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“Who the shit out of nore these texts, and it’s getting to the point that I think I et a new number”

Before he could reply, though, the doors to the gyirls rolled in like tidal waves

One second they were at the front door and worriedly scanning around the roos and heading our way “Uncle Willlllll!”

Will dropped me like a hot potato

One second he was standing next tomy phone, and the next the phone had been du across the room toward his little tidal waves

“Eeeeeeeeee!” The curly-haired, brown-headed little tidal wave screamed “I missed you!”

Then they hit each other

Both girls wrapped their arms around their uncle, and I swear to God, my ovaries nearly exploded

“Sweet baby Jesus”

I looked over and found an older couple standing in the doorway holding on to each other, staring at the spectacle with s faces

S faces that didn’t quite reach their eyes

I got up and pocketed ot as I did, and headed in the elderly couple’s direction

“You must be Mr and Mrs Schultz”

The woman smiled and held out her hand “Jane This is Dick You ed

I sh I wasn’t sure that I could call them that quite yet and shook Jane’s hand

“I thought y’all were going to the Grand Canyon?” I asked curiously “We were supposed to meet y’all there”

“Oh” Jane flushed “Well, about that…”

“Grandpa was driving his big trailer, and he accidentally hit his truck with the trailer, and noe have to put both in the shop” A girl ca me to look down at her

The curly-haired one

Petra

“Is that right?” I asked curiously “That doesn’t sound very good”

“No,” the other little girl said as she came up to my other side “You’re very pretty”

I smiled sheepishly “Am I?”

“Yes,” Ashlie confirmed “You’re beautiful Like our mama was Uncle Will says you’re so pretty sometimes his eyes hurt when he looks at you You don’t hurt my eyes, but your makeup is on point”

I burst out laughing just as a hand wrapped around my waist and Will said, “Ash, you’re not supposed to be telling all my secrets”

“You didn’t tell me that was a secret,” Ash confided “You told ht Thor was I didn’t knoere supposed to be keeping secrets”

“Well, now you do” He ruffled her hair with his free hand “Y’all will tell me why you’re here after I finish my workout?”