Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 87260 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 436(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87260 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 436(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
“You already know my mother and father,” I said, motioning to my parents. Grace smiled.
“Next to them is my sister, Lily and her husband, Maverick. And sitting on Maverick’s lap is Maggie, who is four.”
Maggie waved.
Haven waved back to Maggie.
“You probably know my uncles, Brock and Ty.”
“How are, Brock, Ty?” Grace asked with a warm smile.
I went around the room and introduced everyone to Haven, at least those who she didn’t know already. I hadn’t really realized how damn big my family was until I finally got to the last person. Haven seemed to think so as well because she looked at me and crinkled her nose in the most adorable way.
“I hope I’m not quizzed on everyone!”
Smiling, I replied, “It’s multiply choice.”
Grams stood and clapped her hands. “Now that introductions are done, and everyone is here, let’s eat! Should we get the kids fed first?”
“That’s a great idea,” Aunt Kaylee said as she gathered the little ones. Once everyone was seated, small conversations broke out.
“Why is your leg bouncing up and down?” Haven asked in a lower voice.
“We’re having game night tonight as well.”
Haven’s brows drew down in confusion. “Game night? That sounds like fun.”
“Fun? Fun?” I huffed. “It can start out as fun, but quickly becomes a competition between everyone.”
“There isn’t anything wrong with a bit of competition between people.”
I stared at her. “You have no idea. The last thing I want to do is scare you or your mom.”
She smiled as she looked at her mother. “Don’t worry about us; we can handle some competition. We’re made of sterner stuff and all that.”
Exhaling, I looked down at the large table we were sitting at and saw my mother and Grace were seated at another table in a deep conversation with Grams.
“Your mother seems to be fitting in just fine.”
Haven nodded. “I think so as well. Helps she knows some of your family and Stella.”
Her eyes moved to my grandmother. “How is Stella doing?”
“I think she’s okay. I’m sure she has good days and bad days. Being surrounded by family helps. I heard her and my aunt Kaylee discussing a trip with Grams. She’s always wanted to go to Banff but has never been.”
“That sounds like fun. I’ve never been out of the state.”
I finished chewing my bite. “Where is someplace you’d like to go?”
“Like, in the US or anywhere?”
“Anywhere. Sky is the limit.”
Haven thought about her answer for a few moments. “If it was here in the US, I think I would like to see the coast. Maybe Oregon or even the East Coast.”
“Oregon is beautiful. The whole Pacific coastline is.”
“Have you been back east?” Haven asked.
With a shake of my head, I replied, “If you count Europe. When Avery got married, we all went to France.”
She smiled softly. “I remember that. I bet it was a beautiful wedding.”
“It was, but I’ve seen some beautiful weddings right here on the ranch.” She nodded and looked down the table toward her mother. “What about outside the US?”
Haven’s eyes met my gaze. “Let’s see, I think it would be maybe Ireland or Scotland. London would be pretty cool to visit. A lot of the historical romance books I read are based in London.”
With a smile, I said, “Maybe we can go there someday.”
Haven laughed. “Right now I just want to get through this winter and what it’s going to be like building the dog park.”
I took her hand in mine and gave it a squeeze. “Everything is going to be great. Don’t stress.”
She nodded. “Easier said than done.”
Once everyone was finished up eating, and the food and kitchen cleaned up, it was time for game night. My gaze swept over the living room until I found Haven sitting next to Lily. Their heads were bent low in what had to be a private conversation. I couldn’t help but smile. Two women in my life who meant the world to me. When I turned to my right, I caught my mother watching me. We both smiled at one another, and I tried to ignore the way my face felt heated.
A bell rang and everyone turned to see Uncle Brock standing next to Grams.
“The time has come, family. It’s family game night…Thanksgiving edition.”
I closed my eyes and groaned. When I opened them, Haven stood in front of me.
“What was that all about?”
Taking her hands in mine, I said, “Do you remember last night, in my kitchen? That thing I did with my tongue?”
Her face instantly went red as she quickly looked around, then focused back on me. “Nate!”
“Do you remember?”
She rolled her eyes as she sighed. “Of course I remember.”
“Good,” I said, nodding my head. “Remember that once we get into the throes of family game night.”
With a small frown, Haven went to say something, but snapped her mouth shut. A look of worry crossed over her face when she looked past me. “Is…is Rose stretching?”