Total pages in book: 158
Estimated words: 154037 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 770(@200wpm)___ 616(@250wpm)___ 513(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 154037 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 770(@200wpm)___ 616(@250wpm)___ 513(@300wpm)
Blond curls bouncing around his freckled, cherub face.
“Uncle Otto! Did you come to see me?”
“I sure did,” I told him as I swooped him off his feet and tossed him into the air. He howled with laughter as he flew, and I caught him and pulled him into a tight hug against me.
Love went skittering through. My adoration for this kid so fierce he made my damned heart ache. River was a lucky motherfucker that he got to have this kid in his life. That he got to have a love this great.
None of that shit was meant for me, but that didn’t mean I couldn’t appreciate it for my brother.
“I’ve been missing my favorite little tot,” I told him.
He gave me a confused scowl. “I’m not a tater tot, Uncle!”
Rough amusement rolled through me as I set him on his feet and ruffled my fingers through his hair. “Nah, you’re pretty much a man these days, aren’t you?”
“That’s right. I’m going to be starting kindergarten next week.”
“What?” I asked him aghast, like I’d completely missed him going on about it for the entire summer.
Giggles erupted from him as he trotted along at my side as we headed toward the house. “You’re just teasin’, Uncle Otto. I already showed you my new backpack and lunch pail. They both have got Jake and the Neverland Pirates on them…our favorite show, remember?”
“Course, I remember. Just teasin’ you. Think it means I might be jealous you got all that cool new stuff.”
“Don’t worry, I can tell my mommy we need to get you some, too.”
Affection pulsed as we climbed the steps. “You’re too good to me, Little Dude.”
“No way, I could never be too good to you. We gotta give all our good to the people we love the most.”
“Well, you sure are good at that.”
He beamed, then I felt the air shift when we stepped through the door. Immediately, I could feel the cagey concern that radiated from River where he stood at the edge of the kitchen to the left of the great room.
“Dad! Uncle Otto is here!”
“Thanks, bud. Why don’t you run upstairs and get changed for the day?”
“Okay!” he shouted before he went scampering off for the curved staircase that led to the second story.
River stood behind the long counter that sectioned off the kitchen and living space, face haggard and looking like he hadn’t slept a wink.
Striding that way, I let a smirk hitch on the corner of my mouth. “Glad to find you fully dressed.”
He grunted at me. “Fuck off, man. This shit isn’t funny.”
“Oh, I beg to differ. It’s fuckin’ hysterical. Gonna be laughing about it for the rest of my life.”
“Great,” he grumbled. “You could have rung the doorbell or something,” he added with a huff.
My brow arched for the ceiling as I rounded the counter. “Raven needs to ring the doorbell at her own damned house? I think not, brother. And besides, you should have heard my old truck rolling up the drive. It’s not exactly quiet.”
“I was otherwise occupied.”
“Obviously. House could have come down around you, and I don’t think you would have noticed.”
Sighing, he roughed a tatted hand through his black hair. “Think the house might have come down around me. Felt like that when Raven took off and then refused to come back or talk to me.”
“She’s fine, River.”
True concern pulled through his features. “Is she?”
I hooked my hip to the edge of the counter and crossed my arms over my chest. “Yeah, think she’s gonna be. She was just embarrassed, is all. Feeling like she was intruding.”
He squeezed his eyes closed for a second. “Don’t ever want her to feel that way. She’ll always be one of the most important people in my life.”
But it was clear some of his focus had turned from Raven to Charleigh.
There was no blame to be made.
It was just the way it was. When new people came into our lives? Into our hearts? Things always had to move and shift to make room.
“She knows that.”
“Then why won’t she talk to me?”
“She’ll talk to you when she’s ready. Think she’s just sorting through some things in her head right now.”
His nod was slow. “That’s what Charleigh said, but fuck, about went out of my mind last night, sitting there waiting for her to call me back.”
“Told you I had her.”
Air blew from his nose. “Yeah. Hope you know how much that means to me. Knowing she couldn’t be in better hands when I fucked up.”
Guilt flared. He sure as shit wouldn’t be saying that if he knew what’d gone down this morning. At least I’d resisted. Maintained the oath. The promise I’d made him.
“Not a problem. I’m always there for her just like I’m always there for you. She can stay with me for as long as she wants,” I told him.