flip-flops, she headed downstairs.
No one was about yet , except Alice. She poured a cup of coffee for Sunny and set the cream pitcher in front of her.
“The kids not up yet?”
“They’re outside already with John. I got both of them up a little while ago. Chase told me last night he had plans for the day, so I wanted them to be up early. He told me to let you sleep.”
“He didn’t say anything to me about plans.”
“I believe he’s planning to take all of us to Orlando before he goes back north. He invited John and me to go so we could visit our sons and their families. He went to take care of some things first.”
Sunny took her coffee out to the garden and sat relaxing in one of the chaise loungers while she watched the children helping John. It was a wonderful, sunshiny Florida day and Sunny was thoroughly enjoying it. She closed her eyes and lay quietly, soaking up the warm rays and loving her life. This was how Chase found her when he walked onto the garden patio.
“Sunny,” he said softly. “Are you awake?”
She opened her eyes. “Yes, just relaxing. John has the kids helping him so I decided to soak up some rays.”
“I have a surprise for you and the kids. I’ve just come from the airport and I have tickets for all of us to fly to Orlando this afternoon. I thought we could spend the next few days at Disney before I have to go back home.”
Not letting on Alice had spilled the beans earlier, she looked at him and said, “That sounds wonderful. I’ll be just like one of the kids. I’ve never been to Disney.”
“You haven’t? Then you’re in for a real treat. I’ll enjoy showing it to you. The kids went last summer, so it won’t be a new experience for them.”
“What time is our flight?”
“Not until three. Just relax. We’ll get the kiddos cleaned up and ready before lunch. It won’t take long to pack a few things for all of us. I’ll help you.”
“Are you sure? I feel like I’m not earning my keep here.” She laughed as he pulled up a chair and sat beside her.
“Sunny, I don’t expect you to work around the clock. Taking care of kids is a demanding job and any time you can steal some time for yourself is well deserved. I told you when I offered you this position that I would be very flexible. You’re more than an employee. You’re like one of the family, just like Alma, George, Alice and John. I don’t think of any of you as less than that.”
“Thank you, Chase.”
“Let’s take advantage of the fact that John has the kids occupied for a while this morning and just sit here and enjoy it…together.”
“Whatever you say, boss.” She looked over at him and smiled affectionately, but quickly looked away, before he could fully realize how she felt about him. They stayed like that for another hour, sipping hot coffee and talking. When Chase looked at his watch, he decided it was time to get the kids cleaned up. They looked like they had been rolling around in the dirt instead of working in the garden.
“Kids, come here a minute.”
Two very dirty children came running.
“Oh, my goodness, you two are a mess?” he teased them as they looked up at him. “Let’s clean you guys up, and after lunch, I’m going to take us all on an adventure.”
“Where are we going?”
“It’s a big surprise and I’ll tell you after you’ve both had a bath and gotten some lunch in your bellies. Now scoot, because Sunny and I have some work to do.”
“I ’ll start packing,” Sunny said.
“I’ll help you , after I make sure those two aren’t destroying their bathroom. See you in a few minutes.” He smiled as he helped her out of her lounge chair.
The next few hours passed by quickly and soon they were in the SUV Chase used for family outings. John was driving them to the airport and everyone was talking at once, excited about the trip.
The trip to Orlando was perfect. John and Alice visited with their family while Chase, Sunny, and the two children
No one was about yet , except Alice. She poured a cup of coffee for Sunny and set the cream pitcher in front of her.
“The kids not up yet?”
“They’re outside already with John. I got both of them up a little while ago. Chase told me last night he had plans for the day, so I wanted them to be up early. He told me to let you sleep.”
“He didn’t say anything to me about plans.”
“I believe he’s planning to take all of us to Orlando before he goes back north. He invited John and me to go so we could visit our sons and their families. He went to take care of some things first.”
Sunny took her coffee out to the garden and sat relaxing in one of the chaise loungers while she watched the children helping John. It was a wonderful, sunshiny Florida day and Sunny was thoroughly enjoying it. She closed her eyes and lay quietly, soaking up the warm rays and loving her life. This was how Chase found her when he walked onto the garden patio.
“Sunny,” he said softly. “Are you awake?”
She opened her eyes. “Yes, just relaxing. John has the kids helping him so I decided to soak up some rays.”
“I have a surprise for you and the kids. I’ve just come from the airport and I have tickets for all of us to fly to Orlando this afternoon. I thought we could spend the next few days at Disney before I have to go back home.”
Not letting on Alice had spilled the beans earlier, she looked at him and said, “That sounds wonderful. I’ll be just like one of the kids. I’ve never been to Disney.”
“You haven’t? Then you’re in for a real treat. I’ll enjoy showing it to you. The kids went last summer, so it won’t be a new experience for them.”
“What time is our flight?”
“Not until three. Just relax. We’ll get the kiddos cleaned up and ready before lunch. It won’t take long to pack a few things for all of us. I’ll help you.”
“Are you sure? I feel like I’m not earning my keep here.” She laughed as he pulled up a chair and sat beside her.
“Sunny, I don’t expect you to work around the clock. Taking care of kids is a demanding job and any time you can steal some time for yourself is well deserved. I told you when I offered you this position that I would be very flexible. You’re more than an employee. You’re like one of the family, just like Alma, George, Alice and John. I don’t think of any of you as less than that.”
“Thank you, Chase.”
“Let’s take advantage of the fact that John has the kids occupied for a while this morning and just sit here and enjoy it…together.”
“Whatever you say, boss.” She looked over at him and smiled affectionately, but quickly looked away, before he could fully realize how she felt about him. They stayed like that for another hour, sipping hot coffee and talking. When Chase looked at his watch, he decided it was time to get the kids cleaned up. They looked like they had been rolling around in the dirt instead of working in the garden.
“Kids, come here a minute.”
Two very dirty children came running.
“Oh, my goodness, you two are a mess?” he teased them as they looked up at him. “Let’s clean you guys up, and after lunch, I’m going to take us all on an adventure.”
“Where are we going?”
“It’s a big surprise and I’ll tell you after you’ve both had a bath and gotten some lunch in your bellies. Now scoot, because Sunny and I have some work to do.”
“I ’ll start packing,” Sunny said.
“I’ll help you , after I make sure those two aren’t destroying their bathroom. See you in a few minutes.” He smiled as he helped her out of her lounge chair.
The next few hours passed by quickly and soon they were in the SUV Chase used for family outings. John was driving them to the airport and everyone was talking at once, excited about the trip.
The trip to Orlando was perfect. John and Alice visited with their family while Chase, Sunny, and the two children
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