Total pages in book: 110
Estimated words: 102185 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 511(@200wpm)___ 409(@250wpm)___ 341(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102185 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 511(@200wpm)___ 409(@250wpm)___ 341(@300wpm)
“If you make the playoffs, you won’t be there.”
He chuckles. “Let’s hope I’m not then. I’d like to be there. Is the date flexible?”
“For you, anything. It’s the first thing that’s all my own. Bought and paid for with my own earned money. I want you there if it’s possible.”
He kneels to inspect the situation closely. When his eyes peek at me, he says, “I won’t miss it, babe. Though these shoes are fucking annoying. If we can’t get them on, how am I going to get them off?”
“Good point. I’ll just go barefoot.”
The door opens just as I slip the shoes off. Jacob says, “Uncle Baylor said we need to move this along before Aunt Lauralee has the baby.”
He’s so stinking cute. “Tell them we’re coming.”
Jacob turns to yell, “They’re coming.” Not exactly what I meant, but it got the job done.
Griffin pulls me into his arms, and we start to slow dance on the linoleum. “This is it. Are you ready to tie the knot, Ms. Dover?”
“So ready, but soon it’s going to be Greene. Quite the adjustment.”
“I think I’m up for the challenge.” His gaze dips to my mouth before reaching my eyes again, and asking, “How do you feel about it?”
“I have no doubt you are, and maybe it doesn’t feel so shocking to me. I think I’ve felt like one with you since you accused me of stalking.”
Dropping his head back in laughter, he says, “Oh, we’re going to do that, are we?”
“We are. Do you think you can handle me?”
He grazes his fingertips under my jaw. “It will be the honor of my life, Little Chirp.”
“I love you, Twenty-Two.”
Chuckling, he says, “I love you, too.” Taking my hand, he leads me out the front door of our house. We stopped calling it the Riggins’s house a long time ago. Now it’s just ours, and nowhere close to being done, but the yard cleans up nicely, and the sound of the water makes a beautiful backdrop for our nuptials. “Now let’s go hitch this horse to a cart.”
I roll my eyes. “Charming.”
“How about this?” He stops just before opening the door since Jacob slammed it closed again. “I regret that we lost four years that could have been spent together. I’ll not waste another day taking our life for granted.”
“If I hadn’t already said yes, I would be now.” He kisses me just as the door reopens, flooding us in sunshine, but I don’t care that our families see us caught up in each other. I love him. My soul always knew he was the one.
Gracie Greene made her debut just after seven o’clock tonight, and she is absolutely beautiful with her dark hair and cute curls. Lauralee and Baylor couldn’t be happier. More family is the best gift any of us could ask for. Except one.
After talking to Jacob privately to see how he feels, he confessed that he wants his daddy’s last name. I’m not offended. He agreed to keep it tucked in the middle for me. The gift came in a card Griffin opened in the waiting room of the hospital. He had his one chat with Jacob to make sure. When I saw them hugging and the way Griffin’s eyes glistened, I knew the right decision had been made. All three of us sharing the same name means just as much to me as it does to him.
The rain kept us inside as it got torrential outside for thirty minutes. It was swept away just as fast as it came, and we’ve been given the most stunning pink and orange, yellow and blue sunset.
I’m not sure how I got talked into this, but in the parking lot of the hospital with Jacob tucked in his car seat, I rev the engine of Griffin’s truck, and ask, “Are you sure?”
“I’m sure,” Griffin replies, standing on the other side of a huge puddle. “All’s fair.”
“It’s petty, and I don’t want to be petty with you. I believe you when you say splashing me was an accident. Does that help?”
He grins. “I’m giving you the chance to get revenge, babe. No one’s getting hurt. I’m only getting wet. It’s no biggie. Just do it.”
I back the truck up and align the tires. That arrogant smirk deserves to be drenched, but there won’t be any satisfaction in revenge. I shift into park, then climb over the console to the other captain’s chair in the cab of the truck.
When he’s still standing there, ready to take his punishment, I reach over and honk the horn. “Come on. I have other ways to get you wet.” I glance back to see if Jacob reacts like he would somehow know what I’m talking about. He’s fast asleep. It’s been a big day.
Griffin opens the door and climbs in. “You’re too good for me.”