Love's Tangled Web by Donna Taylor

Chapter 71

80%E

Alex let out a snarky sound through his nose, looking up at the sky and giving Joanna a sideways glance.

Layton saw Alex acting obnoxious and quickly stepped in to smooth things over. “Yes, Mrs. Thompson, this is Alex. He grew up alongside Ellie.”

A few years ago, Ellie’s mom came to visit the Warrens for the first time just when Layton was there. Alex’s mom made him call Joanna “Mrs. Thompson,” so he followed along,

Joanna smiled and nodded. “Hey, kiddo, please say hi to your grandpa for us. Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and since Ellie’s dad can’t move around well nowadays, we won’t be able to make it to your place. I brought some things for your grandpa, could you take them back?”

As she spoke, Joanna finally dropped the heavy burlap bag she had been carrying and handed it to Alex. Disgusted, he glanced at the contents and took a step

back.

Layton quickly reached out to grab it when

finishing her conversation, Joanna walked over to her husband, glancing at her kids. “Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. You should take a day off

cane. Ellie watched her parents retreating, the weight of

she could

only make things

any

been in the car all day without even a sip of water. Let me take you somewhere to rest

father repeated firmly.

brimming in her eyes. With her

eyes were red at the corners, brimming with tears, and that sense of helplessness made Ellie’s heart

her father. “Dad,