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)
His confidence is sexy.
He’s sexy.
“I’m sure you have better things to do than hang out with a single mom.” The comment is out before I can think better of it.
“You’re her mom, and you're single. I think we’ve already determined that I’m lucky to have the company of two beautiful ladies.”
I want to ask him what that means. Is he interested? Am I? My life is a mess. I’m struggling each and every day. Do I have the time for a relationship? Do I want one? Ada’s dad and I were never serious. We went on a few dates, and when I found out I was pregnant, he walked away.
I can admit that I’m scarred by his rejection. Not only of me, but of my daughter. I don’t need her falling in love with him only for him to leave us. I have to be smart about who I let into her life, for fear of them walking right back out of it. However, Maverick, he’s already inserted himself into our lives. He’s helped me more than Ada’s father ever has.
“Maverick Kincaid has game,” I tease. It’s easier than letting myself fall into running what-ifs through my mind.
“You hear that, Ada? Mommy thinks I’ve got game.” He snuggles her close before placing her in the high chair, and suddenly, Amy appears with our food.
All through dinner, he engages me in conversation and helps with Ada. He offers her his mashed potatoes, which she prefers over her own french fries. I should have thought about getting Ada her own order, but being around Maverick scrambles my brain. By the time we leave Dorothy’s Diner, our bellies are full, and my heart, well, let’s just say my heart is full of hope.
For the first time in weeks, it feels as though this move to Willow River was not just the only option; it was the right one for me and my daughter.
CHAPTER
FIVE
Maverick
“We’re doing two trips this year, right?” Orrin asks our dad.
My brothers, my cousin’s husband, Deacon, and I are all sitting out on my parents’ back patio with Dad talking about this year’s camping trip. It’s an annual event Dad started when we were little to give Mom a break. Now that we’re older, and all but me and Merrick are married, my brothers convinced our dad to add a second annual trip.
“Yeah, one for us guys, and one for the families.” Dad nods, and there’s a smile playing on his lips. He loves that Mom is now included. Not just Mom, but the grandkids and my sisters-in-law—they’re just his daughters in his eyes. The in-law added to the end is unnecessary.
“I think we should hold off until the fall for the family trip. Jordyn is pregnant and who knows who else will be by then.” Brooks, the nurse in the family, laughs. “It will be easier for her if it’s not so hot.”
“Not a bad idea,” Dad muses. “I’m sure the kids wouldn’t mind, but a nice fire on a chilly night is the best.”
“Maybe, but if we don’t find Jordyn some help, we won’t be going anywhere. My wife is stubborn,” Ryder grumbles.
“What’s going on?” Sterling asks.
“She’s doing too much. She’s pregnant, and she’s dragging her feet at finding help at the boutique,” Ryder explains.
“She’s early in her pregnancy. As long as she’s not walking around thinking she’s Hercules lifting things she shouldn’t be lifting, she should be fine. She’ll rest when she needs to,” Brooks tells him.
“Have you met my wife? She’s determined to make this boutique a success. I get it, I really do, but I worry about her. She needs to give herself some downtime. She’s convinced she doesn’t need help yet.”
“Have you discussed this with her?” Dad asks.
He nods. “I told her she needs help, so she doesn’t work so much.”
Dad laughs. “Son.” He shakes his head. “Come on now. You know better than that. You can’t tell her what she needs to do. You have to express your concerns with her. Have an actual conversation that’s more than you telling her what she needs to do or can’t do.”
“Yeah,” Declan chimes in. “Have you learned nothing from us?” He snickers.
“Right? There is no telling Crosby what to do.” Rushton’s eyes widen like he can imagine his wife being pissed off at him.
I’ll say this about my brothers. They fell in love with kind, loving women, but they also aren’t pushovers. They’re not afraid to stand up to their husbands—as it should be. I’d say out of all my sisters-in-law, Palmer and Scarlett are the feistiest, but then again, Alyssa, Crosby, Kennedy, Jordyn, and Jade can also hold their own. It’s actually fun to watch these tiny women put my brothers in their place.
“Happy wife, happy life,” I say with a grin.
“Like you would know.” Deacon chuckles.