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)
“She’s perfect,” I tell him.
He smiles over at Ada, who is laughing at their father as he makes funny faces at her. “They grow up way too fast.”
A beautiful woman walks up, and he immediately slides his arm around her shoulders, pulling her into his chest. “Our daughter is talking about arm porn again.” She bites down on her lip, hiding her smile.
“She’s your daughter when she talks about arm porn,” he tells her. “That’s you and the Kincaid ladies all day long.”
“He’s right,” Merrick chimes in. “You can’t blame us for that.”
“Fine. I’ll take the blame for the arm porn. Lord knows this family has it an abundance.” She smiles up at her husband.
I want what they have.
I want a man to love me so openly that everyone around will know it without him saying a word.
“Hi, I’m Kennedy. This one is mine.” She pokes Declan gently in the belly.
“I’m Stella. Nice to meet you. I met your daughter. She’s adorable.”
“Thank you. We have a son too. Beckham, he’s one.”
“The same age as Ada.” I nod toward my daughter.
“Oh, we should schedule a playdate.” She rattles off a bunch of names and ages. “Blakely is the odd woman out.” She laughs. “The rest of them are really close in age.”
“I’d like that,” I tell her, and we exchange numbers. Mentally, I’m fist bumping myself for making friends with other moms, even though I know it wouldn’t be happening if the handsome stranger sitting next to me didn’t offer to help me and then insisted my daughter and I join him today.
As the day passes, I meet several more brothers, wives, and kids. Ada is passed around, and my baby girl soaks up all the attention. What started out as a shit-tastic day turned out to be one of the best I’ve had in a really long time.
“You about ready to go?” Maverick asks me.
“Yes. I’ll just go get Ada,” I say, nodding to where Merrick is holding her in a chair. They both look as though they’re on the verge of falling asleep.
“I’ll get her.” He gives my shoulder a gentle squeeze, and he leaves to take my daughter from his brother.
I watch him as he gently lifts her into his arms and settles her against his chest. Ada lays her head on his shoulder, and Maverick rubs her back soothingly. He says something to Merrick that makes his twin laugh. With a nod, he heads my way. “Ready?”
“I can take her.” I reach for Ada.
“Nah, she’s comfy. Aren’t you, baby girl?” She’s content to be snuggled in his arms.
“Don’t you need to say goodbye to everyone?” I ask him.
“Nah, I see them all the time. Besides, they’re also wrangling up their littles to head home.”
Not knowing what else to do, I grab the diaper bag and follow him out to his truck. He straps Ada in with quick efficiency before softly closing the door. With his hand on the small of my back, he opens the front passenger door for me. Once I’m settled, he closes the door and rushes to slide behind the wheel.
“Do you want me to drive you by Declan’s shop so that you know where it is?”
“You don’t have to do that. Willow River is a small town. I’m sure I can figure it out.”
“Your grandparents know as well. Dec does all of their maintenance and repair work.”
The knowledge makes me feel better. Silence fills the cab as Maverick pulls out on the road. We’re getting close to my grandparents' place, and I need to get out my thank-yous for today so that when we get there, I can grab Ada and we can get out of his hair. I know I need to, but doing so means today is over, and well, I’m sad about that.
“Thank you for today, Maverick. For stopping to help and including us in your day. You didn’t have to do that.”
“You’re welcome. It was nothing, and you met the fam. They were happy to have you there. I’m sorry they hogged your daughter all day.”
“No. Don’t be. She loved all of the attention. It was nice to feel like we were a part of something more. Something bigger than what’s our reality.”
“Well, I’ll loan them to you anytime. Don’t get me wrong, I love them, but I’m more than happy to share. There are plenty of Kincaids to go around.” He glances over and winks, and my face heats, so I turn to look out the window.
We’re both quiet until Maverick pulls into the driveway and turns off the truck. “I’ll carry her in for you.”
“Oh, you don’t have to do that. I’m used to doing it.”
“I know I don’t have to. I want to.” Something crosses his face, but it’s gone before I can name it.
Speaking of being gone, Maverick is out of the truck, snuggling my sleeping daughter to his chest before I can unbuckle my seat belt and climb out of his truck.