will change the way we see our earth, a mother of five sons who will all become police officers, a father of three daughters who will all become teachers of special needs children.
“And finally, they are helping seven young men who will serve their country at the highest level, collectively saving the lives of more than one hundred people and will help to lead a desperate country toward peace.
“You have nothing to fear, nothing to worry about. Your husbands are men unlike any on this planet. Your sons, your grandsons. I am blessed that you found me in the island mansion, and I was able to find my way back to Belle Fleur and to my wonderful Tony. And I am blessed to know all of you.
“Let them serve. It was what they born to do. It was what they were made to do, and I have it on good authority that God and Santa Claus need all the help they can get.” She gave a ghostly smile, her youth seemingly gone, replaced by a wise woman. The women smiled at her, then looked down at their hands.
“I feel ashamed,” said Erin. “I know better. I know he’s not doing anything wrong. I’ve trusted that man my entire life. Why on earth would I doubt him now?”
“Maybe we’re searching for a purpose as well,” said Grace. Her friends turned, staring at her in awe. “We’ve taken care of our children and, to some extent, our grandchildren. We’ve damn sure taken care of our husbands.”
“And one another,” smiled Faith, reaching for her friend’s hand and giving it a squeeze. Claudette disappeared in a haze that smelled suspiciously like Christmas cookies.
“Okay, ladies,” said Alexandra, standing on the chair. After all, she was the shortest woman in the room and could barely be seen above the others. “I say we let the men do their thing. Bless it from a distance, and maybe we start focusing on our own purpose. The dormitories at the school sanctuary desperately need a makeover. I say we buy new bedding, pillows, everything.”
“I love that idea!” said Grace. “We can decorate for Christmas in there, Hannukah, Kwanza, anything that applies to the girls and mothers. How many do we have?”
“I was there yesterday,” said Mary. “We have fifteen girls and six mothers. Four of the girls have been with us over a year and attending our school.”
“Do they need a permanent residence? Maybe something like the boys’ home?” asked Alexandra.
“We already have the girls’ home, but it’s full. I think we need to focus on what we have. Besides, Grant said he’s doing a bunch of projects right now, so I’m not sure about his bandwidth.”
“We’re good at a lot of things, ladies. We’re intelligent, self-sufficient, and we know how to support our husbands and one another. Maybe when we asked the guys to stop, we sort of stopped as well,” said Faith. “I mean, I admit that I’ve been a little bored as well. We have so many women here now. We don’t all have to be involved in planning the weddings or the parties. Maybe we punished ourselves in all this.”
“I think I have an idea,” smiled Erin. She stood, pacing back and forth. “Yes! Yes, I have an idea. An amazing idea!”
“Well, are you going to share it?” smiled Grace.
“I am. And we’re going to give it to our husbands for Christmas. This is going to be an amazing holiday!”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
“I don’t have a lot of crew members available, Erin,” said Grant. “I’m sorry. I can get someone in here to paint, sand the floors, move furniture, but anything big will have to wait until after the new year.”
“No, that’s fine. If we could do that, it would be wonderful. We’re going to order some new furniture and appliances, but the delivery company will set it all up for us. We just have to get these walls painted.”
“Have you thought about wallpaper?” he asked. “I know it was out of fashion for a while, but I’m seeing it come back in a big way. The right pattern could really make this whole place pop.”
“That’s a great idea,” smiled Lauren. “We could do something bright and fun in the bedrooms but do something a little more elegant and darker for the common areas. Maybe not all the walls, just a statement wall.”
“I love this,” nodded Grace. “Thank you, Grant. When can we get started?”
“I’ll have José and Bobby come by first thing in the morning. If you go to this address,” he said, handing them a piece of paper, “Trisha can help you pick out the furniture, appliances, wallpaper, everything. They’re my choice for remodels. Good luck with this. You guys are really going to make this Christmas special for these girls.”
“Oh, there you are,” smiled Evie. She kissed her husband as he lifted her off the floor, swinging her around.
“Now, that’s how a woman wants to be greeted,” laughed Erin.
“We haven’t seen much of each other these past few weeks,” said Evie. “Grant is working until seven or eight most nights. I have to head to New York tomorrow with a team. Can we spend the rest of the evening together?”
“Baby, that sounds perfect,” he smiled. “Ladies, let me know if you need anything else. Right now, I need to take care of my wife.”
Waving at the couple as they left, they all smiled at them as they practically ran from the room.
“You know, we have several girls sharing rooms, but that doesn’t give them a lot of privacy,” said Faith. “What if we did privacy screens, or maybe we had furniture that created natural divides?”
