Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 82265 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82265 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
“Finally.”
“What?”
“Sweetheart, I’ve seen it for years. Your dad told me to mind my own business and let the two of you work it out. I’ve been waiting for this moment. We love Sterling.”
“Don’t get your hopes up. He could tell me he doesn’t feel the same way.”
My mom’s head falls back in laughter. Heads turn to look at her, but she doesn’t seem to care. When she finally lifts her gaze, she’s wiping happy tears from beneath her eyes. “Sweetheart, that’s not going to happen. That man is in love with you too. Has been for years.”
“Let’s just… not get our hopes up.”
“Too late.” She grins. “I’ve been hoping for this for years.” She winks, and it’s my turn to laugh.
Soon, I tell myself. Soon I’ll know for sure. He’s going camping with his brothers next weekend, so the weekend after, I’m spilling my heart out to the man I love.
CHAPTER
NINETEEN
Sterling
It’s the final night of our annual Kincaid boys’ family camping trip. We got here on Thursday, and even though it’s been a blast like always, I’m ready to be home. I miss Alyssa. In the past, I missed her, but not like I do this time. I’m carrying my phone around like I need it to live, and I’m checking to see if I have messages from her multiple times per day. Thankfully my truck charges my phone when it’s not running. Something that Declan’s Tahoe doesn’t do. Basically, we’re all taking turns charging our phones in my truck.
There are eleven of us, including Dad and Deacon. We’re all sitting around the fire nursing beers. Archer made campfire chili, and Deacon grilled some burgers too. It might not be the best combo, but there are no rules when it comes to camping.
Thursday, we didn’t do a lot. We set up camp and just had a chill night. We got up early Friday and fished all day, and today, we hiked the trails. The weather has been perfect, and it’s been nice to catch up with just us guys. I look forward to this every year.
“Dad.” Brooks leans forward in his chair. “We were talking.” He motions to the group of us. “Remember when we discussed doing another camp weekend but bringing the women and, well, now the kids along with us?”
“I do.” Dad nods. There’s a small smile playing on his lips.
“I’d like for my kids, both boys and girls, to experience this,” Orrin says.
“Wait.” Ryder holds his hand up. “Is Jade having twins?” he asks.
Orrin laughs. “No, but we want more kids.”
“Boys.” He shakes his head. Yes, he still calls us boys, and to him, that’s what we will always be, his rowdy boys. “I’ve been doing this trip with you all for going on thirty years. Orrin was five, Declan was three, and we left Brooks home with your mamma that year.” He smiles fondly as if he can still remember, and he probably can. “Anyway, I’ve left the love of my life and, at times, my younger children at home for almost thirty years to make this trip with you.”
“We don’t want to stop this one,” Brooks is quick to explain.
“We just want to add another one,” Orrin chimes in. “Bring them along. Mom would love it.” He’s speaking to Dad’s softer side. He’d do anything for our mother. Not that he’s not going to agree to this. He has no reason not to. We’re not changing our tradition. We’re adding another one.
“Can we make that happen?” Declan asks. “I know that Blakely would love it, and when he’s older, my son too.”
“You keep saying my son. Does he have a name yet?” Merrick asks.
“The suspense is killing us,” Maverick adds.
“What about you?” Rushton asks Orrin. “Have you named my other nephew yet?”
“Not yet. We have a list. We’re going to wait until we meet him to decide,” Orrin tells us.
“We have a list too,” Declan admits. “We’re still trying to narrow it down.”
“We already know Archer Kincaid has a good ring to it,” Archer jokes.
“Your mother and I went through the same thing with each of you. In fact, Maverick and Merrick were the two we struggled with the most. We wanted the names to start with the same letter but not rhyme. It was important to us that we let you boys have your own individual identities,” Dad explains.
“And here they are twinning regardless.” Rushton laughs. “The two of them have always been thick as thieves and copied one another, and their personalities are as identical as their DNA.”
“We’re overachievers like that,” Maverick quips, making us all laugh.
“Can we get back to bringing our wives and kids with us?” Orrin asks.
“What are we thinking?” Dad asks.
“I think there should be rules,” Brooks speaks up. “We don’t get to bring just anyone with us. They need to be a wife, fiancée, or serious girlfriend. Our kids will be here, and I, for one, don’t want to explain to my daughter when she’s older why one of her uncles has so many girlfriends.”