Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 78894 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 394(@200wpm)___ 316(@250wpm)___ 263(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78894 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 394(@200wpm)___ 316(@250wpm)___ 263(@300wpm)
I forced an easy smile. “Then I should probably get back with these rolls.”
As I made my way past Jen, one of her brows rose, and I felt like a teenager who had been caught doing something naughty. I rushed back to the formal dining room with the rolls and the wine.
Hours later, I was tangled up with Mason as we played Twister. Charlie had picked the teams and had paired me and Mason, and himself with Jen. Dan was spinning the color wheel.
“Left hand yellow,” Dan stated as he let out a bark of laughter. “I think this is going to do you both in.”
Frowning, I replied, “A Bradley never admits defeat.”
Mason looked up and frowned as well. “I think my father’s cheating,” he said to me.
“Why?” I grunted, attempting to hold myself up.
“I have to go between your legs to get to the yellow.”
I gasped. “Oh craptastic, I thought all these crazy positions were my bad luck.”
“Do we fall and give up?”
I was positive my eyes went as wide as saucers. “You want me to quit?”
“Um, well, it’s either that, or I put my body, um…” His words trailed off.
Giving him my sternest look, I said, “Man up, Bryan! Left hand yellow!”
He closed his eyes before he dropped his head. With a deep breath, he moved between my legs—and it was only then that I realized I probably should have listened to him.
“Now what?” he asked with my woohoo practically on top of his face.
“Oh dear, this is no longer PG,” Jen stated, putting her hand over Charlie’s face. Dan let out a loud laugh. Once Mason started laughing, I couldn’t hold it in, and we tumbled to the floor.
“We won!” Charlie shouted as he hugged Jen. “They fell! We won!”
Mason helped me up and winked at me, and I suddenly wished we were still in that crazy position.
Turning to face his father, Mason said, “You cheated.”
“What? I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Dan mused.
Jen patted Mason on the chest. “Son, don’t teach Charlie about poor sportsmanship.”
Mason’s mouth dropped open, and I had to cover my own to hold back my laughter.
Charlie tugged at my hand. “Ms. Palmer, will you read me a story?”
Okay, this dad and son duo was going to be the death of me. My heart fluttered, and I was pretty sure my eyes misted over as Charlie gazed up at me.
“I would love to read you a story. Let’s help clean up first, okay?”
Charlie got to work helping to put away the two Twister games.
Mason leaned in and whispered, “He’s getting tired. When he asks you to read to him, it’s his way of saying he wants to sleep.”
“Good to know.”
The next thing I knew, I was in Charlie’s room, sitting on the bed next to him reading The Giving Snowman, while he lay in his father’s arms and drifted off to sleep.
Once he’d nodded off, Mason gently pulled away from where he was snuggled up next to Charlie, and we both tiptoed out of the room.
Music floated up the stairs as we made our way down the steps.
Mason smiled. “My parents love to dance, so there was always music playing in the house growing up. I can bet you they’re dancing in the kitchen right now, and at least one of them has a dish towel over their shoulder.”
That was exactly how we found Jen and Dan, and I couldn’t help but smile at the two of them. They reminded me so much of my own parents. Leaning against the counter, I realized this was what I wanted. Someone who wanted to dance in the kitchen with me. Someone who wanted to cheat at Twister to have a bit of fun.
I peeked over to see Mason smiling as he watched his parents. He reached for my hand and pulled me to him, and we joined his parents in a dance.
“Moon River” started to play, and I felt myself melt into Mason’s arms while we slow danced.
“I love this version,” I said softly.
“Who sings this?” Mason asked.
“Kina Grannis; her voice is so beautiful. I adore her version of ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love.’ It’s so romantic.”
Mason moved his hand to my lower back as he drew me in even closer. I wanted to bury my face in his chest, draw in a deep breath, and store it all away so I could remember every second of today for the rest of my life.
We fell into a comfortable silence as the song played, and we danced alongside Jen and Dan.
With my eyes closed, I allowed myself to get lost for a moment, to drift into a dream. Mason and I dancing every evening in the kitchen after putting Charlie down for the evening. He would lift my chin and kiss me ever so softly as he whispered, I love you, Palmer. Then he’d rest his hand on my swollen belly and talk to our baby.