AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“What’s this?” Matt looked up at Kate.
Kate’s eyebrows bounced. “The hat box.”
“Ah.” Matt nodded with a conspirator’s wink. “Thehat.”
“I found it.” Kevin moved to push himself out of the recliner.
“Oh no.” Kate pushed on his shoulder until he sat back down. “Use your words.”
“You’ve been mothering littles too much.Use your words.” Kevin rolled his eyes and shook his head as he mocked her.
Matt chuckled. “Kate, I love that you have proven to be Dad’s match. Don’t let up.” Then he looked at Kevin. “And, Dad, just tell us where the box is, and we’ll take it from there.”
With a good-natured growl, Kevin eyed them both. “Fine. Officer Bossy and Officer Funhater.”
Kate burst out laughing.
“Shush. You want to be found out?”
She covered her mouth and let her eyes do the laughing.
“Now.” Kevin pointed the direction from which Kate had come. “In the storage room under the stairs, behind the safe, you’ll find a baby-blue box.”
“That’s it?” Kate said.
“That’s it.” Kevin nodded. “You girls will see to the rest, right?”
“Operation Christmas Eve Bride is in full swing.” Kate kissed her fingertips and then tapped Kevin’s forehead with them. “Trust your girls, Daddy Murph. We’ve got this. And it’s going to be the best thing ever.”
And then she whisked herself out.
Matt followed Kate’s trail with his eyes and waited until the door to the storage room creaked open. Then he looked back at Kevin. “It’s a good thing you weren’t allowed to have daughters until they were grown-ups.”
“What?” He and Helen had actually tried for a daughter . . . “Why?”
“You’re mush, Pops. Total and complete mush.”
“Nah.” Kevin waved off his son’s accusation.
But though he wouldn’t admit it out loud, Matt wasn’t wrong, and Kevin well knew it. He flat out adored his daughters-in-law, and those sweet little granddaughters pretty much had him trained.
Papa, we get ice cream?
It’s nine in the morning, Bobbie Joy. Probably better not.
But ice cream is ’licious!”
That’s true. Let’s go.
Bobbie Joy had been two or three years old at that time. Even then she’d owned him. Just one of many proofs. When it came to the girls who had planted in his heart, he was a hopeless spoiler.
And he loved it.
Chapter Fourteen
(in which plans are discussed)
“Dad.”Connor’ssurprisecarriedin his voice as he answered the phone. “How are you?”
