Total pages in book: 52
Estimated words: 51744 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 259(@200wpm)___ 207(@250wpm)___ 172(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 51744 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 259(@200wpm)___ 207(@250wpm)___ 172(@300wpm)
“Grady’s a good kid.” Austin raises his glass. “And here’s to Carly and me giving him a cousin soon.”
“Bet I knock Sadie up before you knock up Carly.” Miles clinks his glass to Austin’s.
“You’re on—” But then Austin glances at me. “Shit, Chance. I wasn’t thinking. Today’s supposed to be happy. We’re getting married.”
“Yeah, I’m sorry too, bro.” From Miles.
“Fuck it.” I take another drink. “Today is a happy day. So Avery and I won’t have more babies. I have the woman I love—who I’ve always loved—and a son who’s my spitting image. Besides, there will still be babies around here. I’ll be the doting uncle to all your rugrats.” Someone’s going to have to teach them not to be such big pussies.”
“Yeah, can you believe we’re going to stay here? I never imagined I’d ditch New York for a life in Montana.” Miles shakes his head, stunned. He and Sadie agreed he’d settle here. Her job is local and his can be done from anywhere. And the big shop he’s been putting together will be the perfect place for his custom work.
As for Austin, there was no decision really for him to go back to Seattle. Carly wasn’t going to leave her hometown, not after what happened to her. And Austin’s mom will be out of rehab soon and settle here as well. There’s enough acreage to build houses for everyone.
I never wanted my long-lost brothers to show up, and now I don’t want them to leave.
“Besides,” I continue, “who better than their uncle to teach them not to be such big pussies?”
Miles glares at me with a glint of humor in his eyes. “Those are fighting words, little brother.”
We all erupt in laughter and polish off our drinks.
I check my watch. “Seems we have somewhere to be, guys.”
That’s to see my bride. Make her mine legally. Get her in our bed. Just because we can’t make any babies sure as hell doesn’t mean we can’t practice.
AVERY
* * *
Mom, Darla, and Brenda—Carly’s and Sadie’s mothers, respectively—took over the décor for the vast yard outside the ranch house, and now it’s a gorgeous western fairy land with roses and lilies everywhere. Carly, Sadie, and I all wanted a small wedding, so there won’t be many guests, but that didn’t stop our mothers from going overboard, especially after Chance gave them a blank check.
Somehow, his attorney, Mr. Shankle, was able to secure the release of a bit of the inheritance so we could have a beautiful wedding.
My father has never been in the picture, and Sadie’s father is in prison after trying to kill her, so Brenda and Mom will be walking us down the makeshift aisle. Carly’s father, Rick Vance, will do the honors for her. Miles and Austin are acting as each other’s best men, while Chance—God love him—asked Grady to stand up for him. We women all asked our mothers to stand for us.
Mom fusses with the wreath of baby’s breath I’m wearing on my head. “It’s just not sitting quite right, Avery.”
“It doesn’t matter, Mom. I’d be just as happy’ if I were marrying Chance in a burlap sack.”
I chose a light peach sheath for today, with spaghetti straps and some unobtrusive beading on the bodice. Sadie and Carly both chose to wear ivory, but with my blond hair and fair skin, white hues wash me out. Sadie’s dress has a plunging neckline and flowing skirt that accentuates her curves, and Carly chose a sequined high-neck and bare shouldered number that works well for her petite figure.
“You two look fabulous,” Sadie gushes, holding onto her bouquet of white roses.
“You’re all so beautiful,” Brenda says, blinking back tears.
“I can’t believe this day is here.” Carly fans herself, practically shaking with excitement. “After everything… I never thought I could be this happy!”
“Stop it.” I smile. “You’re going to make me cry, and then Mom is going to want to redo my makeup.”
“Yes, for goodness’ sake, no tears.” Mom hands me my bouquet of roses and lilies that match my gown. “You’ve all come way too far to succumb to tears on this amazing day.”
Her involvement in splitting Chance and me apart is still a thing between us. I’m not sure if I’ll ever forgive her for it completely, but it proves that love conquers all. She’s a good woman who was in a bad spot. With a child almost the same age as I was at the time, I can understand her mother’s need to protect. But…
No. I have to look forward, just as Chance and I agreed. My mother loves me and I love her. We don’t look back.
Carly swallows, nodding. “I just can’t believe I’m this lucky. I found the man of my dreams, and now I have two new sisters as well. I love you both so much.”