Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 77827 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77827 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
All I can do is take it one day at a time and hope that clarity will find me.
Ten
Macklin
* * *
It’s been two weeks since Baylor stayed over at my place. Two weeks since holding her after she fell asleep. Two very long weeks of sleepless nights without her next to me. I’ve been trying to keep my word not to pressure her, yet I’m also always around. I’ve been spending more time than necessary at the stables on the estate just for a chance to see her.
However, today, I’m asking her over for dinner again. It’s Friday, and the thought of another night without her is not a pleasant one. Besides, next Monday is Christmas, and I have to give her the gift I bought.
I’ve just finished watering the horses when I hear the door to the stables creak open, and I can’t hide my smile, because every day, even knowing that she’s more than likely going to run into me, she comes to visit the stables. She could come later in the day, try to miss me, but she comes when she knows I’m here. At least that’s the story I tell myself.
Slowly, I turn to face her. “Hey, beautiful.” I walk toward her and pull her into a hug. Something else that I’ve been doing a lot of. I don’t care who knows how I feel about her, and if I’m going to make her fall in love with me, I need to pull out all the stops. If she’d let me, I’d show her, and anyone watching, every day of forever.
“Hi,” she says, drawing back and rewarding me with one of her blinding smiles. One of the good ones that reaches her eyes and tells me more than her words ever could that she’s happy to see me. “How are they today?” she asks, moving toward Buckwheat’s stall and slipping her hand over the railing to pet his neck. “Hey, boy,” she murmurs.
“They’re all good. I just finished giving them fresh water.”
She nods. “Is Macklin taking good care of you?” she asks Buckwheat, which earns her a nod, and she laughs. The sound carries and fills the stables. I love the sound of her laugh.
“You know I am,” I tell her, stepping up behind her. One hand instinctively goes to her hip, the other reaches over the railing to give the old boy some love.
“I know,” she answers softly.
I want to hold her close, but my hand on her hip is pushing it far enough. I promised her she could take the time that she needs, and I meant it, no matter how hard I have to battle temptation.
“What are your plans for the night?”
She glances over her shoulder at me. “No plans. Sophia invited me to her family's Christmas party. It’s one of many they do with all her mom’s family in Nashville, but I want to stay nearby in case Ellie goes into labor.”
“She’s close, right?”
“Yeah, next month, but she’s far enough along now, it could be anytime, and the baby would be okay. That’s what the doctor told them this week at their appointment.”
“Are you excited about being an aunt?” I ask, even though I already know the answer.
“Yes!” she exclaims. “I can’t wait, and I’m so happy that they found their way back to each other.”
“Agreed.”
“They say—whoever they are—” She laughs. “—that everything happens for a reason. They’re together, happily married, and about to be parents. They were always meant to be, and the universe knew that.”
“You’re going to be the best aunt,” I reply. I want to tell her that she’s also going to be the best mom, hopefully to our kids, but that’s pushing, and I promised I wouldn’t. She’d surely freak the hell out if she were able to read my mind where she’s concerned.
“Thanks, Mac,” she says sweetly. “I can’t wait to spoil her.”
“So, about tonight. I was thinking we could have dinner. I can cook for you, or we can order in, or go out. Whatever you’re feeling, I’ll make it happen.”
“Just like that? What about what you want? What you’re feeling?” she asks, removing her hand from the stall and turning to face me. I do the same, missing the heat of her body pressed to mine.
“I get time with you, Bay. That’s all I want.”
She’s quiet for a few minutes. Her eyes bounce around the stables before coming to land on me. “I want dinner at your place. We can order in. Pizza with ham and pineapple, and sweet tea is a must.”
“Yeah?” I ask, excitement roaring through my veins. I was certain she was going to turn me down. “Anything else?”
“You still have the stuff for those sundaes you made us?”
“I’ll make sure that I do. Can I pick you up?”
She tilts her head to the side. “Is that what you want?”