Page 123 of Johnathan
Unknown: You guys. You’re making me regret coming back to school so fast. You cannot start picking on John when I’m not there to join in. I didn’t even get to tell Abby about that one time we were out on that boat during vacation and swapped John’s swim trunks out with dissolvable ones.
Unknown: He was so drunk he didn’t notice for AGES.
Grace giggled, and Abby’s body flushed, knowing exactly what was under those swim trunks. Just like she’d done with Nellie, Abby added John’s youngest brother to her contacts.
Deputy Handsome: ENOUGH JORDAN.
Jordan: Poor Mom really got an eyeful of her beautiful little boy that day!
Deputy Handsome: There is nothing little about me, idiot.
Deputy Handsome: I swear, you guys are going to make Abby run for the hills. Stop.
Deputy Handsome: Baby, I’m so sorry. I swear they aren’t normally like this.
Grace: And I swear that they normally are. Now, Jackson and John, leave us alone if you want to eat sometime this century.
Abby: Thank you for the add to the family chat. I am not running away any time soon, especially after the promise of seeing John with a bowl cut as a child, and the hope of hearing all of that vacation story. I’ll make sure he brings me over ASAP, Nellie.
“Hey! Anybody going to tell us we can come in?” Daisy’s voice carried through the house as Abby turned and walked to the living room.
“Sorry! I thought John was out here. I don’t know where he went…”
“No worries. I’m fine with breaking and entering. This was such a great idea!” Daisy squeezed Abby in a half embrace, angling her body to make sure Madison wasn’t caught between the two of them.
“It was all John. He’s the brains, and I’m just the cook. Okay, well I was the cook until Grace and Jackson got here. Thankfully, she jumped in to help, otherwise I fear the house might have burned down.”
“I’m sure you had everything under control.”
“I don’t know about that. But I’m so happy John thought to do this. It was hard to be apart from each other for the holiday.”
“I bet. How has Sam been doing now that he’s home? I’ve been meaning to go to the ranch and actually check in on him, but Sunny had a little cold and I didn’t want to spread it.”
“I’m sitting right here, Daisy, why don’t you bring my goddaughter over to me and see for yourself.” Sam’s voice carried over the recliner he was relaxing in.
“I didn’t know you were going to be here today! Hank, take the brownies to the kitchen so I can bring Sunny to Sam.”
“Sure thing, sunshine.”
“He can have her for five minutes before I’m taking her!” Emma said as she walked into the house. “Someone might want to go help Seb. Addie and I sort of just abandoned him to carry all the treats by himself.”
John laughed as he walked back in from the back deck. “Sorry, I was checking the grill. I’ll go help.”
“Hey, man.” John greeted Seb with a handshake.
“Hey! Happy friendsgiving. We’re a little light on the treats, Emma only had a few hours this afternoon after we got back from Tennessee to put things together.”
“Uh,” John looked inside their car and laughed. There were at least five full trays they’d need to carry in. “I think this will be plenty. I’m glad you guys could make it back in time to join us.”
“Me too. It was nice to see my family, and Addie had so much fun riding the horses at my brother’s place, but Bell Ridge is home. And I’m glad to be back.”
“Hey!”
John stood up, looking down his driveway.
“Jake. We weren’t sure if you were going to make it or not.”
“I know, man. Sorry. Being the only doc to make house calls in Clarence County keeps me busy. Hey, Sebastian.”