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)
“You look good holding a baby, McBride,” Copeland teases.
“When you’re ready,” Macklin whispers so only I can hear him, before clearing his throat. “Yeah,” he agrees. “I could handle a few of these running around the house.”
“Baylor always said she wanted at least three,” Ellison chimes in.
My head snaps to hers, and I give her a “shut up” look, but my sister is too blissed out and happy to heed my warning. Instead, she sticks her tongue out at me.
Macklin chuckles. “Three’s a good number.”
My eyes widen, and Ellison giggles, which pulls Macklin’s attention to her. “Sorry,” she says, holding up her hands. “Just really happy she’s here and healthy.”
“Congratulations,” Macklin tells her. “You did good, Ellie.”
“Hey! I helped,” Copeland says, already laughing.
“Maybe, but Ellie did all the work,” Macklin tells him.
“My wife is a rock star,” Copeland says, smiling down at her.
Ellison yawns, and I know she needs to rest. I’m dead on my feet, as well. “We should go so you can get some rest.” Bending, I place a kiss on Lainey’s forehead and stand, moving to my sister’s side of the bed. Leaning over, I hug her gently. “Love you, Ellie. Mom and Dad—” I start, but my voice cracks.
“Yeah” is all that she says, and there’s something in her voice I don’t recognize. I’m sure it’s nothing. We both need sleep.
Macklin hands Lainey to her daddy, and after another round of hugs from both of us, he takes my hand in his and leads me out to his truck.
“Shit. I rode here with Leighton.”
“That’s fine. You know I got you,” he says, opening the passenger door for me.
“I’m sorry. I know it’s late, or early, rather. I should have asked them to stay,” I say, as I climb up into his truck.
“Baylor.” He leans in close. “Don’t apologize. I’m with you. Always. Now, tell me, do you want me to take you to my place or yours?”
“Yours.” I don’t even hesitate. Not because I want something more to happen between us, but because the thought of going home and sleeping in my bed alone, when his is an option, makes the decision easy.
Macklin gives me a tired smile and presses a soft peck to my lips before closing the door and moving around the front of the truck to the driver’s side.
The drive to his place is quiet. By the time we’re walking into his house, the sun is starting to rise, and I’m thankful we have staff at the inn to keep things moving, because I need a few hours of sleep in order to be able to function today.
Macklin doesn’t bother with lights, just takes my hand and leads me down the hall. I was expecting him to lead me to the guest room, but instead, it’s to his room, and he guides us into it as he flips on the small lamp on the nightstand. “Shower?” he asks.
“Too tired.”
He nods, digs around in his dresser, and hands me a T-shirt to sleep in. “Get changed. I’ll dig out an extra toothbrush for you.” He drops a kiss on my temple and leaves me to change.
My movements are slow as I step out of my clothes and into his soft, worn T-shirt. I’m just finishing up when Macklin steps out of the bathroom. He’s in nothing but his boxer briefs as he steps into the dim lighting of the room.
“Bathroom’s all yours,” he says, moving toward the bed and pulling back the covers.
“Thanks,” I murmur, before rushing inside, closing the door, and taking a deep breath. I want to be here, but now that I am, it’s overwhelming. Is this moving too fast? Am I asking too much of him when I’m not ready to admit he’s all I want? My mind is racing, but I push it all back, use the bathroom, wash my hands and face, then brush my teeth, and flip out the light.
The bedside lamp guides me to the other side of the bed, and I slide beneath the covers. The light clicks off, and Macklin is there, in the center of the bed, pulling me close.
“Is this okay?” he asks, his voice low, and I can hear the exhaustion in his tone.
“Yeah, this is okay,” I reply, snuggling closer, because I’m here, and he’s holding me, and I can’t think of a single place I’d rather be right now. I know I’m tossing him mixed signals all over the place, but Macklin makes it so hard not to fall for him.
He told me he was going to make me fall in love with him, and at the time, I didn’t believe him, but my heart is on board, and it scares me how much I want to just let go of the fear and worry and be with him.
He presses a kiss to my cheek. “Night, baby,” he murmurs.