Free Finding Christina (Wild Rose #2) by Scarlett Jade

down beside her.
    “Hello, sleepyhead.” One of her front teeth was missing and it made her already charming grin almost irresistible.
    “Hey there.” Christina smiled back at the little girl.
    “How are you feeling?” Addie asked, worry evident on her kind face.
    “Tired,” Christina admitted.
    “Here, eat something.” Addie took her plate. “What do you want?”
    “Maybe some rice and I guess a little turkey. No offense to your wonderful cooking, but nothing sounds good.” Christina finished lamely.
    Addie opened her mouth as if to speak and Patrick interrupted. “Don’t push her, Addie. Her stomach has to be bothering her.”
    “What about a smoothie?” Her eyes brightened and she passed Christina the barely filled plate.
    Christina placed the plate in front of her and took an experimental bite of rice. “No, don’t go through the trouble…”
    Addie was already in the kitchen pulling out the blender and working on a smoothie before she could object. Patrick leaned forward and hissed, “You’re her new project. She’s going to baby you to death before you leave.”
    Christina tried to smile back, but she knew that the expression didn’t meet her eyes. “I’m just not that hungry. My stomach hurts.”
    “It’s going to,” Patrick murmured sympathetically. “Just try to eat.”
    Christina choked down a few mouthfuls of the rice and a bite of turkey. The whirr of the blender made her jump and before she could register what was happening, Addie brought over a glass of pink smoothie. “Here you go, a strawberry goji smoothie.”
    Christina took an experimental sip and smiled at the pleasant taste. “Thank you.”
    She managed to drink half of the smoothie and eat most of the rice and turkey. Addie seemed pleased with herself. “I can save the rest of the smoothie for later, if you’re hungry. Just slip in here and get you some. It’s got lots of good nutrients in it.”
    “Thank you.” Christina smiled warmly at the older woman.
    Patrick checked his watch and sighed, wiping his mouth with his napkin. “Well, family, I’m off to work. See you soon.”
    Christina stared as the family hugged each other and jealousy burned through her. I’ll never have a family like that. She jumped as Patrick patted her shoulder.
    “Good luck with your appointment tomorrow. Addie will text me and let me know how it went.” He walked to the front door, pulled on his coat and left for work. The children left the table and went off to play.
    Addie sighed as she sat back down at the table. “Thirty-six hours.”
    Christina’s brow furrowed. “For what?”
    Addie smiled and took another bite of her dinner. “Before he comes home. He works thirty-six hour shifts.”
    “Oh.” Christina had never realized doctors worked such long shifts. “That sucks.”
    “But he gets to have more time off. So it evens out.” Addie explained.
    “I think I’m full. Can I help you clean up the kitchen?”
    “You’re my guest,” Addie argued.
    “But I’m not helpless. You are letting me stay here, the least I can do is help you clean up.”
    “Okay,” Addie finally agreed.
    Christina pushed back her chair and stood. Moving quickly, she picked up her plate and Aaliyah’s and took them into the kitchen. Scraping off the plates she opened the dishwasher and stuck them inside. Addie followed into the kitchen and the two women worked together to clear the table and put away leftovers.
    “I’m going to get the kids ready for bed,” Addie stated as she dried her hands on the Christmas themed towel hanging on the stove.
    “All right. I might go lie down.”
    “If you feel up to it we could watch a movie? Aaliyah goes to sleep at eight and the boys lie down and read until nine.” Addie offered.
    “Sure, that sounds nice.”
    “The remotes on the coffee table, just see what you can find.” Addie strode to the back of the house and Christina could hear the children cleaning up their playroom.
    She meandered into the