Total pages in book: 117
Estimated words: 113142 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 566(@200wpm)___ 453(@250wpm)___ 377(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 113142 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 566(@200wpm)___ 453(@250wpm)___ 377(@300wpm)
“You’re right.”
The announcement came over the speaker that we were beginning our final descent. I kissed her hand. “You ready?”
“As long as I have you, then I’m good.”
“Then you’re set for life.”
The loft was clean and ready for us. We set down our bags and looked around. It was the same, and yet so different. The space was large and felt rather empty.
“We need more furniture,” Ally mused.
I laughed. “Ten seconds and she’s ready to shop.” I grabbed my messenger bag and put it on the desk. “We can find you whatever you like. Maybe we want a different place.”
She paused as she reached for her case. “A different place?”
“Maybe we should have a house, with a yard, for the kids.”
“Kids?” she repeated.
I frowned at her and ran my hand along the back of my neck. “We’ve discussed having a family. Maybe we should think of a house instead of a warehouse loft in the middle of a business area.”
A teasing grin curled up her lips. “Are you pregnant, Adam?”
I chuckled and waggled my eyebrows at her. “No. Not from lack of trying, though.”
She laughed. “Well, I guess we’ll have to try harder.”
“Now you’re talking, wild girl.”
“What will you do with this place?”
“Keep it as a studio. The light is great.” I leered at her. “We can use it for afternoon trysts when the kids become too much. Unload them on a nanny and come here and be naughty.” I grinned, then thrust my hips. “Make more little buggers to drive us crazy.”
She chuckled and walked toward the kitchen, checking out the cupboards and refrigerator. I knew she had asked the woman who came in to check and clean the loft to pick up a few things. I grinned when I saw her reach for the coffeepot. We had an unhealthy addiction to caffeine, and what they served on the plane barely passed as dark water, let alone coffee. It had been a long trip home, and I needed some coffee to stay awake.
We moved around, unpacking the necessities, and sitting at the counter with mugs of the steaming brew. Ally was quieter than I expected. I nudged her leg with my foot. “What’s on your mind?”
Her gaze was honest and slightly apprehensive.
“I was wondering…”
“About?”
“Well, like you said, we’ve discussed children, but we never talked about when.”
“Whenever you want them. We can travel now, later, with them, after them… We can settle here and never go anywhere else. I just want my life with you. Our children will only make life better.” I tilted my head as I studied her. “Are you ready for them now?”
She furrowed her brow, then shook her head. “No. I don’t want to wait a long time, though. I want to show our children everything. Be part of their life.” Her expression grew wistful. “I’ll make sure they know how much I love them—every day. They will never doubt what they mean to me.”
I caught her hand with mine. “I know you will. You’ll be an amazing mother. You have so much love inside you. Our children will know it—the same way I do.”
She nodded, her eyes glimmering in the light. She still got emotional when she spoke of children or anything to do with her own childhood. Her mother would, I knew, remain a painful subject for a long time. I drew in a deep breath, thinking of the email I had received from Sean last week.
He let me know, only a couple weeks ago, Ronald’s company had declared bankruptcy, and the gossip had been rampant. Reports of mismanagement and embezzling were persistent. More rumors of a mistress added to the whole distasteful package. I had almost taken Ally on another side trip to delay her having to hear about what was going on—and any chance of having to deal with it. But I knew she would be upset if she found out why I wanted to stay away longer.
Unable to hide the truth from her, I held her hand. “I have something to tell you.”
“Okay.”
I told her the truth Sean had shared with me, unsure as to her reaction. I was shocked when she nodded, not at all surprised at the news.
“I do know how to use Google,” she informed me. “I saw something in the newsfeed.”
“You’ve known all this time? You didn’t say anything.”
She arched her eyebrow at me. “Neither did you.”
“I didn’t want to upset you.”
She stroked my cheek. “No, you wanted to protect me.” She smiled in understanding. “I love you for that.”
“I love you.”
“What do you think will happen?”
“I think life for Sarah and Ronald is about to take a fast turn to reality. It’s going to be a rude awakening.”
She lowered her head. “I don’t care about Ronald,” she whispered. “He made his own decisions.”
“Your mother?” I asked through tight lips.