Total pages in book: 78
Estimated words: 75288 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 376(@200wpm)___ 301(@250wpm)___ 251(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75288 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 376(@200wpm)___ 301(@250wpm)___ 251(@300wpm)
“All okay?” Atlas asks.
I give him a thumbs-up. The men often communicate with hand signals, and I seem to be picking up their habits.
“All except for a kid with no brakes,” Grizz says, earning a curious look from Atlas.
“A boy almost ran into me when we were coming out of the clinic,” I explain, “but Grizz’s reflexes prevented an accident.”
Atlas nods before looking to Grizz for confirmation that there was no threat. After silent communication passes between the two men, Atlas nods again.
“We’re restocking basics,” Atlas says. “Anything you want, speak up.”
I shake my head. “You’ve already bought me enough.”
“We bought you what you needed. Today, get what you want.”
I don’t bother arguing, because it won’t do any good. Instead, I follow along as they move through the aisles, watching Grizz get into a passionate debate with Viper about canned chili versus stew. I drift slightly behind, fascinated by the store’s selection and by the men I’m with.
The three of them fit in perfectly with the rough and rugged environment at the compound. Here in town, they stand out. They’re all so masculine and handsome, they draw the eye without trying. The shop’s narrow aisles accentuate how tall and broad the three are, and their competence is made plain in the purposeful way they move through the store.
Of course, I already knew they were exceptional men, but seeing them in a different environment makes it even more obvious.
When we turn into the next aisle, I spot yarn. A decent-sized section of it, tucked between cleaning products and school supplies. Skeins in every color, from dusty pinks and sunshiney yellows to bright blues and mossy greens.
As soon as I slow to look, the men come to a stop as a unit.
“Do you knit?” Atlas asks.
“Crochet. My mom taught me when I was young. After she passed, I used to make things when I was sad or stressed.”
He looks at the yarn selection, then back at me. “Want to get some?”
“I shouldn’t.” I bite my lip. “I don’t really need it.”
Viper’s voice is low but resolute. “Mental health is a priority. Get some.”
Grizz picks up a pastel pink yarn. “This one will be perfect.”
The other two men notice the special smile on my face and move in close, forming a huddle around me. “Are you saying—?” Atlas asks.
“I found out I’m having a girl.” I pull out the sonogram picture and show it to them.
Their reactions are similar to Grizz’s, minus the part where he picked me up and twirled me around. Their big, strong, handsome faces, with the hard lines and serious expressions, temporarily turn into sweet puddles of goo.
“Congratulations.” Atlas pulls me into an embrace that’s every bit as enjoyable as Grizz’s, and also far too brief.
For a moment, Viper looks like he might hug me, too, but instead, he nods. I can tell he’s happy for me, but his smile doesn’t seem to come easy.
I don’t have much time to wonder about his reaction, though, because Atlas redirects my attention to the yarn. “Can you make a baby blanket? How many of these do you need?”
When I admire a variegated pastel colorway, Atlas insists I get it.
“Maybe just one,” I say.
“You must need more for a whole blanket.” His gaze drifts to my belly. “No matter how tiny she is.”
I tell him three skeins will be plenty, and he tosses them into the basket. “What other colors would you like? You need a hook, too, right?”
A set of three basic hooks doesn’t cost much, and as I put that in the basket, my eye catches on a particular shade of grayish-blue yarn that reminds me of Atlas’s eyes. After all they’ve done for me, it would be really nice to be able to make something for them, even if it does unfortunately require them to buy the supplies.
I end up selecting the blue, along with a forest green, and a warm heathered charcoal. As the men take the skeins from me and add them to their basket, I say, “I promise I’m not trying to bankrupt you.”
“You’d have to try harder,” Viper says.
In fact, they try to buy more things for me before we’re done shopping, and I have to be careful not to look at any one item for too long, so they don’t put it in the basket. Despite my protests, they insist on getting me a soft flannel shirt and a notebook with mountain artwork on the cover.
When Grizz eyes me as he picks up a candle that smells like flowers, I put my foot down. “Nothing else today. You’ve already gotten me more than enough.”
He sighs dramatically, teasing me. “You’re no fun.”
I direct his attention to the peanut butter, something I recall him mentioning, and he puts three jars of it on top of the nearly-full basket. “For emergencies,” he explains.