Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 44788 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 224(@200wpm)___ 179(@250wpm)___ 149(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 44788 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 224(@200wpm)___ 179(@250wpm)___ 149(@300wpm)
But not nearly as much as his next words did .
“I’m never letting you go again .”
* * *
I n the end, only a few boxes got packed. Mae started carrying on and Whiskey said we should leave for the night. Surprisingly, she agreed to watching Eliza until morning. I think she just wanted to get us out of there so she could think. She was upset that we were moving out, even though I promised her it was not really decided yet .
I was oddly nervous when Whiskey picked me up and slung me over his shoulder, carrying me out to his car .
“Put me down, Whiskey! I can walk, you know !”
“Doesn’t matter. I’m not letting you make a run for it before we settle a few things .”
“Make a run for it ?”
He rubbed a hand over my bottom and I gasped in outrage .
“You can’t just abduct me! It’s insane !”
He settled me into the passenger seat, locking my seatbelt in place .
Then he shut the door and used his keys to lock it. He stared at me through the open window, giving me a salty smile .
“ Watch me .”
Chapter Thirty-Three
Whiskey
“T his is the living room, and the kitchen. And there are three bedrooms, plenty of space for the three of us .”
I grabbed Becky, stealing a quick kiss .
“Of course, we only really need two… for now, anyway. I think I could expand out in back if we ever needed more .”
She was giving me a suspicious look .
“More rooms ?”
“Yeah, it won’t be an issue. I already checked the set backs .”
“Uh huh. Well, thanks for the tour but I’ve been here before, Whiskey .”
I gave her a suggestive look .
“I know you have .”
She rolled her eyes at me so I grabbed her, giving her another kiss. She was nervous. Skittish even. But that didn’t change the facts .
Becky was mine. Eliza was my daughter. The three of us were a family now. And that would never change .
We belonged under one roof .
Besides, I didn’t think I could stand being separated from either one of them for even one more night .
“We can change anything you like. I was gearing up to paint the exterior again anyway. You pick the colors. I know you are partial to blue .”
“ Oh . Okay ?”
She sounded uncertain .
“I could redo the kitchen too. And the bathrooms. You could pick out tiles and cabinets and anything you like .”
“I don’t know if all that is necessary …”
“Why not? I want you to be happy.” I pulled her close and pressed a kiss to her lips. “That’s all I’ve ever wanted .”
She nestled her head into my chest. I loved it when she did that. She literally fit perfectly. It made me feel a thousand times stronger. And I was going to need to be strong, to protect my ladies for the rest of our lives .
“ What’s that ?”
I looked down to see Becky staring at the dining room wall. Whoops, I’d forgotten about that .
I might have punched the wall a bunch of times when she first disappeared. I had been out of my mind with worry. And drunk. It wasn’t my finest moment .
“I promise that will be fixed by the time we bring her in here. Two days to get the guys over here with some drywall. Plus, we need to baby proof the outlets and stuff .”
“Okay but I haven’t agreed to move in yet, Whiskey. We need to talk about it .”
“There’s nothing to talk about. I’m your family. You’re mine. And so is Eliza. We belong together .”
She was chewing her lip in a way that made my stomach turn over .
“We love each other. Don’t we ?”
She stared at me, her eyes looking suspiciously watery. I felt actual physical pain when those tears spilled over, running down her cheeks. I loved those cheeks. They were adorable. I brushed the tears away with my thumb .
“Don’t cry, sweetheart. Please don’t cry .”
“I’m sorry .”
“Don’t be sorry, just tell me what’s wrong .”
“Mae is all the family I have in the world, until Petunia. And now …”
“You’re afraid to trust me ?”
“No. I do trust you. It’s just all so new …”
“I know, sweetheart. Come here, let me hold you .”
She laid her head against my chest again. I could feel her tears soaking my shirt .
Dammit! I hated seeing her cry !
I murmured soothingly into her silky hair as I held her tight. She was resisting the inevitable. I just needed to turn her thinking around. I had an idea of how to convince her, but it was pretty radical. She looked so sad that I felt like a heel for what I was about to do .
“Alright, let’s talk .”