Читать книгу Five Star Attraction - Jacquelin Thomas, Jacquelin Thomas - Страница 13

Chapter 5

Natasha and Joshua left early Saturday morning, heading to Phoenix for her sister’s engagement dinner.

“I was about to get worried,” her mother told her when they arrived shortly after twelve noon. “I thought you would be here an hour ago.”

“There was a bad accident on the I-10.” Natasha hugged her mother. “It’s so good to see you.”

Joshua hugged his grandmother next. “Where’s Pop?” he asked, referring to his grandfather.

“He’s in the backyard grilling some hot dogs.”

Joshua’s face lit up. “He is?”

Natasha met her mother’s amused gaze and broke into a grin. Her son loved hot dogs, especially grilled hot dogs. “Put your cap on, Joshua.”

The little boy did as he was told then ran off to the back of the house.

“He looks good,” her mother said.

Natasha agreed. “Joshua still tires pretty easily, but he’s much better than before.” She noted a look of sadness on her mother’s face. “The doctor says that he’s a little miracle. Joshua is going to be fine, Mama.”

Corrine Henry had aged some with worry for her grandson—Natasha could see it on her mother’s face. “He’s fine,” she repeated.

They were interrupted by the arrival of her brother, Nathan, and his family.

Natasha was enveloped into a tight bear hug. She laughed and then said, “Boy, you play too much.”

She greeted her sister-in-law with a kiss on the cheek. “Kate, how do you put up with him?”

“My baby loves me,” Nathan responded, wrapping an arm around his wife.

Natasha smiled at the look of happiness on her brother’s face. “Yeah, she does love you. That makes me very happy.”

He embraced her. “You know that I want the same for you.”

She kissed his cheek. “I’m going to check on the children.”

Joshua was in the backyard with his cousins, eating. Her father was sitting at the picnic table with them, talking. He was probably telling them stories of his days as a marine.

Natasha’s eyes traveled the property that ran two acres long. A huge tent had been secured for Natalie’s engagement dinner later that evening. A florist had arrived a few minutes ago with a van loaded with gorgeous arrangements.

Smiling, Natasha walked up to her father. “Hey, Daddy.”

Nathan Sr. stood up and gave her a hug. “Hey, baby girl. How was the drive?”

“It was good,” she responded. “Joshua slept most of the drive down. When he woke up, we sang songs the rest of the way here.”

She stepped out of the way of the workers carrying centerpieces. “The flowers are lovely.”

“I know they cost a lot of money,” her father complained. “This is just the engagement party. I don’t know if my wallet can survive the wedding.”

Natasha laughed. “It won’t be too bad, Daddy. You know Natalie—she’s the sensible one.”

“I also know your mother.” He winked at her.

“I know you’re over there talking about me,” Corrine said, walking toward them. “Your father complaining about that wallet of his again?”

Natasha and her father both cracked up with laughter.

“I need to unpack our clothes for the dinner tonight,” she told her parents. “I’ll be back in a few. Dad, please don’t let Joshua have another hot dog.”

“I’m not going to let the boy starve, Natasha. If he’s hungry, let him eat.”

“Just give him some fruit…please. I’m trying to get him to eat more fruit.”

After eliciting a promise from her father, Natasha headed back inside the house.

Nathan had carried her luggage into the house and to her old bedroom, so all Natasha had to do now was unpack. They were going to be in Phoenix for only one night, so they didn’t bring much.

She hung up her dress and laid out the suit Joshua would be wearing for the dinner this evening.

Natasha freshened up before joining her mother in the kitchen. “What can I do to help?” she asked.