Total pages in book: 123
Estimated words: 117506 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 588(@200wpm)___ 470(@250wpm)___ 392(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 117506 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 588(@200wpm)___ 470(@250wpm)___ 392(@300wpm)
I forced myself to nod.
“Dirk, you need to be sure that you’re not doing this because one, Merit’s pregnant, and two, you’re still lost in your grief for your dad.”
I felt my brows pull in tight. “Do you not think I’m capable of loving her?”
He sat back and gave me a hard stare. “I know you’re very capable of loving her. I see it in your eyes. I’ve never seen you look like this before. I only want to make sure you’re doing it for the right reasons, Dirk. For her.”
“I am,” I stated.
“And if she wasn’t pregnant? Would we be having this same conversation?”
“Maybe not right now, maybe not in a month or even six. But I’d like to believe my stupid ass would have realized how much she means to me sooner rather than later. That I want her in my life. I love her, Brock. I really love her.”
Brock nodded, seemingly happy with my answer. “As much as I’d love to tell you that you’re not going to mess things up, I can’t. We’re men, and eventually we mess things up one way or another. The best advice I can give you is to always be honest and upfront about your feelings. Don’t hide anything from her; if you’re scared shitless, then tell her you are. If you’re angry, tell her why. Talk to each other.”
I brought the beer to my lips and took in a long drink. Brock and I sat there for a few minutes not saying a word. We both stared out over the pastures at the base of the Sapphire Mountains.
It wasn’t until my phone went off in my pocket that we were both pulled out of the trance. I didn’t even bother to see who it was. I knew it wasn’t Merit, because I’d already changed my notifications on my phone so it would alert me differently when she called and texted.
Brock was the first to speak. “I’m happy for you, Dirk. It’s about damn time you found your own happiness.”
I smiled. “Guess I’m going to need a crash course in being a father. Know anyone who can teach an old dog some tricks?”
He laughed, then turned to look at me. “That can be arranged. When?”
With a shrug, I replied, “The sooner the better, I guess.”
A slow smile spread across Brock’s face as an idea hit him. “How about tonight?” he asked.
I swallowed hard as I choked out, “Tonight?”
Chapter Twenty-Five
MERIT
I stared at Dirk and tried to figure out if I wanted to laugh or cry. “What do you mean, we’re babysitting Hunter?”
Dirk stood in my kitchen, a smile plastered on his face. “I mean, we’re going to watch Hunter tonight. You and me.”
“Why?” I asked, still perplexed by his giddiness. Albeit, I had every inclination to say his so-called happiness about babysitting was forced.
“Why?” he repeated with a laugh. “Bugs, this will be practice for us.”
I closed my eyes and inwardly cursed. Slowly, I looked at him. “Practice? You want us to practice being parents with Hunter? I’m pretty sure Lincoln wouldn’t appreciate that very much. Besides, shouldn’t we practice being a couple first before we try the parenting thing?”
He flashed me a smile that nearly melted my panties off. “That’s the best part—Lincoln was totally on board. They’re dropping Morgan and Blayze off at Stella and Ty Senior’s house, and you and I are watching Hunter for the night.”
I felt my mouth fall open, and I stuttered out a few sounds. “Did you say for the night? As in, all night?”
Dirk winked, and Lord, my insides clenched. A part of me wanted to jump on him, have my way with him, and then figure out what was going on. I shook my head to clear my wayward thoughts.
“Yeah. Lincoln and Brock booked a hotel room for the night.” He slapped his hands together, and I jumped. “So pack up a bag and let’s head on over.”
I rubbed the tips of my fingers against my temples in an attempt to get rid of the instant headache that had formed. “Dirk, you volunteered us to watch a baby! A three-month-old baby!”
He frowned. “Are you nervous about watching Hunter? How hard can it be? Every time I see him, he’s sleeping.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. Dirk’s sudden urge to learn all about how to take care of a baby was cute, I had to admit. “Dirk, we haven’t even been”—I motioned between the two of us—“a thing for twenty-four hours yet, and you want us to watch a baby? Alone? Without his parents there?”
“Honestly, Bugs, he’ll be asleep most of the night. How hard will it be? He’s just a baby.”
“Just a baby?” I asked, positive my eyes were about to pop out of my head.
He shrugged. “Yeah, I mean, you know what to do with babies, don’t you?”