Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 83244 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 416(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83244 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 416(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
I chuckled, and the mockingbird didn’t like it.
He started to squall again, but I ignored him. “He loved with everything he had. I hope you’ve got that, along with that smile… I hope you grow up loving folks the way he did. I hope you make the world better than the way you found it.”
He yawned so wide it made me laugh.
“Okay. Okay. Enough of me and my yammering.” I let out a deep breath. “I just wanted you to know that you’ve got some pretty big shoes to fill. Not because anybody expects you to be your uncle, but because the world could always use another man with a heart like his.”
A breeze rustled through the leaves, and I couldn’t help but wonder if my brother was standing there next to us, listening to every word I’d said. I had no doubt he’d give me hell for it, but he’d do it knowing I’d meant every word.
“Brayden!” Brooke called out, pulling me from my thoughts. “Dinner’s ready!”
I turned and found her standing at the edge of the yard with Anslee balanced on one hip. When I started toward them, they both waved. I waved back, while trying to shield Aiden from the tall grass. Mom came up behind them and rested her arm on Brooke’s shoulder. Her eyes met mine, and she smiled.
A real one.
I saw it more often now, and it did my old heart good.
As I got closer, I spotted Pop stepping out onto the porch with a pitcher of lemonade in one hand and a tray of burgers in the other. Mom rushed over to help him. Yeah, some things never changed.
But thank God, some things did.
I tucked Aiden a little closer against my chest.
“Come on, buddy.” I smiled as I continued up to the front porch where our family was waiting. “Let’s go home.”
The End