Wildflower Read Online Free PDF

Genieva followed Marissa out of the door. Genieva pointed out another bathroom as they walked.
    Marissa led them down the hall to the other side of the house and opened a door.
    “Ooh, this is a very pretty room Marissa, and so clean,” Aliya said stepping inside.
    Kolby had given Marissa the princess bed when she turned five and she had outgrown her other bed. And her niece always kept her room neat and orderly.
    Aliya walked over to a shelf to look at Marissa’s doll collection.
    “I used to love Barbie when I was a little girl. Believe it or not I still have all of mine.”
    “Me too,” Marissa said. “Maybe you can bring your dolls over to play with mine.”
    Aliya chuckled. “I’m afraid I can’t do that. Mine are boxed up in my parents’ attic waiting for my future daughter.”
    “Are you going to give them to her?” Marissa asked.
    “Yes. They are special to me so they deserve to go to a special little girl who would take care of them and cherish them.”
    “I think I’m going to do the same thing,” Marissa said.
    “You have a very nice room, Marissa.”
    “Thank you,” the child said. “Daddy’s room is next door but I can’t show it to you without his permission.”
    “That’s okay, sweetie,” Aliya said.
    “I guess we need to go down now,” Genieva said dreading introducing Aliya to her mother. The three of them walked downstairs and headed toward the kitchen. Genieva opened the door. Her mother was still busy cooking.
    “Mama, there’s someone I’d like you to meet.”
    Sonya looked up from what she was doing. Surprise registered clearly on her face.
    “Oh!”
    “Mama, this is my friend Aliya Harris. Aliya, this is my mother Sonya Patterson.”
    Sonya wiped her hand on a towel.
    Aliya walked over to her.
    “It’s nice to meet you, Mrs. Patterson. You have a lovely home.”
    “Thank you,” Sonya said, shaking Aliya’s hand. “Where are you from?”
    “New Orleans,” Aliya answered.
    “What are you doing in Texas?”
    Genieva shook her head. Her mother could also be rude at times.
    “Teaching,” Aliya answered.
    “You couldn’t find a job in Louisiana?”
    “Yes,” Aliya answered. “But I wanted to come to Texas.”
    “Why?” Sonya asked.
    “Because I wanted to see a cow.”
    Genieva couldn’t help but laugh. Aliya was standing up to her mother— something not too many people did.
    “Lunch will be ready in about two hours,” Sonya said to them.
    “Do you need some help?” Aliya offered.
    “Have you ever cooked for a lot of people?” Sonya asked.
    Aliya nodded.
    “Yes, ma’am. My father owns a restaurant and I’ve helped out from time to time. What do you need me to do?”
    “The gumbo still needs to be prepared. Do you think you can handle that?”
    “I’ll do my best,” Aliya said politely.
    “I’ll start on the cakes,” Genieva said. “Marissa can help me.” Before she started she took out the big pot they used to make stews and soups and handed it to Aliya. She showed her to the raw ingredients and handed her an apron. Moments later she peeped over and Aliya was busy cutting up seasoned ham, chicken and hot sausage into bite-sized pieces. Afterwards she made a roux from scratch. Genieva never saw her mother look so impressed with anyone before. Score one for Aliya .
    §§§
    Kolby decided to take a dip in the creek. He, Hale and Harry had been busy all morning branding cattle and he was seriously sweating.
    Hale and Harry jumped in and joined him, splashing water liked they used to do as kids.
    Kolby shook the water from his face and then swam around. Hale and Harry did the same. Once they got back to the ranch house he’d take a proper shower but this was just to cool off. Even though it was April it was hot as hell in Texas.
    “Do you think our guests have started to arrive yet?” Hale asked as they floated.
    “I suppose,” Harry said. “It should be close to noon.”
    “What time is that pretty teacher lady coming?” Hale asked