THE BENNETTS' CHRISTMAS (The Bennett Family and the Masters Family #6) - Brenda Jackson Page 0,30
was cold, so they’d both worn heavy coats and gloves. She also had a cute knit cap on her head. He’d heard snow was on the way, but that was okay. Before heading out here from Boston, he’d made sure he had a new set of snow tires put on his car.
As they walked, she’d told him about the neighborhood, made up mainly of a community of beautiful older homes. Most of the original owners had moved out and the young up and coming professionals had moved in. There was rarely any crime in the area, and she contributed that to the neighborhood watch program in effect. On one side of their place lived a couple of attorneys, and on the other side, there was an engineer and his wife who was a teacher. Across the street lived the owners of one of the clothing stores they’d passed. Everyone was friendly and pretty much minded their own business.
Once they entered the cafe, she was greeted by many of the staff. It was obvious she was a regular. She removed her coat to hang it up, and he saw that she had changed into a pair of jeans and a pullover sweater. He tried not to stare but couldn’t help himself. She had looked cute in her leggings but the outfit she was wearing now clearly emphasized her curves and nice backside. He was suddenly really glad he’d told Evan not to visit.
After they were seated and had placed their orders, Sebrina told him that she worked the night shift at the hospital and usually dropped by the café after getting off work, even if it was just to grab a cup of coffee. She was sure he would enjoy lunch, but suggested he check them out for breakfast as well. She thought the café served the best breakfast in town.
While they were waiting for their meal, their discussion turned to what they had in common—the hospital. He’d be starting out on the day shift, shadowing Dr. Miller for a while. He had heard St. Paul General was a great place to work and was eager to meet everyone.
After the waitress brought their drink orders, Sebrina told him about the house they now shared, how Kennedy’s parents had bought it more than thirty years ago, intending to have a large family. That was why it was so big, with five bedrooms and four bathrooms. Sadly, Kennedy’s mother died in a car accident when Kennedy had only been twelve.
Michael, Kennedy’s father, had decided to move to Atlanta to be close to the family when Kennedy had been thirteen. He chose not to sell the house, just in case he moved back one day. He never did and had given Kennedy the deed to the house when she’d graduated from college.
“So, why did four girls decide to move in together?” he asked, trying not to notice how perfectly her mouth fit on the straw as she took a sip of her soda.
“It was something we decided to do when we were just teens, although we had no idea at the time Kennedy’s father would make it so easy for us by giving Kennedy the house. We all went to different colleges, but we’d made a pact that we would all come back home and enjoy the single life together. At the time, home was Atlanta.”
She took another sip of her drink, then continued saying, “There was supposed to have been six of us, but two of my cousins, Lauren and Cody, got married right after college. That left the four of us.”
“I can’t imagine six women under the same roof,” he said, taking a sip of his own drink. Seeing her mouth on that straw was causing another ache.
She chuckled and he even liked the sound. “It would not have been a problem. We all got along.”
“So, now it’s only you and your sister Monica living there, since Kennedy and Victoria got married, right?”
“Yes. But now, you’re there, too, and I want to officially welcome you.”
“Thanks.”
He truly hoped she meant it and wasn’t bothered by him moving in. Rae’jean had claimed it would be an ideal situation, but he wanted to make sure Sebrina wasn’t just being polite. “I hope I won’t cause you and your sister any trouble.”
She waved off his words. “Of course, you won’t. We probably won’t see much of each other, anyway. I work nights, so when I get in, you’ll either be leaving or already gone. You’ll likely