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)
Leaning closer to me, my mother hissed, “You know how Pastor Steve is about things like this! Not to mention, the women’s prayer group I’m in. I can hear them now, ‘Stella Shaw’s son walked into Christmas Even mass late!’ Oh, won’t Gidget love this. She’s been itching to talk smack about me.”
I attempted not to laugh. “Talk…smack…about you? Mama, where in the world did you even learn that word?”
She turned to glare at me. “I have Facebook, Tanner. I keep up with the trends on there.”
It took everything I had not to bust out laughing. My phone buzzed and I pulled it out of my pocket. I grinned even more when I read the text from Ty.
Ty: Tell our mother to stop pouting. We’re walking into the church right now.
“He’s walking in right now.”
My mother’s entire body relaxed, and she dropped her arms to her side. Not thirty seconds later, Ty, Kaylee, and Timberlynn slipped into the pews in front of us.
“Go stand next to Timberlynn, Tanner. Lori Williams, the town gossip, is here. So is her son, and he’s making eyes at Timberlynn. He’ll come and sit next to her, and then we’ll have to hear him shouting during worship songs.”
I tipped my pretend hat at her and made my way around to the pews in front of us. I leaned past Timberlynn and Kaylee and met Ty’s gaze. “You were two minutes from being cut out of the will and becoming the subject of the lady’s prayer group gossip.”
He grinned, then turned and gave our mother a kiss. I laughed and looked down at Timberlynn.
“What’s going on?” she asked.
I leaned down to talk softer now that nearly all the seats around us were taken. It wasn’t lost on me that Lori Williams’ son, Pete, did indeed sit directly in front of Timberlynn. “Nothing, my mother nearly got her panties in a twist because Ty was almost late for service.”
The music started and Timberlynn took a quick glance around. “Looks like we got here right on time.”
“Ty has it down to the second. He does it purely to agitate our mother. Every year.”
Timberlynn giggled. “That’s terrible.”
I shrugged. “That’s Ty.”
As the service began, Timberlynn relaxed next to me. Once or twice, Pete turned and flashed her a smile if she glanced his way. By the time he turned around for the fourth time, Timberlynn had reached down and took my hand in hers as we stood and sang one of the worship songs. Pete glanced around, then looked at our joined hands. He turned back around and didn’t look our way the rest of the service. Timberlynn also didn’t let go of my hand. And that left me feeling like a fucking giddy school boy.
Chapter Sixteen
TANNER
Christmas Eve
After the service was over, my folks introduced Timberlynn to a few people. I watched as she smiled politely and spoke to folks.
As Kaylee and Lincoln introduced Timberlynn to a couple of their friends, I stood off near the entrance of the church and waited patiently. Lincoln and Brock were showing off Blayze and Morgan and answering the same questions over and over again. No, they didn’t know if it was a boy or girl yet; no, they were not finding out ahead of time; and yes, they would be happy with either a boy or a girl.
My mind drifted to Timberlynn’s father. What was he doing tonight on Christmas Eve? Had he not even thought about his own daughter at all? How could a father not want to be involved in his only daughter’s life?
Finally, everyone started to make their way over to me. Timberlynn stood by my side as we all waited for my father to finish his conversation with the pastor. I looked around at the church, which was quickly emptying out. I nearly groaned when I saw Lindsey walking my way.
I pulled my hands out of my pockets and laced my arm around Timberlynn’s waist. She didn’t so much as flinch.
“Why, Mr. Shaw, are you using me to distract a certain ex?”
“She is not an ex, and yes, I am totally using you right now. Is that okay?”
When she leaned into me more, I smiled and tried not to let her know both my heartrate and breathing had sped up. “Is that your answer?”
“Yes, plus, I’ve missed being near you.”
As Lindsey made her way through the small crowd, her eyes locked on my arm wrapped around Timberlynn. She frowned and then turned to speak to my mother. “Why, Stella, it’s so very nice to see you.”
My mother flashed Lindsey a polite smile. “You, as well, Lindsey.”
She glanced my way and then back to my mother and gave her a fake pout before she spoke. “I’m hoping you can talk Tanner into attending one of our closest friend’s weddings. I’ve asked him, and he’s turned me down.”