Total pages in book: 20
Estimated words: 18471 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 92(@200wpm)___ 74(@250wpm)___ 62(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 18471 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 92(@200wpm)___ 74(@250wpm)___ 62(@300wpm)
“Oh my.” Momma Bear sighs a few days later as we walk down Main Street with my mate in his silly get-up. Mabel is sitting at one of the outside tables in front of Honey Buns holding Teddy while Wilder and Thorne take pictures of Clay.
My sister waves at me as we walk by. “I can’t even express how proud I am to see my middle son dressed up in black capri pants, a sparkly pink top, handcuffs linked around his neck like a necklace, and red high heels.” My mother-in-law shakes her head sadly. “It’s the highlight of my day.”
After winning the bet, Wilder offered Clay double or nothing, and my mate couldn’t resist the temptation. Lucky Bear’s luck ran out when he tried to change one of Teddy’s infamous loaded diapers. My mate lost his lunch and end up earning himself a day wearing the ridiculous outfit around town. At least there’s one positive; no one in Glacier Pass will see my mate’s humiliation.
Also, we’ll only be able to come back to Honey Pot Hollow once or twice a year after we have the baby. Hopefully, the town’s residents have short memories and forget this before we come back next time. I’m crossing my fingers.
“At least, Papa Bear, Thorne, and Wilder are getting a kick out of it,” I groan and rub my huge swollen belly, hoping my little one will give me this one day without horrible morning sickness.
For the last few months, I’ve been experiencing morning, noon, night, and midnight sickness that’s starting to get a little old. I’m starting to lean toward this baby being an only child. Cora insists I’ll forget all the discomfort once the baby comes, but I don't believe her.
“I’m sure they are,” Momma Bear confirms. “Those boys are just like their dad. They live for their stupid bets, and I don’t expect them to ever change.”
“At least, we won’t have a shortage of excitement in our lives,” I remind my mother-in-law.
“So true.”
I breathe a sigh of relief when the brothers decide they’ve tortured Clay enough for one day. Unfortunately, my relief only lasts overnight. The next morning, we find out that Wilder and Thorne pulled a fast one on my mate when Clay gets a message from Dillon with the link to a YouTube video of him prancing through town.
It takes more than a crazy outfit to embarrass a Bearly brother, however, and my mate takes it all in stride while planning his revenge on Wilder and Thorne. I have no doubt there will be plenty more Bearly brother wagers in the future, and I look forward to all of them.
After we return to Glacier Pass, my morning sickness slowly starts to improve. Over the next several weeks, I grow steadily bigger while my mate stresses over every bump along the way. Since it’s Clay’s intense love for me that makes him act like a crazy caveman, I take it all in stride.
Life couldn’t be any better.
My heart melts in my chest as I sit on the back deck watching my sons chase their children around the backyard. “Are you okay, Momma Bear?” Bethany waddles over and sits in the chair across from me. A few months ago, we decided to have a family reunion at our lake house with all our children and grandkids for our fortieth anniversary.
“I’m a little sad that our getaway is coming to an end.” I glance over at my daughter-in-law and watch her wince as she tries to finagle herself into the patio chair. “This week has blown by so fast.”
“I know. It was so nice to take a two-week vacation.” My daughter-in-law sighs. “But I’m actually looking forward to sleeping in my own bed again. This little one refuses to let me get comfortable away from home.”
“I was just like that when I was pregnant with the boys.” I watch Thorne chase Stella around the back yard while Angel Baby nips at his heels. “How’s the morning sickness today?”
“Not so great.” Bethany’s pale face tells me she’s really suffering from morning sickness again this time. “In the four years since I suffered through this, I’d wiped how miserable morning sickness is from my mind.” She blows out her breath. “This little one is more than happy to remind me though. He isn’t happy unless I’m puking three times a day.”
“I’m so sorry to hear that, sweetheart.” I pat her hand sympathetically. “My grandchildren are adorable and slightly ornery just like their daddies.”
“Boy, you can say that again,” Bethany mutters before something in the yard catches her attention. “Gavin, get off the monkey bars and let Teddy have a turn.” My grandson listens to his mother and hops off the monkey bars before running off to chase one of his cousins.
Cora and Mabel come out and sit at the table with us while we watch the men entertaining the kids.