Beautiful in My Eyes Read Online Free PDF Page A

scratching at my door, I felt sorry for him and gave in.”
    The whole room roars with laughter.
    “Good one,” Mark says, hugging her.
    The doorbell rings again.
    “I’ll get it,” Rick says. “That must be Cassie.”
    “Is she another sister?” I ask.
    “No,” Mark answers, quickly filling us in. “She was married to our oldest brother that passed away a couple of years ago. She was pregnant at the time, but she lost the baby a few months later.”
    “How sad,” I say , keeping my voice down.
    “Yeah, it's was pretty hard on us all. But she is finally doing well.”
    The grand-kids soon merge in with the adults. Aidan crawls to Dad and tugs on his pant leg. “Uh oh,” Dad says, picking him up. “I think someone’s sprung a leak.”
    “Oh, I’m sorry,” I tell him. “Let me take him and change him.”
    “That’s okay, I’ll do it.”
    “Are you sure you don’t mind?”
    “Not at all,” he says and I hand him the diaper bag.
    Mark offers to show him to one of the guest rooms. “All right, little man, come with Grandpa.” Dad calls over his shoulder, “If I’m not back soon, send in the Guard.”
    Julian laughs and calls back, “No way, yer on yer own.”
    “You're a lot of help,” I say, poking him and he pulls me close.”
    “Here's our little Spanish beauty,” Rick says, entering the family room with a curvy, petite woman.
    “I’m sorry I’m so late,” she says.
    “That’s okay, we were just getting started.” She hands him a large casserole dish.
    “ Mmmm , Mark says. “Smells good.”
    “I got ambitious. I made plum pudding and sauce.”
    “Now how did you know I’ve had a craving for your plum pudding?” Mark asks, his voice teasing.
    “Oh, I guess it’s because every time I come over, you say, '' Boy, I sure would love to have some of your plum pudding.'”
    Mark chuckles. “I guess you finally got the hint, then.”
    When she smirks and says “Finally,” I snort, instantly liking her. Mark introduces us.
    “It's good to meet you,” I say, shaking her hand, admiring her exotic features. “You're very beautiful.”
    “Thank you,” she says shyly, tucking a lock of dark hair behind her ear, her Spanish accent thick.
    We all migrate to the dining room and Dad returns a moment later. Mark immediately introduces him to Cassie.
    I almost gasp as I watch Dad's eyes light up. No way! I glance at Julian and he winks at me. I can't believe it! Finally !
    “It’s . . . it’s a pleasure to meet you,” Dad says, shaking her hand, a wide smile spreading across his face.
    “It’s good to meet you, too,” she says and I watch the two staring at each other.
    Wow! I mouth to Julian.
    “Well,” Rick says, clearing his throat, “shall we have a blessing now?”
    I know it is wicked of me, but as Rick blesses the food, I discreetly open my eyes and glance from Dad to Cassie, smiling as I observe them doing the very same thing.
    The table is set buffet style, and after we fill our plates, we head out onto the patio where tables are set up for everyone to dine. Most of the family walk around with their plates and talk, but I decide it will be easier to sit and feed Aidan. I spot Cassie sitting alone and head to her table.
    “Mind if I join you?”
    She smiles. “Not at all. I would love some company.”
    I pull out a chair and get Aidan situated.
    “He’s so adorable,” she says. “And he looks just like your husband.”
    “Thank you. And my husband thanks you. He’s a handful, and definitely his father's son. ”
    “I'll bet. You are very fortunate.”
    “I am,” I agree. Taking in her somber expression, I find myself wishing I could read her mind because she seems so reserved. But then again, the hurt of loss runs deep, and though I don't know what it is like to lose a husband and a child, I can greatly empathize.
    We talk for a while and discover we have many things in common. We love old movies, reading, traveling, and we possess a terrible dislike for