“Good. I’m happy to hear that.” She paused again, listening. “They’re all wonderful. Growing up so fast.”
Zachary moved like he was going to try to take the phone from Mom, but Luke stopped him. Josiah shook his head. Dad watched his wife, his expression impossible to read.
“All right, thank you for calling.” She briefly closed her eyes. “I love you, too, Reese.”
Mom lowered her phone, and the babies started to babble, breaking the tense silence. She took a deep breath as if to steady herself. “Before you ask, I don’t know where he is. He never tells me. But he’s doing fine.”
After another moment, conversations rose again. Dad moved toward Mom and led her down the hallway. That was what she needed—her husband comforting her, not her other kids hounding her with questions she couldn’t answer.
“I guess every family has a bit of drama,” I said to Pen. “My brother Reese left Tilikum and hasn’t been back. None of us really knows why.”
“That’s so sad.”
“It is. I was mad at him for a long time, but at this point, I don’t think I’d punch him in the face if I saw him.”
She smiled. “That’s good at least.”
“Zachary would, though.” I glanced at Z having an animated discussion with Luke and Josiah—undoubtedly about Reese. “Unless his wife stopped him.”
“Marigold seems like she’s good at keeping the peace.”
“Yeah, she’s probably the only woman in the world who can handle him.”
As if to prove me right, Marigold deftly stepped in front of Zachary and distracted him with their daughter, Emily. It worked like a charm. Moments later, he was making her laugh.
It didn’t take long for Mom and Dad to reappear. Mom didn’t try to hide her emotions, but she made it clear she wanted to enjoy a nice holiday dinner.
So that was what we did.
The dining room was packed, and the food was delicious. There was more talk about building an addition to accommodate our numbers. I alternated between holding Pen’s hand and resting my hand on her thigh as we ate, enjoying the satisfaction of knowing she was one of the reasons our family was growing—and would hopefully be the reason it grew even more.
And when the conversation turned to the upcoming football game, it was all I could do not to smile like an idiot. Not because I was confident my team was going to win, although I was. Butbecause it wasn’t going to be just any football game. And my entire family was going to be there to see it.
Even more importantly, Penelope wasn’t going to see it coming.
CHAPTER 43
Penelope
Maybe it wasthe stadium lights glinting off tiny flakes of snow, but the air seemed to sparkle with excitement as I parked at Tilikum High School. I was dressed in my green and white hat, and I’d put on Theo’s hoodie. It was a little big on me, but I loved wearing it, even when it was cold enough that I had to put a coat on over it.
“Are you sure you’re going to be warm enough?” I asked.
Grandma sat next to me, bundled in her winter coat, hat, and scarf. “I’ll be fine.”
Theo had invited her to come to the game, and I’d been surprised at how excited she was. She’d never been a sports fan, and tended to prefer staying home, especially when the weather was cold. But she’d enthusiastically accepted.
I was excited to have her there. It was a part of my life I wanted to share with her.
I’d picked her up and managed to get her wheelchair in the back. She waited while I got it back out and moved it over to the passenger side. She was able to maneuver herself from the car into her seat, and I spread a blanket over her lap to help keep her warm.
We made our way to the stadium behind the school. The game hadn’t even begun, and the crowd roared, students and their families chanting along with well-known cheers. It was the first time in recent memory that the Timberwolves had made it to the playoffs, and they were one game away from going to state.
My heart fluttered and my body tingled with nervousness. Theo had been his usual calm, confident self all day, but I knew him too well to miss the hint of anticipation in his eyes. Fortunately, it had looked more like excitement than nerves.
After showing my staff ID, I pushed Grandma up the ramp to the bleachers. I went to the railing and looked down. Theo was on the sideline dressed in a thick black coat, talking to his players.
I remembered the game earlier in the season when I’d come while waiting for a pizza order. That Penelope seemed like a different person.
