Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 81176 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 406(@200wpm)___ 325(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81176 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 406(@200wpm)___ 325(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
“How do you think Mom and Dad are going to react to the news?” Finn asked as he handed me a plate to dry.
I shrugged. “Not sure. Could go either way.”
“This has been a crazy few weeks. You and Clare, Angie pregnant. Man…we don’t have a dull family, that’s for sure.”
“No, we don’t,” I agreed with a chuckle.
“Speaking of Clare. How are things going?”
My eyes found her instantly. “Good. Really good,” I said with a smile. “I feel like every time I see her, even if she’s been out of my sight for a few minutes, I get this weird fluttery feeling in my chest and I can’t believe it’s all real.”
Finn bumped my arm. “Being in love is something else, isn’t it. I’m just glad you finally opened your damn eyes and realized what you had in front of you. Mandy was a…”
His words faded.
“A bitch?”
“That’s one word I could use to describe her.”
Looking at Clare once more, my heart squeezed in my chest as she laughed at something Rory said.
“I’m going to ask her to move in with me.”
My brother froze mid rinse of a plate. “Are you serious? You don’t think you’re moving a bit fast?”
“No. I’m not asking her to marry me, just move in with me.”
Finn nodded. “You think she will?”
“I sure as shit hope so.”
“Maybe you should look at getting a house.”
It was my turn to pause what I was doing. “And what? Get a crazy ass dog like yours?”
“Hey,” he said, pointing to me. “You leave Flash out of this. He’s the best dog ever.”
I rolled my eyes. “Didn’t he tear up your prized football, a sofa, too many plants to count. Presley’s stuffed animals? I could go on.”
Finn looked away, wiped at his eyes, then turned back to face me.
“Dude, are those tears in your eyes?”
Wiping at the corner of his eyes again, he shook his head. “No. Don’t be stupid.”
All I could do was laugh. Flash was the firehouse puppy at Finn’s old station he had worked at. Once he decided to leave, he and Rory stole Flash from the department, even though they will both profess that Flash wasn’t stolen. Rory’s father was Finn’s boss and didn’t like the idea of them together. Unfortunately, he still hasn’t spoken to Rory. Not even after Karleigh was born.
“Still nothing from Rory’s father?”
Finn shook his head. “No.”
“His loss,” I said as I jerked my head in the direction of Rory holding their daughter.
“Damn right it is.”
Dad walked into the kitchen and stretched. “Okay, your mom is ready for presents.”
Presley flew into the kitchen behind Dad yelling, “Presents! Presents!”
“Go,” I said to Finn. “I’ll finish up these few dishes. By then Mom will have all the presents passed out to everyone.”
“Okay, sounds good,” Finn said as he took Karleigh from Rory, and they headed out to the living room.
“Let me help you finish these,” Clare said as she picked up where Finn had left off.
Once the kitchen was cleared of everyone, Clare leaned in. “I don’t think she’s going to tell them today.”
“I don’t think so either.”
“I feel bad for her. I can’t imagine your parents would turn her away, but I understand she’s worried about them feeling disappointed.”
“No, once they get over the initial shock and see that Angie has everything planned out, they’ll be thrilled at the idea of a new grandbaby. I don’t honestly think my mom is going to get over Reece and Angie not marrying, though.”
Clare handed me the last plate. I dried it and placed it in the cabinet. Turning, I leaned against the counter and looked at Clare.
“Do you want kids?” I asked as she tilted her head and grinned.
“I do. You?”
“I wouldn’t mind a little Clare and a little Wes.”
Her cheeks turned a beautiful shade of pink. “I think that sounds nice.”
“Is it too soon in our relationship to be talking about this?”
She giggled. “Maybe, but it’s nice to know where we stand on that.”
I reached my hand out for her and drew her to me. Clare fit between my open legs, and feeling her body against mine was driving me insane.
“You remember we’re in your parents’ kitchen, right?”
Smiling, I replied, “Trust me, I remember. I simply wanted to say that you have been the best Christmas present I’ve ever gotten.”
Clare brought her hands up from my chest to my face as she reached up to gently kiss me.
“And you have been the greatest gift of my life. I remember being younger and praying every night that I would find someone who would love me like my father loves my mother. You’re the answer to that prayer, Wes.”
It was my turn to frame her face with my hands and kiss her. This kiss was deeper than the first. Our tongues moved together in a hunger that nearly had me turning her and lifting her up onto the counter. Instead, I pulled my mouth back and rested my forehead to hers. Both of us were breathing heavy.