Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 77127 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 386(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 257(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77127 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 386(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 257(@300wpm)
“But I remembered.” And I’d also keep remembering to tell him how unshockable I was until he didn’t forget it. “And I’m remembering your presents. Should we look at the rest?”
Nodding excitedly, Alick didn’t move off my lap just yet. “And…and then you could come play at my house?”
“I think that sounds like a great idea.” And hopefully I’d get to see big Alick again at some point. He either sank very easily into his little side or he’d decided hiding there was the best idea. “Do you live in a tree? Oh, I bet you live in a big tree house.”
Shaking with barely suppressed laughter, he shook his head. “You’re so silly.”
Glad the practice with Erin had come in handy, I pretended to be shocked and even brought a hand up to my mouth. “No. I don’t know what you mean. I’m so serious.”
And I got more laughter.
“Does Erin think you’re silly too?” His question seemed innocent and curious, but I wanted to make sure we were both on the same page.
“Yes, but I’m just Uncle Grady and I’m the grown-up who helps her drive her Daddy crazy. She’s my sister and I’ve never wanted to be a Daddy to a little girl. Understand?” Misunderstandings led to jealousy and even mates could be bitten by that bug, so I wasn’t going to take any chances.
“I dated girls, Daddy, but I always knew my Daddy would be a boy, so—” He shrugged like there was nothing he could do about it and didn’t explain if he just thought they were interesting or if he was bi.
Treating it as nonchalantly as he had, I kissed his cheek. “And now I found you.”
So it really didn’t matter.
“I got you now too, Daddy.” He gave me a kiss before quickly turning and leaning over the side of the bed. “But I got toys too, Daddy.”
And they were obviously his focus at the moment.
“Let’s see what else you have.” I honestly couldn’t remember everything I’d squirreled away in there. It’d mostly been odd things that caught my attention…some books that I’d found at the biggest gas station I’d ever seen…chocolates that were in the shape of bugs…the most random assortment of ridiculousness, if I was being honest.
But it seemed like what I saw as random goodies combined to actually make a wonderful present box for a little who liked gardening and flowers and all kinds of outdoor things.
“I got mate presents, Daddy.” The mix of awe and excitement in his voice had me smiling as he picked up the box and settled back on my lap. “I’m gonna tell everybody I’m special.”
Was bragging the most important part of this or the toys?
I still hadn’t figured out the answer by the time we’d analyzed everything in the box and I’d done my best to tell him the circumstances of every purchase. The quiz seemed to help my memory because as he grilled me, more and more details came back.
Alick could’ve probably spent the entire afternoon going through the contents over and over, but eventually he started yawning and relaxing more heavily into me. “We…we should read the fairy book again, Daddy.”
I’d thought I was insane when I picked up a book on flower fairies at some weird bookshop where I’d been using their wi-fi, but Alick loved all the little notes and made-up facts about the different creatures.
“They…they might be real, so I…so I have to ’member all of it.” His logic was interesting but not too far off base considering I was a dragon and we were fated mates.
“I would love to read that to you again, but I was thinking that you could show me your house.” And then he could take a nap. “How does that sound?”
There were also some practical things like seeing if there was a closer RV park where I could stay for a while and stuff like that. The one I’d found was full up for the next few days with people who’d made long-term reservations, so I was going to end up sleeping in the Walmart parking lot if I wasn’t careful.
“I can show you my toys, Daddy.” Sitting up, he managed to hide the next yawn but I knew his burst of energy wouldn’t last long. “I live that way.”
Pointing toward the side of the trailer, he looked like the directions made perfect sense. I tried to picture what I’d seen in that direction but nothing came to mind. “Alright, so let’s go climb in my truck and you’ll lead the way?”
His eager nod made him look confident but his directions didn’t get any better. “I can point, Daddy. I know where I live. It’s the green house.”
Huh?
Had I run into any obviously interesting green-colored houses?
“That’s good to know, but remember, I’m not from around here and my GPS keeps cutting in and out.” I started looking for my phone as he climbed off the bed and finally found it by the sink. “My phone seems to be working but the roads are weird around here.”