Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 74298 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 371(@200wpm)___ 297(@250wpm)___ 248(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74298 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 371(@200wpm)___ 297(@250wpm)___ 248(@300wpm)
“I think you just made his week. Or his year,” Tristan said, leaning over and nuzzling up against me.
I pressed a kiss to his hair. “I made mine, as well,” I said.
Red walked behind the bar, pausing to look down. “Who the hell left an ice bucket right in the middle of this walkway?”
Sam turned to him, smiling wide. “I’m getting the house. Jack’s dad’s old house on Willow Road. I’m getting that beautiful, historic craftsman.”
“I’m starting to think I should charge him about five million bucks for the thing,” I joked.
“I’d find a way,” Sam said, throwing up his hands in the air.
“Find a way to pick up this ice bucket,” Red said. But even he was smiling now, witnessing the unbridled joy Sam had on his face.
Sam finally moved to pick up the bucket. “Before you two lovebirds take off to Colorado, we’re throwing a party for you here. Red’s Tavern style.”
“Tristan will be gone by the end of the month, but I’m sure I’ll have a lot more to do,” I said. “It’s going to be a big process.”
“You do have about five different contractors in the area who will be overjoyed to take over some of your clients, though,” Tristan said. “Benny, Carter, Eric, Jim, Morgan, hell, even Garrett’s been hungry to take on more.”
I nodded. “There will be a few projects that I need to finish up over the next couple of months. And I’ve got to work on figuring out the Colorado licensing exam guidelines, or see if the state offers reciprocity and my Kansas licensure will transfer over—”
“Sounds like a bunch of boring mumbo jumbo,” Sam said. “All I’m hearing is that it’s doable. Even if it’s going to take some work.”
“It’s doable,” I said. “As crazy as that feels to say.”
Sam sighed, smiling at me. “I’m so glad you two finally realized you’re in love,” he said, wistful. “I mean, I’m happy for you guys, of course, but I’m also happy for what it means for me. Thank you, Tristan, for breaking Jack out of his shell. It’s changing my life.”
I snorted. “It’s sure as hell changing my life, too,” I said softly, looking over at Tris. “Been doing it since the day I met you.”
16
TRISTAN
I waved as I saw the little caravan of trucks and the van pull up on my street, coming around and parking in front of my house. Shawn and Nathan hopped out of their respective trucks first, and then Mom and Dad emerged from the big company van, Dad in a Hawaiian shirt and Mom in some comfy-looking flannel.
“First time we’re here in Kansas and it’s to help you move out,” Dad said as everybody walked over to me in the driveway. Mom and Dad each gave me a big hug.
“It’s good to see you, Momma Jo. And I know it’s weird, huh?” I said. “I’d have invited you all over sooner if I felt like I had anything to offer, here. The guest room was just a storage room for so long. It’s a tiny place, as you can see.”
Mom waved a hand through the air. “It’s a cute little house. But I will admit, I like your new house back in Colorado a lot more.”
“We’re doin’ it,” Shawn said, coming over to hug me. “The move is finally here. God, I’m so ready to have you in Jade River.”
“And I’m ready to be in Jade River,” I said. “I can’t wait to get to know it as an adult, for the first time.”
“You’re going to love it,” Nathan said. “And you’re going to get so sick of me and Shawn.”
“No, you boys are going to get along, just like you all did growing up,” Mom said.
Nathan rolled his eyes, but he was smiling. “Right, when we were constantly play-fighting and having shouting matches.”
“Exactly,” Mom said.
“I’m ready for it,” I said, pulling in a long breath of air. “I’m ready to be surrounded by forest again. To have about fifty billion different camping and hiking spots. To be so close to all of you.”
“You’re a sweetheart, love,” Mom said. “I know you’ll get sick of us within a week, no question, but we’re going to be so glad to have you around again, T.”
I took everyone inside to show them the Jenga-like formation of all of my moving boxes inside the house. I’d never had this many people inside my house all at once, and it made it feel even smaller watching my tall brothers lope around inside like giraffes.
“Christ,” I said, watching as Nathan ducked under one of the doorways. “How tall are you guys again? Six-three?”
“Naw,” Shawn said. “I’m six-two, and Nathan is only six one.”
“Bullshit!” Nathan said. “You have that backwards. I’m the taller one, even if it’s only by an inch.”
“Keep telling yourself that,” Shawn called out. He leaned in to whisper to me, “it makes Nathan feel better to believe he’s the taller one. He’s not.”