Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 95816 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 479(@200wpm)___ 383(@250wpm)___ 319(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95816 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 479(@200wpm)___ 383(@250wpm)___ 319(@300wpm)
“Holy shit, you got me again.” Years before, she’d surprised me with a party, and I never caught on. Now, she’d done it once more.
She looked pleased with herself, tugging on my hand. “Your family wanted to help you celebrate.”
I yanked her back to my side, wrapping my arm around her and kissing her in front of everyone, not caring about the catcalls and whistles. “I love you, my Katy.”
She winked. “Love you right back.”
I released her. “Now let’s party.”
We made the rounds, and I was hugged and kissed by everyone who was there. I was shocked when Gavin stepped out of the kitchen, and I hugged my son tight, thrilled he had arrived early to celebrate with us.
“Good to see you, my boy,” I said, shaking his shoulders.
He grinned, looking far too much like I did at his age. “Dad, I haven’t been a boy for a long time,” he teased. “I’m old enough to have kids of my own.”
“You’ll always be my boy.” I hugged him again. “Where is Amanda?”
“She’ll be here for the wedding. I came a little early.”
“Any chance Matthew made it?”
He shook his head. “Too busy being a doctor, Dad. You know the drill. He’ll call later.”
I chuckled. “More like avoiding the crowd here.”
“That too.”
I walked the room, stopping and talking to everyone. Someone had poured me a scotch that I sipped, and I could smell something incredible coming from the kitchen and my mouth watered, anxious to eat. Katy handed me a plate of munchies that I consumed quickly.
“Didn’t you eat lunch?” she asked.
I shook my head. “Traffic was lousy heading in as well, and by the time I got there, all I could grab was a donut. The pancakes and bacon were hours and hours ago.”
“Poor baby.” She patted my cheek. “You’re wasting away.” Then she chuckled. “I’ll get you some more munchies. Dinner is soon, though.”
I stopped by the table where Sandy and Jordan sat. Both looked well, although they had slowed down considerably. But Sandy’s smile was wide, her greeting effusive. I kissed her downy cheek.
“I saw the bagels in the freezer at the house,” I told her. “Thank you.”
She never forgot how much I loved bagels and always made sure there were some waiting for me when I arrived.
“Always, dear boy.”
I headed to Reed and Heather, kissing my daughter and shaking his hand.
“One party wasn’t enough?” I asked.
Heather laughed. “We couldn’t let this momentous occasion pass, Dad.”
“I would have been happy to let it.”
“Nonsense. It’s just us—family—enjoying the night.”
I had to laugh. “Just us” with this bunch meant eight families and their children’s families blending together to make one very sizable gathering.
“And me,” said a voice.
I turned and met Luc James’s blue eyes. He was smiling, holding out a bottle of champagne. “Congrats, Richard.”
I shook his hand, thanking him. “Thank you, Luc. Good to see you.”
“You as well. You’re looking good.”
I scoffed. “For an old man, you mean?”
He chuckled. “Whatever, Richard. None of you seem to age. You all look the way you did while I was growing up.” Then he stepped back, encircling the waist of the woman beside him. “This is my girlfriend, Ashley. Ashley, this is Richard, Heather’s dad.”
I observed her as she greeted Heather and Reed before turning to me. As Heather had said, Ashley was tall. Willowy. Long, straight hair fell past her shoulders in a dark sable color. She was elegant and classy, wearing a formfitting dress and high heels which added to her already statuesque height. She was lovely, with high cheekbones, green eyes, and perfect posture.
“Richard,” she said with a smile. “Nice to meet you.”
Something struck me as familiar when she smiled. Up closer, her eyes were more blue than green, and she was reserved but cordial. I accepted her hand, the fingers long and elegant in mine. She glanced down, her gaze widening, and a brief look of shock passed over her face. For a moment, she stared, transfixed. I glanced down, wondering if there was something on my hand, but I saw nothing out of the ordinary. She pulled back as if I had burned her, surreptitiously wiping her hand on her dress. Before I could react or ask her a question, Katy appeared, holding another plate. I tugged down my jacket sleeve that had ridden up and accepted the plate Katy offered.
“There you go, my darling. Wouldn’t want you to waste away. Oh, hello! You must be Ashley. My Heather has spoken highly of you.”
She reached out to shake Ashley’s hand. Ashley suddenly seemed jittery, shaking Katy’s hand quickly and stepping back, her shoulders tight and her tension obvious. I caught a glimpse of animosity as she looked at Katy, then at me. I swore I saw a flare of hatred before it passed and her gaze became neutral. It unnerved me, leaving me feeling off-kilter.