Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 66205 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 331(@200wpm)___ 265(@250wpm)___ 221(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66205 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 331(@200wpm)___ 265(@250wpm)___ 221(@300wpm)
“We helped Nana in the garden too,” Jayden added. “She grows way too many flowers, so I helped her plant tomatoes and bell peppers. I’ll show you! They’re in the kitchen. I mean, you can’t see anything yet, but…”
“It’s true—he’s been such a good gardener,” Mom gushed.
Darius could not look prouder.
Jayden beamed under the praise too.
By the time they all reached the kitchen, Cassidy had found her way to Darius’s embrace, Jayden dragged Gray over to the windows where potted plants had been replaced by cut-off milk cartons and newly planted seeds, Aiden joined them with a good morning and a welcome home, the coffee was done, the house smelled like Gray’s childhood weekends when Mom went all out with blueberry muffins, pancakes, bacon, eggs, fruit, juice, and yogurt.
If one person knew how to feed a hockey team, it was her.
She missed it too. Gray could tell. It was partly why she loved to watch the kids, because they filled her house again, like Gray and his brothers used to back in the day.
“By the way, I got two jobs,” Jayden mentioned casually as he sat down at the table.
“Boy, you got what?” Gray blurted out.
“Summer jobs,” he said. “Pops wants to clean out the garage, and Grandma needs help carrying things cuz her fingers aren’t as strong anymore.”
Gray and Darius exchanged a slight frown.
“Look,” Jayden went on, “I freaking told them what youse’ve taught me—family helps family for free and whatever, but it’s their rules!”
Oh. Well, then.
Gray turned to Aiden in question.
“He’s already helpful,” he replied. “Now’s the time for him to shake down his grandparents and start saving money. Did you know the boy’s already talking about owning a boat one day?”
That kinda melted Gray. He did know about Jayden’s dream. He talked about it every time they visited Darius at work in the marina. Jayden wanted to have his own fishing boat and crew.
“As long as y’all’re on board,” Darius said firmly. “It’ll be a good first job. It’s how I started too.”
“You did?” Jayden cocked his head.
Darius nodded and cut off the crust on a piece of toast for Cass. “My brothers and I mowed lawns and washed cars throughout high school. But I think I was your age when I began walking the neighbors’ dogs and helping old folks stow away groceries.”
“You weren’t much older when you started helping me at the inn either, sweetie.” Mom pointed out to Gray. “Guests adored that boy, let me tell you. He’d knock on the doors and offer turndown service and refreshments.”
Gray smiled. Those had certainly been simpler times. Good times. “I ate so many pillow chocolates.”
Mom laughed. “You sure did.”
Gray shook his head and grinned at the memories, and then he assisted Justin with reaching for the muffins. One was enough. The boy loved his muffins, but he could manage some whole grain toast too. Much to Justin’s dismay.
“In that case, congratulations on your first job, sweetheart.” Gray lifted his coffee mug at Jayden, who grinned widely.
“You’ll do well, small fry,” Darius agreed. “We’re proud’a you.”
Gray still wanted to call Darius’s mom, though. He knew the outcome of the call, but he wanted to make sure she was okay. Mary had been struggling with her arthritis lately, and it felt weird sending a kid over to help for money. Maybe they could compromise. Jayden could work for extra money, and Gray could stop by after work more often and just lend a hand.
Despite the age difference between both their parents, they’d become good friends during the pandemic when their families had to join forces and help one another. In that way, the pandemic hadn’t all been awful. Even now, Aiden and James would go fishing together with a few other friends. Mom and Mary organized family dinners a couple times a month too.
Gray watched in amusement as Justin forced the “boring brown toast” into his mouth, puffing out his cheeks to the max, and washed it down with a glass of milk.
“Ahhh,” he exhaled in victory. “Now I can eat the muffin?”
“Yeah, now you can eat it,” Gray chuckled softly. Then he glanced across the table where Darius was offering a piece of bacon to Cass, and she just scrunched her nose and shook her head.
“I have so much to teach you, baby girl.” Darius kept the bacon for himself instead and made appreciative sounds that made Cass laugh.
“Gray, are you noticing that I’m not pushing for answers about your little trip?” Mom asked.
Gray quirked a brow. “I was assuming you’d wait till the little ears were out of range.”
“Yes, well.” She stirred milk into her coffee. “Befriending Mary comes with some serious perks.”
“Christ,” Darius chuckled.
Gray didn’t get it.
So Darius explained. “Knowing my ma, she’s told Chloe how I’ve corrupted you.”
Oh.
“Oh, my son does not need corruption,” Mom assured. “He was born with a bleeding heart.”