Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 71165 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 356(@200wpm)___ 285(@250wpm)___ 237(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 71165 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 356(@200wpm)___ 285(@250wpm)___ 237(@300wpm)
40
WILLOW
I glanced at the time and turned off my laptop. As soon as I placed it on the table, Pogo moved from my feet up to my lap and stared at me.
“Hey,” I said, massaging the folds around his neck. He made purring noises and stretched out his body. “Your life is much simpler than mine.” I really needed to get up and get ready for the zoo date with Rex and Kayden.
Kayden really loved the zoo. Apparently, Rex had taken him twice already, and whenever he suggested a different activity, Kayden insisted on the zoo.
Since the nanny had the weekend off it would just be the three of us. Not that she gave any problems at all. After the introduction of me as Rex’s girlfriend, she had gotten the message and had started wearing clothes suitable for the cold weather.
I had an hour and a half before they picked me up. I quickly tidied the house and did my laundry, then jumped into the shower. A glance outside my bedroom window told me that it would be another cold day so I opted for a chic cream cardigan that went down to my knees and a pair of leggings. A scarf and a beanie completed the outfit. At a few minutes to two, I made my way downstairs to wait for Rex and Kayden.
I spotted Rex’s car down the street and followed it as it purred to a stop. Rex rolled down his window, grinned and waved. Kayden did the same from the back passenger side. I laughed and waved back.
I hurried to the car and entered the front passenger side. “Hi.”
Rex leaned in to kiss me on the mouth and my cold lips instantly heated up. “Hey, beautiful.”
I turned to Kayden and he grinned at me. Kayden was such a sweet child.
“Hello, Willow Tree,” he sang.
“She’s not Willow Tree. She’s just Willow,” his father corrected.
“No,” I protested. “I like being Willow Tree. Let him call me that.”
“Don’t teach him bad manners,” Rex said with a laugh.
“No, let him live in his child’s fantasy world. He won’t be three forever. You think he’ll be calling me Willow Tree when he’s twenty?” As soon as I said the words, my heart lurched. Would I really be in Kayden’s life then? That would mean… I’d be his stepmother. I pushed the frightful thought away. Later. Later, when I was alone, I would think about it again. Reaching out I gently tugged at his nose, making him laugh.
“So, what are we going to see in this zoo?”
“My goat,” he announced proudly.
“Oh, you have a pet goat at the zoo?” I asked, intrigued.
For the rest of the ride, Kayden regaled us with tales of his goat, most of which were obviously made up, but Rex told me that the goat in question was real though.
Rex and I couldn’t help laughing at Kayden’s antics. Kayden brought out a childlike, fun side to our relationship. At the zoo, we went straight to the goats’ section and Kayden pointed out his black and white goat.
“Does he have a name?” I asked him.
He nodded. “Yes. It’s Billy.”
When he looked away, Rex and I exchanged a look. My heart skipped a beat just from locking eyes with Rex. I was in trouble. I was so deeply in love with Rex that no matter how much I told myself to take it easy, it didn’t work.
The zoo was fun, especially watching Kayden’s face light up when an animal came out of its hiding spot. I had a feeling he and Pogo would hit it off. Afterwards, we had a light lunch at the zoo restaurant, then we headed back to Rex’s apartment.
Kayden fell asleep on the way back.
“Hey, you’re awfully quiet,” Rex said. “Did we wear you out?”
I grinned. “Never. I’m okay, just enjoying the drive.”
“Then you’ll be disappointed because we’re home,” Rex teased.
We trooped into the house with Rex carrying Kayden. I went to the kitchen and made some coffee for us. I carried the mugs to the living room and settled down on the couch. My feet had started to hurt from all the walking we’d done.
As if he could read my mind, Rex lifted my feet and massaged them.
“That feels so good,” I said with a sigh.
“Did you enjoy the day?” Rex said. “I know going to the zoo would not be your first choice of fun activities for the weekend.”
“I loved it,” I said and laughed. “Kayden is a fun little guy. You’re very lucky to be his dad.”
“I know. Are you serious that you enjoyed it?” he insisted.
I nodded. “I did. Kayden is special.”
Rex’s hands stopped their hypnotic massaging and there was something in his eyes. Something that made butterflies flutter in my stomach. Was he thinking about us parenting Kayden together? Being a family? I didn’t want him to say the words. Not when I wasn’t ready. Once the words were out, they couldn’t be taken back.