Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 86632 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 433(@200wpm)___ 347(@250wpm)___ 289(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86632 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 433(@200wpm)___ 347(@250wpm)___ 289(@300wpm)
“It will,” Gavin said, reaching across the table and taking my hand in his. “Now, I don’t know if I should get the lasagna or a meatball sub as well.”
“Trust me—go for the meatball sub.”
He glanced up from the menu. “You only want me to get it so you can have some of mine as well.”
Feeling myself blush, I nodded. “Maybe I should order one to go.”
Gavin blinked a few times, then laughed. “Sure, if you want.”
I waved my hand. “No, no, I’m being silly.”
Marie returned with our drinks, and we both ordered the meatball sub. And when Gavin didn’t quite finish all of his, I finished it for him. And before we left for the tree lighting ceremony, I ordered one to go. Knowing I would have it waiting for me when I woke up at midnight made me giddy.
“Excited about the tree lighting?” Gavin asked, when he saw me smiling.
Glancing at him, I lied and didn’t feel the least bit bad about it. “I sure am!”
“Five, four, three, two, one!”
The lights on the tree set up at The Green illuminated the dark sky with brilliant colors. I cheered with everyone else as I held a hot chocolate in my gloved hands, hoping it would help warm them. When the snow started to fall only moments after the tree lit up, the entire crowd cheered even louder.
“I have a feeling it’ll be a bad winter,” Aurora called out over the cheers.
I nodded. “I know, me too. They said we’re supposed to get more snow than normal.”
“Oh joy,” Harper said, before taking a drink of her hot chocolate.
“What’s wrong with you?” I asked. “Not in the mood for a white Christmas?”
She shrugged. “I don’t get to enjoy my outdoor garden at the house if it’s snowing.”
“Why not make a greenhouse?” Cadie asked.
Harper’s face lit up. “That’s a great idea!”
Cadie smiled. “Oh, I meant to ask you, can you grow me some edible flowers? I was watching this show the other day, and the lady was making iced cookies and she sprinkled edible flower petals onto them, and they were beautiful.”
“I already have some in the store.”
Cadie beamed. “Wonderful! I’ll be by this week to buy some.”
Harper waved her off. “Nonsense, I’ll send some over.”
“Any refills for hot chocolate?” Kian asked, walking up and handing Cadie another cup.
“Not for me,” I said, as I finished mine off. For some reason, I wasn’t feeling so hot, and I couldn’t help but wonder if it was from the meatballs. Maybe I overate. Turning toward Gavin, I reached for him. He took hold of my arm.
“Hey, are you okay?” he asked, concern lacing his voice.
I shook my head. “I’m not…I don’t…I don’t feel so good.”
“Are you going to be sick?”
“I don’t think so,” I replied, suddenly feeling dizzy. “Whoa! I feel dizzy.”
Gavin quickly pulled me closer. “Do you need to sit down?”
“What’s wrong?” Harper asked, suddenly right at my side.
“She said she’s feeling dizzy.”
“I…I think I do need to sit down. Everything’s going blurry.”
Gavin swept me into his arms and quickly walked us away from the crowd. I thought he’d bring me to a bench, but instead, he kept walking. I could hear voices behind him, but my head started to pound, and I buried my face into his chest.
“It’s okay, baby. It’s going to be okay.”
“I’m just going to close my eyes for a minute.”
That was the last thing I remembered before waking up in a hospital room. Gavin sat in a chair beside the bed, while Evelyn stood across the room, staring out the window.
“What happened?” I asked. My voice sounded like I had cotton shoved in my mouth.
Gavin jerked his head up and smiled. “Hey, you’re awake.”
“Thank God!” Evelyn cried as she rushed to my side, nearly pushing Gavin out of the way.
“The doctor said she’s fine, Evelyn,” he said, though I couldn’t help but notice his tone sounded off.
“You’re in the hospital because you have low blood sugar, and you haven’t been drinking enough water and were dehydrated. You’ve been sleeping for nearly two hours! That tells me you’re working too much.”
“Evelyn,” Denny said in a sharp tone. “That’s enough.”
Confused, I closed my eyes and shook my head. “Wait, what?”
Gavin moved closer, and Evelyn walked to the other side of the bed, where Denny stood.
“You’re tired because you’re pregnant, Bry,” Gavin explained, as he looked toward Evelyn with a weary expression.
“I felt dizzy. That’s all I remember.”
Gavin spoke before Evelyn could. “The doctor said your blood sugar is a bit low, and you were dehydrated.”
“Are you drinking enough water?” Evelyn asked.
Turning to her, I nodded. “I am, Eve. I may not have today though. We were so busy in the store.”
“Brystol.” Evelyn took my hand in hers. “You need to stop working so much. If you can’t afford to hire more part-time employees, Denny and I can help.”