Read Online Her Unexpected Family by Ruth Logan Herne - Free Book Online

down. If we could set up a Skype with her, that would be great, but even if we can’t, we could possibly help her get a free gown.”
    â€œThey’re giving them away? There’s got to be a catch,” Grant said, because nothing was ever really free.
    â€œIt’s a national program and Caroline signed up for it, and we happen to be planning Christa’s wedding at the right time. Can you manufacture some time that day? I’ll contact Christa about Skyping with us and see what time would work best for her, and maybe we could plan around that.”
    â€œYes, of course.” A sudden thought made him hesitate. “This isn’t like a poverty program, is it, Emily? Because we’re on a budget, but we’re not broke.”
    â€œIt’s nothing of the kind,” she promised. “People across the country are contributing to show their thanks. Caroline’s Bridal wanted to be part of the national appreciation effort. Pretty cool, right?”
    â€œI’ll say. Okay, you email Christa and I’ll open up whatever time we need that day. Do they have evening hours in case we get a storm and I’m tied up?”
    â€œOpen until eight, so sure, we could use that as backup, but that’s the middle of the night for Christa. So—”
    She was going to end the call. It was now or never. “Emily, wait. Don’t hang up.”
    â€œNo?”
    He breathed deep. “Not yet.”
    â€œOkay. What’s up?”
    â€œDolly.” He paused, then waded in. “I’ve been thinking about what you said when we first met, about challenging her more.”
    â€œYou mean when you got huffy with me and almost walked out? That conversation?”
    â€œThat would be the one.”
    â€œSo, what’s to discuss?” She sounded matter-of-fact, like the skilled businesswoman she was. “People make decisions about children all the time, and I’m not an expert, Grant. And you’re not exactly open to suggestion, so maybe we should leave it at that. There are plenty of well-written books out there about raising developmentally delayed kids. That way you don’t get mad at me, a plan I favor highly since we’ll be working together for the next two months.”
    â€œIf I promise not to get mad, act like a jerk or get defensive, do you think we could get together and talk about it?”
    â€œCan you do that?” she asked, which made him laugh because she was kind of right.
    â€œI can try,” he said. “But can we do it at my house? I feel terrible leaving them so often.”
    â€œLesson one,” she murmured. “Excise guilt factor.”
    â€œYou get points for recognizing that—I think it’s intrinsic to single parents.”
    â€œMy sister-in-law Corinne would agree. So would Drew. It’s hard to be the bad guy all of the time.”
    â€œExactly. But I don’t want to raise a couple of angry, bratty kids, and if Dolly keeps demanding more and more attention, how will Timmy feel?” Something he said must have tipped her into saying yes.
    â€œWhat about tomorrow? Rachel’s coming over around noon, but maybe later? Or we could meet Sunday after church. That might be better. It’s earlier in the day, before nap time.”
    â€œWhat time do you go to church?”
    â€œNine. And I’m home by ten thirty, so I could be at your place by eleven or so. Unless that interrupts your morning?”
    â€œEleven’s good. I’ll grab some stuff for lunch, okay?”
    â€œNo cold cuts.”
    Grant paused. “You don’t eat cold cuts?”
    â€œNot as a rule.”
    â€œAre you a vegetarian? Or one of those vegans?”
    â€œNo, I eat lots of things, but I don’t do cold cuts. Although I do like sliced ham. Sliced ham doesn’t count.”
    â€œI’m confused. Is it a certain type you don’t like or just cold cuts in general? Because that might be