Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 70629 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 353(@200wpm)___ 283(@250wpm)___ 235(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70629 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 353(@200wpm)___ 283(@250wpm)___ 235(@300wpm)
"I think Sofia needs another sleepover at Grandma’s,” he says, and I laugh.
"Three times a week is enough." I bring the cup to my mouth, smirking.
The front door opens, and I’m about to step back from him. He must sense it, but he keeps me close to him. "Good morning." I hear Quinn and then see him walking into the big open area that is the family room and kitchen. “Oh, good, at least you're dressed,” he says and looks at Sofia.
"How’s my favorite niece?” he says, and she smiles at him. He picks her up and throws her in the air, and she giggles. “Who’s your favorite uncle?" he asks, blowing kisses into her neck.
When we told his grandparents, the next stop was Quinn's place. Reed wanted to be the one to tell him. He was the most supportive out of all. He put an arm around him and said he was happy to have his brother back. He didn’t care how he got here, but that he was here.
"She’s your only niece," Reed says to him. “By the way, how did you get in?"
"The door was open,” he says, putting Sofia down and coming into the kitchen now.
"What if Hazel was naked?" he asks, and I gasp out and push away from him.
"I don’t sleep naked, nor do I walk around the house naked,” I say. Walking over to the cabinet, I take out another coffee mug and fill it for Quinn.
"She’s lying," Reed says, and I glare at him. "But seriously,” he says, “what are you doing here?"
"I’m here to see if my girl wants to come to the barn with me,” he says loud enough for Sofia to hear. “I was going to go on a ride and thought who do I know who likes to ride horses."
"Me," Sofia says, jumping now. “It’s me."
"How about we eat something, and then we can go," Reed says. “You want to come with us?" He looks at me, and I shake my head.
"I have an appointment at nine,” I say, walking to the fridge and opening it. “Is it pancakes or eggs?" I look over at Sofia, who yells for pancakes. "Are you staying?" I ask Quinn, who smirks.
"Will you put blueberry and lemon in them?" He mentions the pancakes I made yesterday, and I smile.
"If you come back tomorrow, I’ll make the brown sugar spice ones,” I say.
"Go home," Reed says. “And don’t come back." I laugh as I start making the pancakes. I feel him behind me now.
"What are you doing?" I ask over my shoulder and feel him hug me.
"I’m getting my sugar,” he says, and I laugh and kiss his lips.
"Go dress Sofia, and I’ll cook breakfast,” I say and then roll my lips. “But wait until your sword goes down."
He throws his head back and laughs. It takes him a good five minutes before he walks away, and I already have the first batch on the griddle. They polish off the twelve pancakes I make, leaving one for me and one for Sofia.
"Okay, give your momma a kiss," Quinn says, pushing away from the table and taking his plate over to the sink. “Thank you for breakfast," he says.
Sofia jumps from her chair, coming over to me. “Bye, Momma." She puckers her lips for mine.
I push her hair away from her face, and her eyes are filled with happiness. “I love you, baby girl,” I say. “To the moon."
"And back." She finishes the sentence for me. "Favorite Uncle Quinn,” she says, running, as I laugh and Reed groans.
"He taught her that,” he says, getting up now and bringing his own plate to the sink. “Ass," he says, coming to me and leaning down. I smile and bring my hand up to his face. “See you later, baby," he says softly and kisses me with just as much softness. “Love you,” he says, and we both just stop moving. My mouth runs dry, and I look at Reed, who looks like he wants the floor to open up and swallow him. “See you later,” he says, turning and practically running out of the house.
My eyes blink slowly as I hear his voice again in my head, love you. I get up, picking up my phone, and see I have thirty minutes to get to my meeting. I walk out of the house wearing the yellow sundress I had from high school. It’s a bit tighter across the top, but other than that, it fits. I lock the truck door and walk across the street toward the shop.
When I walk in, I stop in my tracks. “Oh my," I say, looking around. She did not mess around. The last time I was here, it was an empty space. Now there is a long wooden counter and a big