Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 67665 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 338(@200wpm)___ 271(@250wpm)___ 226(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 67665 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 338(@200wpm)___ 271(@250wpm)___ 226(@300wpm)
He got the television from the bedroom and set it up in the living room. We snuggled together and watched romantic comedies.
“We can turn your room into a nursery,” he said, kissing the back of my hand.
“That’s what I was thinking,” I agreed. “You could make a crib.”
“I would like that,” he said. “I could use your gift card from the hardware store.”
“I’ll have to find a new job,” I said reluctantly. I couldn’t afford to buy the hair salon, and with the baby on the way, getting out to clients’ homes might not be feasible.
“You could stay home,” he suggested. “I make enough money to support us.”
It was a perfect suggestion. I imagined rising with the dawn to soothe the baby, cooking meals and cleaning the house. It might work for a while, but I always knew that I would want my career back eventually. I wasn’t a lawyer or a politician, but doing hair made me feel important. I loved the way I could change someone’s outlook, giving them more energy and confidence. I would miss that if I had to give it up.
I told Jason my jumbled thoughts, and he understood completely. Although we were devoted to each other, we both had the right to live our lives how we wanted. And I just so happened to want to live it by giving my customers’ confidence through transforming the hair on their heads.
“We’ll figure it out,” he said. “Let’s just focus on your pregnancy and getting a beautiful, healthy baby first.”
I grinned widely, capturing his lips in a wholly kiss to display my love for him.
29
JASON
Icouldn’t wait. Now that Lindsey and I had reconnected, I wanted everyone to know how happy we were. I had an ulterior motive, but one I would keep hidden for the time being. I called everyone on my contacts list from Singer’s Ridge: Cheryl, Ryan, the chief, Ava, Macy, Dillon, and even the two part-time girls from the salon. I invited everyone over for grilling and beers and a formal announcement of Lindsey’s pregnancy.
We found an old grill out back, and after a quick trip to the grocery store, I lit it up. We had burgers and dogs, and I bought enough beer to go around. Lindsey and her friends camped out in the living room, playing with little Nicky. The chief, Ryan, Cheryl, and I circled the barbeque, congratulating ourselves on the close of the salon case.
Dillon came to stand with us, and we reminisced about life in the big city. The chief offered Dillon a job if he wanted it, but Dillon turned him down.
“I’m content where I am,” he said. “Working from home allows me to take care of Nicky when Macy has to go into the office.”
The girls drifted out of the house when the food was done, and we all sat on the porch, munching happily. I noticed a tension between Ryan and Ava, but maybe less so now than in the past. They were cordial to each other, even pausing to spend a few moments catching up. I rescued him when he looked my way, making up some excuse about having him look at my truck.
“Thanks, man,” he said as soon as we got away.
“You’ll have to learn how to be in the same room with her.” I grinned.
He shrugged. “Maybe.”
I looked over to the porch to see Lindsey holding out one hand. I left Ryan at the truck and jogged over to her. She looked radiant in the afternoon light. You could never tell that she had been sick again that morning. I climbed the porch steps to stand beside her, calling our friends’ attention.
“Thank you all for coming. It’s been a roller-coaster couple of months,” I said.
The crowd agreed with a laugh.
“We have an announcement to make. Most of you already know, Lindsey is pregnant.”
There was a smattering of applause. Ava gave Lindsey the thumbs-up, and Macy bounced the baby on her lap.
“I have one more announcement to make if you guys don’t mind,” I said, getting down on one knee.
Lindsey gasped, her focus narrowing to me, forgetting all about the other people on the porch. I pulled a tiny box out of my pocket, flipping it open so the ring could sparkle in the sunlight.
“Lindsey Parker,” I said. “Would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
Around us, I could feel our friends holding their breath. Macy reached for Dillon’s hand and squeezed it. Ava wiped a tear away. Cheryl put a hand on Ryan’s shoulder, and the chief toasted us with his beer.
Lindsey looked down at me, happiness swimming in her eyes. “Yes,” she said. “A thousand times, yes.”
I stood up, sliding the ring onto her finger and kissing her brazenly out in the open. She dove into my arms, laughing and crying at the same time. I grinned, lifting her up off the wooden planks and spinning her around.