Read Online Four Times Blessed by Alexa Liguori - Free Book Online Page A

come, but it’s just the young ones. None of them have been directly involved,” says my Aunt Carolina from down the table.
    “No, that’s not true,” says my Uncle Stonington. “Just yesterday I heard that one of those boys that just walked in helped Angie’s son’s son drag the cow almost half-way across the island.”
    “It’s true. All it was doing was grazing over by the beach.”
    “Yeah, one of them had seen him from the water that morning, and Angie couldn’t stand the thought of him being on our side with my cousin’s cow. That’s why she sent a bunch of her grandsons over to get him. I felt sorry for it. He mooed and cried the whole way back. Caused quite a scene on the green. How did you miss it? I saw it all from right over there,” he nods.
    The ladies also nod, variously at him or at their drinks. The poor boy next to me is now sitting in soldier mode. I start wondering how I’m going to get him out of here.
    Then he goes and leans forward. I don’t breathe. My family turns and gives Andrew the polite attention due to a guest. He says, “I’m afraid I don’t follow, having just come here. Something about cows?”
    Diplomatic. Another one for the father.
    “Oh,” “Ah,” “Yes, of course,” my aunts and uncles all sit back. At this point I have two choices. I can either die of embarrassment, or just wait until it’s over. Because there’s no stopping my family when they have something they want to share. Especially when it’s news as good as this. 
    “Well, you see, dear,” says my Aunt Alicia, sitting up straight and glancing about for unintended ears.
    “You wouldn’t know, because you’ve only just gotten here, but Angie’s grandson’s been stuck on this bull of his for months now. If you see him, you’ll know why. He’s a very nice bull. Strong. We call him Philbert.”
    Everyone adds their own compliments to Philbert. Even I have to. He is very handsome, as far as bulls go.
    “But the grandson insists that Philbert is his and his alone. He won’t even let him breed with any of our cows, even though that makes no sense. It’s silly not to. If you let him breed, then we can get more like him. I mean, it’s not like the thing will run out of juice.” I cover my eyes, which are already closed. It’s not enough. Because oh, this is wonderful. Let’s have a conversation about sperm. That’s got to be the best first date topic ever. I feel awful for Andrew.
    And myself. I stand and try to take Andrew away. He holds my hand, and pats it.
    I honestly don’t know if I’m more impressed or astonished that this boy isn’t already out the door. Or that he…actually looks like he’s listening. I feel like I’m distracting him with all my cringing and pulling. I try to stand still. Let my hand just rest on his shoulder. It’s a nice shoulder.
    “But you see, what happened the other day is Angie’s grandson found the bull missing, and for some reason he came over to my sister’s house and pounded on the door. Pounded on it, can you believe it?
    “Then he accused her of stealing his bull, and of course she said she did no such thing, but he’s very unreasonable. That’s when he tried to drag the beast back to his own house. Right through my herb garden.” She shakes her head.
    “So, anyways, dear, that’s why we’re all just so surprised they had the nerve to show up here tonight.”
    Yup, that about covers it. Welcome to the islands, Andrew.
    My husband-to-be does well in chuckling along with the others. I, however, think that’s enough for now. I’ll keep working on exposing him to my family’s weirdness a little at a time. Systematic desensitization, they’d call it at the academy. Works wonders on a person.
    “Don’t worry, Andrew. It’s not such a big deal. We’ve just got to do something to keep life here interesting,” I tell him, tugging again. I know they want to keep talking to him, and it’s good they’re all getting along, I guess, but