Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 80304 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 402(@200wpm)___ 321(@250wpm)___ 268(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80304 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 402(@200wpm)___ 321(@250wpm)___ 268(@300wpm)
In my wildest imagination, I never dreamed this would be my life. That I would find a man who broke through all of my walls and stands beside me each and every day. I always wanted a family of my own, and that extends past Rushton and our baby. His family is my family. They treat me as such, and I love them all. Every single one of them holds a place in my heart that was once empty but is now overflowing.
“What if it’s a boy?”
“It’s a girl. I can feel it.”
“I wouldn’t question him,” Palmer says, coming to stand next to us. “Brooks was convinced we were having a girl, and—” She nods to where Brooks is bouncing Remi on his hip as he talks to Orrin and Deacon. “That’s what we got.”
“Us dads know these things,” Rushton says, making us both laugh.
“Stop. Go do manly things,” I tell him.
“Oh, I can do many things, gorgeous, but I’m going to need you to come with me.”
“Stop.” Palmer holds up her hand. “I can’t with the two of you.” She’s grinning. “You’re going to make me want to jump my husband, and I’m not ready for baby number two yet.”
“Don’t tell me you’re holding out on him?” I ask, shocked.
“Hell no. You’ve seen my husband, right? But the way the two of you are all lovey, and then Sterling and Alyssa, and I’m in the frame of mind where I just might let him talk me into it.”
Rushton’s head falls back in laughter. I can feel the vibration of his chest against my back. “On that note, I’m going to go talk manly things. I’ll save the doing for when I get you alone.” He kisses my neck, releases his hold on me, and walks away.
“How long do you think until they’re pregnant?” Palmer nods to where Sterling and Alyssa are dancing close. They’re the only two on the dance floor, but they don’t seem to mind.
“Soon, I’d guess. I know they both want kids.”
“And Sterling will think he has to keep up since the majority of us are married and have at least one.” She reaches over and places her hand on my baby bump.
“Are they really that competitive?”
“Nah, they use it as an excuse. They’re all big, lovable teddy bears with hearts of gold. They grew up in a house full of kids, and from what I know from them, they all want that. Even the twins when they decide it’s time to settle down.”
“I love that. I love that our kids are all going to grow up together and never feel alone.”
Palmer places her arm around my shoulders. “Never again, Crosby.” I don’t ask her to elaborate because I don’t need her to.
I’m a Kincaid now.
We are family.
We work hard.
We love harder.
EPILOGUE RUSHTON
Rushton
“What’s up?” Brooks asks.
I reach for Remi and she leans out of her dad’s arms for me to take her into mine. “Our wives told me to go do manly things.”
“You good to watch her?” Brooks asks.
“Yeah, why?”
“I’m going to go find my wife to do manly things.” He takes a step, and I crack up laughing.
“I already tried and they still sent me away. Palmer said something about you convincing her to have baby number two.”
“Been trying,” he confesses.
“Tell Daddy you’re not even a year old yet, and that this is your time to be spoiled,” I tell Remi.
“She’s eight months, so by the time we have another, if we were to get pregnant right away, they’ll be almost two years apart.”
“I’ll confess I see the appeal.” My eyes scan to my wife.
“The appeal of what?” Archer asks.
“Keeping our wives knocked up.”
Archer chuckles. “I don’t know about all that, but I’m not against practicing.” He tries to steal Remi from me, but I turn so he can’t take her. She giggles, and I kiss the top of her head.
“You got someone you’ve been practicing with?” Brooks asks.
When Archer doesn’t reply, I turn to look at him, only to find his eyes locked on something. Following his gaze, I realize it’s not something but someone. “Do you know her?”
“Who?” Archer asks, not bothering to tear his gaze from the redhead holding a camera, snapping what’s probably a million photos if she’s anything like Palmer.
“The redhead.”
“No. No, I don’t know her,” he replies, his gaze following her every move.
“That’s Scarlett,” Brooks offers helpfully. “Today is her interview of sorts. Palmer has been looking for help as you know, and Scarlett is her top candidate. She wanted to see her in action before she hired her. She figured what better way than today.”
“Scarlett,” Archer repeats, testing the newcomer’s name on his tongue.
“She’s more or less hired. Palmer says her work is good, but she wanted to watch her work.” Archer doesn’t say anything. Brooks’s eyes meet mine and I grin. “She’s off limits,” Brooks says, barely containing his grin.