Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 22751 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 114(@200wpm)___ 91(@250wpm)___ 76(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22751 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 114(@200wpm)___ 91(@250wpm)___ 76(@300wpm)
Once a month, they have a father-daughter date. Tonight they went to the boxing gym, which is one of Mabel's favorite places, and then out to dinner. Wynn would take her anywhere, but I bet they ended up at the corner pizza shop.
I love the hell out of their date nights. Not only because I get the house all to myself but because I know how important a father-daughter relationship is. I’m fully aware of the impact it can have on a girl, and my Wynn is setting the bar. He’s made sure it’s so high that if any man isn't willing to live up to it, he's not worth it.
Once the cookies are off the sheet and on the cooling rack, all that's left to do is box them up. After that, they'll be ready for the bake sale tomorrow at Mabel's school. Somehow I was chosen as class parent, and I might have a tendency to go overboard. What can I say? It's Mabel's first year, and I want to be as involved as I can be.
Growing up the way I did, I know what kind of parent I don't want to be. I'm going to show up every time, and so will Wynn. That's why I'm not going to box the cookies. He'll want to do his part since he’s almost as involved as I am.
Over the past four years, he's really built up his private practice so he could have more of a normal nine-to-five. He wanted that to be settled in before Mabel started school.
Reaching down, I rub the small bump that’s already starting to show. I wanted Mabel to have a couple of siblings, but I also wanted to space them out. That's why we waited to have our second child. I want to be able to give each of our children their time with us. I'm sure it has to do with my past and feeling forgotten, but I believe it's what's best not only for them but for our family as a whole.
After my father was sent to prison for the rest of his life, it was the first time that I could really ask myself what I wanted out of life. Before then, I never allowed myself to see further than a few months at a time.
When I was in school, my goal was to get good grades because I didn’t want to face my father’s wrath. Everything was centered around that, more so than I realized until he was no longer there. I never recognized how bad things were when I was standing in the center of it. Wynn saved me from all of that, though he won’t agree with me. He always says it was my strength that saved me.
Being with Wynn made me realize how much I wanted a family of my own. It was all the small things I dreamed of, like staying home and taking care of the house. Or surprising my husband at work with lunch. In creating this life, I could still volunteer at Farrow Haven too and simply live.
My dreams were simple, but Wynn never judged anything I ever wanted to do. He was only ever there to cheer me on and tell me that the blanket I knitted wasn't that crooked. Even if it was.
The new world I’ve created would have been overwhelming if not for my husband. Wynn’s sternness and bossy ways are always about caring for me. I long for his order because it heals me all the way to my soul. There used to be an empty space inside of me until Wynn filled it with love.
I smile to myself when I hear the driveaway alarm, then a few moments later Mabel comes bursting into the house.
“Mommy! Guess what?” She’s shouting before reaching the kitchen.
“What?”
“I pinned two of the boys tonight.” She gives me a mischievous smile, and I laugh.
Mabel likes wrestling and she’s already a freaking pro. Maverick is always telling us that if she decides to compete, she’s going to dominate.
"Of course you did," I tell her and hold out my hand. She gives me a high-five before I lean down and kiss her. "Steal a cookie and go get ready for bed. You've got school in the morning."
She grabs one and takes off running. The girl is a ball of energy.
"My turn," Wynn says before he pulls me into his arms. "This is what I like to see. My baby girl, barefoot and in the kitchen." I snort a laugh and give his chest a small smack. "Watch it, I'll return that on your ass."
He presses his mouth to mine before I can respond. The kiss is long and possessive, and you'd think he hadn't seen me in a month. When he lifts his mouth from mine, I'm breathless and suddenly sitting on the kitchen island with him standing between my thighs.