Lib Novel Page 34
“Yes,” Sylvester said, dashing for the kitchen.
“I also brought some popcorn and a copy of the movie Rocky, in case you guys wanted to see it,” he offered quietly. “I can grab them out of my truck, but I thought I’d better not offer in front of Sly, in case you didn’t want to do all that.”
“It sounds wonderful,” she said, smiling up at him. “Though I did promise him we’d try to make some more decorations for the tree tonight, so we can let him decide what to do.”
Jared glanced over at the big tree he’d brought over. Cora and Sylvester had been slowly adding decorations, but they were really spread out.
“I can help with that instead,” he offered. “Whatever he decides. And I have something else to show him, too.”
“Okay, then,” Cora said. “Sounds like we need Sylvester to make some decisions.”
She moved her hand to her hair self-consciously, as if she was just remembering it was down.
“You look incredible,” he said softly, unable to help himself. “I love seeing you have fun.”
She froze for a moment, eyes widening, her hand still touching her hair.
“Arthur used to say that,” she said finally, relaxing a little and giving him a small smile. “That part about loving to see me have fun.”
Jared’s heart tugged and he wondered if there had been more opportunities to see her relaxed back then, or if Arthur had noticed what Jared had about her—that she needed more chances to enjoy herself.
“I’m fixing us milk,” Sylvester yelled happily from the kitchen.
“Oh dear,” she said, hurrying off to check on him.
Jared headed after her. Sylvester stood on a step stool by the counter. He already had out a jug of milk and three mugs.
“I’m fixing us a drink to go with our cranberry bread,” he said proudly.
“That’s great, honey,” Cora said. “Let us know if you need any help.”
“When you’re done, I want to show you something,” Jared told him. “But take your time.”
They watched the boy slowly angle the big jug of milk and carefully fill the mugs. When he was finished, a big smile flashed across his face.
“Great job,” Cora told him right away.
“What did you want to show me?” he asked Jared excitedly.
“Put the milk away first, please,” Cora reminded him.
He obeyed right away, which made Jared smile. The two of them had such a great rapport, and the kid really seemed to enjoy having a way to impress her.
He trotted back to Jared, an expectant expression on his face.
“Look,” Jared said, pulling the paper from his pocket.
It hit him that Sylvester was just a little boy, and he was probably hoping Jared had a toy in his pocket, or maybe a book. This piece of paper wouldn’t mean as much to him as it did to Jared.
But when Jared placed it in the boy’s hands, he looked down at it a moment, then his eyes shot back to Jared’s filled with joy and astonishment.
“You did it,” he said. “You did it.”
“What is that?” Cora asked.
“It’s the sign-up sheet for helpers over at Big Jim’s,” Jared explained. “Sly and I got a lot of it filled out while we were at the feed shop, but Sal let me know this afternoon that enough other people have volunteered to fill the rest of the times. Even Levi Williams signed up, and he hasn’t worked a farm in years.”
“I can’t believe it,” Sly said happily.