Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 96733 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 484(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 322(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96733 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 484(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 322(@300wpm)
“That’s the thing. I’ve been wanting this for so long. Now I have it, and I don’t know what to do. There’s a part of me that doesn’t know if I deserve this.”
“Trevor Paul Monroe, I’m going to stop you right there. You’re a good son, and one hell of a father. I’m proud of you.
“You don’t have a selfish bone in your body, and it shows in how you raise those kids. Any other man would have walked out with Jess and left Donna years ago. You stepped up and took care of Jess, then figured out how to be a father to twins and a six-year-old with no help from their mother.
“I was certain you were going to call it quits when Bam was born. You made me proud taking those children with you when you left. Son, you deserve all the happiness the world has to offer you.
“I have hopes for your future, but I’m confident what’s for you will make its way to you. You’re right. You’ve waited a long time for this. Scoot and Bam are here with us.
“Go out, have a few beers, and do some dancing. Celebrate. You deserve it,” he finishes.
“Thanks, Daddy. I needed to hear that. Maybe I’ll continue going to those sessions. Dr. Winsor has helped me see the pieces that are broken. Maybe if I stick around, she’ll help me figure out how to fix what’s come undone,” I muse.
“Maybe you already know, but you’re allowing fear to creep in to steal your joy.”
I chuckle. “You always know how to stick the cold hard truth in there, don’t you?”
“The best fathers do. Speaking of which. Maybe now I can ask you something.”
“What’s that?”
“What did you say to Cakes to make her order everyone never to mention you to her. I’ve wanted to ask for years, but … Well, you were married, and it didn’t seem right.”
I sit with a frown on me face. This is news to me. I have no idea what he’s talking about. The last time we spoke was right before my truck was smashed into and flipped over.
“Daddy, I have no idea.”
Lynn
“Nanna, it’s me,” I call into the house.
She called me this morning and asked me to come by. I wasn’t about to tell her no. Besides, I’ve been meaning to stop by.
“It better be you walking up in my house, hollering like you’re in a barn. I got my frying pan ready if it ain’t you. I’m in the kitchen, girl. I made lunch for them big fellas you always have with you,” she calls back.
“Hey, Mrs. Agatha,” Elise sings as we step into the kitchen and find Nanna taking pies from the oven.
Nanna gives her a tight hug before doing the same with Maggie. She runs a hand over the side of both their faces, looking between the two with a smile.
“Should’ve known you two would be with her too. Pook was a lucky girl to have such good friends. You two take such good care of my stubborn little girl.
“It would make me happy to see you all settle down. Such smart and pretty girls. You can’t run behind Babycakes for forever,” Nanna says.
“I’ve tried. It didn’t work out for me,” Maggie says.
“Same,” Elise mutters.
Nanna sighs. “If only you girls would take a chance on looking at the bigger picture. Oh, what do I know? I’m old, I’ve only lived this life and learned a thing or two,” she says with so much sarcasm I can’t help but smile.
“Get over here 007 and Tyler Rake,” she says to Matthew and Wilson.
This time I do burst into laughter. Matt and Wilson laugh too as they go and embrace her. Nanna smiles as she inhales Matthew, then peeks over at Maggie.
“Mm-hm,” she murmurs.
“Nanna, what do you know about Tyler Rake?”
“It was between Tyler Rake and Jake Bauer. Girl, I’ve seen Extraction 1, 2, and 3. I’m on my second turn watching all seasons of 24. What else is there to do when I’m not cooking, baking, and don’t have company.”
“Speaking of which, where’s your little buddy?”
“Spending time with her daddy. She’ll be back before supper.”
“Oh,” I say, feeling a little disappointed.
The little girl has a welcoming smile. She’s taken on so many of my nanna’s mannerisms, it makes her a pleasure to be around. I start to wonder what Trevor’s boys are like.
I learned from Jess that Snacks is a twin, and they have another brother who’s the youngest. I shake the thought off. I’ve learned more than I should know about Trev.
“You four fix yourselves a plate and take a slice of pie. Then get. I need to talk to my granddaughter for a bit,” Nanna says to my crew.
Everyone here knows what Nanna’s cooking tastes like. You don’t have to tell them twice to get it while it’s hot. Matt and Wilson pile their plate high then each take a slice of two different pies before hurrying off out of the kitchen.