Total pages in book: 132
Estimated words: 128801 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 644(@200wpm)___ 515(@250wpm)___ 429(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 128801 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 644(@200wpm)___ 515(@250wpm)___ 429(@300wpm)
“It’s your day off…sit. And even if you say you feel better this morning, you look tired.” She cut me a glance, her brown eyes sparking in interest, warmth, and a tease. Mom had a way of processing everything in a beat, showing her care and concern and doing it all with this lightness that always gave you the sense you were in a safe place.
“You know I don’t mind helping out.”
A grin pulled to the edge of her mouth. “What, are you worried I don’t do it as well as you? Don’t forget I taught you everything you know.”
I laughed. “You know it’s not that… I just don’t know what to do with myself if someone else is cooking and I’m not a part of it.”
“Hang onto that home wrecker, that’s what you do.” Her grin spread as she gestured with her head to the squirming child in my arms.
“Well, I can do both if—” I was cut off by the loud rapping at the front door.
It wasn’t a knock that was asking for permission to enter.
It was an announcement.
An announcement that had always sent my heart skittering and the blood chugging through my veins when he’d come in. And today that skittering heart went sprinting when I whirled around, my mouth dropping open as Ryder came sauntering in like he lived there.
So freaking sexy wearing jeans, a tee, and boots. Every angle of that striking face lit in the rays of sunlight that slanted in through the window as he crossed the living room.
But it was the way those eyes took me in, slithering down in a slow slide of appreciation that heated my flesh, that knowing glint behind his gaze sending trembles rocking me to the core.
I was pretty sure the imprints of everywhere he’d touched me last night lit in a glow of red.
How in the world was I ever supposed to keep this contained?
He roughed a hand through the mess of his hair, pitching me a smirk before he said, “Mornin’, everyone.”
So casual and sly.
My belly tipped.
Crap. What did he think he was doing here? I mean, I knew that we’d eventually be in the same place with others present, but I hadn’t been prepared for it yet.
The way he stole my breath and every thought in my mind. Since my heart and body were already his, I felt unsteady on my feet.
Drawn.
Hungering for a way to get closer.
I dug in my heels to keep from moving for him, and I did my best to reel in the reaction.
Hold it back.
Hide it.
It didn’t help things when Kayden went wild in my arms, reaching in Ryder’s direction as he kicked his little feet. “My Rye-Rye! You come see me?”
Emotion struck through the easiness that had been pinned on Ryder’s expression. Something soft and profound.
The same devotion he’d promised me last night.
Us.
This family.
He covered it as fast as it’d shown, but he still came around the island and whipped Kayden out of my arms. He soared him through the air.
Delight rolled from Kayden, his shrieks full of joy.
“Of course, I came to see you. I was missing my favorite tiny tornado.”
I bit down on my lip to keep the rush of affection at bay.
It’d been an hour.
With the way that gaze slanted down to me for the barest flash, I knew he’d been missing me, too.
“I a good boy,” Kayden told him right as he was trying to get fistfuls of Ryder’s hair.
Ryder laughed, though his voice turned gentle as he cupped the back of Kayden’s head, pressed his lips to his temple, and murmured, “That’s right. You are my good boy.”
I had to reach out to the counter to support myself.
To keep from falling to my knees with the earthquake that rocked me through.
Staggering.
And I wondered if every-single-person there felt it, the way everyone went quiet and watched them like they were watching a spring flower blooming to life.
Or had it been there all along and I’d had myself so guarded that I hadn’t allowed myself to see it?
Mom cleared her throat. “I didn’t know you were coming this morning, Ryder. What a nice surprise.”
“Hope you don’t mind. I’d had to swing by Ezra’s earlier, and I knew you’d all be here, so I thought I’d stop in.”
“You know you’re always welcome here.”
A flicker of sorrow traipsed through his expression. “You’ve always welcomed me. I appreciate it more than you could ever know.”
She set her hand on his cheek. “You’re family, Ryder. Always have been, and you’re always going to be.”
He swallowed hard, and I knew he’d gotten swept in a memory of his mother. I wanted to touch him.
Wrap my arms around him.
Murmur that he wasn’t alone.
“What have you been up to, Ryder?” Kayla asked as she pulled out the slices of toast that popped up from the toaster and refilled the slots.