Chapter 25
Chapter Twenty-Five
“ D o you mind if my mom comes over with Gilbert’s kids tonight?”
Charity looked up from where she was working at the counter, cleaning up from lunch.
The kids had gone to play. That was one really nice thing about the farm versus living in town.
The kids could go outside, and they knew they had to stay in sight of the house at all times.
She could look out from any window and keep an eye on them.
The only one who wasn’t allowed out with everyone else was Evans, and she had already taken him up for his afternoon nap.
“Of course. That would be wonderful.” She loved it when all the cousins got together, and her children loved having extra people over.
“I know that’s a lot of extra work for you, and I also know that we’re supposed to go out tonight, but Mom got the kids unexpectedly.”
“I don’t mind at all. I know sometimes she has gotten our kids unexpectedly, and she’s always been fine with it. We’ll just stay home and enjoy having family time with them. Because eight kids is way more than anyone should have to deal with alone.”
“I know my mom can handle it, but I hate asking her.”
“You don’t have to. I know things aren’t going very well for Gilbert.
” She had heard that from the sisters-in-law when they got together for Sunday dinner after church.
Gilbert was often absent, and who could blame him, after he lost his wife so tragically around Christmastime.
But his children were suffering, and Charity felt terrible for them.
Of course, Gilbert couldn’t really help his kids if he needed help himself.
“I appreciate you being willing to roll with it. This is two months in a row, though, that we’ve missed our anniversary.”
“There will be other months that we can celebrate. Family is more important.”
“I guess I don’t disagree, but I feel like it’s not really fair to you.”
“Just plan something for sure for next month.”
“All right. July, here we come,” he said, and she grinned and nodded.