Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 87284 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 436(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87284 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 436(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
“Of course not.” I settled down in his arms and drew the blanket higher up. It was chilly, I couldn’t lie. “That’s when I curse the Metro and miss your luxury car flavor of the month.”
I wouldn’t call Walker a car enthusiast, but he did appreciate nice things, and he loved to lease. I’d lost count of the different types of cars he’d picked me up in over the years, from sleek BMWs and fast Audis to monstrous Escalades and vagabondy Jeeps.
Walker and I lay there for a bit and just smiled like idiots, and we cuddled like pros.
The healing had begun. I could feel it.
9
Macklin McKenna
A few days later, we’d sunk into a languid vacation routine that suited me perfectly. The only downside was that we said goodbye to Colt, Kit, and Lucas this morning because they were going north to visit Colt’s sister and her family.
But we made do without them…
Today was New Year’s Eve, and we were gonna be just as lazy as we’d been the day before—until later tonight when we donned nicer threads and went out to eat.
I was actually getting a decent tan for once. Possibly because I wasn’t forcing it. Walker made me apply sunscreen suited for children, and I avoided direct sunlight.
We arrived by boat to the same place Ty had introduced us to yesterday, and he lowered the anchor some twenty feet from the edge of the little island. A new island. It was more of a mangrove islet, except it actually had grass, and not the kind that sliced through your feet.
Shay and I grabbed the blankets and two picnic baskets before we walked into the water. It was only about three feet deep here, just deep enough for us to be able to keep the boat close.
Reese put on some music on the boat before he joined us, and River followed shortly. Ty and Walker stayed on board to prepare the grill for lunch on the lower deck from where we’d jumped into the water. I didn’t fucking know what it was called. Walker had told me a million times. It was a ledge or whatever.
River and Reese were looking forward to another repeat: shooting iguanas. We were in the middle of a dozen or so islets, and Ty had promised “iguana traffic.”
Walker was looking forward to the same, even more since he’d missed the first hunt when he and I had headed to town for lunch together.
That’d been a great day, though. I hadn’t expected to feel those nerves that were usually reserved for when you met someone new you really wanted.
I had to admit it—I was crushing on my husband.
Shay and I climbed aboard the mangrove island and put on our flip-flops. The water was stunning and so clear, but mangrove roots weren’t great to walk on. Thankfully, the patch of grass was mere steps away, and then we could fan out the blankets and get comfortable.
“Isn’t Lane coming?” Shay squinted at the boat.
“He’ll be here.” No need to get into details. My boy was just a little overwhelmed. He’d stayed in the cabin below while he waited for his meds to kick in.
He and I had a lot to talk about too, but we’d agreed to wait until we got home. And his tendency to get overwhelmed was one of the biggest reasons. I wanted him to let go and just relax down here.
“Owner, where are you off to?” Shay turned to the Tenley brothers next.
“We’re gonna set up camp on the other side. We’ll be right back, pup.” River trapped two camping chairs under his arm, then continued after Reese.
Reese had the long duffel, which I now knew contained air rifles.
I glanced up and let out a sigh of contentment. I really liked these little islets. Sometimes, I swore they moved. And we were so protected by the greenery on all sides. Above us too. Vines snaked up the mangrove branches and functioned as our umbrella. Hundreds of little sunbeams poked through the shield but kept most of the heat at bay.
After stripping down to my birthday suit, I sat down and dug out a bottle of wine. I asked Shay if he wanted a glass, but he wanted to wait.
Kids.
One day, he’d learn that the best time for wine was now.
“I wish Ty hadn’t told us that iguanas fall from the sky,” Shay muttered.
I chuckled. See, this was why wine was a good idea. It made me forget. I took a big swallow and then looked up, hoping there were no dragons lurking in the trees.
Every now and then, a pop went off on the other side of the islet. Other than that, nothing could disturb my peace. I dozed on and off, shared a bottle of wine with Walker, got some cuddling in, and just enjoyed the late morning.