Total pages in book: 35
Estimated words: 33434 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 167(@200wpm)___ 134(@250wpm)___ 111(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 33434 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 167(@200wpm)___ 134(@250wpm)___ 111(@300wpm)
“That all sounds like fun,” I tell him.
He nods. “This place is our own little oasis, and adding the lake would give the boys something else to do. Think of all the summer fun.”
“What brought this on?”
“We were hiking through the woods, and Grant asked about fishing. That’s something else we could do. We could set up tents next to the lake and do some night fishing. It’ll be great.”
“Okay.”
“Okay?”
I smile. “You don’t need my permission, Stanley. This is something you want. I say go for it.”
“I’ll build you a gazebo,” he adds. “I know how much you loved the pier from our honeymoon, and we’ll do something similar with a gazebo out on the water.”
I stand and move to step in front of him. He opens his legs, and his hands grip the backs of my thighs, pulling me close as I run my fingers through his hair. “I love you. Not for the things you give me, but for the way you love me and our boys. I mentioned that years ago, Stanley Riggins.”
“I never forget anything where you or our kids are concerned.” He tilts his head back and I kiss his lips.
“Well, it looks like we’re building a lake.”
“It’s going to add value to the property, not that we would ever want to leave here, but I can see it, baby. The boys having a blast all summer long. It’s going to be so much fun.”
My husband is still a big kid at heart. I think I am too, and seeing his eyes light up when he talks about his plans for our lake, I can’t help but join him in his excitement. I’m all for anything that keeps my boys here and entertained.
I love the idea of having this be our own place, not having to worry about outsiders or drunk drivers on other boats. I hope that the boys continue to come here and enjoy this space once they’re out on their own.
EPILOGUE
Present Day
Stanley
“What are you smiling about, old man?” Marshall, my youngest son, asks me.
“I’m happy.” How could I not be? I have the world's most beautiful, loving wife. We have five amazing sons, and with those sons, we gained five incredible daughters. And the cherry on top of the cake is our grandchildren. We have ten grandsons and nine granddaughters. Nineteen grandchildren. That’s a whole hell of a lot to be smiling about.
“What’s going on over here? Is this a meeting of the minds or what?” Conrad asks.
“Dad’s all smiley and it’s creeping me out.” Marshall laughs.
“What’s creeping you out?” Grant asks, joining the conversation. He hands the three of us a beer, leaving one for himself.
“That.” Conrad points at me.
“I see how it is. Y’all have a meeting about manly things and don’t include the two older and wiser brothers,” Owen says as he and Royce join us.
“What are we talking about? Taking the boat out?” Royce asks. “I know the kids have been begging since we finished lunch.”
“No. Look at him.” Grant points at me.
Owen and Royce both turn to face me. “Why are you smiling like that?” They ask at the same time. It makes me laugh while their three younger brothers nod their agreement.
“This right here—” I wave my arms to where my wife, our daughters-in-law, and our grandkids are all sitting beneath the pavilion at our lake. “This was my dream. To raise our family here and to one day watch as you boys did the same. I have a hell of a lot to be smiling about.”
They’re all quiet, but I see each of them nod. We sit quietly, watching as those we love the most run and laugh and play. It’s music to my ears.
“You know, when you told me that my first wife, let’s not bring her name into this day, wasn’t my magic, I thought you were losing your mind. I grew up listening to you talk about it, but I thought you and Grandad were shooting the shit, telling tall tales. Then I met Sawyer.” He stops talking as if he needs to collect his thoughts, and we all remain silent, letting him work through them.
“When I met Sawyer, my entire world flipped upside down. She changed me, and she changed my view of the world. That’s when I knew the magic of love you’d talked about my entire life was real. I wish I would have listened to you then.”
“Ah, words that every parent loves to hear.” I chuckle. “Royce, that was your path to Sawyer. I truly believe that. Sure, you fought against it, but you can’t outrun the magic.”
“Tell me about it.” Owen snickers. “Even when they’re wearing shoes with holes.”
We all laugh. We can laugh about it now, but my daughter-in-law Layla was in a rough way when Owen met her. He felt the connection instantly and fought for her.