Total pages in book: 190
Estimated words: 181992 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 910(@200wpm)___ 728(@250wpm)___ 607(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 181992 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 910(@200wpm)___ 728(@250wpm)___ 607(@300wpm)
His face firmed. “You don’t need to thank me. You said you’d be at my side when shit went down, right? What makes you think I wouldn’t do the same for you?”
Chapter Twenty-Four
Leaning back on the patio chair, I nibbled on my bottom lip as I stared at the man sitting across from me, who was chewing the last of his breakfast bagel while scrolling through his phone. “So,” I began, “I have a question.”
Dax’s gaze lifted to mine. “Go on.”
“Halloween is coming up in, like, three days. How would you feel about me hanging up some decorations?”
A fine line dented his brow. “You already have. There’s an autumn wreath hanging on the front door, and there are pumpkins on the ground either side of it. We’ve got throw cushions with leaves and gnomes and acorns on the covers. And you’ve put dandelion garlands here, there, and everywhere.” None of which he seemed impressed by.
I lifted my finger. “Those are fall decorations.” He’d okayed me shaking up the décor, but he’d done it rather begrudgingly. “That’s different.”
“Why do we need both kinds?”
“Because it would fill me with child-like joy.” I pouted. “Don’t you want me to be happy?”
He looked close to rolling his eyes. “Fine.”
I smiled, nodding. “Thank you.” I tipped my head to the side. “So you don’t usually decorate for the holidays?”
“No,” he replied, lifting his mug.
“But surely you make an exception at Christmas, right?”
“No.” He chugged back some coffee.
“Any particular reason why, or is it just because you’re something of a minimalist?”
“The latter.”
Huh. I couldn’t imagine not wanting to spice up the décor at such times. I loved that stuff. It got me in the mood for the holidays and filled me with feelings of nostalgia. But I understood that it wasn’t everyone’s idea of fun.
“It won’t make you uncomfortable if I spruce things up for Halloween, though?” I checked. “Because I’ll skip it if it’s something that will bother you.”
The line between his brows smoothed away. “It won’t bother me. What would bother me is if you sulk over the lack of festive décor.”
“I wouldn’t sulk.” I’d just be a little cranky. “If you’re sure you’re fine with it, I’ll dig out my decorations later. Speaking of later … I’ll be stopping off at my grandparents’ house on my way home from work so I can check in on Wyatt.”
He was doing fine, having taken the doctor’s advice and done as instructed. Though he was beginning to chafe at having people popping in to see him every day like he was, in his words, “a small child trying to stick a clothing hanger in an electric socket.” We weren’t that bad. Just still a little freaked out over his health scare.
Breaking out of my thoughts, I told Dax, “You can have dinner without me if you want.”
“I’ll wait for you to get home.” He set down his cup and gave me a pointed look. “You always wait for me.”
Grateful, I gave him a soft smile. “Thank you, hubby.”
He rolled his eyes. “On the subject of holidays, my mother called me while you were in the shower earlier; she’s invited us to spend Thanksgiving at her table. Raven and my brothers will also be there.”
I grimaced. “My mom threw out the same invite for us and all my siblings. She mentioned it last night over the phone but I forgot to tell you.” I worried my lower lip. “Maybe we could split our time. Have dinner at one house and then eat dessert at the other. Or something. It’s not ideal, but Ollie and Marleigh do the same thing every year so neither has to give up time with their family at Thanksgiving.”
Dax pursed his lips, pensive. “That would work.”
“Then the question is … which house do we visit first?”
He hummed. “I have no real preference.”
I did. “We’ll have dinner with your family and eat dessert with mine.”
“Why?”
“Because I would rather you didn’t have to eat a full meal while you have my father being … well, my father. He’s less rude nowadays, but still.” And surely no one could properly enjoy their food while being glared at. It sure wouldn’t be good for a person’s digestion.
A dismissive frown settled over Dax’s face. “You know I don’t care that he acts that way.”
“Well, I care. I’m determined to put an end to this ‘I can’t be nice to my daughter’s husband on principle’ idiocy once and for all.”
He gave his head a slight shake. “You’re wasting your time trying to make him welcome me into the family.”
I let out a stubborn sniff. “I don’t see why. It’s not as if you two have no shot at getting along. He actually likes you, and he doesn’t like many people outside our family.”
“Doesn’t matter. I had the downright nerve to marry his baby girl. That changes things. I’ve explained this already.”