Dreaming of His Snowed In Kiss - Jessie Gussman Page 0,54
is ready to come out, and Minnie is eager to get back to the children. She is sleeping right now though, and after her online appointment doctors are trying to make sure that the pain is managed. It’s getting worse.”
“I think we’re doing this just in time.”
“I think you’re right. Penny will spend the afternoon gathering up gifts and getting them wrapped, and we’ll see if we can do this as a surprise. I might even be able to get us a Santa Claus and possibly an elf.”
“The kids would love that.”
“That’s what I thought. You text me with anything else you need, and we’ll see what we can do. I don’t want the church to descend on her too hard—she can’t handle it. I’d even like to keep hospice staying back if we can and just let it be Minnie and her children, with you and Poppy.”
At this point, Race hesitated. It seemed like he wanted to say more but stopped himself just in time.
Race cleared his throat. “I believe Minnie wants to talk to you about the kids.”
“Is she not happy with what we’re doing with them?”
“It’s not that. Probably the opposite.”
“She’s okay with Poppy?”
“Of course. There’s not a better woman anywhere to be taking care of children. Poppy’s good with kids, and she has never-ending patience.” His dad snorted. “She’s got more patience than I do.”
“I suppose she could give your sermon on Sunday if you want her to.”
“Very funny, son.”
“You know, Dad, I don’t think I’ve ever said anything to you for what you’ve done for me. I don’t thank you often enough. What you did for my siblings and me...the things I put you through...you didn’t give up on me. I appreciate that. I’d be a much different person today if it hadn’t been for you and Mom.”
“Thank the Lord. He’s the one who worked it out. I never thought I’d be a dad.”
“You made a good one.”
“You will too.”
This is where West would have argued with anyone else.
Yesterday.
Today, with the memory of Poppy’s lips under his, and her body pressed close, and her smile that warmed him the whole way to his soul, and her whispered words that he was the only one—yeah, he could see himself being a dad. As long as Poppy was the mom.
Funny how his brain had shifted that fast and that completely.
But he had never been the kind of person to wallow around in indecisiveness.
“Think you might be right, Dad. They’re going to have a great set of grandparents.”
His dad chuckled. “I owe your mom a pizza.”
“What?” How had his dad changed the subject so completely and so fast? What had he missed? Pizza? “Are you bringing pizza for the Christmas celebration?”
Laughter came through the phone again. “No. It’s a personal thing. Your mom’s already taking care of the food. It’ll be coming too. She’s got everything lined up. She was born to do this job.”
“As were you.”
“I think you’re right about that. When God calls us to do something, we’re fools if we hesitate. But sometimes, it takes a lot of faith to just step out when there’s no floor underneath your foot.”
West rubbed his eyes, looking at the tracks that the kids made through the snow, trying to figure out what his dad was saying.
Sure, he was talking about his own walk, but it was almost like he was saying something more. Some lesson he wanted West to grasp, but it just wasn’t coming to him.
“I’ll take your word for that, Dad. You’re the wisest man I know.”
“Just follow Jesus, son.”
They hung up not long after, and West looked around. Poppy was coming down the stairs, and she didn’t have a baby in her arms.
“Are they all sleeping?”
“Even Warren. You have exhausted those poor children.” That smile, the one that never stopped, graced her lips. “Although, I think you were playing just as hard as the children. Maybe you should take a nap too.”
He shook his head. “No way. I’m not taking a nap or doing anything that would make me miss any time with you.”
He wouldn’t have thought her smile could get any bigger, but it did, and he loved it.
“You want to go outside with me? I was gonna check the bridge. My parents have everything arranged, and they’re expecting to bring Minnie tomorrow. Hospice will be hot on their heels though, and Dad doesn’t think we have much time with Minnie.”
“That doesn’t surprise me.” She stopped in front of him. “It does make me