Travis's Gift (Riley's Pride #3)- Sandra R Neeley Page 0,82
in Christmas lights and decorations. “We’re all family, but we have our own houses close together. This one is the biggest so we gather here.”
Darcie nodded.
“You know what? I’m getting kinda tired. Why don’t we go ahead and head home. We have a busy day tomorrow anyway,” Roman said.
“We do?” she asked.
“We do. During the holidays, I work at the Christmas Village. We sell Christmas trees, and have all kinds of activities for kids to do,” Roman explained.
Her eyes rounded and she immediately became excited despite the fatigue she was feeling. “Do you think I could maybe help out?” she asked.
“Maybe. You’d have to ask Mr. Travis,” Roman said, tilting his head toward Travis.
Darcie followed Roman’s gaze and looked at Travis. “It’s your Christmas Village?” she asked.
“It is,” Travis answered. “It’s really a Christmas tree farm, but we have all kinds of fun things to do.”
“Can I come with Mr. Roman… I mean…” she faltered, not sure what to call Roman. “Roman?” she finally settled on.
“I don’t know. Are you a hard worker?” Travis asked.
“I am. And my Mama says I’m very smart, too,” she said.
Travis looked at Libby who was watching the little girl with her heart in her eyes, doing her best not to tear up from the situation the child had been through. “Libby, do you think we can find something for Darcie to do?”
Libby nodded. “Definitely. We have all kinds of things you can help with. And if you decide you don’t want to help anymore, you can hang around and play all day while Roman works. How does that sound?” Libby asked.
“Like lots of fun,” Darcie answered, before yawning again.
“We should go home, then. We’ll have a busy day tomorrow,” Roman said, sitting Darcie on the sofa so he could walk over and get the small bag of clothes Ms. Autry had brought with her. He opened it and went through it, looking for a heavy coat. Not finding one, he looked up at Darcie. “Where’s your coat?” he asked.
“I just have a rain jacket. But I forgot it,” she answered.
“That’s okay,” Roman said. He walked over to the coat rack and dug through the coats and jackets hanging there until he found his. He slipped it on, but didn't zip it up. He walked back into the living room, grabbed the bag and slipped it over his wrist, then walked over and picked up Darcie, holding her close to his body and curving his coat around her. He managed to zip enough of the bottom half of the coat to keep it closed around her and turned to smile at everyone. “Thanks for letting us decorate tonight. We’ll see ya’ll tomorrow afternoon. We have some shopping to do tomorrow morning.”
“You need any help, Roman?” Maia asked.
“Nope. I think we can manage,” he said, walking toward the door.
As Roman approached the door and started through it, they heard Darcie’s voice. “What are we going to shop for?” she asked.
“We have to buy you a new coat, and some clothes. And if you’re going to be helping me at the Christmas Village you’ll need a new pair of boots, too. And I think you should pick out some fancy blankets and stuff for your bed and your room.” They headed down the white gravel drive with Roman telling her about all the things they’d buy tomorrow. His voice was so deep Riley and the Pride could hear the timbre of it rumbling almost all the way down the drive.
“That man is going to be a fantastic father,” Libby said.
“Surely he’s going to have a hard time shopping tomorrow. I know he’ll get her everyday clothes, but if he wants to do Christmas, too, she’ll see what he gets,” Yvette said. “Maybe I’ll offer to go along.”
“No need. He’s got his tree up, and all the gifts under it. More than a few are for Darcie, and Talie, too,” Maia said.
Yvette shook her head. “He’s a good guy,” she remarked.
“Yes, he is. Now, we just have to get Talie out. Any ideas?” Riley asked.
“I have a few military buddies that went into law and one in particular that went into politics. I could call them. See if there’s anything they could do,” Travis offered.
“That’s not a bad idea. All they can say is no,” Richie said.
Riley thought about it for a moment. “What about your dad, Maia? He was in for a long time. Think he knows anyone that could at least advise us?”