Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 100226 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 501(@200wpm)___ 401(@250wpm)___ 334(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 100226 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 501(@200wpm)___ 401(@250wpm)___ 334(@300wpm)
“You used to be.” He glances over at me and frowns.
“Yeah, well. I used to be.” But I don’t pull my hand away when he sets it on his thigh and covers it with his own. As we get closer to the ranch, I feel more and more like I’m going to throw up.
So, I breathe.
And square my shoulders.
This is my family. They may not love the situation, but they love me, and I know without a doubt that, although it will be uncomfortable, it’s going to be okay.
Everything is going to be okay.
“Why aren’t you affectionate now?” he asks, clearly trying to distract me.
“I’m just not touched very often, so it makes me uncomfortable.” I frown, not happy that I just shared that. “I hug the kids all the time, and family is fine, but for the most part, I’m not the touchy-feely type.”
“Hmm.”
Holden turns onto our road, and I punch the code into the gate, and it smoothly opens for us. When he pulls around to the farmhouse, I see that everyone is outside, sitting on the big porch on the front of the house, waiting for me.
And we’re the last to arrive.
When they see the truck, everyone stands, and my dad’s face reddens.
Oh, shit, I’m going to give my dad a stroke.
“Park there,” I say, pointing at the spot next to Ryan’s Aston Martin. We both climb out of the truck, and when I meet Holden at the front, I take his hand, and he gives mine a squeeze.
“What the fuck?” Remington asks, his eyes narrowed on our clasped hands.
“Uh, hi.” I clear my throat and look up at Holden. He doesn’t look nervous or scared at all. In fact, he takes his hat off and nods at all the girls.
“Ma’am,” he says to my mom.
And she offers him a tentative smile.
“Hey, guys,” Erin says, trying to sound happy. “What’s up? What’s going on?”
Chase is holding baby August, and he turns to Summer. “Here, Blondie, take the baby.”
Once he’s passed the baby off, all my brothers and my dad walk down the steps, while the girls stay up the five steps on the porch.
“John,” Mom starts, but Dad holds up a hand, stopping her, and I frown. He never does that to her. Normally, she’d skin him alive.
“What the fuck are you doing on my property?” Dad addresses Holden, and I instinctively move in front of my husband to shield him from the shit storm about to come.
All my brothers notice. Ryan’s jaw ticks.
But Holden gently takes my shoulders in his hands and moves me to the side, then kisses my temple, and I swear to God, Rem growls.
“I got this, Mill.” I look up and see that he’s smiling softly at me. His eyes are hard, but that’s not for me, and my murder hornets take it down a notch. “We’ve got this. Don’t worry.”
“I’m worried about murder,” I remind him with a hiss.
“Nah. Don’t be.” He turns back to my father. “Sir, Millie and I wanted to come out here to announce to you all that we’ve gotten married.”
There’s a gasp.
Someone mutters, “Holy shit.”
“Congratulations,” Summer says with a bright smile, rocking her son side to side. “I want to know everything. This is so exciting.”
But then her smile falls when literally no one else says a word.
Dad’s gaze falls to me, then down to my finger where my ring sits before he looks me in the eye again. I’ve never seen him this angry. My hand reaches out for Holden’s again, and I hold on tight as he rubs his thumb soothingly over my knuckles.
I feel like I’m going to throw up.
“I’ve never been so disappointed in you in my life.” Dad’s voice has never been this firm. So damn hard.
Chase moves forward with blood in his eye, and I’ve had just about enough, so I stomp my foot and scowl, making him come up short.
“Enough,” I growl. “What in the hell is wrong with all of you?”
“Do you see who you’re standing next to?” Remington asks, looking like he has homicide on the brain.
I look up at Holden, but he still looks perfectly calm. Although, I can see a little hurt in his beautiful blue eyes, and that just pisses me right off.
“Yeah.” I turn back to my oldest brother. “I do. And you’re all being a bunch of jerks. Holden is a good person. He’s not his father. He’s done nothing but work hard, be good to his employees, and love his sisters. He raised his sisters. He’s well-liked in this town, and there’s no reason at all for you to treat him like he’s a piece of cow shit on the bottom of your boot.”
“He’s a Lexington,” Dad spits out, and I see red.
“Yeah, and guess what? I now share that last name, Daddy. That makes me a Lexington, too.”