Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 81401 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 407(@200wpm)___ 326(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81401 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 407(@200wpm)___ 326(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
“What about the girls?” My voice is as low as possible, praying that I don’t alert Willow.
“I’ll talk to them,” he tells me. Levi kisses me again under my ear and chuckles when another set of the shivers overtakes my body. “God, how I’ve missed you.”
I’m forced to clench my thighs and grip the side of the fence when he pulls away. He really has no idea what he does to me, not only with his hands, mouth, and body but his words as well.
levi
Twenty-Eight
Since the day that Zara and I got caught kissing, we’ve stayed out of the public eye. Mostly, we’ve held up at the house, having groceries delivered and just being a family. That is all about to change because tonight, I’m taking her to a party at Buck’s, and everyone will know that I’m serious about her.
Yes, after a few weeks, I can easily say that I’m in love with Zara Phillips. I can’t explain it and each time Barbara or my mother asks if I’m sure, I just smile and nod. I know I need to tell her, but I want the moment to be right. Lately, I can feel the words sitting on the edge of my tongue, and all I have to do is open my mouth, but something stops me. I don’t know if it’s because she catches me off guard with how motherly she is with the girls, or if it’s when I find her staring off into the sunset and the wind is lightly blowing on her hair. I do know she’s who songs are written about, and has become my muse.
I’m scared, though, to show her my music, afraid that she won’t understand or grasp the emotion behind it, but I want to share everything with her, especially after watching her reaction to Stormy’s racing today. She had no idea what Stormy was doing, but that didn’t keep her from showering my daughter with admiration and praise. I stood back and watched the two of them converse and could see it in both their demeanors. Whatever Stormy had against Zara in the beginning has dissipated, and I couldn’t be happier.
I don’t want to call tonight a test for us, but in a way, it will be. Even though my group of friends had already met Zara, they didn’t know the magnitude of what was developing between us. Hell, I didn’t even know that night when we were sitting by the fire. After they left, we sat together, and she kissed me, or I kissed her. I don’t think it really matters at this point because the deed was done, and we were well on to something amazing.
That is how I feel when I’m around her. I feel like a shy schoolboy with his first crush and the horny high school kid trying to get into the hot girl’s pants at school. Every look, subtle touch, and every minute that we’re together as a family, it all increases my desire to be with this woman, fully committed and without reservation. My friends are going to think I’m nuts, but I don’t care. I’d be stupid to let her slip away because of what others think.
I finish getting ready by slipping into my boots and grabbing my trucker hat. I thought about wearing my cowboy hat, but I want everything to be casual. When I step out of my room, Willow is curled up on the couch, watching television and Stormy is busy typing on her phone.
“What are you doing?” I ask Stormy.
“Looking at dogs,” she says without looking away from her screen.
Willow sits up suddenly and looks at me all wide-eyed. “Are we getting a dog?” She rushes from her spot to sit next to her sister who is agreeably sharing her phone, so they can look together.
Shaking my head, I rest my hands on the back of the couch and peer over their shoulders. The image Stormy has up is of a litter of black lab pups. Each one is as adorable as the next.
Stormy looks up and smiles. She already knows that I’m going to say yes, and instead of giving her an answer I strut down the hall with my shoulders square and knock on Zara’s door. Tonight is the last night she’s sleeping in the guest room. The girls and I had a long talk while we were giving the horses a bath about how much Zara and I care for each other, and how much I love having her around. I didn’t exactly come out and say that she’d be sleeping in my bed though because honestly, that is awkward and not an easy conversation to have.
Still, I didn’t give Zara enough time to move her stuff into my room before I announced that we were heading out for the night. Willow was none too happy, but when I told her that her Memaw was coming over, she pepped right up. I’ve seen her growing closer with Zara, and know it’s a good thing for both of them.