Meeting Mrs. Garret by Raquel De Leon

Author:Raquel De Leon [De Leon, Raquel]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: romance
Published: 2018-09-08T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter Sixteen

Surprisingly, it was Steven who couldn’t wait for everyone to wake up for Christmas morning. He stomped around the house loudly for several minutes until heads started to poke out from behind bedroom doors to see what the commotion was about.

Seated opposite Sean at the kitchen table, Adam chuckled.

“Steven is very… energetic,” Maddie said neutrally. Mug in hand, she moved over to give Adam a kiss on the cheek. She brushed a hand over his blue pullover before settling on his shoulder.

Adam grinned up at her, his hand coming to rest over hers. “That’s one way of putting it.”

“He’s a pain in the ass,” Sean admitted. “It’s another fine Holder quality.”

Maddie raised an eyebrow at him, squeezing Adam’s shoulder before pulling her hand away. “You seem pretty mellow,” she mused at Sean. Realizing she’d forgotten to actually pour herself some coffee, she headed back toward the half-full coffee pot.

“Age has that effect. That, and I’m trying to enjoy the small things life has to offer.” Sean raised his mug of tea and took a hearty sip.

A commotion in the rest of the house caught their attention, the sound of a scuffle reaching the kitchen. Steven released a high-pitched yelp, and a few moments later there was a scurry of feet.

Steven scrambled into the kitchen, hair mussed and chest heaving. His bright green shirt was askew. He offered everyone in the kitchen an awkward smile. “Uh, everyone but Reeve is up.” He winced as he shifted from foot to foot. “He said we can open presents without him.”

“Nonsense,” Sean declared as he stood from his seat. “I’ll start breakfast. We can eat, and maybe then Reeve will be awake.”

Steven frowned, his shoulders slumping as he grumbled under his breath.

Sean stood and began pulling out ingredients, stopping briefly to square off against his son. He shot the younger man a glare. “What was that?”

Steven looked everywhere but his dad’s eyes. “Ah, nothing, Pops. I’ll go tell everyone that breakfast is being started.”

Sean waited for his son to retreat before turning back to his task. “You’d think he’s the youngest of the lot instead of the oldest.”

“Ah, Sean, you gotta admire his enthusiasm,” Adam offered with a half-smile. “I do wonder where he finds the energy. By his age, I was married and trying to raise Brittney.”

Sean turned his head and smiled. “It was the same for me and Steven’s mom.” His head turned back, but he kept speaking. “I suppose we were both lucky to find love so soon.”

Maddie, who had taken a seat across from Adam, smiled reflexively when he shot her an adoring look. Her gaze dropped down to her coffee, wondering why the blend she’d enjoyed only yesterday seemed inordinately bitter today.

“I know Maddie and Brittney changed my life for the better.” Adam made eye contact with Maddie as soon as she looked up.

His expression was devoted and full of intent, and Maddie found she couldn’t look away. She couldn’t remember the last time Adam had looked at her quite like that, and the realization made her swallow and strain to keep the smile on her face.

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