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)
Not having to watch her every move allowed him a break to grab himself another hot dog, one of the last ones on the grill. Jayden was on his third, Justin only ate one, Cass less than that, Darius would probably stop at two, and Gray could eat all night.
“Grandpa and I decided it was best I carry on the tradition,” Darius said. “So I brought the thermos home, and I carved Jayden’s name right here.” He turned the thermos around to show a more recent list. “Jayden Quinn. Justin—you’re here, sweetheart.”
“Justin Quinn.” Justin sat straighter and grinned sleepily.
“And now, li’l Cassidy Quinn too,” Darius finished with a smile.
“Yeah?” Cass perked up, thinking Darius had called for her, and she yawned and rubbed at her eyes. “Whas’at?”
“It’s you, sillypants.” Justin leaned in and rubbed his nose with Cassidy’s. “You’re Cassidy.”
“Yeah!” She was visibly confused but grinned at her brother’s affection, nonetheless. “We go sweep now?”
Gray laughed under his breath. Was she the only toddler in the world who loved to sleep? After the stories he’d heard from Elise and Isla, it sure felt like it. Not that it stopped Cass from waking up in the middle of the night sometimes, but it was becoming rarer.
“Maybe Daddy can get Cass to sleep while me and the boys fix up s’mores and cinnamon roll bites,” Darius suggested.
“That’s a good idea.” Gray nodded and brushed back Cass’s wild hair. “What do you say, baby? You wanna start our sleepover?”
Yeah, she was on board.
CHAPTER SIX
“Go back to sleep.” I kiss your shoulder before I roll out of bed and step into a pair of sweats.
“Wake me up if you need help,” you mumble, half asleep.
Nah. This is my time with her.
I find Cass standing up in her crib, in the room she sort of shares with Justin. He’s sound asleep, preferring to sleep near his sister, but sometimes we find him in Jayden’s room, where the bottom bunk is still Justin’s.
“What’s got you cryin’ tonight, angel?” I pick up the girl and position her on my hip.
She sniffles and clings to me.
We’ll get rid of those tears in no time, though. We always do.
I’ve come to enjoy these middle-of-the-night moments when she wakes up crying. Because she stops as soon as she sees me, and then we head downstairs. I get a cup of coffee and a chocolate truffle. She gets to cuddle up with me on the couch. I’ll put on some documentary that runs in the background, but…for the most part, I just sit there and watch her grow tired again.
“Daddy sweep?” she croaks.
“We’ll sleep soon,” I say. “We’ll cuddle first, yeah?”
She nods and blinks. “Yeah. Cuddle Daddy.”
That’s right.
“I’m not ready for this,” Darius muttered into his coffee mug.
He and Gray stood on the porch as the wedding party descended.
Some of them had arrived yesterday. A few had stopped by to say hey before driving toward their inns and motels. Mom’s inn was fully booked, partly with guests for their wedding, partly with guests for the wedding being held there.
They’d seen Ryan and his family for Easter celebrations on Sunday, they’d had lunch with Gage and Mom yesterday, and the three Tenleys were occupying the guest cabin. In a few minutes, they’d be joined by Darius’s cousins, Case and Boone—and their daughter, Ace. Case and Boone’s mom, who insisted Gray call her Aunt Erin, was flying in tomorrow and would stay with Mary and James. So would Ace, come to think of it. At least part of the time. Maybe she wouldn’t even be here today, since Ryan had informed them today was adults only.
Gray’s brothers would stay at their mom’s, obviously. She’d take every opportunity to spend time with them. Abel and Madigan had their own place in the Valley, Dante, Elliott, and Tariq weren’t flying in until right before the wedding, and same went for Cole, Jackie, and Charlie.
But right this second, they had four vehicles rolling up. Just as Gray and Darius had finished their chores for the day. Every animal had been fed, the dogs and the kids had been dropped off at Darius’s folks’ house after school and day care, and—
Whoa.
Gray let out a laugh as a dance song from the ’90s blared out of Case and Boone’s truck. They were the first to park, right next to the Wagoneer, followed by Ryan’s truck.
Case jumped out with an actual boombox on his shoulder and bobbed his head to the beat.
Ethan and Avery emerged from Ryan’s truck too.
Gray didn’t actually know exactly who was showing up today. He’d been told it wasn’t mandatory; it was basically a briefing for the bachelor party activities that would take place this week, and Ryan and Avery were in contact with everyone. And those who didn’t have anything better to do today could stop by.