Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 85399 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 427(@200wpm)___ 342(@250wpm)___ 285(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85399 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 427(@200wpm)___ 342(@250wpm)___ 285(@300wpm)
“We can work it out later,” he says. “We have the rest of our lives. But whatever you need me to do to support you and Story Books—I’m in.”
I collapse into his arms and hold him as tight as I can. He presses kisses to the top of my head and whispers things I can’t hear.
But that’s okay. I understand what they mean.
“I love you, Jack.”
He kisses my head again. “I love you more, Lo.”
The door creaks open behind us.
“Mom? Dad? Do you want to come in and eat?” Maddie asks.
I pull away from my husband and smile. “Yeah. We’re coming.”
Jack takes my hand and leads me into the cabin.
Harvey sits in the recliner with a giant bag sitting on the couch beside him. Snaps is perched on his lap, watching every move Mrs. Shaw makes. Mrs. Shaw, for her part, fusses over Harvey, a cotton ball and a tube of some kind of ointment in her hands.
“Harvey, sit still,” she says.
“Or what?”
She smacks him on the shoulder.
Michael, Maddie, and Ava are gathered around the table with plates full of food. They’re engrossed in their own stories. What are they talking about? I don’t know. But Maddie seems to have forgotten, at least temporarily, that her life was in shambles this morning.
“Think we could just sneak back off into the bedroom?” Jack whispers in my ear.
“I wish.”
“We do need to get cleaned up.” He steps away and holds his arms out. “I think we smell like the woods.”
“Jack, Lauren—there’s a pot of beef stew on the stove and a pan of cornbread. Lauren, I had to use your oven to bake my cake. I hope that’s all right, sweetheart.”
I laugh. “Yes, Mrs. Shaw. That’s fine. You didn’t have to go to all this trouble.”
“Oh yes, I did. I knew you would be back wet and tired. It’s the least I could do.”
“Well, thank you. It’s very appreciated.”
Jack walks across the room to his father. “I see what you’re doing now.”
“What are you talking about?” Harvey asks.
“You probably pulled this whole stunt on purpose just to get Mrs. Shaw over here, fawning all over you.”
Harvey snorts. “I don’t have to pull a stunt to get her to fawn all over me.”
“Harvey Reed, you better stop telling fibs.”
“What’s that mean, Mrs. Shaw?” I ask, winking at Jack.
She sighs. “He acts like it’s just me fawning over him. This father-in-law of yours goes out of his way to fawn all over me. He’s the biggest flirt I’ve ever seen.”
Harvey’s chest puffs out. “Yeah. That’s me.”
Everyone in the cabin laughs. Harvey quickly quiets and holds his ribs.
“You need to see a doctor, Dad?” Jack asks.
“No, I don’t need to see a doctor.”
“You’re holding your rib cage.”
“Yes, I know where my rib cage is, Jack. Thanks for checking to see if I knew.”
Jack shakes his head. “Why do you have to be such an ass?”
“Must not be too big of one.” Harvey grins. “Your wife asked me to move in with you.”
“You’re moving in with us?” Maddie asks.
I turn around. “How did you hear that when you’re in the middle of your own conversation over there?”
“Talent. So, is Pops moving in with us?” And yet, she can’t hear when I ask her to take out the trash. Ironic.
“I am. Your mom said I can have the room by the garage.”
Maddie beams. “This is great news. I love it.”
“Finally,” Michael says. “I’ll have someone around to watch football with.”
“Hell yeah,” Harvey says. “Wings and football every Sunday. It’s on.”
My heart explodes with warmth. I’m so glad we’re here.
“Dad and I need to wash up,” I say. “We smell like moss and dirt.”
Jack’s eyes shimmer, and I feel it in my core.
“Good,” Harvey says. “Get out of here, and let Mrs. Shaw fix me up. I’m starting to get some other pains that I’d like her to tend to in private.”
“That’s my grandmother,” Ava calls from the table.
“Ava, your grandmother is a fox,” Harvey says.
Mrs. Shaw swipes at him again, but he easily ducks it.
Jack starts down the hallway, and I begin to follow. But Harvey motions for me.
“Yeah?” I say, standing next to him.
He takes my hands in his and pats them. Snaps tries to bite them, but Harvey keeps them far enough away. “I love you, Lauren.”
“I love you, Pops.”
He winks, giving my hands another squeeze before letting them go. “Now, go wash up or whatever you’re calling it. Then come back, and we’ll play some euchre.”
“You’re going down,” Michael shouts from across the room.
“You wish,” Harvey shouts back.
I shake my head and slip down the hall and into my bedroom. I shut and lock the door behind me.
Jack’s things are scattered around the room. Shoes are on the floor. Clothes are lying everywhere. His bottle of water from last night is on top of the dresser. But instead of being irritated by it, I’m somehow comforted.