Total pages in book: 32
Estimated words: 29807 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 149(@200wpm)___ 119(@250wpm)___ 99(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 29807 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 149(@200wpm)___ 119(@250wpm)___ 99(@300wpm)
Luca puffs on his cigar for a few moments before answering. “It’s hard to believe I had Darby in my home for two years and I couldn’t convince her that life with me was better than the one she lived over my garage.”
My fingers tighten around the crystal, the sharp edges of glass digging into my palm. “It’s good that you didn’t. I would’ve hated to put your sister through an unnecessary period of mourning.”
“You would’ve put me in the hospital?” Luca jokes.
“The grave,” I say in total seriousness.
Sensing my lack of humor, Luca jerks his head around to look at me. “You’re not serious.”
“Completely.”
He shakes his head. “You’re crazy then. There’s no woman out there that is worth going to prison for. Even if I wanted a family, and I’m not saying that I do, one woman is the same as the next. You give her nice things, compliment her a few times, and she’ll be willing to do whatever you ask. There’s no need to go overboard.”
“I hope you’re just posturing, Ward. Or you’re going to be a miserable bastard.” I don’t even have to imagine what life would be like without Darby and Jax. I lived it for nearly three years. It’s a soul draining experience that leaves you feeling like a robot.
He stubs out his cigar and shifts in his chair, putting on an earnest expression. I lace my fingers behind my head and lean back against the cushion. Darby is walking toward me.
“Jax now thinks you are the greatest builder of all time,” she teases and settles in my lap.
I press a kiss into her rose-scented neck. “And I’m not?”
“No, of course you are,” she giggles.
I nuzzle her some more because I know her neck is sensitive and women, unlike men, can be in a constant state of arousal and no one would know it. She pinches my thigh, but I ignore it, trailing my nose from her neck to the hollow of her collarbone that is exposed by the wide neckline.
Someone clears their throat. I roll my head in the direction of Luca and arch an eyebrow.
“I just wanted to remind you that you weren’t alone.”
“More’s the pity,” I sigh.
Darby pushes at my chest and I allow her to move an inch away from me. “Behave. Dinner’s almost ready. I’m starved.” She pats her belly. “How about you Luca? You hungry?”
“When am I not?” he says drily.
“Then come sit down at the table. The chef will be out soon.”
Still holding Darby, I get to my feet. Luca follows suit. We all convene at the table, except for Jax, who is still happily running around in circles, waving his bricks in the air. Gia sighs. “It’s so nice here. Maybe I should move.”
“That’d be awesome,” Darby claps her hands.
“Wait until the cold sets in and you’ll be glad you’re home where snow is just a thing you import for parties,” Luca says. The chef appears and serves up the steak along with about a hundred sides. I split open Darby’s baked potato and fork in butter and sour cream along with a generous helping of cheese.
“You’re always welcome,” I tell Gia. “Jax, come on over and get some potatoes.” I’ve got a bowl of mashed ones along with his favorite vegetable—carrots. I cut up some tiny bites of beef for him and larger pieces for Darby.
“Thanks, honey.”
“My pleasure.” And it really is. These small things that I get to do are the reason I get up in the morning. At one time, my life was ruled by Willits—how could I make it bigger, stronger, wealthier. All those things left me empty. Now I have my family and it’s given me a purpose in life I didn’t know existed. Darby may have been the one to lose her memory, but I think I had lost my way. Thank fuck I figured it out or maybe I would have lost her, too. I’ve been given another opportunity with Darby and I won’t ever mess that up. I think it’s okay to lose your memory so long as you give yourself—and your heart—a second chance.
Epilogue
Darby
5 years later
I stare out the window watching the pool company inspect it one last time before they leave. They came out two days ago to uncover it early. We get to open ours earlier than most. Jonas has gotten us a heated pool. We had to let it set for a couple of days while the water heated and the treatment to the water kicked in.
The kids were all about to come out of their skin waiting. I have to admit, I feel the same way as they do. I always get excited for this time of year. Thankfully Melody stopped by an hour ago to take all of them out for ice cream to hold them over a little longer. It was extra warm today, making it the perfect day to swim. If I didn't know any better I might have guessed Jonas had issued an order to the sun to make sure it came out for us. He would try to do anything to make us all happy.