Abduction of Life by Nanci Pattenden

Author:Nanci Pattenden [Pattenden, Nanci]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-12-15T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER EIGHT

A s promised, Hodgins let Cordelia sleep in. After dressing, he lit a small fire in the bedroom fireplace to combat the early morning spring chill, then roused Sara.

“Your mother has a busy day, so I’m letting her sleep in. You get the twins dressed and I’ll make breakfast. Eggs and sausages suit you?”

“Daddy, that’s the only thing you can cook.” Sara giggled and got out of bed. “We’ll be down by the time you have breakfast ready.”

Sara joined in to help with the dishes after everyone finished eating. Scraps padded down the hall and woofed quietly. Hodgins patted his head as he approached, opening the door before Beryl could knock.

“Thank you for coming early and giving up your day off. You’ll have time to enjoy the party once it starts. Delia’s parents will keep an eye on the children while we attend to the guests. I’ve let her have a lie in.” He took her cape and hung it on the coat tree.

“When did she find time to do all this?” Beryl looked around at the pink and white bunting wrapped around the upstairs railing. More hung on the walls of the sitting and dining rooms.

“I put that up last evening after sending her to bed. She practically fell asleep in the chair. Still have the backyard to decorate. Henry’s coming over with tables and chairs soon. John Mitchell is loaning him a wagon from his livery. I just had to promise him a large piece of cake.”

The mantle clock chimed. “Better get her up. Said I’d let her sleep an extra hour, and it’s been over ninety minutes. If you wouldn’t mind fixing breakfast for her, I’ll wake her. Sausages are cooked. Just need warming.

“Of course. Sara can keep an eye on Holy and Ivy.” She looked around. “Where are they?”

“Sara’s finishing up in the kitchen, and the twins are with her.” He glanced down the hall. “They are awfully quiet.”

They hurried to the kitchen. Sara was wiping off the table and the twins sat in their chairs, half asleep. Sara look up when they entered.

“Morning, Beryl. It’s going to be such a fun day. Daddy, shouldn’t Mommy be up soon?”

“Just about to do that, Pumpkin. I think these two monkeys need to go back to bed, though.”

Holly raised her arms when she spotted him. “I’ll take this one. You grab Ivy. Beryl will start Mommy’s breakfast.” He grinned when the nanny’s tummy growled. “Maybe she’ll join Mommy for breakfast.”

Beryl blushed. “I did leave the house rather early.”

Sara put two plates on the table before lifting Ivy from her chair and taking her upstairs. “You did a good job decorating, Daddy. Mommy will be pleased.”

“Still have a lot more to do.” He laid Holly on her bed. “No point changing them. They’ll be in their party dresses soon enough.”

He crossed the hall to rouse his wife and stood beside the bed, staring at her. She stirred, half opening her eyes.

“Why are you staring at me? I must look a fright.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.