Total pages in book: 138
Estimated words: 133688 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 668(@200wpm)___ 535(@250wpm)___ 446(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 133688 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 668(@200wpm)___ 535(@250wpm)___ 446(@300wpm)
Owen has been such a great help since we moved into the house. He seems to love his new life, enjoys calling me dad, and is delighted he has a half brother with more on the way. Anthony comes over a lot. We treat him as our own and want the boys to make up for the lost time. They both share the loss of their father, but they’ve found strength in having one another. It’s funny seeing the two of them together because they act so much alike. Anthony’s a polite kid, but it’s obvious he never got the attention he deserved, and Loretta’s trying her best to change that. None of us can change the past, so we’re devoted to making the future better. Honestly, it all worked out better than I ever could’ve imagined.
Now that it's the beginning of October and the temperature has started to drop, I decided to plan something special for Katie. She’s dressed and waiting for me in the living room with Owen. After I’m ready, I get a text message and glance down, seeing Tyler’s name.
Tyler: Are you ready for today?
Noah: Been waiting a lifetime for it.
The thought makes my lips tilt up. Before I leave the bedroom, I grab the black velvet box and slip it inside my jacket pocket. The last thing I want her to see is the ring.
When I enter the living room, Katie laughs. “Finally! Sometimes you’re worse than a woman.”
I snort at her. “No, you’re just Ms. Impatient these days.”
She sighs. “I keep thinking about the candied apples and the warm pie at the pumpkin patch. It’s making me hangry!”
“And I want to do the hayride! Mom told me y’all went when you were teens.”
The memory of Katie holding my hand tight as we rode around on a lowboy stacked with hay bales nearly encapsulates me. The cool air and holding her close almost had me spilling my feelings, but I got cold feet. This time, I can guarantee that won’t happen.
“Loretta and Elliot might show up too,” I tell Katie, not wanting her to be shocked in case we run into them. “I invited them last minute so they could bring Anthony along if they wanted. Apparently, he’s never been to a pumpkin patch before.”
Her eyes soften. “Should we pick him up and take him with us?”
“Yes!” Owen yells.
“It’s up to you,” I say.
Owen nods his head. “Please, Mom?”
“Okay, okay. I’ll call Loretta and ask.”
While Katie is on the phone, Owen watches her like a hawk. Though he’s only a few months older than Anthony, he’s really taken on the big brother role. He doesn’t let anyone make fun of his brother at school and has become very protective of him.
Katie waits, then Loretta answers, and from what I gather, they’re already on their way there. I check the time and realize we need to get going too.
“Oh okay. I’ll tell Owen he can meet up with y’all then,” she says with a smile. “You too. Bye.”
“Time to go,” I say with a wink. “But don’t forget your jackets. It might get cool this afternoon.”
On the way out, Katie and Owen grab theirs out of the closet next to the front door, and she explains to Owen that Anthony’s coming. He’s giddy with excitement as we leave, and so am I. She has no idea what’s planned.
The drive to the pumpkin patch only takes an hour, and it’s easy to see the seasons changing based on the colors of the leaves. It’s outside of Lawton Ridge in the middle of a gigantic pasture that’s empty most of the year except during this time. Katie lets out a happy sigh as she places her hand on her stomach and looks outside.
We have to pay to park, but I drop off Katie and Owen at the entrance first. It also allows me to get my thoughts together while also limiting how much she walks. As I go to meet them, the leaves crunch under my shoes, and the cool, brisk breeze brushes against my cheeks. I know Owen would’ve complained he was cold later. I’m actually kinda getting used to this dad thing and love having him as my son.
When I meet up with them, I wrap my arm around Katie and Owen skips ahead of us. Though it’s a pumpkin patch, booths are set up with crafts, food, and even games. Not much has changed in the past fifteen years, and I feel nostalgic as we enter.
“Mom! Look!” Owen says, pointing at a giant bubbly orange drink. It makes me chuckle.
“Do you want one?” I ask, and his facial expression gives him away.
Katie chuckles. “Oh lord. We’re gonna have a sugared-up kid tonight!”
I step forward and order each of us one. Apparently, it’s a pumpkin fizzy drink poured over a scoop of ice cream, and it tastes good. Even Katie’s eyes light up when she takes a sip. “Make that three sugared-up kids.”