Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 78542 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78542 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
“They’re baby hogs. Literally. I have to run and hide whenever I get lucky and get one of our nieces or nephews. Well, all except for Blakely. She’s the oldest by a few years, and she knows how to play us all.” Maverick shrugs as if it’s no consequence that the girl, Blakely, rules the roost.
“Uncle Mav!” A little girl comes bouncing over to us. “You have a baby?” she asks, her eyes wide.
“No, kiddo, this is my friend Stella. That is her baby girl, Ada.” He points to where my daughter is living her best life with his mom. “Stella, this is my niece Blakely, the oldest of my nieces and nephews.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Blakely.” I smile kindly. She tilts her head to the side, studying me. I try not to squirm under her gaze. She’s a kid, for goodness sake. I should not let her scrutiny get to me. I grab my water and take a drink to give myself something to do other than stress about this little beauty approving of my presence among her family.
“Stella, do you like arm porn?” Blakely asks.
I choke on my drink of water. Maverick is laughing, and I can feel his shoulder shake next to me. I open my mouth to reply but then quickly close it. Did she ask me what I think she did?
“Blakely.” Carol sighs. “Go find your daddy.”
“He’s drinking a beer over there.” She points behind her. “My daddy and my uncles gots arm porn, Stella. If you are Uncle Mav’s friend, you must like it, huh?”
Merrick is doubled over, his hands resting on the back of his dad’s chair as he heaves with laughter.
“Declan!” Raymond calls out. “Come get your daughter,” he says, barely containing his own laughter.
“What’s so funny?” Blakely asks.
“Come here, you.” Maverick snakes an arm around her waist and pulls her onto his lap. “You can’t go around asking people if they like arm porn,” he tells her. How he manages to keep a straight face, I’ll never know.
“But my mommy and my aunts like the arm porn, Uncle Mav.” As if she needs to demonstrate, she reaches out and squeezes his bicep. She nods her approval, and all I want to do is tell her, “Same.”
Maverick definitely has some sexy arm porn. I cover my mouth because even thinking about it makes me want to laugh, and he’s trying to discipline her, so I need to be a mature adult and keep a straight face. It’s hard to do.
“Daddy.” Blakely climbs off Maverick’s lap and wraps her arms around the newcomer's waist.
“Are you being good?” he asks. He stares down at her like she’s his world, and I feel my chest tighten with longing. Not for me, but for Ada. Will she ever know what it’s like to have a male role model who looks at her like she’s his little princess? My grandpa does a great job, but he’s older, and by the time Ada is Blakely’s age, who knows how well he will be getting around? A wave of sadness washes over me. I can’t imagine a world where Gramps isn’t working at the hardware store and rushing home to Grandma for dinner. I know I can’t be selfish and keep them forever, but I can still wish for it.
“I’m always good, Daddy.”
“Uh-huh.” He laughs at his daughter before giving me his full attention. “Hi, I’m Declan.”
I wave awkwardly. “Stella. Another brother?”
“Yeah. I’m the mechanic. We’ll get your car fixed up. Make sure you give Mav your contact info.”
“My daddy works on cars. When I help, I have to wear my wiener pants. That’s how he’s gots all the arm porn, right, Daddy? Working on the cars?” Blakely asks.
I slap my hand over my mouth and watch as Declan smashes his lips together to contain his laughter. He eventually gets himself under control. “Blake,” he warns, in what I’m assuming is his dad voice.
“Uh-oh.” She wiggles away from him and backs away slowly. “I better go see my mommy and my aunts.” With that, she turns on her heel and darts across the room.
Several voices, including Maverick, Merrick, Declan, and their parents, call out—hell, I think every adult in the room gives her the warning simultaneously: “Don’t run,” making her giggle.
“Sorry about that,” Declan says, running his fingers through his hair.
“Nothing to be sorry for. She’s adorable.” I’m not exactly sure what wiener pants are, but I can only imagine what that sweet girl has made up in her mind.
“She is.” He nods. “She’s also a handful. She was the only grandchild for a few years, and well, my brothers spoiled her, and she’s… a character.” The smile on his face tells me that he adores his little girl. “My wife and I, we’ve been trying to teach her, but she’s got a mind of her own.”