Total pages in book: 66
Estimated words: 61868 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 309(@200wpm)___ 247(@250wpm)___ 206(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 61868 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 309(@200wpm)___ 247(@250wpm)___ 206(@300wpm)
West pushes Hallie’s stroller proudly, and we’re stopped along the way by Liam, who’s laden with shopping, and Armen, who pulls up next to us on his motorbike, scaring Hallie with the rumble. Skye smiles sweetly when everyone comments on Hallie. She’s such a proud, happy mom.
Jack disappears into a store, urging us to stay outside. After five minutes, he appears with a huge and very beautiful wreath. “For the cabin door,” he says.
Skye reaches out to touch the sparkly red bow and touches Jack’s arm in silent thanks. He pulls her into a side hug, kissing her forehead.
We’re starting holiday traditions as a family and seeing my friends so deeply content is the best gift I could get.
As though the universe senses our holiday cheer, snow begins to fall gently from the white sky, dancing like glistening fairies. Hallie gazes up, blinking quickly as flakes get caught in her lashes. She sticks out her tongue and then giggles as the coolness registers.
Skye holds her hands out, catching disappearing crystals in her warm palms.
All around us, people stop and smile as the silence that comes with the start of snow settles on our community.
So much has changed since that day we drove to an auction, wanting to find a woman who could make our lives better. The things we thought we needed turned out to be secondary to what we’ve found to be the most important.
Connection. Affection. Love.
We might have bid on a woman, but what we truly found was a family.
And that is the most priceless gift of all.
EPILOGUE
JACK
A FOREST FAMILY
ONE YEAR LATER
“Daddy!” The sweetest sound snaps me out of my concentration zone, and I turn to see Hallie waddling along, wrapped in a scarlet red cape and a chunky white knit scarf made by her momma.
Her new sheepskin boots from Finn fit her perfectly, and her grin is wide. My heart flip-flops in my chest.
She tears off her hat and mittens, much to her momma’s disapproval.
In her little jeans and with the sleeves of her checked plaid shirt sticking out from the red sleeves of her cape, she looks just like a mini lumberjack.
Skye’s behind her, carrying a basket I know will be full of goodies for lunch.
“My angel!” I lower my ax to the ground and pull my thick work gloves from my hands, dropping them to the forest floor. I stride towards my favorite girls, desperate for a taste of Skye’s lips and a cuddle from Hallie. Stooping my head low to meet Skye’s mouth with mine, I plant a lingering kiss, then turn to Hallie and scoop her into my arms.
She nuzzles into me, fitting perfectly into the curve of my neck, giggling as my beard rasps her sweet, soft skin.
She’s as warm as a toasted marshmallow and smells sweet of freshly baked cookies.
“Daddy, so cold.”
We laugh together, and her chubby little arms wrap tighter around me.
“Mommy and Hallie got lunch.”
“Lunch!” I can’t believe how many words she has now. “That’s a big word, honey! I’m so proud of you!”
I’m excited to watch her develop and reach her milestones, but at the same time, I want time to slow down. It’s a sensory and emotional overload. I love every sweet, tender moment.
“Mommy and Hallie make gingerbed.”
“Gingerbread honey, gingerbread.” Skye corrects her gently, but Hallie ignores her.
“Hallie want gingerbed.”
With Hallie snuggled safely in my arms, we approach the trailer to share lunch with the rest of the crew.
Two other daddies will be as delighted as me to see their little girl.
Skye places the basket on the huge table that takes up most of the space in the trailer and lays out the contents.
The crew momentarily stops as they feast their eyes on the goods. The smell of freshly baked bread rises, mingling with a hint of pepper and spice from the winter-warming soup we all love.
Skye lays out parcel after parcel of carefully wrapped treats, and I catch her cradling her small belly with one hand.
The way to any man’s heart is definitely through his stomach.
And his cock.
Although, giving him a baby trumps everything!
Hallie helps her momma lay out a series of tiny cupcakes topped with either light blue or baby pink frosting.
Hallie is buzzing with unspent energy and almost ready to burst.
The final item is a large carrot cake topped with extra cream cheese frosting, which has become one of our favorites and is usually a symbol of something being celebrated.
“You feeling all right, Skye?” Finn notices Skye being careful how she maneuvers around the table.
Her nausea has been hard on her the past couple of weeks.
“Course, Finn. It’s just that feeding you ravenous men is no easy task. I read the other day that a lumberjack can need as many as seven thousand calories a day. It’s mind-boggling!”
She’s trying to detract attention away from herself and back to the boys waiting like pigs at a trough.