Winter White by Jen Calonita Read Free Book Online

Monroe was more in demand today than he had been fifteen years ago when he played for the Atlanta Braves. He was known for telling great sports stories, and he had so many trophies, World Series rings, and Hall of Fame photos in the house that every guy Mira knew wanted to meet him. That he had gone from having a successful sports career to running a multimillion-dollar business group that led him to become a North Carolina senator only made his appeal greater.
    “Mr. Connick flipped for the autographed Chipper Jones baseball,” Mira told him. “But he still said he misses seeing you at your weekly tee times.”
    “That makes two of us.” Her dad made a face. “But there’s a lot going on….” He looked at Lucas.
    “Yes, maybe we should get started.” Lucas motioned for everyone to sit as a waiter appeared with menus. “They’ll be at your house around nine o’clock, Bill.”
    “Who will?” Connor asked.
    “Let’s order,” Mira’s mom said. “Should we order first, Bill? I think we should, don’t you?” Mira glanced at Hayden. Since when did their mom get all worked up over a menu? She barely ever ordered more than fish and salad.
    “We’ll have our regular, please,” Mira’s dad said, and handed the waiter back his menu. Once the waiter disappeared, he turned to the group. “Your mom and I have some big news. Huge, actually.” He exhaled slowly. “We’re hoping you’ll be understanding.”
    The sound of the water hitting the pier under the patio magnified as Mira waited for the bomb to drop. She was sure she was about to hear about how she was getting a private tutor and would have to sleep on an uncomfortable tour bus for the next three months. Lucas had mentioned taking the family around the state that fall once the campaign was announced. Mira and Hayden would have to drop their sports; Connor would have to quit soccer. And what would Taylor say? He would freak if she missed any of his games.
    “You guys are having a baby!” Connor blurted out. Mira’s stomach lurched.
    “No!” Mira’s mom laughed. “That would be… wow. What with my charity work and you three, how would I find the time for diapers? That’s not it, but…” She trailed off.
    “I know you probably thought I called this meeting to say I was going away again, or that we were all going on a campaign tour,” Mira’s dad held her mom’s gaze. “But a family road trip has been put on hold.”
    Thank God , Mira thought, resisting the urge to cheer.
    “There is something more important going on,” he added, looking around the table seriously. “I know this is going to sound unexpected. It was unexpected for us, too.”
    Mira grabbed Hayden’s hand and squeezed. Now she was getting nervous. What was going on?
    “I’m not sure how to explain this, but you see, I didn’t know…” Her dad never rambled. Her parents weren’t getting divorced, were they? They seemed so happy. “We’re going to be…”
    “It’s okay. I know we’re not getting a golden retriever,” Hayden said, trying to break the ice. “I’m over it now. It’s been six years.” Their father barely smiled. “Dad, just spill it.”
    Mira’s dad sighed deeply. This was the first time Mira had ever seen him look anxious, and she’d seen him in some pretty stressful situations, like the time he met Angelina Jolie at a benefit, or when he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
    “I’m sorry, it’s just this is big news. Our family is expanding, Connor, but no, it’s not a baby—or a golden retriever,” he added as an afterthought, and Hayden shook his head sadly. “Several months ago, your mom and I got a phone call. It was a distant relative of mine who was raising a girl about your age, Mirabelle. The woman had recently found out she had Alzheimer’s and was worried about whom her granddaughter would live with when her mind started to fail,” he explained. “We looked into the situation extensively, and we really are their