Total pages in book: 100
Estimated words: 93096 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 465(@200wpm)___ 372(@250wpm)___ 310(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93096 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 465(@200wpm)___ 372(@250wpm)___ 310(@300wpm)
Blaze was on the shelving unit near the patio door, same as always, but the kitten was there at the door to greet them and remind them it had been hours since she last saw them. Tucker had shown him the animal shelter ad for Sparky mere weeks after his arrival.
“They call her Sparky. It’s meant to be.”
“You’re lucky I love you.”
“You do, don’t you?”
And thus Blaze became a grumpy big sister to Sparky, the world’s most cheerful cat, who was as clingy as Blaze was aloof. Luis picked up the kitten and headed for the kitchen. Tucker trailed behind, changing the cat water dishes and handing him the can of wet food even before he asked.
“You confirmed the pet sitter, right?”
“Twice. It’s not like Blaze doesn’t know the drill, but Sparky will be fine. And so will you.” Luis finally got to give him the kiss he’d been waiting for all evening.
“I know. I don’t know why I’m so nervous.” Cats taken care of, Tucker leaned into Luis’s embrace.
“Because it’s a big day and you want it to go perfectly for them. And it will.”
“At least we’ll get one more use of my shower tomorrow night,” Tucker laughed. He’d been renting the house out through a vacation rental company, but had reserved the weekend for themselves.
“There is that. But the one here isn’t too terrible.” Luis steered him in that direction.
“You offering to take my mind off my nerves?” Tucker gave him a heated look, one that had Luis already reaching for his shirt buttons.
“Always.” Abandoning his undressing efforts, he pulled Tucker in for another kiss, and as he caught sight of their reflection in the bathroom mirror, he knew the truth of his earlier realization. He was happy, truly happy, in a way he hadn’t been a year ago. Tucker had been more than worth the wait, both to find him again, and then the months of long-distance until they’d arrived here at this place together. Home. That’s what this was. It was a home and it was a family and it was everything Luis had ever wanted, Tucker included.
* * *
“Are you going to propose?” Wade’s grin was almost as wide as the platter of food he was balancing.
“Propose?” Tucker sputtered as he glanced around. Heidi’s house was as packed as he’d ever seen it, people in every room and spilling out into the backyard, where he’d escaped to a lawn chair. Luckily no one else appeared to have heard Wade’s latest outrageousness. “What on earth gave you that idea?”
“Isaac made his mac and cheese for the party. Huge pans of it. You’re always calling it proposal worthy.” Wade’s head tilted as he considered Tucker more carefully. “Wait. You thought I meant—”
“Never you mind what I thought.” Tucker gave him what he hoped was a stern stare and not a nervous one. It wasn’t like he hadn’t been thinking along those sorts of lines a lot lately, but he wasn’t ready to share that with Wade. He was still wearing the cap from his graduation outfit, tassel waving in the breeze, the tie Heidi had forced on him already lost, and somehow looking even bigger and taller than when Tucker had seen him the previous visit.
“Are you going to ask him? Can it be at Disney while we’re there? That’s romantic, right? I could help you pick which ride—”
“Slow down. Please.” Tucker rubbed his temples. Wade was a whirlwind, and if he wasn’t careful, he’d have Tucker married off before Tucker even got a chance to pick out a ring himself.
“Fine. Steal my fun.” Wade sighed dramatically as he flopped in the chair next to Tucker, narrowly avoiding disaster with his plate of food.
“I can promise you that you’ll be the first to know,” Tucker assured him.
“First to know what?” Heidi chose that moment to stride over, drink in hand. In a pretty purple sundress she looked way too young to be the mom of high school graduates.
“When Dad pops the question. Or Luis does.” Wade’s grin hadn’t flagged one bit.
“Dad is not—” Tucker started to protest.
“Today? At the party?” Heidi frowned.
“Of course not. I wouldn’t want to take attention off the real point of the gathering.” The party was a rousing success, and if Tucker or the boys were missing Tucker’s family, the house full of Heidi’s family and friends was a good distraction. Tucker’s parents had sent cards with small checks. He supposed that was something, but considering they lived close enough to attend the ceremony if they chose, it wasn’t much.
“Oh, okay.” Heidi shrugged as if either option were okay with her. “Boys have to be at the school soon to catch the bus to the safe-and-sober overnight. Think you could take them? I don’t want them leaving their car there all night.”
“Absolutely.” Tucker was more than happy to play dad again, take them places, cheer them on. He was still a little hoarse from the graduation ceremony. He wasn’t sure he’d ever been so proud as watching the boys walk across the stage, first Wade practically dancing his way toward the principal, then Walker more sedately striding but same megawatt grin.