Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 78542 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78542 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
Sterling crosses his arms over his chest and smirks. “You tell us why you’ve been watching your phone like it might grow legs and walk off, and I might.”
I hold his stare for several seconds and shrug. “Just checking to see if she’d reach out.”
“And she would be?” Sterling asks.
I roll my eyes. He knows exactly who I’m talking about, but I get the game. I need to spell out my confession to them. “Stella. She’s new in town, and I told her if she needed anything, she could reach out. She doesn’t have a lot of support, and I know she’s been looking for a job. I told her that if she needed insight on a local company or employer, she should let me know.” I don’t know why they’re making such a big deal over this.
“Uh-huh,” Sterling says. He doesn’t believe me, but that’s fine. They’ll see it, eventually.
“Your turn, brother,” I tell him. I make a show of crossing my arms over my chest and mimic his stance. My brothers and I are all muscular. Hence the “arm porn” my niece Blakely can’t stop talking about.
Sterling makes a point of letting his eyes scan over all of us. “Not a single word,” he threatens. We all nod because, with a warning like that and the smile he just gave us a few minutes ago, we all know what he’s about to say. “We’re pregnant.” His smile is huge as he says the words. “Tink wanted to wait to tell everyone tomorrow at Sunday dinner. She’s just passed her first trimester, so thirteen weeks.” His smile is infectious.
“Congratulations.” I rush him, wrapping my arms around him in a hug. I step away, letting my dad, brothers, and Deacon take turns congratulating him.
“So, just to be clear, I can’t tell my wife?” Brooks asks. We all chuckle, and Sterling scowls. Brooks holds up his hands and slowly backs away. “Just kidding. I’ll see y’all tomorrow at Sunday dinner.”
“Kincaid Central!” Ryder calls out.
“Got it!” Brooks calls back as he disappears around the house.
“I should get going too.” Orrin stands. “I need to stop by the shop on my way home, and Jade texted saying we’re out of milk.”
“Me too.” Declan also stands. “I don’t have a reason other than wanting to see my wife and kids.” He grins.
“Let me know when you want to cash in on that babysitting,” I tell my brother, holding my fist out for him for a bump as he walks past.
“My wife is all over it. She’s planning something. I’ll let you know as soon as I know.”
“You’re supposed to be the one planning and surprising her,” Archer tells him.
“Yeah, Dec,” Deacon chimes in. “Are you losing your touch now that you’re an old married man?” he jokes.
“I mentioned a night out, and she told me she’d handle it. I’m not going to argue with my wife. It’s a night out, just the two of us. All night,” he says, looking over at me in question, and I nod.
Blakely is a huge help where Beckham is concerned. Besides, it’s not like I can’t call in reinforcements if I need them. And more than likely, Merrick will be home to help as well. That’s the perks of living with my twin, and having a large, close family.
Work hard, and love harder.
We’re damn good at both.
“I got you,” I tell him.
“See. I don’t care what we do. I know how the night ends.” Declan wags his eyebrows, and we all laugh. “One tomorrow, right, Dad?” he asks.
“Yes,” Dad confirms.
Jordyn and Ryder had a huge building built for our family get-togethers with her inheritance, and everyone is calling it Kincaid Central. It’s perfect for our large growing family. The main table is massive, and there are smaller tables for the kids, toys, and huge couches around a big screen. There’s a pool table, corn hole, and all kinds of other things, as well as multiple bathrooms. My mom says the kitchen is a dream. I don’t know about that, but it is massive. There are a few bedrooms with baby beds and toddler beds for the kids who end up napping while we’re there. Jordyn put a ton of thought into the place.
“See ya then.” With that, he, too, disappears around the house.
I finish the glass of tea I’ve been nursing when an idea hits me. “Hey, Ry, I might have a solution for you.”
“Solution?” Ryder asks, confused.
“Yeah, with Jordyn working too much.”
“I’m all ears, little brother.”
“Stella.” I can’t help the smile on my face thinking about her. I know for a fact she’d refuse if she knew this was my idea. That’s why this is perfect. Ryder can tell Jordyn, and she can contact Stella for a job.
“What about your girl?” he asks.
“She’s not mine. However, she is looking for a job. I don’t know how much she needs to make, and she’d have to figure out childcare, but I’m sure she’d be interested. She’s been looking here in Willow River and in Harris.”