New Hope by Annabella Michaels

Author:Annabella Michaels [Michaels, Annabella]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-10-24T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

RIVER

“What’s for dinner?” Hannah was sitting criss cross applesauce in the middle of my bed, a pile of clean towels around her. Her forehead furrowed as she carefully lined up the edges of a hand towel and folded it.

I’d always included her in the chores that needed to be done around the house. Putting her toys in the toy box when she was a toddler, matching socks when she was in preschool, and setting the table for dinner when she started kindergarten. It usually took twice as long as if I’d simply done it myself, but to me, it was important to teach her responsibility and how to care for our home.

I finished folding another towel and added it to the stack to be put in the linen closet. “I’m not sure. I’ll have to see what we have since I haven’t been to the store yet.”

My job was always busier this time of year with the colder weather moving in and kids going back to school. My being gone had caused a backup of patients waiting to see me. As soon as I’d gotten back, I’d been slammed with an influx of runny noses, strep throat, and a couple of cases of head lice. By Saturday evening, I was exhausted and in serious need of a trip to the grocery store.

We finished folding the last of the towels and put them away, then I turned to Hannah. “Come on, squirt. Let’s go see if we can find anything in the fridge or if we need to order a pizza.”

She held both hands up in front of her. “Okay, but whatever you do, no beets! Miss Hilda brought some to Nana today at the market and she made me try a bite. Sooooo grooooossss!!!”

I tried to cover my laugh with a cough as she made a wretched face and pretended to gag. “I hope you didn’t say that to Miss Hilda,” I said from behind my hand.

Hannah shook her head. “No, Daddy. I made myself swallow it even though it made my belly hurt. But then she asked if I liked it and I didn’t want to make her sad, only I’m not apposed to lie—”

“Not supposed to lie,” I corrected.

“Yeah, we’re not apposed to lie, so I told her that it was different. I figured that wouldn’t hurt her feelings because Nana always says different doesn’t mean bad. Even though her beets were bad. Really, really bad.”

A laugh slipped out of my mouth before I could stop it that time. “You’re too much sometimes, baby girl. Although, you don’t have anything to worry about. I don’t think we have a single beet in the house.”

“Thank goodness!” she exclaimed dramatically.

I ruffled a hand over her hair as we headed downstairs to search for food. We’d just stepped into the kitchen when there was a knock on the door. Hannah looked at me curiously. “Who’s that?”

I smirked at her. “Maybe it’s Miss Hilda and she’s bringing you more beets.”

Her face registered disgust.

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