Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 83612 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 418(@200wpm)___ 334(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83612 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 418(@200wpm)___ 334(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
Reid grins and shrugs. “She’s full of energy today,” Reid says, bopping her on the nose. “I swear, she’s into everything, and it’s been hard to keep her out of the presents.”
“Her mom was like that at this age,” I say, remembering those days. I survey the room, seeing all the presents, and chuckle. “And you say I spoil her.”
“The bags don’t lie, Grandpa.” He laughs. “And my parents said the same thing about me. We’re doomed,” he says, but he’s grinning like a fool at his little girl.
“I’ve got her. Go do what you need to do.” I wave him off, heading toward the living room, where I know there’s a big basket of toys in the corner of the room. “And only half of these bags are hers. I brought something for each of the kids so they don’t feel left out.”
“Are you going soft in your old age, Coach?” Reid teases.
“Go, get out of here.” I motion him away with a chuckle.
“You sure?”
“That’s why I’m here early. Go. We’ve got this, right, Coral?” I ask as I place her on the floor and sit down next to her.
She reaches into the basket and pulls out a football. “Ball!” she says, holding it up so I can see before she chucks it across the room.
“Do we have a quarterback on our hands?” I ask her.
“We just might.” Reid grins proudly.
“I think we might,” I say, smiling at Coral.
“Thanks for keeping an eye on her. I’m going to go see what my wife needs from me.” He rushes off. Admittedly, in the beginning, I’d been worried about him being the one my daughter chose. Not because of the kind of man he is, but because of his career. Reid, though, makes it work. He gives all the time he’s not on the field to his girls, and I’m damn proud to call him my son-in-law.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s still weird seeing him with my daughter, but she’s always smiling and watching him like he hung the moon. As her father, that smile is all I’ll ever want for her.
“Come give Grandpa a hug,” I tell Coral. Once the other kids get here, and the rest of the guests, I won’t have this one-on-one time with her. Her little legs carry her to me as fast as she can, and she crashes into my chest, her arms wide open. I wrap her in my arms and lift her off her feet, making her giggle.
Damn, do I love that sound.
“Happy birthday, my precious girl,” I say, giving her another squeeze.
“Cake!” she cheers, and I laugh.
“That’s right. Cake, and presents, and your friends are coming over to play.”
“Pway!” she says, before climbing off my lap and rushing back across the room to grab her football. She tosses it again, and it falls just a few feet in front of her this time. I stand to grab it and toss it back when the doorbell rings.
“Coral, there’s someone here for your birthday,” I tell her.
“Ber-day!” She rushes toward the front door. I intercept, scooping her up into my arms, as we make our way to the front door.
Pulling open the door, I see a frazzled Amanda standing on the porch. She’s loaded down with her daughter, Mia, on her hip, two gift bags, a diaper bag, and another that looks like it’s got some food inside. “Hey, Amanda, let me help.”
Leaning in, I manage to take Mia from her mom with my free arm and place her on my opposite side from where Coral is perched. Coral reaches out to take her hand, and Mia giggles.
I laugh with them as I step back, allowing Amanda room to come inside out of the cold. “Come in,” I tell her.
“Thanks, Mr. Warner.” She gives me a tired smile.
“It’s Will,” I remind her. “Or Coach. Mr. Warner makes me sound older than I am.” I laugh.
“Oh, stop,” Amanda says, before blowing her hair out of her eyes. “Age is just a number, right?”
“That’s what they tell me.”
“Thank you for helping.” She places her bags on the floor. “I can take her.” She nods toward her daughter in my arms.
“I’ve got this. Get settled, Momma. Take a breather. I’m going to be right over here, supervising these littles.” I give her a smile, letting her know I don’t mind helping, and move back to the large toy basket. I set Coral on her feet, and she dances around, pointing at Mia, saying, “Baby,” when she’s just a baby herself.
Lowering myself to the floor with Mia in my arms, I settle her on my lap, her back to my front so that she can see Coral, but she turns her head to peer up at me. I’m a little worried she’s going to start crying. Her lip quivers, but then something happens I wasn’t expecting. This precious little gem smiles at me.