AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Getting the drift – basically, stop her – I call out, “Aubrey.” Again, her shoulders stiffen as they tend to when her name is said. Does she not like it? Was her mom an Aubrey as well, so it’s hard for her to hear now?
I suddenly wish I knew the specifics of her parents’ passing. Maybe the HHP’s office will divulge it if I ask?
No. I doubt it. Otherwise, why not just include it in the file in the first place?
“Yes, Carson?”
“You’re going to make me do the tree by myself?” I ask, putting what I hope is the perfect amount of pouting in my voice.
Aubrey whirls around so fast her hair flies for a second as turns around to see me. “You want me to help?”
“Yes!” We all reply in unison.
“But you said…”
“Do you not want to be part of this family?” Mom inquires. Even I can see how upset the possibility makes her. In the short time Aubrey has been here, Mom has claimed Aubrey as one of hers.
I think each of us have.
“Of course, I do,” she instantly states. I hear the longing in every word. Can the others? Can Aubrey?
“Well, get back here,” Mom urges. When she sees Aubrey doing just that, she turns to me. “Carson, come help me get the boxes.”
I catch Dad arching a brow at her, letting me know he’s on to her ploy. Mom winks at him, a secret conversation taking place between the two of them.
That’s what I want. That closeness. That unbreakable bond. That foundation built solidly on love, trust, and absolute devotion.
“Sure, Mom.”
With a pointed look at Aubrey, one I want her to interpret as that she better stay put, I follow Mom to the basement.
“She’s skittish,” Mom whispers, lest our discussion travel.
“I know.”
“You’ll have to be mindful of that.” That has me staring at her. “Don’t give me that. I’ve seen how you watch her.”
Drat. I should’ve known she would.
With seven kids, the woman is nothing if not super observant.
She could teach lessons on spying to a certain agency that’s supposed to be the best at it.
“Hmmm.” Non-committal because I won’t bother denying it. It’d be a lie anyway. But neither will I confirm it.
Besides, she already knows she’s right.
Within a few minutes, the boxes having already been retrieved and placed aside for this purpose, we’re back in the living room. The horde descends on them, having obviously assigned themselves tasks while Mom and I were busy.
Dad, Damon, and Vincent grab the stuff for the exterior, snagging their winter gear from the closet by the door before stepping outside.
Darcy and Mary take the window clings and so forth, which means they’ll be hitting every room to adhere them.
When I said this is Mom’s favorite holiday, I was serious.
Mom, Catherine, and Violet gather the kitchen things, such as the cookie cutters, bakeware, etc. that only comes out once a year. They’ll be at it for hours, having the house smelling so good we might all drown from the drool we’ll spill.
With the others gone, leaving Aubrey and I alone, I’m about to suggest we get started only to discover she’s already peering in the box and containers left behind. Carefully withdrawing ornaments, figurines, and more with such reverence. She opens a tissue wrapped item, squealing at what she finds inside.
