Total pages in book: 155
Estimated words: 157672 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 788(@200wpm)___ 631(@250wpm)___ 526(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 157672 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 788(@200wpm)___ 631(@250wpm)___ 526(@300wpm)
“You having my baby, I’ll understand.”
Her green eyes glow at the comment, and a loud sigh pulls my attention to my mom. She’s bright with the glow of utter joy.
Willow’s face heats but she doesn’t back out of my hold. “Are you having fun?”
“Last night, we dined on prime rib and had a bar flowing with alcohol. Today, we’re fighting over fucking finger sandwiches and watching a bunch of women play bingo.”
“It is crazy how we went from a formal soiree to a backyard baby bash. And I’ll inform you those finger sandwiches are made from the prime rib, and the alcohol is still flowing. As soon as the presents are opened, we’ll pop the champagne.”
“That mean these women are staying all night?”
“Doubtful since some of us have to work tomorrow. And most of them have children at home, driving their dads crazy.”
“Good, I’m ready to end this weekend deep inside you.”
Her head swings around, her hair whipping across my face. “Your mom,” she hisses.
“She walked away. Probably to pop that champagne you mentioned in celebration of me having kids one day.”
Willow’s lips twitch before she burst into giggles. “Such a way with words.”
“You’ll get used to it.”
Her laughter grows louder and she faceplants into my chest.
“Seriously, Princess. Love seeing you having a good time, but I’m ready to have you to myself.”
“Addie and Carson have plans for us tonight,” she mumbles into my shirt.
“Of course they do.” Ford’s sisters have been vocal about wanting to discuss their ideas for a bachelorette party. “I’ll be glad when these people leave tomorrow.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I catch movement by the back gate. Robbie, Finn, and Max all jerk their chins and disappear around the corner of the house.
The hair on the back of my neck stands, my skin prickling.
Finn and Robbie are supposed to be watching their kids since their wives are here.
Max is scheduled to fly out tonight.
“Gonna go check on the dogs.” I walk her back to my mom and head inside through the house.
Not surprising, Ford and Major are on my tail.
The three guys are on the front porch.
Their faces are etched in stone, jaws hard, eyes burning, and muscles ticking.
Max is in the center of the trio, standing firm. His arms crossed, feet planted, chest barely moving.
Stoic.
Alert.
Brimming with adrenaline.
This isn’t a casual visit with friends.
These are not the men standing around last night throwing back top-shelf bourbon.
This isn’t a talk about Rylee Richards or her antics toward Willow.
This is a visit from three Marines.
Marines who have a mission.
“Talk,” I demand, my own training taking over.
“I’ve been called in.” Max slices his eyes side-to-side at his friends. “And we may need help.”
26
WILLOW
My nerves buzz frantically as I peer around the restaurant. It was my goal to be early, but ever so prompt, she beat me.
Mom stands, raising her hand to wave, then stops herself and settles back in her seat.
Shockingly, she’s dressed in basic jeans and a lightweight sweater. Similar to last week, her accessories are toned down to the basics with the addition of a few bangles Chase and I gifted her one Mother’s Day.
She gives me a small smile, motioning for me to sit at the table. A frazzled waitress approaches, handing me a menu. I order a water, not sure my stomach can handle anything more.
“Willow, I—” Her voice is shaky. She draws in a breath and exhales slowly. “Thank you for meeting me on your lunch break. I know you are busy.”
I knew this would be awkward, but seeing her nervous somehow eases my own anxieties.
“I received your messages.” I clear my throat, searching for confidence. “One thing I promised myself when accepting this invitation was total honesty.”
“That’s expected.”
“I’m here because of April Simms, Talon’s mom.”
“Oh?”
“She and I spent the weekend together and it opened my eyes to some things.”
“Can I ask what things?”
“She’s an amazing woman, and her family is everything to her. Talon spent ten years in the Marines. She lived in fear of all the unthinkable atrocities happening and if her son would survive.”
“That is terrifying.”
“She loves her son with all her being and wasn’t afraid to show it. While she was scared shitless for a decade, she was also proud.”
“A mother’s love is irrevocable.”
“I saw a lot of that this weekend. And it got me thinking. April is witty with a touch of sneaky. Without actually saying anything, she challenged me to confront the pain and emotions I lived with for all that time following Rylee and Joseph’s betrayal. Seeing as I don’t give a rat’s ass about either of them, only one person has the answers.”
The waitress drops my water off, catches the tears in my mom’s eyes, and excuses herself hastily.
“Did you know it was happening?” I ask bluntly.
She shakes her head sadly. “Not until you had already confided in me there were problems in your relationship. I noticed small differences in Rylee’s attitude and knew she’d met someone. Then one day it clicked. At first, I was in denial, hoping I was wrong.”