Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 90464 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 452(@200wpm)___ 362(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90464 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 452(@200wpm)___ 362(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
I clear my throat. “Ahh . . . can you get the eggs and milk?”
“On it.”
I walk to one of the drawers and take out mixing bowls before grabbing a few spoons and a whisk.
After Easton places the milk and carton of eggs on the island, he takes a seat and rubs his palms together. “What’s next?”
I let out a burst of laughter. “Are you planning to bake with the girls?”
He shrugs. “I have nothing better to do.”
Lainey and Porsha come back down, and each of them climbs onto a stool.
I pull the recipe closer and say, “Let’s get to work. Your mom said we need to bake two hundred cookies.”
We all crowd around the piece of paper with Rachel’s handwriting on it. The process goes slow, and I keep having to check the recipe so we don’t make a mess of things.
I’m focused on cracking an egg open when Lainey smears a streak of flour over my cheek. The girls’ laughter fills the kitchen while I chuckle and try to rub it off with my shoulder.
“I’ve got it,” Easton says. He grabs a paper towel, and coming to stand in front of me, he carefully dusts the flour off my skin.
“Thank you.” I lift my gaze to his, and my heart fills with so much love I fear it might burst.
There’s something tender in his expression as he replies, “You’re welcome.”
I’ll be happy if this is all I ever get from him.
My lips curve up as we get back to work, and I relish how wonderful it feels to be a part of this amazing family after being separated from them for so long.
Chapter 13
Easton
“Are you sure we’ll be able to sell all the cookies?” Nova asks while she skeptically eyes the boxes filled to the brim with bags.
“You all decided to bake enough to feed a small country. We only needed two hundred,” Rachel mutters. “Whatever we don’t sell, we can donate.”
“You’ll sell everything,” I say as I pick up a box and stack it on top of another. When I carry the boxes out of the kitchen, I add, “I’m going with.”
Rachel follows after me. “Are you sure?”
“Yes.” I hand the boxes over to Tyler, then tell him, “Grab the rest from the kitchen and get Noah, Ryan, and Eddie. We’re leaving in ten minutes.”
“Yes, sir.”
I turn to face my sister and place my hand on her shoulder. “With me at the table, you’ll sell out quickly. I don’t want you on your feet for too long.”
She lets out a sigh, looking worried. “Every woman’s going to swamp our table. It’s going to be a stampede.”
I gesture at Tyler. “Hence the guards.”
“I don’t know about this,” she mutters as she glances between the SUV and me.
I lean a little down to catch her eyes. “I need to get involved with Lainey’s school obligations.”
“Nova can help with the school stuff.”
“And so will I,” I insist.
Rachel’s eyebrows draw together with sadness, and it has me pulling her into a hug.
“Thanks, Easton,” she mumbles against my chest. “I know how difficult it will be for you.”
“Don’t worry about me.” I press a kiss to the side of her head before letting go so we can walk back into the house.
When Tyler grabs the last box, I call out, “Lainey, Porsha, Nova, let’s go.”
They all come rushing down the stairs, and reaching the bottom, Nova quickly tucks a curl behind Lainey’s ear before asking, “How does her hair look?”
“Beautiful,” I say.
Rachel smiles lovingly. “How did you get her hair to curl?”
“Patience,” Nova replies. “And years of practice with my own.”
“Look at my braid,” Porsha says, twirling in a circle for us to see.
“It’s so pretty,” Rachel praises her.
“See you later, Uncle Easton,” Lainey says.
“I’m coming with.”
Her eyes widen, and then she practically starts bouncing up and down. “Really? Oh my gosh, we’re going to make the most money.”
I let out a chuckle, and when Rachel and the girls head to the front door, I wait for Nova. I place my hand on her lower back and walk alongside her.
“Things might get a bit crazy at Lainey’s school,” I warn her.
“How so?”
I glance down at her. “They’re not used to seeing me there.” Wanting her to be prepared for anything, I say, “There might be reporters, and they will notice you.”
“Reporters?”
I stop by the front door and take hold of Nova’s arm to hold her back, then explain, “There’s a good chance you’ll be photographed with me, and rumors will spread like wildfires.”
She looks up, worry darkening her green irises. “What kind of rumors?”
“Anything from you being Lainey’s nanny to you being in a relationship with Rachel.”
She shrugs. “That won’t bother me.”
“And there will definitely be rumors that we’re in a relationship or even engaged.”
“We? Like you and me?” Her hand waves wildly between us, then she rambles, “Is there anything I can do or say to make them think otherwise? I can kiss Rachel and hold her hand. God, anything so they don’t write lies about you.”