Sunny's Love

chapter Three





The next morning when Sunny arrived in the dining room, the children were happily eating pancakes. Chase was nowhere to be seen.

“Hi, Sunny,” Allison said as she looked up from her plate.

“Alma made her good pancakes for us today,” Brice added, taking a huge bite.

Alma handed Sunny a large mug of steaming coffee with cream, just the way she liked it. She took a sip and said, “Thank you, Alma. I could have gotten it myself.”

“Would you come into the kitchen with me for just a few minutes, Sunny?”

“Sure, “she agreed, following the older woman.

“Chase left this note for you. I imagine it’s to tell you we need to get the kiddos packed today so you can all leave tomorrow morning. He went into the office to tie up some loose ends.”

“Thank you, Alma.” Sunny opened the envelope and took out the folded note. She unfolded it slowly and read what he had written.

Sunny, I just wanted to tell you again how happy I am you are with us. I’ve enclosed some cash for you, in case you need to go into town to purchase anything for you or the kids, before we leave. George will be happy to drive you anyplace you need to go. Please feel free to take a break after the kids are packed and spend a few hours at the mall. Buy something for yourself, the money is for you as well as the kids.

It will be late when I get home, so feed the kids and put them to bed. I’ll talk to you when I get there.

Enjoy your day.

Chase

She unfolded four crisp, one hundred dollar bills, before folding them back into the envelope. She looked up to see Alma watching her. The kind older woman smiled and said, “He gave you money to shop for the trip, didn’t he? He’s a very thoughtful man.”

“Yes, he is, but I shopped before I came out here. I’ll see if the kids need anything,” she replied as she took a sip of coffee.

“Ali might need a new swimsuit. That girl has grown quite a bit in recent months,” Alma informed her, placing a plateful of pancakes in front of Sunny.

“Okay, I’m going to make a list.” Sunny took a small notepad and pen from a basket on the kitchen bar and began to write.

With Alma’s help, she was able to compile a list of what needed to be packed and what needed to be bought. She finished her pancakes, drank another cup of coffee and said, “Now we need to get busy. There’s a lot to do before tomorrow, isn’t there?”

“We’ll have George take the kiddos out for a while. That way, you and I can finish the packing.”

George readily agreed to keep the children occupied while the two women went upstairs to finish the packing. It didn’t take long with the two of them working together.

“What was she like, the children’s mama?” Sunny asked as she folded a small shirt.

“She was a nice person, sweet and kind to everyone. She and Chase sometimes had their difficulties, but what married couple doesn’t? The children adored her. It was very hard for them when she died, but Chase knew he had to take care of those babies. He’s always made sure to schedule his work around them. Sometimes I think that’s been difficult for him. He’s too good a man to spend his life alone. The babies will grow up someday and he’ll be all alone. That’s not good.”

“He’ll have to do that in his own time, Alma. He worries about the children so much.”

“Yes, I know he does. I’m hoping something will spark between the two of you this summer,” Alma replied with a twinkle in her eye.

“Alma, I’m surprised to hear you say that.” Sunny laughed as she hugged the older woman.

“You’re a breath of fresh air in this house, Miss Sunny Drake. What do you say we stop for lunch?”

“I say that’s a great idea.” The two women walked arm-in-arm down to the kitchen.

After Sunny put the children down for a nap, with Alma promising to keep a watchful eye on them, she changed her clothes and asked George to drive her to the closest mall. She made her purchases and was back home before either of the children was awake. When they did wake, she took them for a walk and fed them their dinner. She read to them after dinner as their father had done the night before.

“Time for baths and bed, you two,” Sunny told them.

“Can’t we wait for Daddy, Sunny?” Ali asked.

“Your Daddy said it might be late when he got home. You want to get a good night’s sleep before the flight tomorrow afternoon, don’t you? Tomorrow is the day we go on our big trip to the beach.”

“Oh boy, let’s go, sissy. I want to ride in the plane,” Brice urged his sister to follow Sunny’s orders.

Ali agreed finally and Sunny whisked them upstairs and into the bath. They were just finishing up and Sunny was listening to their prayers when Chase walked into Ali’s room. He looked at Sunny and smiled. How handsome he is. His green eyes sparkled. And that endearing smile, as before, lit up his whole face.

“How’s the packing coming along? Anything I can do to help?” he asked.

“Actually, Alma and I finished. George took the kids out for the day. It went pretty smoothly.”

“Were you able to squeeze in a trip to the mall?”

“Yes, I did. Thank you, for thinking we might need last minute things.” She noticed he looked tired and stressed. He was doing a good job of not showing it in front of the kids, though.

“Good. I’ll get the rest of my things together tonight and we’ll be all set. Are you ready?”

“I got my things organized yesterday, so yes, I’m ready. I could help you pack if you need for me to.”

He looked at her for a moment and replied, “No, Sunny, I can do it. After that, I’m going to jump in the shower and hit the sack. It’s been a long day and I have a few things to attend to in the morning before we leave.”

“Have you eaten?”

“I did. Why don’t you take some time for yourself this evening?”

“Thanks, I’ll read in my room, if you don’t need anything else. I’ll let you tuck the children in and take care of your packing. Goodnight.”

“Goodnight, Sunny, I’ll see you tomorrow.”