Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 77730 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77730 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
A small smile played at the corner of Bradly’s mouth, and he sighed. “I love my mom.”
When a loud bell rang, I jumped again. “What in the hell?”
Bradly slapped me on the back. “Welcome to Christmas dinner, where they use a cowbell to announce when the food is ready.”
I looked at Lily, who winked.
Two large tables were set up in a massive dining room. Avery and Rose, along with Bryson, volunteered to man the kids’ table, which I thought was brave of them. Dinner was full of different conversations, laughter, a bit of arguing, more laughter, delicious food, and one of the best evenings I’d ever experienced.
The Shaw clan, along with Dirk and Merit, had always made me feel welcome, even when I was just another hand working on the ranch. But being a part of this family was unlike anything I could ever imagine. I could feel the love coming off of every single person in the room. I may not have had a family growing up, but I had one now, and my son or daughter—and, God willing, more kids in the future—would have it. That thought nearly brought me to tears.
Lily squeezed my hand. “Hey, are you okay? Are you overwhelmed?”
I shook my head. “Not at all. This is…it’s wonderful. I was just thinking about how our kids are going to have this. All this love and happiness. You can feel it in the room. It just reminds me of what I missed out on but am so damn grateful that I have it now.”
Glancing around at her family, Lily smiled. “You can feel it. And they’ll be lucky indeed to have so many people who love them.”
A short time later, Kaylee stood. “Okay. This year, it’s the men’s turn to clean up.”
A few groans filled the room, but Brock stood willingly enough, as did Dirk, who yelled out, “No bitching.”
“Dirk!” Merit admonished. “The babies?”
He winced. “Shit, I forgot.”
“Oh my God, Dirk!” Kaylee sighed, hitting him on the back of the head. “Organize the men, will you?”
Lily stood and went to grab her plate, but I stopped her. “Nope. You go enjoy your time with the ladies.”
“You sure you’re okay alone with all of these cowboys?”
Taking a quick look around the room, I brushed my lips across hers. “I’ll be fine.”
“I’ll watch his back,” Bradly said with a wicked grin.
Lily narrowed her eyes. “I don’t like that smug smile on your face, Bradly Littlewood.”
Now he gave her a puppy dog look. “Whatever do you mean, sweet cousin?”
“Oh, please,” Lily laughed, giving Bradly a friendly push. “You are so full of shit, you stink!”
“Go have fun,” I told her. “I’ll help here and catch up with you in a bit.”
Lily frowned, biting down on her lower lip. “Are you sure?”
“Yes! Go. What’s the worst that can happen?”
Her brows lifted, as Bradly let out a bark of laughter.
“Prescott! Get your butt in here and put the purple gloves on,” Tanner shouted. “You’re on wash-up duty!”
Leaning in so only Lily and Bradly could hear, I asked, “Is it too soon to be sick?”
Lily giggled as Bradly grabbed my arm, dragging me toward the kitchen as he threw his head back and let out an evil laugh. “Say goodbye to your sweetheart and join me in the kitchen, horse whisperer!”
With one last look at Lily, I caught her covering her mouth to keep from laughing. I gave her a resigned smile before I was dragged into the belly of the beast.
Chapter Twenty-Two
LILY
After watching my poor future husband get dragged into the kitchen by Bradly, I made my way to the family room. I was stuffed full and feeling a bit tired. It was crazy how the first few months of a pregnancy could wear you out. Guess that’s what happens when you grow a little person inside you.
I made my way over to where Rose, Kipton, Morgan, Avery, and Georgiana were seated. They were taking turns feeling Kipton’s stomach. I dropped down onto the floor in front of her. “Is she moving?”
With a wide grin, Kipton nodded. “She’s been really active.”
“Are you and Maverick going to find out if it’s a boy or a girl?” Avery asked. “Please say yes! I got some adorable outfits for Kipton and Hunter in Paris.”
I shrugged. “We keep going back and forth. One minute I want to know, and the next, I don’t.”
“Will you be living in Maverick’s cabin?”
“We will be,” I answered with a smile. “Dad and Maverick were talking about possibly adding on to the house. Maybe a second floor, or just onto the back.”
“Before the baby gets here?” Georgiana asked.
“I don’t think so. We’ll see how it goes after we have her.”
“Her,” Rose said with a poke in my arm. “Are you wanting a girl?”
My cheeks heated. “Honestly, I could totally see Maverick as a girl dad, but what I really want is a healthy baby. Boy or girl.”