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)
“It took me a few days, but less time than it did Royce to realize what was happening.” He points his beer at me. “I knew when I couldn’t stop going back to the restaurant that something was different and that you and Royce were on to something.”
“I didn’t fight it,” Grant speaks up. “I mean, the magic of my wife’s sweets was more than enough to convince me she was meant to be mine.”
We all laugh. Grant has always had a sweet tooth, so it’s fitting that he found his magic with the owner of a bakery.
“Took me a little longer,” Conrad confesses. “I can’t believe she was right there under my nose for months, and I never realized she was the one for me.”
“You weren’t ready for her. Just like Royce wasn’t ready for Sawyer. It all has a way of working out,” I tell him.
“Yeah, I got the girl. Thank fuck for snowstorms.” He laughs.
“I got you all beat,” Marshall speaks up. “I got double the magic with Maddie and Wren. She made me work for it. Her heart needed time, I guess.” Marshall shrugs.
“It did.” I nod. Wren had also been through so much and was struggling to find her place when Marshall came into her life. Little Maddie stole our hearts, and his, just like her momma.
I finish off my beer and toss it into the recycling bin. Leaning forward, I rest my elbows on my knees and make eye contact with each of my five sons.
“I love you. The five of you, your momma, and your families are my greatest gifts in this life. I’m so damn proud of each of you for the men you have become, the husbands and the fathers. That’s why I’m smiling.”
“Way to get us in our feels, old man,” Marshall says, clearing his throat.
“Damn allergies,” Grant mumbles, looking out at the lake.
“Come on. Enough of the heavy. Let’s get that boat out on the water and have some fun.” I stand, and Royce does immediately as well, pulling me into a hug. He releases me, and Owen takes his place. Then Grant, Conrad, and Marshall all take their turns.
“I love you, old man,” Royce says, and his brothers repeat their “I love yous,” just as they did when they were little.
My heart is full.
Breath by breath, these five men have a piece of me no one else ever will.