Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 81718 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 409(@200wpm)___ 327(@250wpm)___ 272(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81718 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 409(@200wpm)___ 327(@250wpm)___ 272(@300wpm)
“You gots lots of taboos too,” Rayne blurts.
“Tattoos,” I correct her.
“Mommy said we can’t have them,” River adds.
“Not until you’re much older,” Legend says, joining the conversation.
“Come on. Let’s eat,” Roman’s dad says, placing a tray of grilled meat on the island.
Roman takes Lilly into his arms and bounces her on his hip, and she latches on to his hair with a gummy grin. My heart aches for my daughters, who are standing still, watching them together. Forrest moving pulls me out of my trance. He bends so that he’s eye level with the girls.
“You ladies want a lift?” he asks them.
“What’s that?” River asks.
“I can carry you to the kitchen,” Forrest explains patiently.
“Yes!” They move to crawl all over him and before I can tell them to—I don't know what—he’s standing with a twin on each hip, and moving toward the kitchen.
I’m rooted to the spot, watching them go. It’s not until I feel a presence beside me that I pull my gaze away. I look to my left to find Monroe and to the right to find Emerson. It’s just the three of us.
“What just happened?”
They both smile, but it’s Emerson who speaks. “Welcome to the family.”
I don’t know what she means by that, but emotion wells in my throat. I choke it back. For far too long, it’s just been me, Brogan, and the girls. For her to say I’m part of their family… is not what I expected, and my head is telling me to take a step back, but my heart, the one that yearns for more, wants to race full-speed ahead.
Forrest peeks his head around the corner. “The girls are all set up. Are you ready?” he asks.
I know he’s asking us if we’re ready to eat, but to me, it feels like more.
So. Much. More.
CHAPTER
THREE
Forrest
I didn’t know it was possible to witness such longing on a child’s face, but that’s what I saw just seconds ago with River and Rayne. They watched Roman with Lilly as if their little lives depended on it, and their faces…. Damn, they both looked so sad that I had to do something about it.
I should have checked with their mom, but all I could think about was making them smile again, so I dropped down to their level and offered them a ride. Once I explained, the light in their eyes was vibrant once again, and the four tiny hands that were gripping my heart loosened.
I don’t know if their dad is in the picture, and it’s not my business, but something tells me he’s not, and seeing Roman with Lilly was breaking their hearts. I couldn’t stand another second of watching it play out like a movie script.
When we make it to the kitchen, I take the girls to the island where the food is set out. Roman still holds Lilly, so I don’t want to put them down. Luckily, Monroe saves me.
“Girls, let’s get you in a chair and I’ll make you a plate.” Monroe smiles at them as if she’s known them all their lives.
“We want to sit with hims,” the girl on my left says, wrapping her arms around my neck.
Damn, she’s cute as hell. I really need to learn which one is which.
“Are you sure?” Monroe asks them.
They nod their little heads, and my chest swells.
“It’s fine,” I tell her. “You ladies can sit with me.” I carry the girls into the dining room. The table seats ten, so luckily, my plan for them will work with the number of people here today. “How about here?” I place them both on their feet and pull out three chairs. “I can sit between you.”
“Mommy can sit there,” the twin I now know as Rayne says. I also note that her hair is a little lighter than her sister’s. I keep that information at the forefront of my mind so that I can tell them apart.
“That sounds like a plan.” Monroe gets them set up at the table, and I peek back into the living room, letting Briar know we’re all set up.
“Mommy, sit here,” River tells Briar as soon as she enters the room.
“You sit here,” Rayne says, pointing to the chair they deemed as mine already.
“Why don’t we let Forrest sit where he wants, and Mommy can sit with you?” Briar suggests.
In an instant, two little lips jut out in a pout, and I’m toast. “This seat is perfect if it’s okay with your momma?” I glance at Briar and give her what I hope is a warm smile. I don’t want to step on her toes, but these two little angels got me in my feels and no way do I want to be the cause of their pout.
Nope. Not me. Not today. Not ever.
Briar bites down on her bottom lip. It looks pillowy soft, and I’d love to test that theory, but I push the yearning deep and wait for her answer. “Are you sure?”