Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 102016 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 510(@200wpm)___ 408(@250wpm)___ 340(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102016 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 510(@200wpm)___ 408(@250wpm)___ 340(@300wpm)
“I have news,” Mama says, catching our attention. “Your father and I will be there in a few weeks. It’ll be time for apple picking and going to the pumpkin patch, and you know how I love that. Plus, Birdie’s old enough to really enjoy it, and I want to enjoy it with her.”
“Great,” Bee says, clapping her hands. “And you can see my shop.”
“We can’t wait to see it, honey,” Papa says. “Get some Westerns in for me, yeah?”
“I can do that,” Bee replies.
“Don’t worry, Beck, we won’t take over the farmhouse.”
“This is your home,” Beckett says. “Of course, you’ll stay here.”
“No, it’s your home,” Mama reminds him. “And we’ll be staying at a place in town. We found the cutest bungalow, and this way we don’t have to do as much driving.”
“If you change your mind, just let me know,” Beck replies.
“Dani, I’d like to have lunch with you and your sisters when I’m there,” Mama says. “With Bee, of course. A day out with all my girls.”
“That sounds fabulous.” Bee and I share a smile. “We’ll absolutely be down for that. You name the time and place and we’ll make it happen.”
“What about the boys?” Brooks asks, crossing his arms over his chest. “What are we, chopped liver?”
“No, darling boy, we’ll get lunch, too. Oh, I’m so excited to see my kids,” Mama says with tears in her eyes. “You all be good. We love you.”
“Love you,” everyone replies, waving and blowing kisses, and then they’re gone.
The way the Blackwells grew up versus the way my family did, is as different as it gets. Polar opposites. I’m not used to family dinners together. I mean, sure, I get together with Holden and my sisters a few times a year to eat and talk, but we don’t do this every week.
It’s actually nice.
“Back to your car,” Brooks says beside me. “Just drop it by any time this week and I’ll work it in. It’s probably nothing to worry about.”
“Thanks. I’ll do that. I appreciate it, Brooks.”
I glance over to Birdie and see that she’s fallen asleep in Bridger’s arms. Without thinking twice, I reach over and brush my fingers through her soft brown hair.
“Sweet baby.”
Bridger catches my hand in his and brings it up to his lips, kissing me softly.
“So.” Blake’s voice is calm and casual as he sips his drink. “Are we to assume that you two have made things official, since there’s a whole lot of dreamy eyes and PDA happening over there?”
“So many dreamy eyes,” Bee agrees with a snicker. “About damn time.”
Bridger smirks at that and then gives me a bright smile.
“I haven’t talked to Birdie, so I’m kind of glad she’s asleep,” he says softly. “But yeah, Dani’s my girl.”
“Aww, how sweet,” Beckett says, giving Bridger shit, but then he smiles. “Good for you, guys. There’s been something there since we were kids.”
He’s right. Bridger was always the one I’d seek out. He’s the one I crushed so hard on. So the fact that we’re together now fills me with hope and excitement, and let’s face it, the sex is … wow.
I feel better than I have in a long, long time. And as much as I’ve always felt like I was part of the Blackwell family, tonight was just the icing on the proverbial cake. Especially with Mama’s easy acceptance of her son and me together. It doesn’t get better than this.
We stayed to help with cleanup and then got Birdie in the car to head home. She’s exhausted, the poor thing.
“She’s been asleep pretty much since dinner,” I say, glancing back to check on her. “What’s going on with her, Bridge?”
He lets out a gusty breath and also checks on her in the rearview mirror. “We don’t know for sure. This has been going on for a year, maybe a little more. She’s just exhausted a lot. Sometimes she gets a stomachache. She’s small for her age, but she’s been growing like a weed through the summer, which made me feel better. She’s actually been doing a lot better all around, but there are days like today when she’s just beat.”
I frown and look back at her once more. Her little bow lips are open, moving as she sleeps. Her cheeks are round, and her dark eyelashes fall against her skin, and she’s the most beautiful, sweet thing.
I would hold her all day long if she were mine.
“Blake’s put her through a ton of tests, but they’ve been inconclusive. It could be as simple as allergies, and he said she might grow out of it. This summer was a relief, since she’s been so much better.”
“Hopefully she’s back to her old self tomorrow.” I reach over and grab Bridger’s hand, giving it a squeeze.
“Come home with us,” he says as he kisses the back of my hand.