Total pages in book: 127
Estimated words: 120708 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 604(@200wpm)___ 483(@250wpm)___ 402(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 120708 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 604(@200wpm)___ 483(@250wpm)___ 402(@300wpm)
I laughed as I let my gaze take it all in. “Yes, but to be fair, it isn’t just presents from Santa. Some of these are from your parents, as well as from Ty and Kaylee.”
Tanner frowned.
“What’s wrong?”
“Well, I think I’m going to have to go shopping. I only got Blayze and Morgan one gift each. It was what my mom told me to buy them.”
Laughing, I went back to wrapping a toy that was clearly meant for Morgan. “I’m sure it’s okay. I don’t think Ty and Kaylee got them very many. Maybe two…three presents total?”
“Shit. That’s two more than I got them.” He reached for my hand and pulled me up.
“What in the world are you doing?” I asked as I attempted not to fall over the pile of toys and clothes.
“I’m forcing you to come help me shop. I have no clue what to get them.”
I stared at him in disbelief. “And what in the world makes you think I do?”
“You’re a woman. Isn’t that like…bred in you, straight from the womb?”
My hands went to my hips. From the look on his face and the way he took a step back, he clearly realized he had said the wrong thing.
“No, wait, that came out all wrong.”
“Did it now?” I asked.
“Yes. What I meant to say was, I could really use the advice of a pretty lady who clearly is good at gift giving.”
It was my turn to frown. “That didn’t make it any better, Tanner.”
“Fine.” He gave me a pleading look. “I want to spend some time with you, Timber, so will you please go shopping with me? I really do need to pick up a few more things.”
Despite my annoyance, I couldn’t help but smile. “You want me to go shopping with you?”
“Yes, I really do. I’ll even take you to lunch.”
“Well, when you throw food into the equation, how can I refuse?”
He winked and I suddenly got dizzy, positive the room had shifted slightly.
Kaylee walked back into the living room and smiled when she saw Tanner.
“What’s going on?” she asked, glancing between the two of us.
I pointed to him. “Tanner here has asked me to go shopping with him. Apparently, he needs my womanly advice on a few things.”
Kaylee glared at Tanner as he held up his hands and laughed. “Honestly, I need to buy my folks something, and maybe another gift or two for the kids. But I more or less just want her company.”
That seemed to spark something in Kaylee’s eyes, and she nearly pushed me into his arms, offering me up as some sort of sacrifice. “Then, yes, y’all should totally go shopping. Don’t worry about this. We’ve got it covered. Stella should be back any minute now to help.”
I glanced down at all the presents. “Are you sure? How is Lincoln feeling?”
“She’s already back to her normal self and mixing a bowl of chocolate ice cream and pickles.”
Tanner gagged, then asked, “Are you serious? That’s really a thing? Pickles and ice cream?”
Kaylee shrugged. “I guess so. She’s currently making herself a giant bowl, and not even moments ago she was hurling in the toilet.”
“That’s disgusting,” Tanner and I said in unison.
He smiled. “Great minds think alike,” he said as he reached for my hand. “Let’s go put that to good use.”
I took his hand and let him lead me through the pile of wrapping paper, bows, and presents.
“You two kids have fun, but not too much fun! And sex in the back of a truck is not all you think it is, Timberlynn!”
I glanced back at her, positive I had a shocked expression on my face. Tanner wrapped his arm around my waist and said loud enough for her to hear, “Don’t listen to her, sweetheart. Besides, I’d take you in the bed of my truck, not the back seat.”
I couldn’t help but laugh at Kaylee’s expression, not sure if he was teasing or not—and not wanting to admit that I hoped he wasn’t.
“Tanner Shaw!” Kaylee cried out, but she was cut off as we rounded the corner.
“I don’t know what I should be more disturbed by,” I said. “The fact that my cousin had sex in the backseat of Ty’s truck and I have to sit back there, or the fact that you’ve used the bed of your truck as an actual…bed.”
He chuckled and wrapped his fingers around mine, guiding me through the house while holding my hand. I knew I should pull it away so I didn’t give him the wrong impression, but my goodness, it felt good to have a man treat me like this. The skin-to-skin contact did things to my body that I rather enjoyed. “Do you need to get anything out of your room?” Tanner asked.
I swallowed hard, suddenly feeling like I desperately needed water for my dry mouth and throat. “No, my purse is by the front door with my coat.”