Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 64406 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 322(@200wpm)___ 258(@250wpm)___ 215(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 64406 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 322(@200wpm)___ 258(@250wpm)___ 215(@300wpm)
Their gazes met and held, something warm and meaningful passing between them.
“So, what’s the news?” a male voice asked, breaking the spell between them.
Leah caught sight of Panda and shrieked. “Puppy!”
“Her name is Panda,” Winter said, and the little girl kneeled down, her attention taken by the dog.
Michael cleared his throat. “I’ll let Serenity tell you since she’s been dying to spill the news,” Michael said.
Winter let her gaze linger on Harrison’s father, who showed what he might look like when he aged. He was a very handsome and distinguished-looking man, she mused just as his stepmom clapped her hands and Winter looked at her.
“Okay, well, here goes. We want to buy a house in the Hamptons! We want everyone to have a place to come and stay. Harrison is generous with his home, and I know Asher and Nikki will be as well, but we know life is changing, too. Especially Harrison and Winter’s.” Her gaze came to rest on them before she continued. “You two deserve your privacy.”
Shock rippled through Winter at Serenity’s words. Though a part of her wanted to object that she, Winter, had nothing to do with this large, giving family, Harrison clamped an arm around her waist as if he knew she was ready to bolt. Again. She just might have.
“We were going to look around this weekend but the realtor, a friend of Linc Kingston’s, called us early this morning. A house is about to go on the market he thinks would be perfect for our family,” Michael said.
Which explained their unexpected arrival.
“It has ten bedrooms, so it will cover the kids who can share if a lot of us are here at the same time,” Serenity jumped in, her excitement obvious. “The realtor said we could see the place before he lists it, and we’re meeting him at four p.m. today.”
Michael glanced at the watch on his wrist. “Which is in twenty minutes.”
Murmurs of excitement followed, Harrison’s siblings talking among themselves.
“That’s great,” Harrison said. “Not that you aren’t all welcome here but—”
“Don’t worry.” Serenity walked over and patted his cheek. “I booked hotel rooms for everyone from tonight through Sunday,” she said with a laugh. “In case you thought we were really invading your space and your privacy.”
“Oh, thank God,” he muttered, and Winter couldn’t help but elbow him in the side.
“That’s rude!” she hissed at him.
“Oh, please. Tell me you weren’t thinking the same thing.”
Once again, she felt her cheeks heat, an all-too-common occurrence around Harrison and his family.
After a few more minutes, Serenity and Michael left to visit with the realtor and see the potential house, but only after they all agreed to meet in town for dinner at eight p.m.
Winter didn’t miss the look between Zach and Harrison. She could practically read Harrison’s mind as he silently asked his brother if she would be safe. Zach had tipped his head toward the front of the house where she knew her security guard was stationed. No doubt, she’d have company in town and that was fine with her. She wondered if coming here would diffuse the problem and hoped so.
Before she could ponder for too long, Aurora and Nick said they wanted to take Leah to the hotel so she could rest after the long ride. Jade and Knox opted to do the same, and Zach went along to hang out with his brothers at the bar while the women and Leah napped. And though Nikki offered to stay with Winter, she and Asher ended up leaving, too. Winter figured Asher had been responsible for that choice.
Harrison locked the door behind the last of their guests and turned to Winter. “Finally.”
She laughed. “You’re so bad.”
He smiled, showing his dimples. “I love my family, but I am glad they left.” He walked toward her and grasped her hand. “So how was your day?”
“Once I got over myself?” She shrugged. “I had a lot of fun. You’re very fortunate, you know?”
He nodded. “As much as I’d often like to throttle them all, I do know that I’m lucky. My brothers and I are close. Jade too but… you know what I mean.”
She laughed. “It’s a guy thing. I get it.”
“What did you and the girls talk about when we were huddled together discussing sports and shit?”
“Baby stuff.” Her body stiffened at the reminder of the conversation. “As in how many things you need for one small infant.” The women had overwhelmed her with the lists on their phones and discussion about nurseries, gliders instead of rocking chairs, and something about a Diaper Genie. Winter had no idea what that item was. But she no longer thought her apartment was large enough, and she had no idea what she should do.
Harrison squeezed her hand. “Don’t worry. We’ll figure it out together,” he assured her.