Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 82279 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82279 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
"Well?" I ask nervously once I'm done, wishing my heart wasn’t racing so hard.
Mom's smiling wide as Dad processes it.
"I love it, kiddo. That's an amazin' and selfless idea. Plus, I can't think of two better people to run it."
Saturday morning finally arrives, and I work faster than I ever have to get my tasks done. Mom spent the past two nights helping me pack, and although I could tell she was sad, she wore a smile and told me how happy she was for me. On the other hand, Dad kept walking past my doorway and grunting.
"You're his baby girl," Mom reminded me as she added another folded pair of jeans onto the stack. "Mine too. You were always the perfect mixture of us. I'd put you in a pretty church dress, and minutes later, you’d be out in the yard runnin' around and tryin' to keep up with your brothers. When I'd ask you who told ya you could go play in the dirt, you always smiled up at your daddy."
I laughed, remembering many times playing outside in my nicest clothes during my youth. Mama wanted a girly girl, but instead, she got a tomboy who wrestled with her twin brothers more than she played with dolls.
"We're gonna miss you, so you better find time to visit, okay?" Mom said as she taped up the final box.
"Of course. I'll be less than ten minutes away and will see y'all at the training facility every day." I smirked at how they acted like I was moving across the state.
Last night, before bed, I kissed my dad on the cheek and reminded him how much I loved him. He held me so tight that I could barely breathe. We've always been close, and they're the reason I love horses as much as I do, but it's time I branch out on my own.
"Ready, kiddo?" Dad startles me as memories of my final night at home surface. He wraps his arm around me and pulls me in for a hug as I stare into my now empty bedroom.
"It somehow looks so much smaller in here," I say.
"Big enough for my new man cave, though."
"Dad!" I gawk, and he bellows a laugh.
My brothers’ old rooms were being used for storage until the first grandchild arrived, and then they became a nursery and a playroom. Mom continuously reminds Kane and me that she has plenty of room for more babies to visit.
"Just giving ya a hard time. You know your mom won't let me touch it."
Moments later, Payton arrives and greets everyone. Butterflies surface in my stomach when our eyes meet, though I don't know why. We see each other a lot, but today’s much different.
Today, we officially become roommates who are trying for a baby.
CHAPTER EIGHT
PAYTON
It doesn't take long to move Kaitlyn in. Her dad and I set up her bed, nightstand, dresser, and bookcase while she sorts her clothes. She spends another hour organizing her bathroom. While we wait, Jackson mentions the horse rescue and how excited he is for us. Kaitlyn told me last night how he reacted, but hearing it from his mouth confirms this is really happening. Knowing how the Bishops work, they'll want to get started as soon as possible. When someone pitches a new venture for the ranch, and they approve it, they make it happen right away, which I'm looking forward to.
Once we say goodbye to her parents, Kaitlyn and I head into the kitchen.
"Any dinner ideas for your first night here?" I ask, opening the fridge.
"I'm really craving pizza," she tells me. "With mushrooms, pepperoni, and—"
"And extra cheese," I finish her sentence, smirking. "Yes, I know. That's why I always have dough on hand."
She helps collect the ingredients as we chat. Once the oven is heated and the pizza is piled high with her favorite toppings, I place it inside and set the timer.
"So I know you don't talk about your family often, but will you tell them about the baby?" she asks while sipping on her sweet tea.
I blow out a breath and nod. "I haven’t decided yet."
Once the pizza is ready, I cut it into slices, and we eat on the couch. I share more details about my mom and how she met my stepdad. After my dad passed, my mom was so depressed and already had low self-esteem that when Stan entered the picture, she was eager to do whatever he wanted. But regardless of our strained relationship, I think my mom deserves to eventually know. Maybe not right away.
"Do you think she'd be excited?" Kaitlyn asks.
I scratch my cheek, wondering how I'd even tell her. "Yeah, I think so."
Being that I'm an only child, I'm her only chance of having grandkids.
"I was lookin' up some birthing plans. We should probably have one."