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How precious was that?
Chapter Sixteen
(in which the boys are back)
Thelovelyaromaofa rich brew wafted in the kitchen, the pair of coffeepots Helen had started a few minutes after six now gurgling and spitting. On top of her industrial-sized oven, three sheet pans of cinnamon rolls waited under the cover of towels, ready to bake just as soon as the oven was done preheating.
Already dressed in a pair of her favorite jeans and a soft gray sweater, Helen had swept her hair into the French braid she commonly wore and had donned her red pinstriped apron—the one that Kate and Jacob had given her for Christmas last year. She hummed “Angels We Have Heard on High” softly as she opened the refrigerator to retrieve the three large bags of grapes she had waiting in there.
“Good morning, Mrs. Murphy,” a timid voice said softly from behind.
A bit startled, but hoping it didn’t show, Helen turned and found sweet little Lily Beck on the other side of the large island that separated the large kitchen from the even larger gathering space. Helen smiled. “Good morning, Lily. You’re up early.”
She liked this girl, just as Reid had promised she would. Lily had a sweetness that ran clear through, and she seemed to be an expert at navigating situations that most would find awkward. Yesterday she had met the Murphy crowd, as they trickled in, with a genuine smile and a way of conversing that seemed beyond her sixteen years.
Lily had also aided her younger brother through it with a subtle grace that Helen only noticed because Connor had confided to her before they came that Kellen didn’t do well with change and really struggled with crowds. Having that information, Helen had watched the younger Beck, praying for him, as this new situation must be hard. The boy stuck by Lily and Reid, and Lily gave him more than a few encouraging looks and made sure she didn’t wander off without him unless Reid was nearby.
The kids were good together. They were already a close crew—they’d be a lovely family, and Helen had silently thanked God last night that He’d so kindly put them together.
And Lily . . . was charming.Love at first sight.The thought—an echo of what she’d thought of all of her children and grandchildren—warmed her heart and made her smile grow as she leaned on the counter across from her newest family acquisition. “Did you sleep okay?”
A light blush touched Lily’s cheeks as she shrugged. “Mom was a bit restless. New places are like that.”
Compassion flooded Helen’s heart. “I’m sure nerves likely played a role. We’re quite a bunch to take in all at once.”
“Yeah.” Lily looked at her hands. “She’s nervous.” With a daring courage, Lily met Helen’s eyes. “We all are, to be honest.”
Ah. A kind one with courageous honesty. Helen pushed off the counter and circled round until she was at Lily’s side. She dropped an arm around the girl’s shoulder and squeezed. “I can understand that. Maybe it doesn’t help, but I’m sure glad you’re here.”
Lily leaned in briefly. “It helps. Thank you.”
“Little Isaac sure thought you’re the cat’s meow.” Helen laughed as she moved back toward the oven, replaying how three-year-old Isaac had fallen instantly in love with Lily, snuggling on her lap when she sat next to Reid and insisting that she be the one to carry him off to bed when it was time to say good night.
“He’s a cutie.”
“He’s a mini-Brayden, all enchanting and adorable. Audrey will have her hands full, especially if this next baby is anything of the same. Which is likely, as the Murphy charm runs deep.”
Lily giggled and made her way toward the sink. “Can I help you with anything?”
Helen stood, having slid the last of the three pans into the oven. “That’s kind of you, but you certainly don’t have to do anything.”
“I’d like to help, if you have anything.”
Placing her hands on her hips, she let her fingers drumroll against her sides as she thought. “I was just going to wash up the grapes. Would you mind doing that?”
“That would be easy.” Lily started in right away, and Helen set a pair of scissors and a large bowl beside the sink where she worked.
“Reid says you’re quite a basketball player.”
A fresh flush of pink brushed her cheeks. “I like playing ball. It’s nice to have Reid around too. He pushes me to be better. And Connor. It’s really fun when we all play together. Even mom comes out—and she’s good at basketball.”
“Did you learn how to play from her?”
Lily shrugged. “She taught me how to shoot, how to dribble. When I was little, we’d go to the park and play some. But that stopped for a while—she was too busy, and life was just . . . different.” A sadness touched Lily’s tone.
Helen wondered if thatdifferenthad to do with the divorce. It didn’t seem appropriate to ask though.
For several moments the pair fell into silent work. So many questions marched through Helen’s mind. How did Lily feel about her dad? Were they close? Was the divorce hard? Was it hard to see Connor step into a place with her mom that she felt didn’t belong to him? Or was she okay with everything between Connor and Jade? Helen found her heart throbbing with worry for this precious girl she’d already taken in as one of her own.
