Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 99379 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 497(@200wpm)___ 398(@250wpm)___ 331(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 99379 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 497(@200wpm)___ 398(@250wpm)___ 331(@300wpm)
“Amen to that,” Dirk added.
Kaylee spun around, a small yelp slipping from her lips. “You came!”
Dirk walked up and shook my hand before kissing Kaylee on the cheek. “Of course I came. I got here just in time. You look beautiful, by the way.”
“Thank you for coming, Dirk,” Kaylee said, giving him a quick hug.
He took a step back and turned to walk over to where Brock was standing with Tanner.
When Kaylee faced me, she looked down at Blayze and gave him the sweetest smile. Blayze beamed up at her—then looked at me and smirked.
I rolled my eyes. Damn kid was exactly like his father.
Kaylee and I both chuckled.
“Can I kiss my wife now?” I asked as everyone laughed.
“Do it before Blayze does!” Tanner shouted.
My hands cupped her beautiful face, and our eyes met. I couldn’t help the tears that had built in mine. “I love you, so much.”
Her eyes sparkled, and I swore I could see the reflection of the mountains in those eyes of hers.
As a tear slipped free and made a trail down her cheek, she whispered, “I love you more.”
While we didn’t want a reception, my mother overruled us, as did Lincoln. So after our second ceremony, we headed back to my folks’ place. A large tent had been put up, with a makeshift dance floor. White edison lights hung down from the ceiling, and tables lined the perimeter of the tent.
Kaylee had done most of the planning, making sure things stayed simple. White roses with white lights decorated the tables. We went with a good old-fashioned barbeque catered by one of the restaurants in town.
I sat in a chair and watched as Kaylee danced with Blayze. I didn’t think my heart could feel any fuller than it did in that moment.
“You got yourself a damn good woman, I hope you know that,” Dirk said, sitting down and hitting the neck of his beer against mine.
“You better believe I know. Not sure what in the hell she sees in me, but I’m going with it.”
He chuckled. “You’re good for each other. You make her as happy as she makes you, dude.”
I gave him a nod of thanks. “When are you going to settle down, Dirk? It’s gotta be getting old?”
“Old? Hell no. I’m perfectly happy with my life.”
“You don’t ever wish for something like what Brock’s got?”
We both turned and looked at my brother. The happiness practically shot off him like bolts of lightning. He was dancing with Morgan.
“He deserves all that happiness. I’m glad he found Lincoln,” Dirk said, a smile on his face.
I nodded. “She’s pregnant again, but no one is supposed to know.”
Dirk took a sip of beer and shook his head. “Well, then, no one told your mama, ’cause she’s been telling everyone who’ll listen that Lincoln’s got a bun in the oven.”
“I’m not the least bit surprised by that.”
Laughing, Dirk shook his head. “She’s telling folks she’s going to be having a new grandbaby soon. Someone asked if Kaylee was pregnant, and Stella said no. So, that only leaves Lincoln.”
“Brock’s not gonna be happy about that,” I mumbled.
“He’ll get over it. Now, if you’ll excuse me, there’s a pretty girl I’ve never seen before walking this way.”
I followed Dirk’s gaze. I’d never seen the blonde who was walking up to the tent either. She looked familiar, and when Kaylee let out a loud scream, I knew instantly this was kin.
“Timberlyn! Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh!”
Timberlyn was Kaylee’s cousin, and she’d recently graduated from nursing school in Georgia. From what I’d gathered from Kaylee, Timberlyn had also had a tragic incident happen to her, but Kaylee hadn’t told me what it was, and I hadn’t asked. I was just happy that Kaylee at least had family here, since her parents couldn’t be bothered to come to their daughter’s wedding.
“Who’s that?” Tanner asked, taking a drink from his beer. I looked at him and saw the light in his eyes. Aww damn, both he and Dirk had the same thing on their minds. This was going to be amusing as hell.
“I saw her first, dude,” Dirk shot back.
“You’re calling dibs on her?” Tanner asked.
I stood. “It’s Kaylee’s cousin. She’s thinking of moving here after seeing all the pictures Kaylee’s been sending her. She just graduated college.”
Dirk smiled. “Well, I’d be more than happy to show her around town.”
“Bullshit, I’ll show her around town,” Tanner said.
“Maybe you should leave that to me and Kaylee,” I said with a slight smirk.
Dirk pointed to Tanner, then looked at me. “Exactly why I will never get married. Ever. You are an instant killjoy. A guy just wants to have a little fun with someone who’s here to visit. I can’t think of a better woman. In and out. Literally.”
I sighed and rubbed the back of my neck. “One of these days, Dirk Littlewood. One of these days.”