Total pages in book: 78
Estimated words: 75656 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 378(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75656 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 378(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
“Baby girl, maybe one day soon you’ll be a big sister,” Brooks coos to his daughter, Remi.
“She just turned one,” I remind him. “Maybe let her get out of diapers first.”
“I want my kids close together like we were.”
“And is Palmer okay with this plan?”
“Yeah.” He smiles.
I’m ready to tell him I’m happy for them when laughter rings out. I turn to follow the familiar sound, and sure enough, it’s Scarlett. She’s sitting on the couch, with Blakely on her lap, letting Blake take a few pictures of Ramsey as she helps her hold the camera. Her long auburn hair is hanging down her back in soft curls. My hands fist at my sides. I can practically feel the silky strands beneath my fingertips.
“Speaking of babies. That smolder could get her pregnant from here.”
I have to force myself to tear my gaze from Scarlett to listen to whatever it is Brooks is going on about. “What?”
He laughs. Remi grins and laughs, too, because her daddy is. Reaching over, I take her from his arms, and she snuggles into my chest. Damn, I love being an uncle.
“That intense stare you’re giving Scarlett, Arch, it’s written all over your face how bad you want her.”
“She’s already mine,” I tell him. I sound smug, and I don’t give a fuck.
“I heard that.” He nods. “She still leaving?”
Brooks knows the exact details of Scarlett’s employment contract with Palmer. I’m sure his wife filled him in. Hell, I’m sure my entire family knows. Brooks is the first to bring it up, and I feel a big brother, be careful speech coming on.
Nothing I haven’t already told myself in the last few months since Scarlett appeared in my life.
“Yeah, she’s still leaving. She’s crazy fu—freaking talented,” I correct, smiling at my niece in my arms.
“You’re setting yourself up for pain. Damn, Archer, did you not learn anything from watching Ryder?” he asks.
“That’s different. Jordyn left without saying goodbye. I know Scarlett is leaving. She’s chasing her dreams.”
“So is Jordyn.”
“It’s different.”
“What? Do you think it’s going to work out for you like it did for Rush? That she’s going to change her mind and stay here?”
“That was different too. Crosby wanted to stay. She just wasn’t sure she was going to be able to. I’m fine, Brooks,” I assure him. “I know what I’m doing.”
“Signing up to have your heart torn in two?”
“I’d rather have this time with her than not have her at all.”
“Fuck,” he mutters under his breath. I’m not sure if the low mutter is just him in disbelief at my words or because he doesn’t want his daughter to hear. Either way, the meaning is the same. He knows my mind is made up, and nothing he can do or say will change it. It’s a Kincaid trait. Once we know, we know.
“What happens when she’s gone, Arch? Are you going to live the rest of your life alone? What about a wife and kids?” He nods to where I’m snuggling Remi.
“I don’t know,” I confess. “I didn’t say I was in love with her. I said I’d rather have the time than miss out on her.”
“Open your eyes, Archer. It’s written all over your face.”
“Remi, tell Daddy that he’s seeing things.” I tickle her side, and she wiggles in my arms. Her cute little laugh reaching in and grabbing hold of my heart.
“Baby hog,” Ryder says, joining us. He opens his arms for Remi, and she leans out for him to take her.
“We need more babies. There are not enough for all of us,” I grump.
“I’m trying.” Brooks chuckles. Our earlier conversation is now tabled for another time. I know he won’t mention it in front of Ryder. The poor guy has been nursing his broken heart for far too long. He doesn’t need Brooks to remind him of the pain of Jordyn leaving without saying goodbye.
“Well, hurry, would you?” Ryder fires back.
“You want to watch her for a few hours later?” Brooks wags his eyebrows.
“You want to come home with Uncle Ry?” he asks Remi. She just grins and lays her head on his chest. “Damn, how do you leave her at all?” he asks.
“It’s tough,” Brooks admits. “I used to think that Declan was just overprotective of Blakely. Always calling to check on her and reminding us not to curse. I get it now. She’s a piece of me and Palmer, and damn if that’s not the strongest kind of love I’ve ever felt in my life.”
“Do you mind?” Scarlett steps in front of us and holds up her camera.
Remi lifts her head and smiles big. I’m sure she’s used to her photographer momma pointing the camera at her. Scarlett smiles at my brothers before turning her gaze to me. There is so much in that look. Longing, desire, need, and something softer. She waves and walks away, and my eyes follow her across the room, where she snaps a picture of Maverick and Merrick with bows in their hair.