Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 87913 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87913 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)
When she came up with the idea of getting our families together, I tried to tell her that we could all go out to dinner somewhere, but she wanted everyone to be able to mingle and chat. And since we had been hanging with Willow and Clay when she came up with the idea Willow offered for us to use their space since they have the playroom for the kids to hang out in and the bar where I’m sure the guys will all congregate.
“Hey.” She smiles after I bend down to touch my mouth to hers. “How was work?”
“Charles took a plea deal.”
“What?” she whispers, her eyes scanning mine. A couple of weeks ago, I came home to her painting in her studio listening to Janelle’s podcast as she worked. The pretty painting that she was working on at the time and the story playing in the background didn’t go hand in hand, but she said that it kept her focused and she wanted to know about my case. A few days later when she had finished the last episode, she called me at work crying. She was upset about everything that had happened to Alice and her family and knew that they needed closure, but wasn’t sure that they would ever get it since the podcast left things on a cliffhanger. And since I was in the process of waiting to hear back from Charles’ lawyer with plans at that point to go to court, I couldn’t guarantee her that they ever would, not when I knew that if the defense was smart they would use Alice’s family to build doubt in the case.
“He took the plea deal we offered him. I’m meeting with his lawyer Monday and Judge Brown right after that.”
“Have you told Alice’s husband, or her sisters yet?”
“Not yet, I need to get everything in writing before I do that, but Charles’ lawyer made it clear that he didn’t think he’d change his mind.”
“This is the best news ever.” She wraps her arms around me and rests her head on my chest. “I know you have to be relieved.”
“Yeah, but I’ll feel better after Charles tells Alice’s family what he did.”
“I can understand that.” She tips her chin back to look up at me. “I’m still happy for you.”
“Thanks, baby.” I rub her stomach when I feel our son move against my hand. “How are you feeling?”
“Very pregnant.” She laughs and I hear the girls laugh along with her. Lifting my head I look at the three of them and find them all watching us.
“Hey.”
“Oh, now he notices us.” Miranda grins.
“Young love.” Emma sighs dramatically and Willow just smiles.
“Sorry, where do you need me?” I ask them.
“We got this all covered, but your brothers are in the playroom with the kids if you want to help them out,” Willow tells me taking a platter of veggies she just covered with clear wrap to the fridge.
“Are you trying to get rid of me?”
“You do take up a lot of space, big guy.” Franny pats my chest and I tickle her sides.
“Oh my god, don’t!” she shrieks laughing as she pulls away from me. “If you do that, I’ll pee on myself.”
“Sorry baby.” I laugh wrapping her in my arms, then use my fingers under her chin to tip her head back. “I know when I’m not wanted, I’ll be with the guys if you need me.”
“Okay.” She leans up on her tip toes with a smile that I kiss away before I let her go.
I go join my brothers and the kids, but head back and forth to check on her every once in a while, to make sure she’s okay and that she doesn’t need any help. Of course, the girls all kick me out each and every time or give me a hard time about being obsessed with Franny, and since I am absolutely obsessed, I don’t deny it. I also think it’s laughable since my brothers are just as bad as I am about staying away from their wives.
When her parents and her brother arrive a little while later, I introduce everyone, and it’s not surprising Barrett has heard of Clay because of the amount of money he’s brought into the state with his business. He is also familiar with Tucker and Miles due to their jobs with the FBI and a case they had not that long ago that made national news.
As the evening carries on and everyone sits around talking, it’s not lost on me that there is no awkwardness. As easily as my family accepted Franny, Barrett and Betsy embrace my brothers and their wives, and instantly fall in love with their kids.
By the time the evening is coming to an end, Jacob, who is supposed to graduate next year from college, has charmed Clay into offering him a job when he finishes school, and Betsy has immersed herself in the role of Grandma to my brother’s kids. Plus, Barrett has taken full advantage of Betsy being distracted and has eaten like he hasn’t had food in years, something I overhear him tell his daughter to be quiet about when she catches him with another plate of food after already having three.