Hart's Hollow Farm (New Americana 4)

“Got it,” Sadie shouted, clapping her hands together.

Kristen lowered her back to the ground, and the trio stepped back and exchanged smiles as they admired their handiwork.

“Do you have your other present ready, Kristen?” Mitch asked.

She nodded. “It’s in the gift bag on the porch swing.”

“Dylan?” Mitch glanced at a small table on the porch. It was covered with a white tablecloth, and a chocolate cake sat on a plate in the center, sealed with plastic wrap. Surprisingly, Dylan, who’d asked for Ruth Ann’s help, had baked it himself. “You want to light the candles on that excellent cake of yours?”

A few minutes later, after Dylan had unwrapped the plastic and arranged candles on the cake, he lit the final one. “Can she come out now?”

Mitch glanced at Kristen, Sadie, and Dylan, all gathered on the porch, eyes shining with excitement and faces lit with smiles. He laughed. “Yeah. I think y’all will burst if we put it off any longer.”

He went inside. Emmy sat at the kitchen table, sipping tea and staring at the table.

“They’re ready, Emmy. Feel up to joining us?”

She glanced up at him, blinked a few times, then asked, “They’re ready for what?”

“For you.” He walked over, cupped her elbow, and leaned close. “It’s your big day, Emmy.”

“My big day?” A thread of uncertainty laced her tone.

Mitch’s throat constricted. “Your birthday.”

“Oh.” She shook her head, a bit of the confusion leaving her eyes. “You know I don’t like people fussing over me.”

“I know. But maybe just this once? For the kids? They’ve worked really hard on your gifts.” He smiled. “So has Kristen.”

“She has?” A small smile appeared.

“Yep.” He tugged gently on her elbow. “So help me out here, and let’s humor them, okay?”

She patted his cheek, her smile growing. “All right. But just this once.”

They walked to the screen door, Emmy limping more than usual. Then she stopped. “Look, it’s . . .” She paused, reaching out and trailing a hand over the screen. “It’s new. You did this, didn’t you?”

He grinned. “Yes, ma’am, I did.”

“Thank you, Mitch. It’s beautiful.”

“There’s more where that came from.” Smiling, he opened the door and swept out his arm. “After you, birthday girl.”

A laugh escaped her, and as soon as her foot touched the floor of the front porch, the first verse of “Happy Birthday” rang out. Kristen, Sadie, and Dylan swayed from left to right, their arms around each other’s waists, as they belted out the tune.

Mitch laughed along with Emmy, and dang if she didn’t perk up pretty good at their display. She watched the candle flames flicker in the breeze and squeezed his hand tighter as they sang.

When they finished, Dylan beckoned her over. “Blow ’em out, Nana.”

She walked over and blew the candles out, laughing the whole time.

“Dylan made the cake for you,” Kristen said, nudging him forward.

“You did?” Emmy asked.

He blushed. “Yes, ma’am. Mrs. Ruth Ann helped me.”

“Well, that was wonderful of you.” Emmy bent and kissed his cheek. “Thank you, son.”