Total pages in book: 29
Estimated words: 27332 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 137(@200wpm)___ 109(@250wpm)___ 91(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 27332 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 137(@200wpm)___ 109(@250wpm)___ 91(@300wpm)
Actually, I mostly adored his daughter. Marina was such a smart young woman. A force to be reckoned with. She and I went out to brunch sometimes.
Colt came out a minute later, and Kit quickly hid his gift in the pocket of his jacket.
“I can help!” He ran over to him.
“You’re a good boy, little darlin’.” Colt handed over one bucket of paint. “And so strong.”
“Yeah,” Kit huffed.
I still wanted to take a picture of every moment I got to share with my men. Not even in our wildest dreams had Colt and I dared to believe our future would give us a boy as wonderful as Kit. Someone we clicked with on every level. Someone we’d grown so protective of, so in love with, and so proud of.
It appeared we’d arrived at the house just in time for lunch.
And for rain to suddenly pour.
The awning had been extended past the patio in the back, and three heaters were running to keep everybody warm. And the grill, of course. Shay, Tate, and Cam were slinging tinfoil wraps filled with steak, potatoes, and vegetables.
We were quite the gathering. I said my hellos to the Tenley triad, Kingsley, Lucian and KC and their boys, as well as Penelope and Ella.
It felt good to be here, to see everyone in high spirits, and to help out. I was keeping an eye on Reese too. He’d focused so much on his brother and Shay, who were still recovering, that I feared Reese wasn’t taking a moment to process his own emotions after the fire. After all, this house was his and River’s baby. Always our community, but their idea, their name on the property, their twenty-four-seven dedication.
“…and that’s fine, as long as we get started on the painting today,” Reese was saying. “All the playrooms have been cleared, and Nathan and I spent the morning taking measurements of the new baseboards that’ll go in every room except for the watersports areas.”
I listened and helped Kit turn his foil wrap into a bowl.
“So we need a few volunteers for the paintin’, yeah?” Colt asked. “River, Shay, Greer, and I are on kitchen duty. I think we’ll be able to finish installin’ the new cupboards before the day is over.”
“Aye,” Greer agreed.
We were definitely spending the night in our cabin. From the sound of things, we’d be at it till we crashed. A lot to do before our Senseless event this weekend.
“Tate and I can paint once he gets here,” Kingsley said.
I’d read something about that online. Nathan had posted a photo of the progress before he’d returned to the city, and Tate had said he was coming out with Macklin.
“Noa and I can paint as well,” Lucian offered.
“Aw yeeaah!” Noa was evidently happy about his new task.
“Just let me know where you want Kit and me,” I said, spotting Colt’s comeback from a mile away. “No innuendos, dear.”
He frowned.
The others chuckled.
“Probably on all fours,” Kit said happily around a mouthful of food. “Daddy likes that a lot.”
I shook my head in amusement and stuck my fork into a piece of potato.
“That’s understandable,” Reese replied. “But movin’ on. I propose Luke, Kit, and Ella do a sweep of the club area. If things go as planned, we’ll have new floors installed on Thursday. KC, Cam, and Penelope, we had a bunch of furniture delivered today that needs assembling.” He paused and looked over at me. “After we’ve eaten, I need a quick word with you and Colt.”
“Of course.” I inclined my head.
“Are we in trouble, Daddy?” Colt asked.
“Always,” Noa guffawed.
“Right?” Kit was in total agreement.
After lunch, we sent Kit off to find the cleaning supplies we’d need, and then Colt and I met up with River and Reese in their cabin.
“I’m assumin’ it’s about the investigation,” Colt said.
Reese nodded with a dip of his chin. “As we suspected, there’s no foul play involved.”
It was still a relief to have it confirmed, considering our concerns about Gael.
“We thought it was gonna be a while longer, but the fire marshal called this morning,” Reese went on. “Riv and I are heading over there tomorrow for a full report, but that’s the gist. Faulty electrics, no foul play, and something about a poor insulation job in the wall behind the bar that allowed the fire to spread so quickly. We’ll know more tomorrow.” He cleared his throat and exchanged a brief glance with his brother. “Then there’s Gael. I called Santiago, and he’s dug up an abusive ex-boyfriend who’s stalked Gael for at least three years. It’s gone to court and everything.”
Oh Christ, that poor boy. No wonder he’d become so nervous at the prospect of the fire having been started by a person. We never believed that would be the case, but of course it had to be ruled out.